The Hotel: Located in the glittering locale of Shanghai's Pudong financial district, surrounded by an impressive bank of skyscrapers, with a shopping mall and restaurants close-by.
The Check-in: I was greeted before I even passed through the doors to the vast marble lobby, which features a quiet bar as well as check-in and concierge desks. Details were taken quickly and I was shown to my room.
The Room: My Deluxe City View room (around 81 metres square) was modern and stylish in conservative, neutral tones. A nice-sized art-deco desk next to the floor to ceiling window had hi-speed internet and fax and phone lines. Also a mini bar, large flatscreen TV with satellite channels and a huge marble bathroom with seperate shower and tub.
The Business: The Grand Ballroom provides room for up to 800 people in one open space. There are 17 meetings rooms varying from 16 square metres to 207 square metres for events catering for up to 150 people. A business centre features internet connectivity and there are staff there to assist with organising adhoc functions.
The Facilities: A large pool was surrounded by sun loungers and squashy lounging beds, as well as two Jacuzzis looking out across the river to the Bund. The spa had sauna and steam rooms, hot and cold plunge pools and separate treatment rooms for Sol Melia's YHI spa brand. The Fitness Centre's running machines looked across to the Oriental Pearl Tower.
THE RESTAURANT: The warm terracotta-hued Albero served up Mediterranean cuisine and tapas; Italian restaurant Acqua provided a more modern backdrop with its open kitchen and aquarium centrepiece; and Suntime Century Chinese Resturant served up Cantonese. Drinking holes included the Champagne Bar and 70s disco-inspired Havana Night. The buffet breakfast in the River Café was an impressive feast.
THE VERDICT: The hotel was incredibly quiet on my stay, having only been open a couple of months but, with its great location and facilities, business is bound to pick up, particularly when the much anticipated World EXPO comes to town in May.
THE DETAILS: 1288 Luijiazui Ring Road, Shanghai. Room only rates from around £175. Tel: 0808 101 4566; see: www.solmelia.com Laura Gelder
