China - never a dull moment!

[TheEmu]

The mind boggles...


Photo from chinasmack.com

 

[NFF]

This would take some time to get used to.
http://youtu.be/AVOVXhDpI4M

 

[Cruiser Elite]

This would take some time to get used to.
Chinese Bathroom - YouTube

Just a couple of points:

1. That is actually very clean compared to most Chinese out houses
2. You NEVER get used to what the Chinese consider toilets

Note: Strange that a pan is displayed - most have none - and note no seat / guarantee there will be no paper / also guarantee you won't want to get any closer so you can actually see what's inside that pan.

 

[NFF]

Have you ever been to one of those ghost cities ? It's the place to play hide and seek.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Stayed 1 night at Le Royal Meridien in Shanghai Dec 20, 2014 - have stayed here regularly over the years - very nice hotel and BEST location in Shanghai IMHO - always stay Puxi - you need to be certified if you stay in Pudong - but somehow this hotel just fails to hit the mark and has done so since first visit. I was discussing this exact point with TheEmu on NKG night before my SH stay so it prompted me to review hotel on TA.

First review attempt did not appear so I tried second time and my 'less than favourable' review of Le Royal Meridien Shanghai did actually get appear - now I check my CC and they have taken room security deposit of RMB2,000 twice and refunded to me once - so now we are exchanging emails to try to sort it out.

Jeez I wish I had seen this on CC before I posted the review as it would have been MUCH WORSE - jerks!

 

[Bolthead]

Stayed 1 night at Le Royal Meridien in Shanghai Dec 20, 2014 - have stayed here regularly over the years - very nice hotel and BEST location in Shanghai IMHO - always stay Puxi - you need to be certified if you stay in Pudong - but somehow this hotel just fails to hit the mark and has done so since first visit. I was discussing this exact point with TheEmu on NKG night before my SH stay so it prompted me to review hotel on TA.

First review attempt did not appear so I tried second time and my 'less than favourable' review of Le Royal Meridien Shanghai did actually get appear - now I check my CC and they have taken room security deposit of RMB2,000 twice and refunded to me once - so now we are exchanging emails to try to sort it out.

Jeez I wish I had seen this on CC before I posted the review as it would have been MUCH WORSE - jerks!

Cruiser... just read your review. Comedy of errors. I know you have your favourite hotel groups but if you are looking for a hotel very close to train line that is direct to Pudong then the Sofitel in Nanjing Road East is only 200 metres from the station. Check the reviews on line however we are usually happy staying there. I wouldn't give it 5 stars but maybe a good 4 star. As well new Sofitel is opening soon in Shanghai and I have a feeling they may downgrade the current Sofitel to a Novotel or Grand Mercure.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Bolt I have stayed Sofitel Hyland several times maybe 10yrs back - it was showing it's age then. Very good location right near to Nanjing East Subway but I feel Le Meridien significantly better. I have had maybe 15 stays at Le Meridien best being just OK - very nice hotel but as my review stated it's just an unwelcoming cold feeling there and it just misses the mark. Waldorf Astoria clearly best hotel in SH IMHO but it's a bit pricey. Need 4 nts in SH early May and waiting on Prestige to get back to me with their Stay 4 / Pay 3 scheme.

 

[Bolthead]

Bolt I have stayed Sofitel Hyland several times maybe 10yrs back - it was showing it's age then. Very good location right near to Nanjing East Subway but I feel Le Meridien significantly better. I have had maybe 15 stays at Le Meridien best being just OK - very nice hotel but as my review stated it's just an unwelcoming cold feeling there and it just misses the mark. Waldorf Astoria clearly best hotel in SH IMHO but it's a bit pricey. Need 4 nts in SH early May and waiting on Prestige to get back to me with their Stay 4 / Pay 3 scheme.

Fair enough...

I will certainly try out the new Sofitel when it opens... The funny thing is when we went to Nanjing on the same trip we stayed at the Nanjing Sofitel and the rooms were magnificent and twice the size of the Shanghai Sofitel. For $100 per night and inc. b/fast that was a bargain. Unfortunately we never got to catch up with TheEmu as my son and his girl friend had us running around town and we never got back to the hotel until late. I would like to go back to Nanjing and spend a bit more time there. Sorry getting off track...

PS: Sorry, I was wrong, it does not open until mid 2016. http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-7955-sofitel-shanghai-jing-an-huamin-opening-mid-of-2016/index.shtml

 

[Cruiser Elite]

C-Trip - very good Chinese booking site for flts into / out of / within China. Very good for hotels also - if you are planning trip to China do keep them in mind and check their rates.

I have used them spasmodically over last 6 to 8 yrs - never a hiccup - I used them regularly when I was flying internally but mostly train it now. They do have regular promos - currently this one Ctrip mobile app download

Their app is also very good - download for free obviously and see what you think.

Here is the C-Trip web site - http://english.ctrip.com/ - just register and you will receive their regular promos via email also.

Enjoy your China travels.

 

[Bolthead]

C-Trip - very good Chinese booking site for flts into / out of / within China. Very good for hotels also - if you are planning trip to China do keep them in mind and check their rates.

I have used them spasmodically over last 6 to 8 yrs - never a hiccup - I used them regularly when I was flying internally but mostly train it now. They do have regular promos - currently this one Ctrip mobile app download

Their app is also very good - download for free obviously and see what you think. Enjoy your China travels.

I have had a glance at this site, however my son swears by it.

