CHINA: Hyatt Regency Shanghai, Wujiaochang Opens

Hyatt Regency Shanghai, Wujiaochang opens in Wujiaochang, a thriving business, innovation and university district in Shanghai, East China. The 306-room Hyatt Regency hotel offers guests an urban retreat that fosters connections and serves as a dynamic, energizing place where they can collaborate and find inspiration.

“The opening of Hyatt Regency Shanghai, Wujiaochang further expands Hyatt’s brand presence in Shanghai and significantly enriches our authentic and diversified brand experiences for guests,” said Christopher Koehler, Hyatt’s vice president and managing director of operations for China. “This hotel has been thoughtfully designed to make guests feel welcome and comfortable so that they can socialize, connect and celebrate any occasion.”

Wujiaochang, meaning “hub of five avenues,” highlights the hotel’s ideal location by enabling guests to easily connect to the very best that Shanghai has to offer. Whether working, meeting, socializing or unwinding, guests can enjoy exciting culinary experiences, easy tech-enabled connectivity and convenient service.

“Hyatt Regency Shanghai, Wujiaochang offers guests access to nature and seclusion, right in the middle of urban Wujiaochang. Featuring inspiring spaces and purposeful hospitality, this hotel will provide guests with a memorable place to connect with friends, family and business partners,” said Grace Tsou, general manager of Hyatt Regency Shanghai, Wujiaochang.

Hyatt Regency Shanghai, Wujiaochang is located in the Hopson International Plaza, a new tower comprised of Class A-grade offices, a luxury shopping mall and dining and entertainment venues. The hotel is conveniently situated beside Wujiaochang Station on Metro Line 10, providing guests with easy access to and from central Shanghai. Shanghai Pudong International Airport is a 50-minute drive, and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is less than 15 miles (24 kilometers) by car.

Connected with the spirit and culture of its destination, traditional Chinese symbolism is subtly integrated throughout the contemporary hotel design. The artistic journey begins with a sculptural installation of Propitious Clouds, a Chinese symbol for good fortune, in the ground-floor arrival lobby. Eight art panels inspired by Chinese folding screens feature an oversized floral motif – just one of the many stylized nature elements in this garden-style oasis.

Upon arrival on the sixth floor Sky Lobby, guests are greeted with an open view into the conservatory garden – a 115-foot (25-meter) high central atrium inspired by the internal courtyard of traditional Chinese residences. Canopied by a glass roof and landscaped in the style of a classic Chinese garden with bonsai, rockeries and flowering trees, the garden is visible to guests throughout the hotel and provides energizing natural light and a picturesque green backdrop for social spaces.

Hyatt Regency Shanghai, Wujiaochang offers 306 comfortable and contemporary guestrooms, including 17 suites, ranging in size from 430 square feet (40 square meters) to 2,249 square feet (209 square meters). All rooms offer views of Wujiaochang and the Shanghai skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access, a 48-inch LED TV with cable and satellite channels and a Bluetooth stereo help guests to remain connected and entertained throughout their stay. An oversized table functions as both a work desk and an elegant dining table.

A large glass window separates the bedroom and bathroom enhancing the sense of spaciousness. A custom painted floral panel door continues the artistic nature theme, and slides to cover the bathroom window and provide additional privacy if required.

Seventeen contemporary suites offer a separate bedroom, bathroom and living area. A selection of in-room amenities includes a 60-inch LED TV, Nespresso coffee machine, walk-in closet, marble bathroom, and a large bathtub by the window. Guests staying in Regency Club guestrooms can enjoy access to the Regency Club, an exclusive lounge providing personalized guest services, daily breakfast, all-day refreshments, and evening cocktails and canapés.

Dining

The restaurants at Hyatt Regency Shanghai, Wujiaochang builds off Hyatt’s history of culinary excellence.

Market Café serves an extensive buffet selection during breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus an all-day à la carte menu with Asian, European, American and local Chinese cuisines. Designed to resemble a vibrant marketplace, fresh seasonal ingredients are on display and chefs prepare dishes in the open show kitchens. Market Café extends into the atrium courtyard where guests can enjoy garden dining beneath the glass roof.

Accessed through the grand doors adjacent to the Sky Lobby, The Lounge is a memorable setting for relaxing, connecting and meeting during the day and evening. Double-height ceilings, large picture windows and soaring wooden screens set the scene for informal business meetings, light meals and social refreshments.

