Moxy Shanghai Hongqiao: Your Epic Shanghai Adventure Starts Here!
Moxy Shanghai Hongqiao: My Shanghai Adventure…Started…Kinda? (A Messy Review)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from Moxy Shanghai Hongqiao, and my brain is still trying to unscramble the experience. The tagline, "Your Epic Shanghai Adventure Starts Here!"? Well, let's just say my epic adventure started… somewhere. And I'm here to spill the tea, the noodles, the questionable bath water…everything.
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Meta Description: Dive into an honest, hilariously imperfect review of Moxy Shanghai Hongqiao! I talk about everything from accessibility to the questionable buffet, the "epic" vibes, and the things that made me want to hug a hotel staffer… or run screaming. Find out if this Moxy is worth your Shanghai adventure!
Okay, now for the real deal.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Sadly.
This is where my heart sinks a little. Wheelchair access is advertised, and that’s good! They mention facilities for disabled guests. The website says they have an elevator. But… honestly, I didn’t personally assess the nitty gritty of the actual accessibility. (My bad, I didn't have a wheelchair on hand). The lobby was pretty open, and I believe the rooms I saw would be relatively accessible, but definitely verify everything if accessibility is a must-have. It IS important to check the room layouts and if the elevator is easily accessible from all rooms. The last thing you want is to be stuck.
Rooms: Cool Vibes, Dodgy Towels?
Alright, the rooms. They've got that Moxy vibe down! They're non-smoking, which is GREAT. (Phew! My lungs thank you, Moxy!) You get air conditioning, which in Shanghai is a lifesaver. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, of course. They had a desk, a laptop workspace, a seating area… I think. Oh! and a safe box. Also, soundproofing, a closet, and your basic toiletries. They provide slippers (luxury!), bathrobes, and complimentary tea.
But then…the towels. (Deep breath). They felt like they'd been through a war. Slightly… stiff. The linens were okay. The beds were comfy, though! And the blackout curtains were a godsend. You need them after a long flight to China.
I will NEVER forget trying to find the light switch in the middle of the night with those blackout curtains, it was like an escape room challenge. Honestly, you've got multiple switches for the main lights, bedside lights, and even little reading lights. I felt like a ninja.
My room had an additional toilet, which was interesting, although maybe a bit unnecessary.
Internet Access (and the Great WiFi War of Shanghai):
Right! Free Wi-Fi everywhere, yeah, it’s a given. I needed to work, so Internet Access – LAN was a win, not that I actually used it. Honestly, I defaulted to Wi-Fi. It worked pretty well in my room. Not crystal clear, but enough to get the job done.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Oh My!
Okay, the food. Let's go.
Breakfast [Buffet]: This is where my epic adventure almost derailed. The buffet in the restaurant was a…experience. It was Asian breakfast and Western breakfast. There was a lot. I think they had salad in the restaurant, there was a coffee/tea in the restaurant. But… it was a bit chaotic. I went for toast and eggs, to play it safe. I remember the odd taste of the orange juice – I really wish I had brought my own juice.
Restaurants: There's at least one and a snack bar. I didn't spend much time exploring the food, sadly. But they had A la carte in restaurant, I remember seeing Asian cuisine in restaurant and International cuisine in restaurant on offer.
Poolside Bar: I didn't see this.
Room service [24-hour]: Now, that is handy. I didn't need it, but it’s a plus.
Other options. I never actually heard any music coming from the bar, and was never that impressed with the food offerings. Sadly, it didn't quite hit the mark.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (If You Dare):
Fitness center: Yeah, it’s there. I peeked in, but the treadmill and weights were all lonely.
Swimming pool & Swimming pool [outdoor]: I did see the pool, but honestly, I was too scared to dive in. It didn't look especially tempting.
Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Nope, I just saw a sign.
Cleanliness and Safety – A Modern Fortress (Mostly):
This is where Moxy tries to impress, and I think they do a pretty good job.
- They’ve got Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas.
- Lots of Hand sanitizer, Individually-wrapped food options…
- They mention Room sanitization opt-out available, which is great for the environmentally conscious.
