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The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong

Address: Shanghai IFC, 8 Century Avenue, near Lujiazui Huan Lu / 上海IFC，世紀大道8號，近陸家嘴環路
Tel: 2020 1888
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/ShanghaiPudong
Visited on:  2012-01-14

Though I’ve previously been to The Ritz-Carlton Pudong for lunch, afternoon tea, and spa, staying at one of its Bund View Suites with Club Lounge access was an experience on another luxurious level. For those who are unfamiliar with the hotel, here’s a quick overview: The Ritz-Carlton Pudong, opened in June 2010, is located on the top 18 floors of Shanghai’s IFC Tower – a luxury shopping/office/residential complex. It’s got 258 guest rooms, all in sleek and modern design with hints of Shanghai Art Deco from the 1930s, and I was able to see the inside of it for a birthday celebration!

The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge 

Club Lounge reception

After checking-in at the Club Lounge reception, we were shown to our Club Bund View Suite, a luxurious 807 square feet space. A combination of velvet fabrics in vivid colors and clear-cut geometric shapes, the design is simultaneously sharp and soft. As we entered the room, the curtains automatically opened to a sweeping view of the bund – an especially impressive welcome on a clear day.

Suite, sitting room

View out the sitting room

Suite, sitting room

Workstation

Here’s the 42-inch LCD TV with a welcome message, which seems to be the standard across Ritz-Carlton hotels, as we saw the same at Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong.

Welcome note

Love the Chinese elements incorporated into the room design.

Decor

On the coffee table sat a plate of dainty chocolate-themed desserts, each a little delight.

Welcome desserts

And a hand-written welcome letter from Ritz-Carlton’s regional VP and GM.

Handwritten notes

In the bedroom, a sealy bed with 600-thread count Frette bed linen, down feather pillows and throws.

Bedroom

Unlike most hotel floors that are completely covered in carpets, parts of the wooden floor are exposed here, which I particularly liked. I did, however, noticed squeaking sounds as I walked across the wooden tiles, and brought this up to the hotel staff. I got the following reply:

“The way we built the wooden floor is the same way as it has been done for many hundred of years in Europe. Actually if the wooden floor squeaks that this is a sign that you walk on quality. It is part of a quality wooden floor, the same way as a Porsche makes a roaring noise while driving. This will be difficult to stop it.”

Well well, I learn something new every day.

Wooden floor

Bose Wave Music System with an ipod dock.

iPod dock

Here is the view and a detailed diagram of what you are supposed to see. Unfortunately at the time of our check in, it was pouring rain and all we could see were a misty outline of the Pearl Tower.

View

Make-up table with lighted mirror, also facing the Bund.

Make up table

Here’s the bedroom, with opened curtains. Imagine this on a clear day, what a spectacular view it would be.

Bedroom

When we returned to the room at a later hour, the decorative cover and throw pillows were already put away for us.

Bedroom

The marble-clad bathroom at the Bund View Suite deserves a serious good look. Aqua di Parma toiletries (this brand makes amazing scented candles too), rain shower, and a clawfoot copper bathtub!

Bathroom

Amenities

Bathtub

Bath salt, loofah scrub, and remote control for the built-in flat screen TV beside the bathtub.

Bathtub amenities

They’ve got a headrest prepared too.

Bathtub amenities

A built-in flatscreen TV.

Flat screen TV

Ahh yes, a soak in this bathtub is absolutely a must.

View from the bath tub

Rain shower

A spacious walk-in closet, with one of the most comfortable bathrobes ever. The slippers are also of a much superior quality than those at many other 5-star hotels. It’s all in the details.

Walk-in closet

We then dropped by the 24-hour Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, which provides five daily complimentary food presentations, semi-private work stations, dedicated concierge, complimentary pressing of one suit upon arrival, and meeting rooms. 

Club Lounge

Club Lounge

Semi private workstations

Art pieces

Meeting room

Meeting room

Here’s a snapshot of parts of the dinner presentation. Since we had dinner reserved at Jin Xuan, we only browsed through the buffet table, which appeared to be a small but quality selection of hot and cold dishes. The laksa looked tongue-burning spicy and smelled amazing, I wished I had stomach room for it.

Dinner presentation

A glass of white wine, why not.

Bollinger

Upon returning to our suite, we were greeted with a chocolate mousse cake and a bottle of red wine for the birthday girl. The Ritz-Carlton sure knows how to pamper its guests! Wait till my next post to see the infinity pool up on the 53rd level.

Birthday presents

Extended readings:

[SHANGHAI] The Ritz-Carlton Pudong: Checking Out
[SHANGHAI] The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA
[SHANGHAI] High Tea at Aura, The Ritz-Carlton Pudong
[SHANGHAI] Afternoon Tea at Flair, The Ritz-Carlton Pudong
[SHANGHAI] Jin Xuan 金軒 at The Ritz-Carlton Pudong
[HONG KONG] Ritz-Carlton: Checking In
[HONG KONG] Ritz-Carlton: Checking Out