Later in the day, the Lobby Lounge becomes a perfect venue for afternoon tea. By night, the ambience transforms into a trendy lounge with sweeping views of Shanghai’s famous neon lights. Guests can sit at the bar or choose a cozy lounge to enjoy fine wines, champagnes and cocktails, accompanied by live musicians and singers.

Weddings and events

Perfectly suited for all types of business and social gatherings, Hyatt Regency Shanghai, Wujiaochang offers 30,763 square feet (2,858 square meters) of dynamic and flexible meeting and event spaces across two levels, including the Regency Ballroom and seven multi-function rooms. The pillar-free 8,331 square foot (774 square meter) Regency Ballroom with a 25-foot (8-meter) ceiling creates a sense of festive celebration for up to 700 guests. Styled with rich gold tones and leaf-patterned carpets, doors on one side open onto the landscaped roof terrace. A bridal dressing room provides a pampering lounge and private dressing area beside the ballroom.

Wellness and relaxation

Guests can enjoy a 24-hour gym on the eighth floor, which features Life Fitness cardio and strength equipment with built-in entertainment and fitness tracking monitors.

Inspired by a tranquil pond in the urban oasis, the 82-foot (25-meter) indoor swimming pool with infinity edges is surrounded by glass windows yielding city views. Guests can also unwind in the spacious whirlpool with underwater massage loungers. Soft sandstone floors naturally merge with the pool to create the impression of a natural waterfront environment.

China Eastern Airlines

About China Eastern Airlines
China Eastern Airlines is majority owned by the Chinese government, and is ranked as a 3-Star Airline. The international hub for China Eastern Airlines is Shanghai Pudong Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport for domestic flights. China Eastern Airlines is a member of SkyTeam Alliance.

China Eastern Airlines fleet
China Eastern Airlines has a large aircraft fleet, and long haul international flights are normally operated by their newer Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and Airbus A330 aircraft.

Shanghai Pudong Airport
The main airport used by the airline is Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The Shanghai Maglev Train links Pudong International Airport with Longyang Road Metro Station, from where downtown connections can be made. International and domestic flights operate from Pudong International Airport, although the main China Eastern Airlines base for domestic flights is Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, which is much close to downtown Shanghai. Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is next to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, a major train hub served by the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport has two main terminals, Terminal 1 and the newer Terminal 2 – walking time between the terminals is about 15 minutes. China Eastern Airlines operates from Terminal 1, as does its subsidiary, locally based airline, Shanghai Airlines.

China Eastern Airlines ground service
Check in service is at a reasonable standard in Shanghai Pudong Airport, and there are many self-serve check-in facilities. Waiting times for check-in at Shanghai Hongqiao tend to be slowest for peak period domestic flights. If you need English language assistance at check-in, many staff have adequate language skills or they can call a supervisor.

China Eastern Airlines domestic First class lounge at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is quite spacious, but at peak departure times you may find it hard to locate a free seat space. Lounge catering is supplied by an outside, Western hotel chain and the standards are quite good. WiFi is available, although speeds mirror many Chinese airport standards by being slow.

The international First and Business Class lounges at Shanghai Pudong Airport are quite limited, and will be replaced in the coming years with a new facility. They are made up of several lounge choices, each being quite small and lacking in facilities that you would expect at a major global hub. Not the place to relax for long periods, and don’t expect much in the way of business facilities or in-lounge catering options.

Onboard China Eastern Airlines
On international flights, China Eastern Airlines offers First class, Business and Economy class on some aircraft, whilst others will have just a Business Class and Economy Class cabin.

First Class
The new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft provides seat pod style flat bed seats, in a 1x2x1 layout. The seats are spacious, offer good privacy and there is a large IFE screen. A nice duvet and pillow is supplied. The onboard catering is ranked 3 to 4-Star standards, and normally the Chinese menu is of a better standard than the Western meal options. A good choice of wines are available. An amenity kit is provided, slippers and nice pyjamas (it is advisable to select the largest size for comfort). Cabin staff service can be good, but there are variations and a lack in service consistency. Most cabin staff have some understanding of English, and staff language skills are improving year on year. The language skills are based around a standard set of phrases, and you may find that staff will not understand if you go off-script. The choice of reading materials is limited – you get English language Chinese newspapers offered, and maybe Time of Newsweek, but little other choices are available. The IFE system is reasonable on newer Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, and a choice of Western movies is offered, as are Western TV programmes. However, don’t expect much in the way of new releases and many movies are quite old.

