City Escape Plan|Three Days and Two Nights of Staycation at Alila Shanghai
by _Eric_27
May 20, 2025
Alila Shanghai Hotel, my hidden gem! 🌍
My sister booked this Alila Hotel for me as soon as I arrived in Shanghai, and I was immediately blown away when I arrived at the room. This hotel is tucked away at 500 Weihai Road in Jing'an District—the location is amazing! It's right next to the bustling Nanjing West Road shopping district, within walking distance of HKRI Taikoo Hui, and super convenient for popular attractions like People's Square and the Shanghai Museum. Plus, it's only a 5-minute walk to Nanjing West Road subway station, making shopping and getting around incredibly convenient.
I was struck by the design! ❤️
The hotel's design is so unique, a perfect blend of Jiangnan garden style and modern Shanghai. The lobby's natural stone, rattan decorations, and wooden shutters instantly transport you to the charm of old Shanghai. The room design is also superb, featuring earth tones, natural wood furniture, exquisite rattan screens, and parquet flooring—a true embodiment of Shanghai's cultural heritage. Moreover, the room details are exceptionally well-handled, offering up to ten different pillow options, and providing a sleep-inducing lavender spray and specialty snacks by the bedside, ensuring a restful sleep even for those with sleep problems.
Dining Experience Exceeds Expectations 🍽️
The hotel boasts a wide variety of dining options. The seafood at Weihai 500 Chinese Restaurant is exceptionally fresh; I ordered the chicken broth with Shaoxing wine and hibiscus-scented baby lobster, which was tender yet firm, with a superb taste. The Japanese BBQ and robatayaki at Yingting Japanese Restaurant are also authentic. Breakfast is served as an à la carte set meal with a semi-buffet option; the Japanese set meals are exquisite and delicious. You can experience Shanghai's afternoon tea tradition. There's also the Secret Roof bar, a tea and coffee lounge during the day, transforming into a vibrant bar at night. Enjoying a drink here while overlooking the Shanghai night view creates a truly immersive atmosphere.
Relaxing Facilities for Relaxation 🏊♀️
The hotel's recreational facilities are also comprehensive. The 5th floor features an indoor heated swimming pool, a gym, and the Alila Spa, with two daily cymbal-themed relaxation sessions. Swimming in the pool and relaxing on a lounge chair is incredibly relaxing.
Super Useful Tips📝
• Transportation: When arriving in Shanghai from out of town, you can choose to take the high-speed rail or plane, then transfer to the subway or take a taxi. If taking the subway, take Line 2 or Line 7 to Jing'an Temple Station; the hotel is a few minutes' walk from there.
• Nearby Attractions: Besides Jing'an Temple, the surrounding area boasts shopping paradises like Nanjing West Road and Huaihai Road, perfect for shopping sprees. People's Square and the Shanghai Museum are also worth visiting.
• Room Selection: If your budget allows, consider a suite for a more spacious and comfortable experience.
• Activities: Every evening from 6-7 pm, head to the tea reception on the 5th floor for a complimentary drink and snack. This is Alila's evening ritual and definitely worth trying.
In short, the Alila Shanghai Hotel is truly a hidden gem I discovered in Shanghai, and I highly recommend it. Here, you can experience the vibrancy of Shanghai while also enjoying inner peace; every detail is meticulously crafted.
Post by EI. Wes 24 | Oct 30, 2025