 

[hummel]

Have used Ctrip in the past - not too bad. But we have an apartment in Foshan these days so just stay there when in China, one day I'll get a day off and get up north.

Speaking of, going over again tomorrow morning on MH J MEL-KUL-CAN. 3 trips in 4 months for me (I was there on the 15th of DEC).

Got to get everything right before the country shuts down for CNY!!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Speaking of, going over again tomorrow morning on MH J MEL-KUL-CAN. 3 trips in 4 months for me (I was there on the 15th of DEC).

Got to get everything right before the country shuts down for CNY!!

hummer which MU flt do you take out of MEL? What time do you get into CAN? And which flt do you take back out of KUL? I have only ever flown home from PEK once with them - I thought soft product excellent - but cough of a seat to try to sleep on.

 

[hummel]

hummer which MU flt do you take out of MEL? What time do you get into CAN? And which flt do you take back out of KUL? I have only ever flown home from PEK once with them - I thought soft product excellent - but cough of a seat to try to sleep on.

First time on MH using US miles but on MH146 tommorow morning, 6hr layover at KUL then arriving CAN at midnight.

Can't say I'm looking forward to angled lie-flat but I'm very lucky in that sleeping isn't much of a problem for me. Good to try different carriers at least, normally TG/SQ but MH had availability when I booked it the other day!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

OK timing a bit of a bummer - I too can see availability for cheap award into PEK but 00:10+1 arrival got knobs on it - midnight dep on SQ on flat bed into PEK or PVG before 15:00 same day far more appealing.

 

[hummel]

OK timing a bit of a bummer - I too can see availability for cheap award into PEK but 00:10+1 arrival got knobs on it - midnight dep on SQ on flat bed into PEK or PVG before 15:00 same day far more appealing.

I'm not sure about other airports in China but it seems to be either midnight/midday arrivals into CAN.

Couldn't agree more on timings, my favourite is the 0030 on SQ out of MEL into SIN and get's me to CAN around Midday. Just in time to get to a factory and then they break for lunch!!!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Couldn't agree more on timings, my favourite is the 0030 on SQ out of MEL into SIN and get's me to CAN around Midday. Just in time to get to a factory and then they break for lunch!!!

God I hate that - after 15yrs dealing with one major trading company they now understand - I eat big breakfast and nothing during day - so they go for lunch without me - I sit in office and use the 1.5 to 2.0hr lunch hours productively - like surfing AFF!

 

[TheEmu]

Stayed 1 night at Le Royal Meridien in Shanghai Dec 20, 2014 - have stayed here regularly over the years - very nice hotel and BEST location in Shanghai IMHO - always stay Puxi - you need to be certified if you stay in Pudong - but somehow this hotel just fails to hit the mark and has done so since first visit. I was discussing this exact point with TheEmu on NKG night before my SH stay so it prompted me to review hotel on TA.

First review attempt did not appear so I tried second time and my 'less than favourable' review of Le Royal Meridien Shanghai did actually get appear - now I check my CC and they have taken room security deposit of RMB2,000 twice and refunded to me once - so now we are exchanging emails to try to sort it out.

Jeez I wish I had seen this on CC before I posted the review as it would have been MUCH WORSE - jerks!

I didn't bother with Le Royal Meridien for the TheEmu flock this year.
The Renaissance Capital Beijing is very much the duck's guts though, Cruiser!
Absolutely brilliant 4 day stay. We played musical rooms after the first one (on F20) was too small and they declined to give me 1234 so we ended up in a junior suite on F8.
The Executive Club lounge staff have to be the best I have encountered anywhere. Great lounge - brilliant staff!
Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[TheEmu]

C-Trip - very good Chinese booking site for flts into / out of / within China. Very good for hotels also - if you are planning trip to China do keep them in mind and check their rates.

I have used them spasmodically over last 6 to 8 yrs - never a hiccup - I used them regularly when I was flying internally but mostly train it now. They do have regular promos - currently this one Ctrip mobile app download

Their app is also very good - download for free obviously and see what you think.

Here is the C-Trip web site - Ctrip - China Travel, Cheap China flights, hotels, Vacation Packages, Airline tickets & Airfares. - just register and you will receive their regular promos via email also.

Enjoy your China travels.

I use Ctrip to book the trains as well - pick up the tickets at the station.

I got very cheap seats on Hainan Airlines on Boxing Day through Ctrip: 1200RMB (total) for 4 of us Nanjing to Xi'an (about $59 each).
Hainan is full service so baggage and a meal (quite edible) included.
I don't think I'll ever get used to the sound of seat belts being unlatched just as the reverse thrusters come off... I prefer the trains!

 

[seanpodge]

C-Trip - very good Chinese booking site for flts into / out of / within China. Very good for hotels also - if you are planning trip to China do keep them in mind and check their rates.

I have used them spasmodically over last 6 to 8 yrs - never a hiccup - I used them regularly when I was flying internally but mostly train it now. They do have regular promos - currently this one Ctrip mobile app download

Their app is also very good - download for free obviously and see what you think.

Here is the C-Trip web site - Ctrip - China Travel, Cheap China flights, hotels, Vacation Packages, Airline tickets & Airfares. - just register and you will receive their regular promos via email also.

Enjoy your China travels.

Fully agree. eLong is also pretty good.

 

[mushez]

I use Ctrip to book the trains as well

How do you book trains on ctrip - or any other site/way in advance - hate the ques to get tickets and the wait for booked train, but still easier than flying most times.