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Ink-and-wash illustration of a Shanghai heritage boutique hotel with a warmly lit doorway and a suitcase.

Shanghai field notes / 3 sections · 10 cards

Where to Stay

Find your base and know what you are booking.

Where to Stay

4 cards
01Medium priority

People’s Square — Compare central addresses

Use People’s Square as a map anchor when comparing central stays. Marriott City Centre, for example, lists 555 Middle Xizang Road near Nanjing Road. Plot your hotel’s actual entrance and station exit, then compare journeys and the final walk with luggage.

When
When shortlisting hotels around People’s Square.
Tips
The named property is a location example, not a hotel recommendation.
Sources & notes

A district label is not a walking-time estimate. Check station lift access with luggage and your airport journey. Compare room conditions and cancellation terms for your actual dates, and keep the hotel address offline.

02Medium priority

West Nanjing Road — Check the actual street

Hotels around West Nanjing Road may have entrances on nearby streets. The Sukhothai Shanghai, for example, lists 380 Weihai Road. Map each candidate’s entrance, useful station and evening return route rather than treating all “Nanjing Road” listings as one location.

When
When shortlisting hotels around West Nanjing Road.
Tips
The named property is a location example, not a hotel recommendation.
Sources & notes
03Medium priority

Xintiandi — Map your evening return

For a Xintiandi stay, compare the walk from your planned evening stop to the hotel entrance. Use the property’s own information, such as Andaz Xintiandi’s guest FAQ, to check location and arrival arrangements. Save the actual Chinese hotel name and address from your booking.

When
When shortlisting hotels around Xintiandi.
Tips
The named property is a location example, not a hotel recommendation.
Sources & notes

A familiar neighbourhood name does not confirm the room, entrance or access arrangements.

04Medium priority

Pudong — Start with a specific address

Pudong is too broad to use as a hotel location by itself. InterContinental Shanghai Pudong, for example, lists 777 Zhangyang Road. Pin your actual hotel and compare its journeys to planned visits on both sides of the river.

When
When shortlisting a hotel in Pudong.
Tips
The named property is a location example, not a hotel recommendation.
Sources & notes

An airport, museum and riverside hotel can all be described as “Pudong” while requiring different journeys.

Before You Book

4 cards
05Medium priority

Hotel rooms — Beds and occupancy

Enter the actual number and ages of guests before selecting a room. Check the bed configuration, permitted occupancy and any extra-bed request. Ask the property to confirm essential access or bathroom features in writing and save its reply with the room type.

When
Before selecting and booking a hotel room.
Tips
A request is not a confirmed room feature.
Sources & notes

If step-free access or a particular bathroom is essential, confirm the exact room feature rather than relying on general property photographs.

Done when: The room type, guest count and essential access needs are confirmed.

06Medium priority

Hotel rates — What is included?

Check your selected rate for meals, breakfast quantities, taxes and additional-person charges. Compare its final total with the headline nightly price for the same dates and guests. Save the rate description and confirmation.

When
When comparing rates and before confirming a booking.
Tips
Inclusions belong to the selected rate and booking channel.
Sources & notes

A hotel having a breakfast restaurant does not mean every room offer includes breakfast.

Done when: You have saved the final total and the inclusions for your selected rate.

07Medium priority

Hotel deposits — Guarantee or payment?

Read the selected booking’s deposit and payment policy. Ask whether your card guarantees the reservation, pays in advance or provides a separate check-in authorisation. Record the amount, timing, accepted payment method and how any hold or deposit will be released.

When
Before confirming a hotel booking or check-in payment.
Tips
Do not assume a card guarantee means the room is prepaid.
Sources & notes

Hyatt and Hilton describe payment requirements that vary by booking; confirm the terms with your own property.

Done when: The payment/deposit timing and accepted method for your booking are clear.

08Medium priority

Hotel cancellation — Save the deadline

Read the cancellation terms for your selected rate. Save the last free-cancellation date and time, its time zone and any later penalty. Cancel through the channel specified in your reservation and keep the confirmation.

When
Before booking and before the cancellation deadline.
Tips
A flexible rate and a prepaid non-refundable rate may have different terms.
Sources & notes

A message to reception does not by itself confirm cancellation. Refund handling depends on who collected the payment.

Done when: You have recorded the deadline, penalty and channel for changing or cancelling.

Arrival & Booking Changes

2 cards
09High priority

After midnight — Keep your hotel room

Tell the hotel your booked start date and expected local arrival date and time. Ask how you will enter and whether the room will be held, then save its written reply and phone number. After a significant delay, update the hotel and recheck the remaining transport.

When
Before a late flight or after a significant delay.
Tips
A 24-hour front desk does not automatically guarantee that a missed arrival is held.
Sources & notes

Use the full date rather than “late Friday” if you mean early Saturday. Room retention must be confirmed directly with your hotel.

The Andaz FAQ is an example of a 24-hour reception, not a guarantee for other properties. Confirm retention against your specific booking.

Done when: The hotel has confirmed your arrival date, room retention and entry instructions.

10Medium priority

Hotel changes — Contact the booking channel

Check which booking changes must go through the platform and which the hotel can confirm directly. Get written details of any agreed date or room change and keep them with the original confirmation. For a late arrival, also ask the hotel to confirm that it will hold your room.

When
When changing dates, rooms or arrival arrangements.
Tips
Discussing an arrival time does not change your cancellation contract.
Sources & notes

Cancellation guidance is provider-specific; the steps here are an editorial checking process for your actual reservation.

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