Opened just before Covid in 2019, the first JW Marriott Marquis in China looks forward to welcoming international guests back again
Rooms
The hotel has 515 guestrooms including 21 suites. I stayed in the 46m2 River View Deluxe Room which has a magnificent view overlooking the Huangpu River.
The room has an open-concept bathroom, where the bathtub is placed right in the middle. Every bath, I delight in an unobstructed view of Shanghai skyline, pampering myself with amenities from AromaTherapy Associates.
The room also comprises a workstation, 55-inch TV flatscreen satellite HDTV, high-speed Internet access, spacious walk-in closet and a section holding Nespresso machine, and mini fridge.
MICE facilities
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong offers a three-storey standalone event space – with a dedicated entrance – of more than 3,200m2, comprising 16 multifunctional rooms and banquet venues.
The largest ballroom is located on Level 3 – the Grand Marquis ballroom. With a total area of 1,680m2, it can be divided into five smaller venues. On Level 2, in a space between Marquis 1 & Marquis 2 meeting rooms, sits a Culinary Theatre. This large open, full-service kitchen, has bespoke glass walls that can be adjusted from opaque to transparent upon request. I can see how events that require a live culinary demo or class would benefit from this as it allows guests to interact with chefs.
Other facilities
With bleisure travellers on the rise, family-friendly facilities are offered through the Family by JW programme. For instance, dedicated family floors on the 26th and 27th storeys, where the rooms are built for the little ones in mind featuring mini tents, kid’s bathrobes, and cartoon-themed bedding. Dedicated shuttle services from the hotel to Shanghai Disneyland are available on weekends too.
Other recreational facilities include a 24-hour access fitness centre, indoor pool and spa. As my stay came with lounge access, I could not pass up on indulging in the afternoon tea and snacks while taking in the breathtaking river view.
Other F&B options include a stylish steakhouse and bar at Flint; buffets featuring international dishes at Merchant Kitchen; three-story Le Manoir Ling offering Cantonese cuisine in a French setting; and a rooftop bar (check opening times).
During my stay, I was privileged to enjoy lunch at Le Manoir Ling, and was intrigued by how the concept of the restaurant is based on the story of a fictional Ms Ling and her birthplace in Shanghai, to her growing up years in Hong Kong and France. My lunch included a signature seafood broth, a roasted meat platter, drunken prawns, vegetables in a claypot, and a black truffle abalone rice. These dishes and more can also be enjoyed within the restaurant’s private dining rooms. Named after China’s ancient beauties Fu Rong, Min Xiu, and Ping Ting, these spaces are good for intimate corporate gatherings.
The property’s location is close to Lujiazui, the central business district, home to Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, and also the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Service
Every staff member I encountered was welcoming and helpful. I was greeted warmly upon check-in at the executive lounge, and the receptionist was very detailed in explaining the available facilities and opening hours.
Delivery of items to the hotel is a breeze. I had arranged for my luggage to be transported by a local logistics partner from Beijing to the hotel, and the luggage was already placed in my room upon check-in.
Delivery of my online shopping items was also well taken care of. They were either placed for safekeeping by the concierge or placed in dedicated lockers, located conveniently near the lobby, so guests could easily retrieve them. I encountered issues because of my phone’s compatibility with local Chinese apps, denying me access to items in the lockers. The hotel staff had patiently called up the delivery person for the access code and resolved the matter in no time.
Verdict
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong, and would definitely recommend the property to leisure visitors or corporate travellers heading to Shanghai.
Contact details
www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/shamj-jw-marriott-marquis-hotel-shanghai-pudong/
