Shanghai Sheraton Jiading: Your Luxurious Escape Awaits!
Shanghai Sheraton Jiading: My Luxurious Escape (and the Tiny Quirks that Made it Real)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's polished hotel review. This is me after a whirlwind trip to Shanghai, specifically the Shanghai Sheraton Jiading, and honestly? I’m still buzzing. They promised a luxurious escape, and for the most part? They delivered. But let's be real, no place is perfect, and the little hiccups are often the most memorable nuggets of the entire experience.
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Accessibility: The Good and the "Almost"
Right off the bat, HUGE props on the accessibility front. The entire hotel is wheelchair accessible, which is a massive plus. Elevators everywhere, ramps where needed, and I even spotted designated parking. Honestly, I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but seeing that level of consideration gets major points in my book. It told me they actually cared.
Now, for the "almost." I didn't dive into the specifics of rooms, but based on the general layout, I'd assume they've got accessible rooms, but it would be useful to be sure.
The Rooms: Cloud 9 (Mostly)
Okay, the rooms themselves? Sigh. Pure, unadulterated bliss. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Score! I'm a digital nomad, which is a polite way of saying I live online, so that's essential. Plus, the Internet access - LAN option was a nice touch for those old-school folks.
My room had everything. Air conditioning blasting icy goodness (needed!), Blackout curtains (essential for sleeping off jet lag), a ridiculously comfortable bed, and a bathtub. A real bathtub. I spent one whole afternoon curled up in that thing, watching on-demand movies (yes! On-demand movies!), and letting the world drift away. They also provided bathrobes, slippers, and enough towels to build a small fort. Bonus points for the safe box, because you always need somewhere to hide your passport and questionable jewelry.
Now, a minor gripe (because this is honest, remember?). The internet access was a little…spotty at times. Not a deal-breaker, but a minor annoyance when I really needed to upload a selfie.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (and Some Surprises)
The food? Oh, the food. Breakfast [buffet] was a glorious spectacle of Asian and Western delights. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, you name it, they had it. Cereal, pastries, eggs, noodles, dim sum, and even an omelet station. My one big criticism of the breakfast? That it included coffee/tea in restaurant, it was only offered at the buffet!
I loved the Poolside bar for a long swim and a drink. They also had a Bar, of course. There were several Restaurants to choose from, including a Vegetarian restaurant, which came in handy. And, of course, the ever-important Coffee shop.
I tried the a la carte in restaurant one evening and the Asian cuisine in restaurant was pretty good, but nothing mind-blowing.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: Spa Days and Swimming Pool Dreams
This is where the Sheraton truly shines. The Spa is a sanctuary. I indulged in a Body Wrap, a Massage, and a Foot bath. My skin felt like silk afterward. They also had a Sauna, a Steamroom, and a Spa/sauna combo, all perfect for melting away the stresses of a long flight. I didn't get a Body scrub, but they were offered.
The Swimming pool [outdoor] was stunning, overlooking the city. Seriously, the Pool with view added a whole new dimension. There was also a Fitness center/Gym with all the equipment you could possibly need. I tried to work out, but mostly wound up just staring at the view.
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-19 Conscience
During my stay, Anti-viral cleaning products were very much in use, and there was Daily disinfection in common areas. They had also prepared for the possibility of a Doctor/nurse on call, which made me feel secure.
Staff trained in safety protocol really did a great job. With all the Hand sanitizer everywhere, I felt very safe.
Services and Comforts: The Little Things That Matter
Daily housekeeping was efficient and unobtrusive. They had a Concierge who was always there to help with recommendations and bookings, and Contactless check-in/out made things super easy. The Elevator and Facilities for disabled guests made getting around effortless. They even had a Gift/souvenir shop, which is dangerous for shopaholics like myself. There are Dry cleaning, Ironing service, and Laundry service, of course.
One quirk? The Cash withdrawal situation wasn't always straightforward. I had to hunt down an ATM, which was a minor hassle.
