THE HOTEL: First opened in February 2011, the 31-storey 574-room hotel is in Kerry Parkside, one of Shanghai’s newest areas and overlooks a modern upscale housing complex and the city’s largest park, Century.  This is the first Kerry brand hotel, unashamedly five-star Shangri-La but with a more vibrant and relaxed ambience. The hotel is around 30 minutes from Pudong International Airport with taxis around RMB 130 or, for 21st century travel the Maglev train travels at up to 435km per hour with a journey time under eight minutes. A free hotel shuttle operates to Longyang Road station and Maglev fare is RMB50 or RMB 100 for VIP seats.

THE CHECK-IN: Swift, friendly and efficient in a large but welcoming lobby.  My bag arrived in my room just moments later.

THE ROOM: My Premier Park room was one of five categories across 31 floors and offered an exceptionally bright and welcoming feel across its spacious 69 square metres. It offers sweeping views across Shanghai from huge picture windows – one nine metres long – on two sides of the room. Features include a large work desk, separate sitting area, free mini bar for soft drinks and an exceptionally spacious bathroom, again with extensive city views.

THE BUSINESS: Complimentary broadband and wireless Internet is available and there is too a business centre and 16 furnished serviced offices and four meeting rooms. Seven floors have Club accommodation with 24/7 butler and concierge services, complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails. The Kerry Pudong offers 26 multi-purpose function rooms, Shanghai’s largest ballroom, pillar free, and a second ballroom which can be interconnected. The Balcony Garden offers an outdoor alternative. The hotel adjoins the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).

THE FACILITIES: Exceptional with a three-in-one integrated restaurant/bar offering called The COOK, The MEET and The BREW. The COOK restaurant offers 11 show kitchens and diners simply take their pre-programmed card to any of the food stations and the food is delivered to the table. The MEET is a contemporary steakhouse and grill while The BREW is a craft brewery with six handcrafted beers and a cider.  There’s also a COOK Lounge for tea/coffee and evening cocktails.  To work off the calories the hotel offers Kerry Sports, the city’s largest hotel-based sports club which includes 24-hour gym, studios, yoga, tai chi, 25-metre heated indoor pool, tennis court and spa with nine treatment suites.

BACK