- Staff trained in safety protocol.
- Sterilizing equipment and Safe dining setup.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property – you feel safe, right?
- Security [24-hour].
- Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher…
- Contactless check-in/out, which is nice.
And I did witness the staff being super diligent about cleaning their hands after touching door handles.
Services and Conveniences: A Handy List
- Airport transfer: Definitely worth looking into, especially if you’re arriving jet-lagged.
- Cash withdrawal is available.
- Concierge is there to help, although mine was a little… aloof.
- Daily housekeeping.
- Elevator.
- Laundry service/ Dry cleaning are available.
- Luggage storage for those awkward travel days
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge] is a bonus!
- Taxi service
- Bicycle parking
For the Kids (If You Must):
- Family/child friendly – Okay, cool.
- Babysitting service – if you're brave!
- Kids meal – I didn't see any kids around, but it’s a thing, I guess.
The Quirky Stuff
Couple’s room – Okay?
Exterior corridor – Not a fan. Reminds me of a motel.
Proposal spot – Really? In a Moxy? I’d be intrigued if someone proposed to me here, I would have to accept for comedic purposes alone.
Room decorations: I found mine pretty minimalist.
Shrine – Not that I saw.
Final Verdict: Worth It?
Look, Moxy Shanghai Hongqiao isn't perfect. It's a fun, modern hotel with a good amount of perks. It's clean, relatively easy to get around, and has a good location for getting to and from the airport. I didn't experience the "epic" adventure promised, but I had a decent time. I’d probably stay there again if the price was right and if your expectations aren't too high. It is what it is: a reliable place to crash. Just bring your own toothbrush and prepare to face the buffet with a battle plan. And maybe pack your own towel.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5… with a strong emphasis on the “good enough” part. And hey, I hope you have a much better time than I did. Go forth and conquer Shanghai!
Cape Town's Most Luxurious Villa: Lillamton Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving into the Moxy Shanghai Hongqiao NECC. This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram itinerary; this is life, people. Get ready for some realness, sprinkled with a healthy dose of "WTF just happened?".
The Moxy Shanghai Hongqiao NECC: My Shanghai Symphony of Chaos
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (Airport Edition)
- 8:00 AM: Arrived in Pudong (PVG). Jet lag already hitting me like a rogue dumpling. Seriously, who decided this was a good time to be awake? Found myself staring at the baggage carousel, contemplating the meaning of life and whether my luggage was judging me.
- 8:30 AM: Finally wrestled my suitcase (a beast of a thing, it is) off the conveyor belt. Victory! Though, the victory dance involved a lot of confused shuffling.
- 9:00 AM: Taxi to the Moxy. The driver? A legend. He navigated Shanghai traffic like a caffeinated ninja, all while yelling into his phone, and honking the horn, I’m pretty sure he had a second language that was only honking and gesticulations.
- 10:00 AM: Check-in. The lobby? As vibrant as a rave. The staff? Surprisingly patient with my sleep-deprived babbling. They gave me a key card, and I immediately lost it. Found it in the vending machine. Don't judge me.
- 11:00 AM: Room! Okay, it’s… Moxy-level small. Functional. Clean. That's all I can really hope for at this point. Surveying the room, feeling the pangs of hunger and the desperate need for a shower. But first, the obligatory "OMG, I’m actually here!" selfie, because social media.
- 12:00 PM: Brunch (ramen noodles from a local shop, because the hotel food? Overpriced and probably not worth the risk). The broth tasted strangely of instant regret. The noodles, however? Perfection. Shanghai, you're winning me over.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Fell into a K-hole of Netflix. The struggle of staying awake, and the sheer willpower that's required.
- 4:00 PM: Forced myself to leave the room. Needed coffee. Needed air. Needed something. Stumbled into a nearby cafe. Ordered a latte. It tasted like burnt dreams and a faint whisper of coffee.