Missing out on some of the more minor bits:
- Cashless payment service
- Exterior corridor
- Hotel chain
- Non-smoking rooms
- Proposal spot
- Room decorations
- Safety/security feature
- Security [24-hour]
- Smoke alarms
- Soundproof rooms
- Additional toilet
- Alarm clock
- Bathroom phone
- Carpeting
- Closet
- Coffee/tea maker
- Complimentary tea
- Desk
- Extra long bed
- Free bottled water
- Hair dryer
- High floor
- In-room safe box
- Interconnecting room(s) available
- Ironing facilities
- Laptop workspace
- Linens
- Mirror
- Non-smoking
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- Satellite/cable channels
- Scale
- Seating area
- Separate shower/bathtub
- Shower
- Smoke detector
- Socket near the bed
- Sofa
- Soundproofing
- Telephone
- Toiletries
- Umbrella
- Visual alarm
- Wake-up service
- Wi-Fi [free]
- Window that opens
- Airport transfer
- Bicycle parking
- Car park [free of charge]
- Car park [on-site]
- Car power charging station
- Taxi service
- Valet parking
- A la carte in restaurant
- Alternative meal arrangement
- Bottle of water
- Breakfast service
- Buffet in restaurant
- Desserts in restaurant
- Happy hour
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Room service [24-hour]
- Salad in restaurant
- Snack bar
- Soup in restaurant
- Western breakfast
- Western cuisine in restaurant
- Air conditioning in public area
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Business facilities
- Currency exchange
- Doorman
- Essential condiments
- Food delivery
- Indoor venue for special events
- Invoice provided
- Luggage storage
- Meeting/banquet facilities
- Meetings
- Meeting stationery
- On-site event hosting
- Outdoor venue for special events
- Projector/LED display
- Safety deposit boxes
- Seminars
- Shrine
- Smoking area
- Terrace
- Wi-Fi for special events
- Xerox/fax in business center
- Babysitting service
- Family/child friendly
- Kids facilities
- Kids meal
- Access
- CCTV in common areas
- CCTV outside property
- Check-in/out [express]
- Check-in/out [private]
- Couple's room
- Fire extinguisher
- Front desk [24-hour]
- Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups! This isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travelogue. We're going to Shanghai, baby! Specifically, the Four Points by Sheraton in Jiading. Prepare for some glorious chaos.
Shanghai Shenanigans: A Jiading Jamboree (or, You Know, a Trip)
Day 1: Arrival & Airport Anxiety (and Noodles, Glorious Noodles)
- Morning: Ugh, airports. They're all the same, aren't they? Endless queues, the soul-crushing fluorescent lights, and that vague smell of desperation and stale coffee. I landed in Shanghai feeling like a crumpled piece of paper. But hey, I made it! Now, the fight through customs. Pray for me. Pray hard.
- Afternoon: Taxi! (Finally!) The chaotic beauty of Shanghai traffic unfolded before me. Honking, weaving, a symphony of organized mayhem. Reached the Four Points in Jiading. Pretty standard Sheraton, nothing fancy, but CLEAN. And oh, the sweet, sweet relief of air conditioning! Dumped my bags and immediately collapsed on the bed. Jet lag is a beast.
- Evening: Okay, gotta eat something. Survival mode activated. Wandered out, a little wobbly-legged, and stumbled upon a local noodle shop. Glory be! Steaming bowls of handmade goodness. The language barrier? Hilarity. Pointing, miming, nodding enthusiastically at anything that looked like meat. (It was… mostly). But oh, the broth! The noodles! Worth the potential food poisoning risk, I told myself. (Fingers crossed).
Day 2: Temples, Tea & Taxi Tango (and a near-disaster with a dumpling)
- Morning: Okay, time for some culture. Feeling brave, I decided to explore a local temple. Seriously, the architecture was mind-blowing, all intricate carvings and vibrant colours. I spent way too long admiring every detail. I even managed to (almost) successfully use a pair of incense sticks. It was a truly humbling experience.
