Shanghai's Harbor Plaza: Luxury Redefined!
Shanghai's Harbor Plaza: Luxury Redefined?! (Or… Did I Just Get Served?) - A Totally Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just emerged from the glitter and gleam that is Shanghai's Harbor Plaza, and I'm here to tell you everything. Forget those sanitized travel blog reviews – this is the real deal. Think less swan-like grace, more… well, a slightly clumsy duckling trying to look sophisticated.
First, the SEO Stuff (Gotta Get That Ranking, Right?)
Before the fun, let's appease the Google gods. This place has it ALL. Seriously. We're talking Accessibility (more on that later), Internet galore ( Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet [LAN] if you need it, Wi-Fi in public areas – they're serious about keeping you connected). Then there's the whole shebang of Things to Do and Ways to Relax: Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool (outdoor and a Pool with a view!), Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap… the works. Fitness center ( Gym/fitness ) is ready, waiting. Plus, a ton of Dining, drinking, and snacking options: Restaurants, Poolside bar, Coffee shop, Bar, Room service [24-hour], you name it!
And of course, the important stuff: Cleanliness and Safety! The Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization opt-out available (though honestly, I wouldn't), Staff trained in safety protocol, and all the health bells and whistles – Individually-wrapped food options, Hand sanitizer everywhere. Plus, for all you germaphobes (like me, sometimes), they have Sterilizing equipment, and Professional-grade sanitizing services. They're giving it a good old try, folks.
Accessibility - The Good, The Bad, and the Elevator That (Almost) Didn't
Okay, let's talk accessibility. The Harbor Plaza mostly delivers. Wheelchair accessible is definitely a key selling point. The main areas are well-designed, and the elevators are plentiful (though one, on my first day, seemed to have a personal vendetta against arriving at the lobby. A minor, slightly panicked, incident, but still). Elevator access is crucial. They’ve got Facilities for disabled guests, which I appreciate a lot. It’s important they're stepping up here. Now, while the hotel is generally accessible, it’s worth double-checking the specifics of the room you book if you have specific needs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Arrival and First Impressions: Opulence? Or Overwhelming?
Pulling up to the Harbor Plaza, you're hit with… something. It's definitely fancy. Marble, gold leaf, and enough chandeliers to light a small city. I found myself instantly wondering if I was dressed well enough. Seriously, the Doorman looked like he judged me for my wrinkled shirt. They have Valet parking which is a big bonus. The Front desk [24-hour] is efficient, the Concierge is a lifesaver (more on him later). There's a definite “luxury” vibe, which, honestly, for a jet-lagged traveler, can be a bit much. This is after an Airport transfer which went smoothly.
The Room: My Home Away From… Shanghai?
Okay, the room. Yes, room. Air conditioning? Check. Alarm clock? Check. Bathrobes and slippers? Double-check. And my oh my, the bathtub! HUGE. Seriously, I could have swum in that thing. They have Separate shower/bathtub. I was very relieved. The bed was an Extra long bed, and comfy. The blackout curtains were my heroes. The Internet access – wireless was strong and consistent – thank goodness for the Wi-Fi [free] in all rooms!! Oh and a view from the high floor! They also have Non-smoking rooms.
The little touches, though? That's where the Harbor Plaza shines. A small welcome gift, a handwritten note (which I'm not sure if it was genuine or a generic gesture, but still). All the toiletries are of a high quality. A plus! They have an in-room safe box. They thought of everything.
The Food: A Culinary Adventure (With a Few Hiccups)
Alright, the food situation. Let's start with breakfast. Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast – the works. The Breakfast service was efficient, and the food was… well, it was there. But let’s get real, the best part was the coffee. The coffee was strong, and perfect.
I tried the main restaurant. A la carte in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant. The food was beautiful, but the service lagged. One evening, I waited 45 minutes for a salad! (A salad! How long does it take to toss some leaves together?) But hey, the Bottle of water was free, and the waiter did apologize profusely. Coffee/tea in restaurant. Oh, and the desserts in restaurant -- they were on point.
