AAnonymous UserPros:
1. Upon arrival on check-in day, a doorman helped open the car door and took our luggage, escorting us to the front desk. Our bags were then delivered directly to the room by staff.
2. The hotel staff's service attitude was excellent, and the front desk handled everything professionally.
3. We booked a river-view king room and paid extra to upgrade to a Bund panoramic view king room (not sure if that's the exact name). I have to say, the view was absolutely stunning – exactly what everyone hopes for! You could see the Oriental Pearl Tower, the 'Three-piece Suit' (referring to the three tallest skyscrapers), the Huangpu River, and the entire Bund, all unobstructed.
4. The hotel boasts an excellent location, right next to Binjiang Park, perfect for a leisurely stroll anytime. The surrounding area has complete commercial amenities, offering plenty of options for dining, entertainment, and shopping. The hotel itself is a quiet oasis in a bustling area, perfectly aligning with Banyan Tree's resort positioning.
5. The room facilities were premium, and amenities were comprehensive: a circular bathtub, a double-basin vanity in the bathroom, a smart toilet, and a shower with three types of nozzles and excellent water pressure.
6. The room received complimentary bottled water and a small beverage daily. You can definitely cut down on ordering outside drinks when staying here; the in-room supply is enough.
7. The first round of soft drinks in the mini-bar was complimentary upon check-in.
8. Any issues we reported via phone were handled swiftly by the hotel.
9. The best perk during our stay was the breakfast, served from 7 AM until *12 PM*! Being able to sleep in and essentially save on lunch was fantastic.
10. The hotel's cleaning staff was prompt and even asked for our preferred cleaning time, which was very thoughtful.
11. On check-out day, I wasn't quite ready to leave and wanted to extend our check-out time. The front desk was busy with another guest's call and I couldn't reach them immediately. Afterwards, Ms. Minnie, the hotel's room division staff, promptly called me back and arranged for a late check-out until 1 PM. Her professionalism and quick response were commendable.
Cons:
1. For a luxury hotel with this location and view, don't expect free room upgrades. Upgrades come with an extra charge, and having such an expectation can lead to a slight disappointment.
2. The hotel's check-in time is strictly 3 PM. If you arrive early, you'll either have to wait or go out to explore.
3. The room wasn't soundproof. I noticed a gap under the room door, and a noticeable space between the door and its frame. No wonder you could hear every little sound from the hallway, and conversely, anything happening in the room was audible from the corridor. This compromises privacy a bit, making it less suitable for couples or those (like me) who enjoy listening to music with speakers in the room, as it might disturb others.
4. Food delivery is a common issue and a typical drawback of older luxury hotels: deliveries aren't allowed directly to the room; guests have to go down to pick them up themselves. There are no smart robots for delivery.
5. Other snacks in the mini-bar are not complimentary. Given the price point of the rooms, the hotel could be a bit more generous.
6. The breakfast selection was quite limited, comparable to a buffet breakfast you'd find in a hotel costing around 100 RMB. For example, a few years ago, I stayed at the Grand Hyatt by the river in Changsha, Hunan, where the breakfast offered Chinese, Western, Japanese, and Korean options, plus seafood and sashimi – I could spend over an hour enjoying breakfast there. For the price point of the Banyan Tree on the Bund, this level of breakfast is genuinely a bit disappointing and should be upgraded.
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