- Afternoon: TEA! It's a must. Found a charming little tea house and sat down for an absolutely blissful afternoon. The tea master was unbelievably patient with my fumbling attempts to understand the tea ceremony. I learned so much about the origins of tea.
- Evening: The taxi ordeal. Trying to go to a dumpling house. The driver, bless his heart, spoke zero English, and my Mandarin is embarrassingly pathetic. We ended up driving in circles. For what felt like forever. I got increasingly hysterical from the heat, the traffic, and the sheer absurdity of it all. Finally, with the help of a random street vendor and a lot of frantic pointing at my phone, we found it! And the dumplings? Worth the near-breakdown. Soft, juicy, and absolutely perfect. I could have eaten 100 of them.
- Late Night: Accidentally walked back to the hotel through a park in the dark. Got a little spooked by the shadows and the crickets. Shanghai at night has a different vibe. I ran the rest of the way!
Day 3: Doubling Down on Dumplings & a Lesson in Patience (and Karaoke, oh god, the karaoke)
- Morning: You know what? I'm not ashamed. I went back for more dumplings. The same place from last night. The same glorious, perfect dumplings. I became a regular. I swear I could get a part-time job just making the dumplings.
- Afternoon: This afternoon I decided to try and find some local markets. The whole experience was overwhelming. The colours, the smells, the sheer volume of people! It was like stepping into a different world. I haggled for a souvenir, only to realise I had overpaid anyway. Oh well, lessons learnt. The language barrier caused more complications.
- Evening: Karaoke! Yes, karaoke. My friend, who had a better grasp of Mandarin, insisted. Picture this: me, a terrible singer, butchering classic Mandarin pop songs while a room full of strangers politely sipped their tea. It was a spectacle. A beautiful, cringe-worthy spectacle. I may still be traumatized.
- Late Night: Back at the hotel, I find a little food store, and I ended up buying way too much snacks. This trip is really making a dent in my bank account and waistline!
Day 4: Departure & Reflection (and the bittersweet goodbye)
- Morning: Last breakfast. The bland buffet at the hotel suddenly felt incredibly comforting. I ate a mountain of pastries and fruit, trying to soak up every last bit of Shanghai.
- Afternoon: Final wander around Jiading. Found a small park, sat on a bench, and just… watched the world go by. It was amazing.
- Evening: Taxi to the airport. More soul-crushing airport experiences. Reflecting on the trip. It was messy, chaotic, and at times, utterly exhausting. But it was also glorious. I saw amazing things, ate incredible food (and a few things I probably shouldn't have), and learned a little about myself (or maybe just that I can't sing). The memory of this adventure? Priceless.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. There were moments of frustration, confusion, and pure panic. But that's life, isn't it? And that's what makes travel, makes living, so damn interesting. Shanghai, you beautiful, crazy city, I'll be back. Eventually. After I've recovered from the karaoke. Wish me luck.
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Shanghai Sheraton Jiading: Let's Get Real (and Relatable!) About Your Stay
Okay, spill it. Is the pool actually as Instagrammable as it looks?
Alright, alright, let's talk truth serum. The pool *is* pretty darn stunning. Think crisp blue water, sleek loungers... yeah, the 'gram potential is HIGH. I mean, I saw a woman – bless her heart – spend a solid hour just *posing* in that water. (I'm not judging... okay, maybe a little.) But here's the kicker: Sometimes, it's packed. Like, shoulder-to-shoulder. You're not exactly getting a serene, Roman bath experience. More like a splash-fest with kids and inflatable flamingos. Still pretty, though! Just manage your expectations. And seriously, if you see a woman in a full-body sequin swimsuit... that might just be your sign to head back to the room.
The rooms... are they worth the hype? Specifically, what about the pillows? I'm a pillow snob.
