Shanghai Uni Metro Hotel: Luxury Stay, Unbeatable Price!
Shanghai Uni Metro Hotel: Luxury Stay, Unbeatable Price! - Or Is It? A Messy Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Shanghai and, you guessed it, I stayed at the Shanghai Uni Metro Hotel. Luxury, they said. Unbeatable price, they promised. So, did it live up to the hype? Let's unravel this yarn ball of experiences, shall we? Prepare for some brutally honest (and hopefully hilarious) insights.
Overall Vibe (The "Meh" to "Magnificent Meter"): Let's just say the meter swung… a little. It wasn't bad, per se. But it wasn't quite the shimmering, gilded lily I'd been hoping for. Think slightly tarnished gold, still pretty, but with a few… character marks.
Accessibility (The "Can I Get There?" Category): Now, this is important. I, fortunately, don't need full accessibility, but I always try to be mindful because, newsflash, not everyone’s built like a gazelle. The website touted accessibility, but frankly, I’d rate it as cautiously optimistic. The elevators seemed decent, that's a plus! Didn't have a chance to fully test for wheelchair maneuverability in rooms, so… yeah. Proceed with caution, folks. (Cautious Optimism).
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges (The "Can I Eat Here?" Question): Didn't see any dedicated info about these, but that doesn't mean they aren't there… I'm thinking it leans to a "use your judgement" kind of outcome?
Check-in/Check-out (The "Get Me in and out, Please!"): Express check-in/out? Yes! Private option? Well, I didn't see it, and I'm not sure I needed it. Everything was pretty efficient, considering how jet-lagged I was. (Efficient – Praise Be!)
Internet & Tech Stuff (The "Are We Connected?" Crisis): Okay, this is where things get interesting. Free Wi-Fi in ALL rooms? Yes! Glorious, buttery, speedy internet! … most of the time. There were a few moments where I swore the connection was held together by a prayer and a hope. They also had Internet [LAN] which is a plus if you like a more secure connection. Wi-Fi in public areas was generally fine. (Mostly Smooth Sailing, But Pack Some Patience).
Things To Do & Ways to Relax (The "Spa Day or Bust" Section): The website painted a picture of pure zen, a veritable oasis of tranquility. Okay, let's break it down:
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: They had 'em! Did I try them? Absolutely. The sauna was hot, the steamroom steamy. Good start. The spa? I splurged on a body scrub. It wasn't the transcendental experience I was anticipating. I am not sure the spa itself was super clean in the way you'd expect it. The massage? Let's just say it was… thorough.
- Swimming Pool & Pool with a View: Yes and YES! The outdoor pool was gorgeous, especially at night. The view was breathtaking! The vibe was luxurious. (Pool Heaven!)
- Fitness Center: Meh. It had the basics. I swear I saw someone trying to bench press a rogue dumpling.
- Foot Bath: Never found it. No biggie.
Cleanliness & Safety (The "Is It Sanitary?" Inquiry): This is vital in our post-pandemic world, right?
- Anti-viral Cleaning Products: Sure. They said they used them. I mean, I hope.
- Daily Disinfection in Common Areas: Seemed like it. They definitely looked like they were wiped down. Didn’t see anyone spraying, but the hallways were not too messy.
- Room Sanitization Opt-Out: Didn't get asked, so I assume not?
- Rooms Sanitized Between Stays: Hope so!
- Hand Sanitizer: Available, thankfully!
- Hygiene Certification: Not sure, didn't see anything.
- Staff Trained in Safety Protocol: They seemed to know what they were doing. Mostly.
- Safe Dining Setup: Seemed okay, though nothing spectacular.
- Shared Stationery Removed: Yep. Thank goodness. I hate shared pens.
- Individual-Wrapped Food Options: Yes! (Generally Satisfactory, But a Little More Transparency Would Be Great)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The "Feed Me!" Frenzy): Food, glorious food!