- 5:00 PM: Wandered aimlessly. Ended up in a park. Watched old folks doing Tai Chi. Utterly mesmerized. Started thinking maybe I should've mastered it ages ago. Now I am contemplating my own mortality.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a noodle place (again, because what’s not to love?). Had possibly the best noodles of my life. The spicy chili oil was pure heaven. Almost burnt my tongue off. Zero regrets. Ate like I hadn't eaten in a week.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the Moxy. Crashed. Exhausted. The bed? Glorious. The jet lag? It’s a real son of a gun.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep. Or at least, I tried.
Day 2: The Bund & Accidental Adventure
- 8:00 AM: Groggily woke up. Decided to pretend to be a morning person. Failed. Miserably.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. (Something from a local bakery. The pastries were… questionable. But I ate them. Because, again, hunger).
- 10:00 AM: Took the Metro to The Bund. The sheer scale of the buildings took my breath away. It's… gorgeous. Overwhelming. Took a billion photos. Felt like a tourist (duh).
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a delicious restaurant overlooking the Bund. Had the famous Shanghai soup dumplings (Xiaolongbao). Tears of joy. Seriously.
- 1:00 PM: Wandered around the Bund, but felt like I was getting into the way and was too crowded.
- 2:00 PM: Went into a local bar. Met some people, they wanted to teach me some Chinese slang, but I only understood half of it. We had some fun, but the beer was a bit warm. Still, good times.
- 6:00 PM: Had dinner at a street food market, and ate some questionable food. The smell of the stalls was intoxicating. The food was… an experience.
- 8:00 PM: Went back to the hotel.
- 9:00 PM: Slept the sleep of the dead.
Day 3: The Art of the Accidental & Heading Home
- 8:00 AM: Woke up… mostly.
- 9:00 AM: Ordered room service to test my ability to communicate in rudimentary Mandarin. Successfully got a coffee order. Felt like I’d won a Nobel Prize.
- 10:00 AM: This morning, decided to dedicate some time to the experience that I had on the city by taking a ride on the Metro. I'm glad I did, it was a cool experience, and I met some cool people. We talked for a while, and I learned a lot about some of the culture.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I had a burger and some fries. I know, I came for the Shanghai experience, and I'm eating the same food that I eat in the US. But I needed to feed my soul with some American food.
- 1:00 PM: Checking out. Saying goodbye to the Moxy. Didn't set the fire alarm (a personal victory!).
- 1:30 PM: Airport. Security. More airport shenanigans.
- 3:00 PM: Departure. Looking out the airplane window, and I saw Shanghai. Just the outline of the city. I can't wait to go back.
- 7:00 PM: Landed, and back to reality.
Important Notes:
- Transportation: Metro is your friend. Taxis are hit-or-miss. Didi (Chinese Uber) is convenient, but can be a bit of a language adventure.
- Food: Be adventurous! Eat the street food. Try the dumplings. Embrace the chili oil. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
- Language: Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases. (Ni hao, Xie Xie, etc). It will make your life easier. And might score you a few smiles.
- Embrace the Mess: Travel is messy. Things go wrong. You get lost. Embrace it. It's part of the fun. Get some rest, and enjoy the adventure!
Moxy Shanghai Hongqiao: Your Epic Shanghai Adventure (Probably!) FAQs
Okay, spill the tea! Is Moxy Shanghai Hongqiao *actually* "epic"? I'm skeptical.
Look, "epic" is a strong word. Let's be real: hotel marketing hype is *real*. But! I'd say Moxy Hongqiao gets closer than most. My definition of "epic" involves a good, solid dose of *fun*, a dash of "oh, wow, that's actually pretty cool", and the avoidance of any major travel disasters. So, did it meet those criteria? Mostly! My room? Small but perfectly formed. The lobby situation? Actually a vibe – the music was decent, and they had *board games*. (A lifesaver after a 14-hour flight, let me tell you.) And the staff? Surprisingly cheerful for a hotel, especially at 3 AM when I was trying to figure out the elevator. Honestly, a win. Still, "epic" is subjective. Someone might call it mildly interesting. I'd call it "better than expected, especially after that airport food".
The Location: Hongqiao. Is it...interesting? I keep hearing "not exactly the Bund."