Rooms are generally lovely! Spacious, modern... the usual. But the pillows... oh, the pillows. I'm with you on the pillow snobbery. They're usually *good*. Maybe even *very* good. Not the rock-hard, ancient torture devices some hotels inflict. I had a *moment* with one of them. Pure, blissful, sleep-inducing magic. Then, on the next trip, I got a slightly different pillow. Still good, but... not *the one*. It's a pillow lottery, people! Pray for fluffiness. Pack your own if you're truly serious. Honestly, one time I was convinced the pillow was *sentient* and judging my life choices... probably warranted.
Let's talk food. Is the buffet worth braving?
Buffets... ah, the great culinary gamble! At the Sheraton, it's a mixed bag, let's be honest. They usually have a decent selection – everything from Western staples to local delicacies. The dim sum is usually pretty solid (go early, seriously). The desserts? Hit or miss. I once had a chocolate mousse that transported me to heaven. Another time... let's just say it tasted like a sad, chocolate-flavored disappointment. Honestly, the variety is impressive, but the consistency is… well, it depends on the day, the chef's mood, and possibly the alignment of the stars. Pace yourself, folks. And don't fill up on the bread. (I always regret it!)
I'm worried about the location. Is it actually *in* Shanghai? Or are you basically in Jersey?
Okay, real talk: Jiading *is* part of Shanghai. Technically. But it's a bit further out than, say, the Bund. Think of it as a tranquil(ish) escape from the city's chaos. You *can* get to the city center, but it involves a taxi ride or the metro. Factor in travel time when planning your day. It's more suburban than smack-dab-in-the-middle-of-the-action. Less "neon lights" and more "green spaces." Which, honestly, is a *huge* plus for some of us. Like, I need a break sometimes from the relentless energy of Shanghai. Jiading offers that. But if you're looking for constant action right outside your door, this might not be the *perfect* fit.
Is the spa any good? I need some serious pampering.
The spa... ah, the promise of relaxation! It's generally pretty good. The ambiance is all zen-like lighting and soothing music. The massages are usually well-executed – I mean, fingers crossed you get a good masseuse! (It's like the pillow situation. You never quite know). I had a facial once that was pure bliss. My skin felt like a baby's bottom afterward. (And I needed it, believe me.) But another time, the pressure was too light. Felt like they were just… petting my face. Annoying. Prices are what you'd expect from a hotel spa. So, yeah, a splurge. But well worth it if you *really* need to unwind. Just, you know, communicate your pressure preferences! (And tip well if you're happy!). Seriously, a good massage can solve like, 80% of my problems.
Any tips for avoiding major meltdowns during my stay?
Ah, the art of hotel survival! Here are my nuggets of wisdom:
- Pack snacks. Because let's face it, sometimes you just need a cookie at 3 AM. Hotel mini-bars are evil.
- Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases. "Excuse me," "Thank you," and "Where is the bathroom?" will get you further than you think. (Even if your pronunciation is atrocious.)
- Embrace the quirks. There will be some. Maybe the elevator will be slow. Maybe your room key won't work. Maybe the air conditioning will be a mystery. Roll with it. It's part of the adventure.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. The staff is generally lovely and helpful. Don't suffer in silence!
- Most importantly: Relax. You're on vacation (hopefully)! And try to, you know, enjoy the experience. Even the slightly annoying parts. They make for good stories later! Consider it a character-building exercise. And if things *really* go south, there's always the bar...
Should I book the club level room? Is it worth the extra dough?
This is a tough one, folks. The club level… it *can* be worth it. Free breakfast (which usually rocks), evening cocktails and snacks (also usually good!), and sometimes a quieter, more exclusive atmosphere. BUT… it depends on *your* priorities. Are you a heavy breakfast eater? Do you enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail? Are you willing to shell out the extra cash? If yes to all, then go for it! I’ve had amazing experiences at club level, feeling properly pampered. But I've also had times where I thought, "Hmm, I'm really not utilizing this enough to justify the cost." It’s a personal choice. Weigh the pros and cons. Maybe sneak a peek at the club lounge if you can before you decide! And if you're a *very* light eater like me sometimes just the complimentary water bottles are worth it.
