Treasury Hotel Shanghai is right on the doorstep of People’s Square. Hotels in Shanghai that offer both character and convenience is something of a puzzle to find. The Treasury Hotel are located just steps away from Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Street.
The hotel also puts you directly in the middle of central Shanghai‘s heritage architecture, shopping, and metro connection. It’s housed within a refurbished block that retains some of the old-Shanghai facade but contain a thoroughly moddern interior.
It’s a mid-range property that sit somewhere between a boutique stay and a business hotel. The public spaces are decorative, the rooms is practical, and the location does most of the heavy lifting. So here’s what it’s realy like to stay here.
What to Expect at the Treasury Hotel
Treasury Hotel Shanghai
Step out the front door and you’re on a street lined with heritage building dating back to the boom years of the concessions in Shanghai. The hotel entrance is under a broad glass arch framing the reception area as seen from the pavement.
The lobby is spacious, with seating arranged around modern art pieces. It is larger then its street footprint would suggest.
A glass-leaf chandelier cast dappled light overhead, and a neon sign with the hotel name in crisp script hang above the check-in desk. Welcome treats are waiting on a tiny plate (nothing extravagant), but enough to feel appreciated after schlepping suitcases through town.
Inside, the lobby is a double height atrium space with arcades of balcony circling the upper floors. The design is more contemporary than perhaps you’d expect from the exterior, and there is chandeliers in geometric groupings. For a hotel at this price point, it’s all a bit of theatre.
There’s also a curving staircase connecting the lobby to the higher level; it’s illuminated underneath, and glows at night. While most people use the lifts, the stairs provides a decent photo opportunity if you’re so minded. Layouts are simple room.
There’s a proper entrance hall, followed by the room itself (with twin or king bed), dressed in white linen. The furniture is functional but not overdone, there is bedside tables, a luggage rack, and a little sitting area with an armchair and side table opposite the television. There are wardrobes with sufficient hanging space for your week-long stay.
It’s all neutral and doesn’t try to do too much.
Bathrooms has walk-in showers and stone vanities. Toiletries are generic yet adequate; water pressure hold up. There are no luxurius fittings here, but everything function as intended.
In standard room, desks is snuggled up next to windows (perfect for working if required. There’s space for your laptop and a few sheets of paper). Suites provides an additional living space complete with coffee table and sofa where you can stretch out or entertain guests (without having to sit on the bed).
Throughout the floors, the brushed-metal look continue in the lift lobbies. There are eleven storeys, which means that unless you have a low-floor room you will be taking the elevators.
The ground-floor restaurant serve breakfast as a buffet. This is your typical affair: some toast, scrambled eggs, a selection of noodles and congee, some hot dishes kept warm in service pans and a self-service juice and coffee station. It is not a reason to book this hotel in itself, but it is quite adequate fuel for the morning.
On one of the lower level, there’s a small gym (with a few weights and some treadmills) and a glass wall behind which it’s located. There is also a guest laundry room (which comes in handy if you’re traveling light or staying longer than a few days), complete with washing machines and dryer.
Location is more important than luxury at the Treasury Hotel. It’s just far enough from People’s Square that you can walk there in less than ten minutes. There are metro station right outside, and it is surrounded by shops and restaurants on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.
The rooms are clean and comfortable; they don’t try to be anything more. If you’re looking for a place to stay in central Shanghai for a couple of nights, it hit the marks and gets you out the door in the mornings. Do you have any experience staying around People’s Square?
What kind of neighbourhood do you like to stay in when you visit Shanghai? Let us know in the comments.