Exactly! Hongqiao isn't the Bund. It's not the French Concession. It's more like... a business hub, with a touch of "we're trying really hard to be cool." It's convenient for the airport and the train station, which is a HUGE plus if you're in transit, like I was. The metro access is good, so you *can* get to the city center. But don't expect to step outside and be instantly transported into a postcard. My advice? Embrace the slightly industrial chic. Find some good food nearby (trust me, it's there, you just gotta wander) and use it as a launchpad to your Shanghai adventures. Think of it as a functional starting point rather than some romantic location.
What's the deal with the rooms? Cozy? Cramped? Palace-like?
Cozy. Okay, let's call it *efficient*. My room was… well, it was a room. It had a bed, a tiny desk, and a bathroom that managed to fit everything in without making me feel like I was showering in a submarine. Storage space was… limited. I lived out of my suitcase mostly. But honestly, for a short stay, it was perfectly fine. The bed was comfy! And the quirky little details, like the hooks shaped like question marks, added some character. I spent more time *outside* the room, exploring. So, yeah, not palatial. But definitely not a prison cell, either.
Food and Drink? Anything worth writing home about, or should I bring my own instant noodles?
Okay, the bar downstairs? Pretty good. They do a decent cocktail. I have a weakness for a good Negroni and it was... passable. The music was loud enough to keep you awake but not loud enough to make you want to scream. Also! I accidentally stumbled upon a breakfast sandwich that was actually *amazing*. Like, "seriously contemplating ordering another one" amazing. Just… go for it. You'll thank me later. The rest around wasn't outstanding but certainly saved from the instant noodles. And the breakfast? Decent. Not Michelin-star, but perfectly acceptable fuel for a day of Shanghai sightseeing.
The Vibe: Is this a party hotel? (I'm 40, with a bad back, and I like sleep...)
It *can* be. It definitely *tries* to be. It's got that youthful, energetic vibe. But it wasn't insane. I didn't experience raucous late-night parties, though I am light sleeper. There's noise, but mostly from the bar and from people coming and going. Ask for a room away from the elevator and you'll be fine. So, if you're looking for a quiet, Zen experience, maybe not. If you like a little energy and a bit of buzz, you'll enjoy it. I'm in my late 30s, I like a quiet corner and I can't be doing all this and I enjoyed it, so you should be fine.
Okay, the gym. Is it a real gym, or is it just a sad treadmill in a closet? (Important question.)
Actually, pretty decent! I went to the gym, twice. (I'm working on consistency, okay?) It was small, but it had the essentials. Treadmills, a few weights, and some other machines. The equipment was modern and clean. It wasn't a full-blown fitness studio, but it was more than adequate for a quick workout. I managed to do a decent treadmill run, feel bad, and do some pull-ups there the one time. So, yeah, a win.
Tell me about the staff! Are they friendly, helpful, or just trying to survive the tourist onslaught?
The staff... okay, this is where Moxy actually shines. They were *genuinely* friendly and helpful. I had a minor issue with the air conditioning – it was either freezing or scorching (no in between apparently) – and they fixed it immediately. They were helpful with directions, recommendations, and ordering a cab. One guy, I think his name was Leo, was particularly awesome. He was always smiling and gave some great tips on where to find the best street food. It's the personal touches that make a place memorable, and the Moxy staff definitely delivered on that front. Definitely not just surviving the onslaught. They were engaged and tried to make the stay better.
The One Thing I Wish I'd Known Before I Went...
The metro system. Learn it! Love it! It's your *lifeline* to the city center. I wasted the first day faffing around in taxis. Metro is cheap, efficient, and avoids traffic. Download the app! It's a game changer. You can easily get across the city from Moxy. Seriously, master the metro and you'll have a much smoother, less stressful Shanghai experience. Oh, and bring a universal adapter. Duh. I almost forgot!
Would you go back? Be honest!
Probably! I mean, if I needed a convenient, well-priced hotel near the airport, with a decent bar and friendly staff, Moxy Hongqiao would definitely be on the list. It's not perfect, but it's a solid choice. It exceeded my expectations, and I'm not easily impressed. SoBook Hotels Now
