Chasing Everything New

As a frequent business traveler between Shanghai and Singapore with high standards for accommodation, I found my five-night stay at Alila Shanghai in November 2025 to exceed expectations across all dimensions—from location and facilities to service quality and dining.

Location and Accessibility

Strategically positioned in the core commercial district of Jing’an, the hotel offers exceptional proximity to major transportation hubs, with multiple metro lines accessible within a 10-minute ride. This proximity is invaluable for professionals with packed itineraries. The property is positioned within a 15-minute walk of principal business towers and conference centers, substantially enhancing operational efficiency. The ambient nighttime cityscape visible through expansive windows provides a welcome respite despite the urban setting.

Note: The vehicle arrival zone is somewhat compact, requiring brief waits during peak hours. Complimentary parking is provided for guests.

next to this iconic store

Guest Room and Work Environment

Room design explicitly addresses the requirements of business professionals. Generous work desks are equipped with sufficient power outlets and network interfaces, ensuring stable, robust connectivity suitable for video conferencing without compromise. The separation between sleeping quarters and living areas enables productive work without disrupting rest cycles. Bedding quality is exceptional, providing genuine recuperation following extended conference sessions. Premium amenities—including SMEG electric kettles and Nespresso capsule machines—offer convenient beverage service at any hour, proving invaluable during extended business travel. Additional thoughtful touches include complimentary fresh fruit, sleep-enhancing aromatherapy, steam-infused eye masks, and complimentary, daily-restocked refrigerated beverages.

Service Standards

Front desk operations are exceptionally efficient, with check-in completed in under five minutes and information processed with precision. Housekeeping management surpassed expectations through proactive needs anticipation, dedicated WeChat customer support, and personalized inquiries regarding room service supplementation and dining reservations.

Dining Experience: Japanese Restaurant

The on-site Japanese restaurant represents a genuine highlight of the stay. An evening reservation for an Omakase experience proved outstanding. The open kitchen design permits clear observation of the chef’s technique, with ingredient freshness immediately apparent. Each course, from the opening selection through dessert, was meticulously crafted and presented, balancing the business traveler’s efficiency requirements (approximately 70 minutes for the complete progression) with elevated culinary refinement. Counter seating directly before the chef proved particularly engaging, transforming a solo business dinner into a personable, enriching experience.

Minor observation: Breakfast service involves longer wait times. No formal queue management system is in place, necessitating 5+ minute waits at the lobby entrance each morning.

Overall Assessment

From a business travel utility perspective, Alila Shanghai successfully integrates five-star infrastructure standards with genuine service attentiveness. The property’s design integrity, robust operational infrastructure, professional team competency, and elevated dining offerings combine to create a comprehensive solution for corporate travelers. For professionals requiring frequent Shanghai accommodations, this hotel merits priority consideration for inclusion on approved property lists.

Key Strengths: Strategic location, business-optimized rooms, professional service, exceptional dining 

Recommendations for Enhancement: Expand vehicle arrival capacity; implement breakfast queue management system