- Restaurants: Several. I tried the Asian cuisine. It was… fine. Not the best, not the worst. Just… food.
- Asian Breakfast: Not my favourite. I can't eat that much rice at 08:00. I mean, who can?
- Buffet in Restaurant: The buffet was… a buffet. Lots of options, but nothing mind-blowing.
- Coffee/Tea in Restaurant/Coffee Shop: Needed more coffee. Always needed more coffee.
- Bar & Poolside Bar: The bar was lively. I enjoyed a cocktail. The poolside bar was a life-saver.
- Room Service [24-hour]: I may or may not have ordered a pizza at 3 am after a particularly… intense evening. It arrived.
- Snack Bar: Useful.
- Breakfast [buffet]: As above.
Services & Conveniences (The "Making Life Easier" Section):
- Concierge: Extremely helpful, even though my request for a unicorn was… denied.
- Cash Withdrawal: Yes!
- Currency Exchange: Also yes!
- Laundry Service: A lifesaver after I spilled chili sauce on my favourite shirt.
- Luggage Storage: No problem.
- Doorman: Very polite.
- Elevator: Efficient.
- Convenience Store: Always useful.
For the Kids (The "Bringing the Brood" Bit):
- Family/child-friendly: Yes. Saw lots of families.
- Babysitting Service: I did not use this. But it’s there.
Available in All Rooms (The "What's in the Room?" Rundown):
- Air conditioning: Praise be. Shanghai weather can be brutal.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: Luxury achieved.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential.
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer: Needed this so bad.
- In-room safe box: Secure.
- Internet access – wireless: Yay!
- Mini bar: Full of temptation.
- Non-smoking rooms: Yay.
- Private bathroom: Of course.
- Satellite/cable channels: Didn't watch TV, but I guess it’s there.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Nice.
- Wake-up service: Reliably woke me up.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Hallelujah!
- Window that opens: Fresh air!
The "Weird Stuff" & Things I Didn't Mention That Maybe I Should Have
- Shops within the hotel. Always a plus.
- Couple's room: I stayed with a friend. But sure!
- A suggestion of a proposal… okay.
- CCTV in Common Area: Yes.
- CCTV outside the property: Presumably.
- Car Park [Free of charge]: YES!
- Car Park [on-site]: Yes!
- First aid kit: Thank god for those!
- Daily housekeeping: Yes!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yes!
The Grand Finale (My Unvarnished, Totally Subjective Verdict):
The Shanghai Uni Metro Hotel? It's a solid choice, especially for the price. It's not perfect – the food could be better, the spa could be cleaner, and the internet could be more reliable. But the pool is amazing, the rooms are comfortable, and the staff is generally lovely.
Would I stay there again? Maybe. Would I be ecstatic about it? Not necessarily. But would I recommend it to a friend? Probably. Just with a few caveats. It's a good option. Not a great one. But hey, for the price, you can't really complain. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find another cup of coffee.
SEO & Metadata Junk (Because We Have To!)
- Keywords: Shanghai Uni Metro Hotel, Shanghai hotels, luxury hotel, affordable hotel, Shanghai spa, swimming pool Shanghai, free wifi Shanghai, accessibility, cleanliness, dining, room amenities, [add local attractions or points of interest].
- Meta Description: Honest review of the Shanghai Uni Metro Hotel: Is it luxury? Is the price unbeatable? Read this messy, hilarious, and brutally honest review to find out! Includes details on accessibility, amenities, dining,
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel brochure. This is my Shanghai survival guide, Hanting Premium Hotel edition, filled with more zigzags than a Shanghai taxi at rush hour. Brace yourselves.
The Hanting Hustle: Shanghai, You Devil! (And Maybe I Love You?)