The Spa: My Personal Paradise (Almost Ruined by a Chatty Masseuse)
Okay. The Spa. This is where the Harbor Plaza almost got me. The Pool with view was breathtaking (even if it involved a bit of a wait for a lounge chair). The Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom were all pristine and relaxing. I treated myself to a Massage (needed it after that salad incident). The massage itself? Heavenly. My masseuse was an angel, with the most magical hands. However, she really wanted to be my best friend. I mean, she told me her life story, her love life, the whole darn shebang. I needed to relax, and she would NOT. It was hilarious, frustrating, and honestly, very Shanghai.
The Amenities and Services: A Mix of Brilliance and… Boredom?
Business facilities were well-equipped – Meetings, Meeting/banquet facilities, Audio-visual equipment for special events. They have a Convenience store. I saw people using the Xerox/fax in business center. I'm probably not the target audience there.
The Daily housekeeping was impeccable (the room was always spotless). I also appreciated the Laundry service and Dry cleaning.
Getting Around: Getting Lost (A Little)
Navigating the city from the Harbor Plaza is easy, with the Taxi service readily available. They also have a Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]. But let's be honest, Shanghai is a city that begs to be explored. And that is where I had a minor crisis. I got lost for an hour, trying to get to the Bund. But hey, I eventually made it! And as I said before, The Concierge was incredibly helpful.
For the Kids: Kid-Friendly… But Not That Kid-Friendly?
They have Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, and Kids facilities. Honestly, I'm not traveling with kids (thank goodness!) but I did observe that it seemed geared more towards pampering parents than entertaining the little ones.
The Final Verdict: Worth It? (Probably, with a Caveat or Two)
So, is the Harbor Plaza worth the price? Probably. It's luxurious, the service is generally good (though occasionally a bit hit-or-miss), and the amenities are top-notch. The cleanliness is a huge plus for someone like me. The accessibility is commendable.
BUT… it’s not perfect. Be prepared for a touch of over-the-top opulence, and perhaps a chatty masseuse. But if you're looking for a comfortable, well-equipped base for exploring Shanghai, with all the bells and whistles (and a massive bathtub), then go for it. Just remember to pack your sense of humor, and maybe a pair of earplugs.
My Pitch: The Unofficial Harbor Plaza Offer!
Forget the curated Instagram pics. Book the Harbor Plaza if you want:
- To feel pampered… and slightly overwhelmed.
- To have a bath that could double as a swimming pool!
- Amazing views and great breakfast!
- To conquer Shanghai (with a little help from Google Maps).
- And most importantly, to embrace the delightful chaos of traveling!
Book now and tell them the slightly neurotic, slightly lost travel blogger sent you! Don't expect a discount, but maybe they'll give you an extra bottle of water! (Worth it.)
Bali Villa Paradise: Private Pool, 3 BR Luxury Escape (IR26)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a Shanghai adventure at the Harbour Plaza Metropolitan. Forget your pristine, Stepford-wife itineraries, this is going to be messy, glorious chaos. Prepare for… well, prepare for anything. I still don't know what I'm doing half the time!
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Noodle Quest (and Possible Jet Lag Meltdown)
- Morning (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Landed at Pudong. Ugh. Honestly, the airport is a soul-sucking vortex of duty-frees and stressed-out travelers. Found my transfer, thankfully, because I was already starting to hallucinate adorable pandas dancing the Macarena. The drive into the city… vibrant chaos. Buildings that scrape the sky mixed with tiny, crumbling shops. It's beautiful and terrifying.
- Mid-Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Arrived at the Harbour Plaza. It's… grand. A little too grand, if I'm honest. Marble floors, chandeliers the size of small planets. Okay, okay, settling in. Unpacked, which, let's be honest, mostly involved throwing stuff onto the bed in a disorganized pile. The jet lag is kicking in. I'm pretty sure I just saw my sock puppet winking at me.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM): The Great Noodle Quest began. Armed with a picture of "Shanghai noodles" I found a little place around the corner. The language barrier? Majestic. The food? Actually delicious. I accidentally ordered a side of… something… that tasted suspiciously like fried chicken feet. Let's just say I learned a valuable lesson about adventurous eating. Let's just say I really wanted noodles. And after the food, I really wanted to lie down.
- Afternoon (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM): Naptime. Glorious, blessed naptime. Woke up in a panic, convinced I'd slept through the apocalypse. Nope, just really tired.
