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After a great flight on American’s retrofit 772 ( with Zodiac not B/E Super Diamond seats) we were ready to hit the MagLev and high speed train ourselves into Shanghai. If you’re visiting Shanghai for the first time, the MagLev ( Magnetic Levitation) is a must do. The station is attached to PVG, takes maybe 10 minutes to walk to from the actual airport, and is just flat out cool. It’ll drop you off at Longyang road station and depending on the day…you’ll travel between 186 mph and 267mph. Originally, we were going to stay at the Intercontinental Ruijin for 3 nights, but my Ambassador free night cert didn’t arrive on time, and we pivoted to the Andaz Shanghai.
A word to the wise – have currency. Hailing a taxi near Longyang is a bit tricky, and we just sort of winged it without currency. Our driver took us past an atm, but we ended up paying about $50 for what should have been a $8 cab ride. Either lost in translation ( he did seem absolutely elated with the money we gave him) or he ripped us off. Either way…we made it to the Andaz 🙂 It’s roughly 45 mins in the cab ( so $50 didn’t seem that crazy until we did the return trip ).
The Deets:
- When: November 2017
- Where: Shanghai, Xintiandi
- Cost: 15k per night + 1 Chase Free night cert
- Upgrade: none
- Status: Explorist, World of Hyatt
- Benefits: Each night snacks and drinks.
Andaz properties as a whole
Oh, where to begin. I’ve stayed at my share of Andaz properties, and every time I’m usually underwhelmed. They are sexy and cool and minimalist, and each of those things I never really identify with, soooooooo why do I choose to stay at them? Well, because they are sexy and cool, and it always seems like a good idea, especially when they have a good deal on points 😉 The Andaz Shanghai is exactly that…cool and sexy and only 15k points per night. Or a Hyatt free night cert. How can you say no? 🙂
Location:
Andaz Shanghai is in Xintiandi – an upscale shopping and dining area that is about 45 minutes walk to The Bund. I found it to be a dope spot, and while I haven’t stayed in Pudong, having visited the Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt…I’d prefer this location over it. With that said…Hyatt on the Bund looks very interesting, and someplace I’d like to check out on a return trip.
Arrival and check in
Check in is off to the right, and feels as much like a normal check in as I’ve experienced at an Andaz. Andaz must think having a counter and queueing up is not cool, so Andaz doesn’t have what we’ve all come to expect as “check-in.” Andaz West Hollywood is the absolute worst, but this one at least makes it clear where you’re supposed to go, and potentially who is in front of you waiting.
Room
The room was a good size, and has this lighting feature that allows you to change the rooms vibe via color. The bathroom was easily one of the coolest, entry level, bathroom I’ve been in.
The shower/tub was this rock formation integrated with a plastic wrapped, color changing, soaker tub with a rain shower. A button on the wall changed the color of the sink, shower, and more than likely your aura. Toilet…multi feature, bum warming, wand squirting heaven. I also love the provided amenity kits. One of the many things US hotels could adopt from Asia.
The Evening drinks and canapes
Beer. Wine. A few warm dishes, and a few cold. Nothing to write home about, and certainly not a meal replacement. Both nights we ended up ordering food in addition to the “happy hour”
Overall:
The stay was good. Considering neither Dave, nor I are big Andaz fans, I found the stay to be perfectly fine. Both he and I are more luxury with a club level folk so if you like the Andaz branding, you’ll enjoy your stay. Staff were superb ( even ordering us a Didi – Chinese Uber) and cared for us. So for me…it’s more a style and vibe thing, but it was a great redemption, and in a good location.
Would I come back, and would I stay here. Yes I would, but I’d prefer to check at the Hyatt on the Bund. While it’s a bit far out on the Bund, the views are incredible, it’s a steal on value, there is a club level, and a roof top bar that has an amazing vibe. I’m sure I’ll be back to Shanghai in the near future, and I have my eyes on Hyatt on The Bund and the Peninsula. The Intercontinental Ruijin is a very nice place as well…which I’ll be reviewing soon.
Wish to read more of my WeekendWarrior Trip to Asia?
- American Airlines Flagship Lounge Chicago ORD
- American Airlines Business Class 787-8 ORD to PVG
- Andaz Shanghai
- Intercontinental Shanghai
- Cathay Pacific and DragonAir Lounge Shanghai
- Cathay Dragon First Class Shanghai to Hong Kong
- Intercontinental Hong Kong
- Cathay Pacific The Pier
- Cathay Pacific The Wing
- Cathay Pacific First Class Hong Kong to Chicago
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Welcome Offer
60k Points after $4k spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
Transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 60k points after $4k spend in 3 months
- Worth $750 in Chase Travel℠ and way more if you maximize transfer partners
- 5x on all travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services for takeout & dining out
- 3x on select streaming services
- 3x on online grocery purchases
- (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit via Chase Travel℠
- The begins immediately for new cardmembers and after your account anniversary for existing cardmembers
- 2x on all other travel
- 10% Anniversary Bonus
- Every year you keep the card, your total spend will yield a 10% points bonus. If you spend $10k in a year, you’ll get 1k bonus points
- Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to redeem at 1.25c in the Chase Travel℠ and the slew of other benefits remain in tact including Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver ( primary ), purchase protections, etc.
- Points are transferrable to 14 Ultimate Rewards partners
- Redeem in Chase Travel℠ for 1.25 cents per point
- No foreign transaction fees
- Suite of Travel and Purchase Coverage
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver is my favorite
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024
- $95 Annual Fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists the best ever offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Historically 80k is a very, very good offer and hit in both 2022 and 2023. In 2021, we saw the offer hit an all time high of 100k. Who knows if that will ever come back.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is exceptional starter card and offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards, and pairs well with other Chase cards.
If you carry this card alongside Chase’s cashback cards like the Chase Freedom Flex℠and Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the business versions: Ink Business Cash® , Ink Business Unlimited® you can combine the points into Preferred account and transfer into hotel and airline partners
Annual fee is quite low at $95 a year + you get a 10% anniversary bonus on points + $50 hotel credit in Chase travel.
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