Business Class
The newer Boeing 777-300ER aircraft offer nice flat bed seat pods, arranged in a 1x2x1 layout. There are older angled-flat seats on Airbus A330 aircraft. A nice duvet and pillow are provided. Pyjamas are not provided, but you receive an amenity kit and slippers. The onboard catering is quite similar to First Class (apart from some presentation format difference), and you will probably find that Chinese menu standards are better than Western options. Cabin staff service is efficient through the meal services, and same comments apply to language skills. The IFE system is patchy, and you may find that the responsiveness is very slow. Choice of reading materials is limited – you will get English language Chinese newspapers offered, and maybe Time of Newsweek, but little other choice. The IFE system is reasonable on newer Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, and a choice of Western movies is offered, as are Western TV programmes. However, don’t expect much in the way of new releases and many movies are quite old.

Economy Class
China Eastern Airlines Economy class seats provide a reasonable comfort level, with an average seat pitch and legroom. For the Cabin Seat Layout plans, we suggest you refer to our Airline Seat Plans guide where you can view China Eastern Airlines aircraft cabin layouts. A blanket and pillow are provided, both at a 3-Star quality level. The Economy class onboard catering is ranked at 3-Star standard, with a choice of Chinese or Western meal options. Quantity of food supplied is okay, but don’t expect culinary delights on most routes. Chinese tea is served with the meal and you might have to repeatedly request from staff if you want to get a beer or wine served – and these are often served warm and not chilled. The cabin staff tend to be younger in this cabin (compared to First or Business) and most of them are enthusiastic and offer a pleasant demeanour. They are trained with standard English language phrases, and you may find that some questions you ask are met by puzzlement – persevere and they will normally get an English speaking member of staff to help. The IFE system is reasonable on newer Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, and a choice of Western movies is offered, as are Western TV programmes. However, don’t expect much in the way of new releases and many movies are quite old.

Domestic Flights
The majority of China Eastern Airlines domestic flights are operated by narrowbody Airbus A320/321 and Boeing 737 aircraft types, although some busier routes may use Airbus A330 aircraft. The onboard narrowbody product comprises First / Business Class seats configured 2×2, and standard Economy 3×3 seating. A proportion of these China Eastern aircraft are quite dated and worn inside the cabin, with well-used seats and cabin décor. In contrast to Air China, China Southern and Hainan Airlines, many of these domestic China Eastern Airlines aircraft seem rather tatty in appearance and presentation. A meal or snack is normally served in both cabins, subject to flight duration – shorter 60-90 mins flights and you are lucky if you receive even a beverage in First Class.

Cultural Differences
It is worth remembering that there are clear cultural differences amongst many Chinese travellers, and some of these may be disconcerting to western customers. This is an area that the Chinese government has been trying to address in recent years, and in 2013 the China National Tourism Administration published a 64-page Guidebook for Civilized Tourism (encouraging better manners). As far as air travel is concerned, you are likely to notice that queuing is often disorderly and when for example flight boarding is announced, there can often be a rapid stampede of travellers pushing and shoving to get through the gate quickly. Loud talking (almost shouting) is another trait you might find disconcerting both on the ground and onboard flights. Spitting remains an issue despite educational promotions to stop this. Despite airline’s best efforts to keep passengers seated after landing, you may also find a number of passengers standing up to retrieve luggage whilst still taxiing. We guess that bit by bit such practices will gradually improve in coming years, but don’t forget there are 1.4 billion potential Chinese travellers.

VERDICT
China Eastern Airlines is playing catch-up from a quality perspective when compared to China Southern Airlines and Air China (as one of the 3 Government owned airlines), and their new fleet additions on long haul routes offer a considerable improvement. You would not choose a Chinese airline if you must have standard western food and amenities during a flight, and it is also important that you don’t expect every member of staff to be able to chat to you in English (or other language). Staff are generally well trained and provide service in quite a regimented and disciplined manner, and remember, they often have to deal with very demanding Chinese customers. China Eastern Airlines is a good choice if you are planning a trip to China and want to fly into Shanghai, although their standards are currently not meeting the 4-Star quality of China Southern Airlines or the top 5-Star quality of Hainan Airlines.