- Evening (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Walked along the Bund. Utterly breathtaking, the lights reflecting on the river. I felt a surge of pure, unadulterated joy. This is why I travel! It also happened to be insanely crowded. Managed to navigate the selfie-stick-wielding masses. Dinner at a slightly touristy, but still excellent, restaurant. More noodles (because, addiction). Collapsed into bed, dreaming of… more noodles?
Day 2: The Jade Buddha Temple and the Existential Crisis of Souvenir Shopping
- Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Jet lag continues to be a jerk. Forced myself out of bed. Jade Buddha Temple. Prepare to be amazed! The intricate carvings, the incense swirling… it’s a sensory overload in the best way. I swear I saw a monk wink at me. Maybe it was the jet lag again. Bought a tiny Buddha statue. Now I feel perpetually judged by a tiny statue.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM): Found a dumpling place. I’m developing a serious problem. I think I'm in love with dumplings. I have consumed more dumplings today than I have water. Seriously, somebody stop me.
- Afternoon (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM): Shopping! Nanjing Road. Oh, the humanity! Packed with people, and yet still I bought, like, 5 t-shirts. I swear I bought them because the lady was super cute and really wanted to sell them to me. I do not regret the purchase, but I will try to fight the urge to buy every trinket I see while doing a massive amount of window shopping. Oh wait, I bought another tea set…
- Evening (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Went to a Shanghai acrobatic show. Wow! The human body is capable of amazing things. I clapped until my hands were numb. A bit touristy, yes, but totally worth it. After the show, went for a night walk. The city lights are gorgeous, though I did get a bit lost and ended up wandering down a few alleyways. A little bit scary, but I can handle it. And also, I think I saw a cat.
- Night (9:00 PM - Late): Going to bed
Day 3: The Shanghai Museum and the Search for the Perfect Tea (And Potentially Unpleasant Karaoke)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Shanghai Museum. Seriously, impressive. Lost myself in ancient bronzes and calligraphy. My brain is slightly fried from all the history. And I tried to sneak a photo of the most famous part. You know the rules.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM): More noodles. This is becoming a trend. A delicious, carb-filled trend.
- Afternoon (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM): Tea ceremony! Got a taste test of a ton of fancy teas, bought a beautiful teapot. This could get expensive. I have a problem.
- Evening (5:00 PM - onwards): Karaoke. Oh god. So, my new friends from the hotel want to go for karaoke. I’m not usually a karaoke type person. Singing is not my forte, to say the least. Wish me luck. I'm terrified, and slightly excited at the same time.
- Night (12:00 PM+): Well, Karaoke was as awful and amazing as I'd anticipated. We sang and laughed, and I screamed my terrible rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody". Maybe I'll remember for the rest of my life. One thing's for certain, someone will try to record all of this.
Day 4: Final Day: Reflections (and Likely a Last-Minute Dumpling Binge)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Last stroll through the French Concession. It's beautiful, and I wish I had more time here. So many cool boutiques and cafes, and it's just a general vibe.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM): Dumplings. Obviously. This is not a drill. This is a necessity.
- Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM): Last-minute souvenir panic. Did I buy enough fridge magnets? Probably not.
- Evening (4:00 PM - onwards): Heading to Airport. Reflection. Shanghai… it’s been a whirlwind! I'm exhausted, slightly confused, and totally in love. The food, the people, the chaos… it’s all part of the charm. I'm already planning my return. And, for the love of all that is holy, I'm going to learn some basic Mandarin.
This is my travel journal for Shanghai. It's honest, it's messy, and it's entirely me. Don't expect perfection, expect adventure. And maybe, just maybe, expect a few more dumpling cravings.
Escape to Paradise: Castle Rock's Ingonish Beach Inn Awaits!
Shanghai's Harbor Plaza: Luxury...or Just a Really Expensive Nap? (My Honest FAQs)
So, is Harbor Plaza *actually* luxurious? Like, beyond the 'pretty' picture in the brochure?
The views! They say the views are incredible. What's the reality?
What about the food? I'm a foodie, is it worth the hype (and price)?
Is it family-friendly? Should I bring my kids?
The Spa! Tell me about the spa! Is it as good as the hype claims?
Is it worth the price? The big question!