Day 1: Arrival - Jet Lagged and Judgy
- 14:00 - Arrival at Pudong Airport (PVG). Ugh, the flight. Don't even ask. I swear the person in front of me reclined their seat so far back, I saw the curvature of the Earth. Anyway, passport control was a breeze, which was a small victory. I was clinging to the remnants of my sleep-deprived sanity.
- 15:30 - Airport Express Line to Shanghai University Metro Station. Okay, Shanghai. You're big. Really big. The metro was… well, it was loud. And I, bless my heart, had forgotten to download the offline map, so I was squinting at the Chinese subway map like I was trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphics. The guy next to me really enjoyed his noodles. I could smell them. It was a moment.
- 17:00 - Check-in at Hanting Premium Hotel Shanghai University Metro Station. The hotel is… functional. Clean enough. The lobby's slightly sterile, radiating a kind of "we have internet and a toothbrush, now leave us alone" vibe. But hey, the receptionist spoke a smattering of English, which felt like a win. My room? Standard issue. The only view I have is of another, identically boring, building. But the bed? Glorious. I collapsed. Utter, glorious collapse.
- 18:00 - Attempt at Dinner: Okay, so I’d planned to be adventurous. I really did. But the jet lag was a monster. There’s a little noodle place next door. I pointed at a picture, and hoped for the best. Turns out, it’s some amazing, spicy, life-giving broth with noodles that curled around my fork like angry snakes. It. Was. Heaven. Pure, sweaty, tear-inducing heaven. That’s going to be a problem. I might need to move in.
Day 2: Culture Shock & Carb Overload
08:00 - Wake Up (ish). So, I set three alarms. Missed them all. The jet lag is still real. I think my internal clock might be irreparably broken.
09:00 - Breakfast at the hotel. Pretty much just instant coffee and some weird, squishy bread. I'm starting to think I need a food intervention before I become entirely reliant on that noodle place.
10:00 - Shanghai University Campus. Okay, so I’m not here just for noodles. I wanted to experience some culture, some history. Shanghai University is supposed to be pretty. It is. Massive, sprawling, with these gorgeous archways and ancient buildings. I got lost at least three times. The sheer scale of things gets me. I wandered for ages, and actually, got a bit homesick. But then I saw a group of students practicing Tai Chi, and I felt like… I don't know, I felt connected. Okay, maybe Shanghai isn't so bad.
13:00 - Lunch near the university. I walked around for ages, starving, and finally found a little dumpling shop. Oh. My. God. The dumplings. Forget everything I said about the noodles. These were the gods' gift to humanity. Steaming, juicy pockets of flavor. I devoured about 20 of them. I’m probably going to regret this later.
14:30 - Yu Garden (豫園). This place is a sensory overload, in the best possible way. The gardens are just stunning, full of koi ponds, winding paths, and ancient architecture. I got totally mesmerized by an elderly woman doing calligraphy. She looked so Zen. I tried to buy some of her work, but it was way out of my budget, and she was speaking so fast I could only understand the word ‘beautiful’ which was what I thought. The crowds were intense, and the air was thick with the scent of… everything. Food stalls, incense, exhaust fumes. A heady mix! The garden was beautiful, but oh, the noise.
17:00 - (Another) Noodle Run. I warned you.
19:00 Shanghai Museum. I’d spent hours at Yu Garden, and the museum was about to close. Honestly, I was exhausted and didn't get to spend as much time as I wanted to. I'm going to go back tomorrow, no matter how much jet lag I'm feeling.
Day 3: Sensory Overload & Existential Crisis (Maybe)
09:00 - Breakfast (Again). This time, I’m ordering more of the… squishy bread. I think I’m addicted. Send help.
10:00 - Shanghai Museum, Round Two. Today, I have more time! The museum itself is an architectural marvel. I wandered through the halls where I came across some incredible bronzes and paintings. The jade collection, though, that's what really took my breath away. Imagine delicate carvings, the stone glowing with an inner light. I think I spent an hour just staring. And then, I began to question EVERYTHING. How did they do this? How did they live? What is life, anyway? I was ready to convert.
