A Guest Room at the Peninsula Shanghai

Hotel rooms are required for my travels, a place to sleep and recharge. Experiencing a flawless guest room is an almost impossible wish from personal experience, but the impossible happened during one of my recent trips to China: in between Nanjing, Ningbo, and Hangzhou, I stayed at the Peninsula Shanghai.

After multiple exhausting connections from Nanjing, my associates and I stepped into a recently opened Peninsula to refuel. After going in circles to find the entrance to the hotel, we arrived at an exceptionally conventional porte-cochere-yes, the ones with fountain and plants. Much to my surprise, the lobby was intimate and warm, most unlike the other luxury hotels in the area.

I felt the Art Deco of 1920s and 30s Shanghai as soon as I walked into the hotel. The atmosphere was comforting, complimented with milky frosted glass shades and layers of neutrals. After the check-in process, I took off to my room. The corridor carpet pile was so plush that my roller pad didn't track easily, but this wasn't the type of hotels where the roller pads are common - porters usually take care of the luggage. After passing the panels and panels of forests of African zebra, I arrived to my door.

As I walked into the space, my exhaustion evaporated quickly. I was greeted with a luxurious walk-in wardrobe, finished with a butler window, where staff can drop off laundry, messages, or personal requested amenities discreetly. The lighting systems were easy, but the system carefully planned to provide options from ambient to maximized brightness. The luxurious qualities are everywhere, even in the bathrooms: spa quality lightings, great showers, functional vanities, plush towels. Then pressing a button, the window treatments open to reveal magnificent views of the beautifully growing Pudong area across from the Bund neighborhood. It was an added "wow" element that every traveler wishes for: an awe-inspiring backdrop of the Pearl tower and its neighboring contemporary skyscrapers, symbolizing the explosive growth in China's economy.

After being mesmerized by the bright and inspiring view, I immersed myself in the comfort of my new nest away from home. After a soothing cup of Pu'er tea, I was ready for a quick nap on a plush and truly heavenly bed. Reluctantly, my nap transformed into the longest sleep I've had since I was 3 years old. 

Comfort is a timeless concept designers must provide, and operators should support the value of comfort without second guessing what it might cost. Comfort builds the business and wins travelers' hearts. I highly recommend a deserving stay at the Peninsula Shanghai for rejuvenating nourishment.