In this case we just had a quick layover in Shanghai, as we were landing at around 5:30PM, and leaving the following day at 2:05PM. Realistically we knew we’d spend most of our time working during the layover, so would have stayed near the airport if there was a decent hotel. However, despite how big Shanghai Pudong Airport is, they don’t really have any good airport hotels.
With that in mind we decided to stay in the city. Matthew needed Hyatt stay credits, but left it to me to decide which Hyatt property to stay at. Well, I recently reviewed the Andaz Shanghai, and before that reviewed the Park Hyatt Shanghai, so I figured the Grand Hyatt Shanghai was the best option.
My rate at the Grand Hyatt was 1,400CNY (~210USD).
This is a Category 4 property, so I could have booked this stay for 15,000 Gold Passport points, or otherwise 650CNY (~100USD) plus 7,500 points per person. Based on my valuation of 1.5 cents per Gold Passport point, paying cash seemed like the best value.
We took the Maglev from Shanghai Pudong Airport into the city, and then from there took a taxi to the hotel, which took a further 15 minutes. That whole transfer took a bit over an hour, partly because we had to wait 30 minutes for the Maglev (we had just missed the previous one).
The Grand Hyatt is located inside Jin Mao Tower, which is really tall.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai exterior
It’s right across from the Shanghai World Financial Center, where the Park Hyatt is located, which used to be the highest hotel in the world.
Park Hyatt Shanghai exterior
I don’t generally love this part of town, as I’d much rather be at the Andaz in Xintiandi, as there’s more to do in the immediate area. However, in this case we were just looking for a comfortable place for a quick overnight.
Upon arriving at the hotel, the bellmen immediately offered to help with our bags, though we were traveling light, so declined their offer.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai exterior
The hotel had a small reception area and concierge desk on the first floor, and once there we were directed up to the 54th floor, where the “real” lobby was located.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai ground floor lobby
Grand Hyatt Shanghai elevators
The hotel only starts on the 54th floor, where the gorgeous lobby is. It has amazing views of the river and surrounding area, assuming the weather is cooperating.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai 54th floor lobby
Grand Hyatt Shanghai 54th floor lobby
There was also lots of seating in the lobby area.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai 54th floor lobby
The check-in process was very poorly organized. The problem was that the hallway with reception was fairly narrow, so there was no official queue. Add in the fact that this is China (where “queuing” isn’t really in the dictionary), and we had to be pushy in order to check-in. There was also a Diamond line, though nothing was done to enforce its use.
So I had to wait about 10 minutes before I was helped, though once that happened I thought the service was great. The associate informed me I had access to the Grand Club, and presented me with a letter explaining the hours it was open, etc. Within a couple of minutes I had a key to my room on the 70th floor.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge information
On the way to my room I first went up a couple of levels to where the hotel’s incredibly impressive atrium begins. Isn’t this atrium amazing (especially when you consider that it only starts on the 56th floor)?
Grand Hyatt Shanghai atrium
There was a lobby bar on the 56th floor, though we didn’t have a chance to use it.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai atrium bar
Grand Hyatt Shanghai atrium bar
The only thing more impressive than the atrium view from the bottom floor was the atrium view from the top floor. Yow!
Grand Hyatt Shanghai atrium
Even though the hotel has 500+ rooms, elevators always arrived quickly, largely thanks to the fact that there were six elevators.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai elevators
As stated above, my room was on the 70th floor, a bit more than halfway up the hotel.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai atrium
All the rooms were lined along the atrium.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room entrance
I was assigned room 7002.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room entrance
Grand Hyatt Shanghai floorplan
The room featured an entryway with a closet on the right side, followed by the minibar.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room entryway
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room entryway
The minibar wasn’t especially well stocked, not that most people are lining up to buy $12 bottles of water. 😉
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room minibar
There was also a Nespresso machine and a tea kettle.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room Nespresso machine
The room itself was beautiful and spacious.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room
It featured a comfortable king size bed.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room
The bed faced a flat screen TV, located on a console on the opposite side of the room.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room
In the far corner of the room was a comfortable chair with an ottoman.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room seat with ottoman
On the table next to the chair was a welcome letter and some fresh fruit.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai welcome fruit
Across from that was a glass desk with both an office chair and a regular chair. I thought the design was good, since the table could double as an office and also a dining table, if need be.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room desk
The desk also had conveniently located international plugs, which I always appreciate.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room desk outlets
While slightly obstructed by the Shanghai Tower, the room featured incredible views of the river and surrounding area.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room view
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room view
The bathroom was separated from the rest of the room by a sliding door.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room bathroom
The bathroom featured a glass sink, soaking tub, and walk-in shower.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room bathroom
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room bathtub
The hotel had a carwash-style shower, where you could be soaked from all angles, which I love.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room walk-in shower
Toiletries were June Jacobs, as I’ve come to expect from most Hyatts.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room June Jacobs toiletries
Then the toilet was in a partitioned off room.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai king room toilet
Overall I thought the room was spacious and well appointed, though it did feel just a few years past its prime (which isn’t really evident based on the pictures, now that I look back at them, but I promise it felt that way). Wifi was usable, though certainly not high speed. As is the case at many western hotels in China, no VPN was required to access most sites (but here’s my advice if you do need a VPN).
