We stayed in the Renaissance Shanghai Putuo Hotel in our previous visit to the Expo 2010 in May. The Renaissance is a 5-star grand hotel located in the Putuo district. The room in where we were staying was super deluxe (Please refer to the photographs in my previous blog dated July 18, 2010 entitled "Going to Shanghai Expo again"). The hotel is brand new just opened this May. The Langao Station of Metro Line 7 is just located opposite to the hotel. This is 9 stops away from the Houtan Station for the access to the Expo site through Gate 8. Metro Line 7 can also take visitors directly to the Changqing Road Station, Yaohua Road Station, and West Gaoke Road Station for the access to the Expo Gate 7, 6, and 5 respectively. The only deficit of the Renaissance Shanghai Putuo Hotel is that there is a lack of shopping facilities nearby.
Shanghai Marvel Hotel room view
This time, we stayed in the Shanghai Marvel Hotel which is located right in the heart of the city, opposite to the People's Square. The hotel is surrounded by many popular shopping arcades and transport links Number 1, 2, and 8 Metro Lines. The Metro station, Daishiji, is just located next to the hotel. Metro Line 8 goes directly to the Expo site stopping either at South Xizang Road Station to reach Expo Gate 2 or Yaohua Road station to reach Expo Gate 6. There are only two stops between Daishiji and South Xizang Road Stations. Starting my journey from the Marvel Hotel at 08:40am, I reached the Expo Entrance Gate 2 at 09:00am. The Marvel Hotel is close to many famous tourist spots such as the Bund, Yu Garden, and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. The hotel is also not far away from the Yan'an Road Sub-River Tunnel going across the river to Pudong.
Shanghai Marvel Hotel bathroom view
The Marvel Hotel previously was the building of YMCA which was built in 1929. Therefore, it is also named as Marvel YMCA Hotel. It is now a heritage building with modern interior facilities. The building was fully renovated early this year. Therefore, we did not feel anything old inside the hotel. The room was quite nice, spacious and comfortable. The bathroom is completely separated from the sitting area (See attached photos and video). Complimentary broadband internet access is available in the room.
When comparing with the Renaissance Shanghai Putuo Hotel, the 4-star Marvel Hotel charges less and is more convenient. Just outside the Marvel Hotel, an Expo Volunteer Counter is available on the street. If you target for the Expo visit, the Marvel Hotel may be a good choice. However, if you would like to enjoy a peaceful and super comfortable environment, you may consider the Renaissance Shanghai Putuo Hotel. We like both of them.
My husband and I visited the Shanghai Expo 2010 in May. We enjoyed the trip very much. It is fantastic. We had acquired a lot of knowledge from the Expo. We introduced it to our friends. They like it too. We stayed in the Renaissance Shanghai Putuo Hotel which is a branch of the Marriott chain. The hotel was brand new just opened in May 2010 at the time of our stay. It was very nice. Please see attached photographs for the room views The buffet was so rich that it gave us sufficient energy for the Expo walk. The Renaissance Shanghai Putuo Hotel is not close to the Expo site, but it is just next to the underground Metro Line 7. Therefore, it is convenient. The deficit is that there are insufficient shopping facilities nearby. There is only a small convenience store and a few low-price restaurants nearby.
Renaissance Shanghai Putuo Hotel
We will be going to Shanghai Expo again. We will take the Cathay Pacific Airways flight tomorrow early morning. Since we know the Expo well, we don't make much preparation. My husband reminds me to bring along with my cap. Last time, I wore my cap even though inside the pavilions. It was because I moved around in the crowds to take photographs and videos. My white cap could easily catch my husband's eyes so that he could fetch me in the crowds. Since we have already visited the most popular pavilions such as the China Pavilion, Saudi Arabia Pavilion, Germany Pavilion, France Pavilion, Czech Republic Pavilion, Spain Pavilion, etc., we expect ourselves to be much relaxed this time. We have planned to watch the shows in the Expo Culture Center, to stroll in the parks, and to dine in the famous restaurants, etc. Hopefully, there is no need for us to join the queues this time. I am cheerful.
We have checked the weather in Shanghai. It will be sunny with 30 degrees Celsius tomorrow Monday. There will be heavy rain on Tuesday. Both Wednesday and Thursday will be sunny with very hot temperature about 31 degrees.
I love reading, studying, traveling and sightseeing. I have visited a number of countries over the world. I enjoyed my previous visits in several world expositions. The Shanghai Expo 2010 is on the top of my interest. I, therefore, would like to keep the beautiful memory by writing a blog.