13:00 - Lunch: Dumplings (of Course). I can't help myself. The craving is real. This time, I also ordered a side of… something green and crispy. I think it might have been a vegetable. Maybe.
14:00 - The Bund. Okay, this is iconic. The view is stunning. The towering skyscrapers on one side, the historic buildings on the other, the river cutting through it all… it’s cliché, but it’s breathtaking. The crowds are insane, though. I had to fight my way to get a decent photo. People are pushing, shoving, and taking selfies like their lives depend on it. I almost got run over by a selfie stick.
16:00 - Nanjing Road. Shopping. I'm not really a shopper, but I figured I should check it out. It's a pedestrian street with all the big brands, neon lights, and throngs of people. Overwhelming. I lasted about 30 minutes before I needed to escape. I ducked into a small tea shop. The shop was so quiet, the antithesis of everything else I had experienced today. It was so peaceful, I sat for over an hour drinking tea and reading. It felt like I'd found a hidden oasis.
18:00 - Dinner: Noodles. (Surprise!) I'm not even going to defend myself anymore.
20:00 - An Evening Stroll. I took a walk, trying to make some sense of things. Shanghai is a city of extremes. Beauty and chaos. Tradition and modernity. I still haven't figured it out. But I'm starting to think, maybe, I don't have to. Maybe just embracing the chaos is the point.
Day 4: Departure – Slightly Less Jet-Lagged, Definitely More Noodle-Obsessed
08:00 - Last Breakfast. Squishy bread. I can't believe I’ve gotten used to it. Send more help (and noodles).
09:00 - Quick visit to a local market. I wanted to buy souvenirs. Wandered around the market, trying to find something that wasn't a cheap knockoff or a life-sized panda. Finally, I found a beautiful silk scarf, which cost more than I wanted to spend, but oh well!
10:30 - Metro to Pudong Airport (PVG). Farewell, Shanghai University Metro Station. Farewell, noodle man. Farewell… well, maybe not farewell. I'm already planning my return.
14:00 - Flight Home. Goodbye, Shanghai. It's been… an experience. A delicious, exhausting, wonderful, slightly insane experience. I’m exhausted, but also, weirdly, energized. I'll be back. Just… maybe with a better map. And definitely a bigger appetite.
Okay, spill the tea. Is the Shanghai Uni Metro Hotel *really* as luxurious as they claim, given that "unbeatable price" thing? Because I'm a budget traveler, and I've been burned before.
Alright, listen, my friend. "Luxury," like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, and *my* eyes have seen some rough hotels. So, yes, I think it *is* pretty darn luxurious considering the price. Think: plush carpets that actually *feel* plush (not the thin, scratchy kind that seems to have been through the apocalypse), and decent air conditioning – a lifesaver in Shanghai humidity.
However, let's be real. It's not the Burj Al Arab. You're not getting butler service. You *might* find a stray hair in the bathroom (I did), and once the elevator looked like it was contemplating its own existence for a good minute before deciding to function. But for the price? Absolute bargain. They deliver on what they promise and more. They deliver "comfortable" and "pleasant" and it's a win.
What's the deal with the location? "Uni Metro" sounds... vague. Is it actually near anything interesting? And will I spend my entire trip stuck in a subway?
Okay, so here's the thing about the location. 'Uni Metro' tells you two things: it's by a university, and it's close to a metro station. They're not lying. You could practically roll out of bed and onto the platform. I'm talking a *literal* stone's throw. This is HUGE. Shanghai is massive. The metro is your lifeline.
As for "interesting" things... well, it depends on your definition. You're not right in the heart of the Bund, but you're a quick metro ride away. There's decent food nearby (more street food gems than Michelin stars, but that's my jam), and you're surrounded by students, which, let’s be honest, is always good for a bit of people-watching. One night, I saw this group of students practicing some kind of martial art in the park, and I swear, I felt way cooler just watching. Plus, a university nearby usually means cheap eats and a lively atmosphere. You win either way!