The Grand Club was located on the 83rd floor, and consisted of a couple of different rooms. There was one room in the back with several tables.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge
Then closer to the self serve food area were more tables, along with a couple of couches.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge
Then past the self serve area was even more seating.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge
The lounge was large, though there were also a lot of Grand Club guests (presumably mostly Diamond members), so it did get quite busy.
The Grand Club also has stunning, unobstructed views of the city.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge view
The food spread at the Grand Club was extremely impressive. Drinks and snacks were available in the evening from 5PM until 8PM (kudos to them for offering this for three hours, while many other hotels just offer it for two hours).
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge buffet area
The spread consisted of salad, cold cuts, cheese, fresh veggies, sushi, crab legs, soup, dim sum, etc.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge evening food selection
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge evening food selection
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge evening food selection
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge evening food selection
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge evening food selection
Then there were a couple of hot dishes, consisting of beef and rice.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge evening food selection
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge evening food selection
There was even a pasta station, where a chef prepared custom made pasta dishes.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge evening pasta station
There was also an impressive dessert selection, consisting of fresh fruit and a nice variety of sweets, including cake, panna cotta, etc.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge evening food selection
The staff in the lounge were extremely attentive, and were constantly roaming to offer drinks. They had beer, wine, fresh juice, Nespresso drinks, etc. The water selection even consisted of San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge drinks
While the drink selection was otherwise impressive, I wasn’t as impressed by them offering Beefeater gin.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge drinks
I did love the Nespresso machine they had, though, given that I was jetlagged and trying to get work done, so that helped fuel me for a few extra hours.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge Nespresso machine
I wasn’t especially hungry in the evening, though did have one of the pasta dishes prepared by the chef, which was great.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai club lounge pasta
Breakfast was served from 6:30AM until 10:30AM, and was also a very good spread. There was a selection of fresh fruit, congee, cereal, dim sum, salad, cold cuts, cheese, pastries, croissants, etc.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai executive lounge breakfast
Grand Hyatt Shanghai executive lounge breakfast
Grand Hyatt Shanghai executive lounge breakfast
Grand Hyatt Shanghai executive lounge breakfast
Grand Hyatt Shanghai executive lounge breakfast
Grand Hyatt Shanghai executive lounge breakfast
Then there was a chef who made custom made omelets.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai executive lounge breakfast omelet station
Overall I thought the Grand Club spread was very impressive, easily one of the best I’ve seen.
While I didn’t have a chance to use it, the hotel also has a spa on the 56th floor, where the gym and pool are located. The locker room was pretty cool, as even it had views.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai locker room
There was a whirlpool, in addition to a pool.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai whirlpool
Grand Hyatt Shanghai pool
Then there was a gym. I apologize for the lack of quality pictures of it, as it was quite full.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai gym
With our flight the following day at 2PM, we took a taxi from the hotel to the airport at around 10:30AM, which took just under an hour.
Grand Hyatt Shanghai bottom line
I already thought Hyatt’s hotel game in Shanghai was strong, and felt that way even more after this stay. The Grand Hyatt Shanghai is gorgeous, with a huge, stunning atrium, and great views. The Grand Club was one of the best I’ve seen (perhaps after Hong Kong, which remains the best in the world).
I’m not sure which Hyatt hotel I prefer in Shanghai:
- I love the location of the Andaz, and the design in general
- The Park Hyatt is stunning, and what’s not to love about Park Hyatts?
- The Grand Hyatt has an awesome club lounge and is a bit cheaper than the Park Hyatt
All three are fantastic properties, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return to any of them.
Do you have a favorite Hyatt property in Shanghai?
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