Room size? Seriously important. I'm not claustrophobic, but I also don't want to *live* in a shoebox.
Okay, good point. It’s Shanghai, space is at a premium. Yeah, the rooms aren't *huge*, but they're perfectly adequate. I'm a fidgety sleeper, prone to flailing, and I didn't spend the whole night worried about knocking something over. They were bigger than some ridiculously priced hotel rooms I've stayed in *cough* Paris *cough*. Think: enough space to unpack your suitcase, walk around without feeling like you're in a Tetris game, and maybe even do some stretches if you're so inclined. The bed was firm, the pillows were fluffy – actually, the pillows were the best thing about the hotel. Truly. I almost wanted to steal one. I still dream about them. No, seriously, I brought one home – which is a crime, obviously, but it was worth it.
The Wi-Fi! A traveler's eternal worry. Is it the kind that constantly cuts out, or is it actually usable? Because I need my Insta-fix.
Oh, the Wi-Fi. The bane of every modern traveler's existence! Look, the Wi-Fi was... good. Not blazing fast, not cutting-edge, but reliable enough. I watched Netflix (okay, maybe I binged a *whole* season of something), uploaded photos (eventually), and kept in touch with the outside world. I didn't throw my laptop out the window in frustration, which, let's be honest, is a victory in itself. It did cut out once, during a really crucial cat video, so I may have sent a strongly worded email to the hotel. I can't be sure...too angry to remember! But basically, decent Wi-Fi: check.
Breakfast? Is it included? And if so, is it the usual sad, generic "continental" spread, or something worth getting out of bed for?
Breakfast... Okay, listen up. Breakfast *is* included. And now for the big reveal: It's... surprisingly good. Not Michelin-star good, but far from the usual sad continental excuse. There were some Western options (toast, cereal, etc.), but the real gems were the Chinese dishes. I tried everything! Dim sum, noodles, even some stuff I couldn't identify (but it was delicious). The coffee was…well, it was coffee. You’ll survive. And let's be honest, after a night in Shanghai, you *need* something to soak up the…experiences. Bottom line? Don't skip breakfast. You'll regret it. I'm still dreaming of those bao buns.
Anything about the staff? Are they friendly? Do they speak English? I'm always a bit nervous about the language barrier.
The staff were generally lovely. Some spoke phenomenal English; others, not so much. But they were always eager to help. There was one guy at the front desk who spoke barely any English, but he used this translation app on his phone that was *amazing*. He managed to sort out my laundry, recommend a great local restaurant, and even help me find a decent taxi in rush hour. They were patient, kind, and genuinely tried to make your stay as easy as possible. Honestly, it made a huge difference. I felt welcome, not just tolerated, which says a lot. One thing they could improve: more smiles! But hey, people are people.
Okay, so it sounds good. But what's the *worst* thing about the Shanghai Uni Metro Hotel? Give me the dirt. I want the real story.
Alright, alright, here's the truth. The *worst* thing? Okay, this is gonna sound petty, but here goes... The shower pressure. Sometimes it was a trickle, sometimes it was a blast from a fire hose (seriously, I nearly got blasted across the room). And the temperature was a gamble – either freezing or scalding. But hey, that's part of the charm, right? It gives you something to talk about!
Oh, and the elevator. I mentioned that before, didn’t I? The elevator was an experience. Occasionally, it would just sit there, contemplating its own existence, before finally lumbering into motion. Sometimes, the lights would flicker threateningly. Once, I swear I got stuck with a group of giggling teenagers for a good five minutes. But even that was kind of funny, in a "I'm-in-a-foreign-country-and-this-is-my-life-now" kind of way. Don't let it stop you from getting there. Trust me, it's more than worth it!
Final Verdict: Would you stay again? Be brutally honest.
