I arrived on a warm December day. The lobby was surprisingly warm, smoky and humid which I didn't appreciate. I'm just not used to having to smell cigarettes any more living in the US. I'd just come from the US and stopped in to the Chinese restaurant off the lobby. It was tasty with impeccable service and few customers but the air was the same. I headed off to Beijing the next day but then returned for several more days of business. Fortunately the weather took a turn colder and the lobby was much more comfortable for the rest of my stay. I had breakfast in the lobby restaurant every day. Service was pretty good although refills on coffee could have been prompter. Food was plentiful and varied. The room was very attractive and unlike my other Chinese hotels it was at ground level and I enjoyed watching the street life as I ate breakfast. Location seemed decent and it was easy enough to get taxis. I did walk around the neighborhood several times and there is a nice mix of old and new China. The bedroom and bathroom were nicely appointed with the typical amenities you would expect from this level hotel. I did find that some of the public areas like the hallways outside my room were showing a bit of wear and tear. Not a lot but some. I didn't end up using the spa or gym. I had trouble VPNing into work for some reason. I haven't had that issue elsewhere. I did have internet access so not sure if it related somehow to hotel network or not. I've stayed at a couple other 5 star hotels on other visits and would visit them again before returning to this one especially with the lobby smoke although I'll still try Four Seasons elsewhere.

Stayed 2 nights in a whirlwind trip to China. A 5-star hotel was our christmas treat to ourselves. Smooth checkin and once we were up in our room, we had a fabulous welcome pot of authentic chinese tea and snacks - which after our flight - was a welcome we thoroughly needed. A very comfortable and big room (love the pillow) with exceptional service.

The hotel itself is beautiful and in a great location to walk to Westgate Mall, Nanjing Road or The People's Square, among many other Shangai landmarks.

As for dining, the Four Seasons Shanghai - seven days a week - breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets are unparalleled.

It's a shame that U.S. Four Seasons properties don't mimic this property at their lounges and cafes... (note to The Bristol Lounge in Boston, which has gone down hill, and ceased to offer a proper Sunday brunch, save for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and Mother's Day.)

The concierge staff, (Clarke, among others); the Executive Lounge staff (Tiffany and Walter included); and entire staff at the hotel, from the top (GM Peter Weber) down, are worthy of their jobs and make each stay a pleasure beyond words.

Only complaint: the smell of cigarette smoke the room, whenever neighbors are smoking. (ick).

It has a convenient location, near the Nanjing West Road subway station, about 8 -10 minutes away and there are quite a number of shops and restaurants near subway . But beware that now next to the hotel is a very big construciton site. It looks that it would take at least 2 -3 years to complete.

Layout of lobyy is very good. But the lobby restaurant doesn't look very much match the hotel. Checked in at the club floor. The club has a very good view of the surrounding area. Staff at the club floor has very good standard of service, no doubt. Food, drinks and computer avaibale inside.

I stayed in a room with very much space, about 60 sqaure metres. The room has a very nice closet area, spacious and bright bathroom. Toilet, shower and bathtub are all separated. L'occitane amenities are available.

The room has a 2-seater and a 1-seater sofa, a TV set, a writing desk and mini-bar, and a plant, which is interesting to be placed next to the bed. I would say the room layout is not very well thought, though it provided everything you needed. For a Four Seasons, you expect more than the basic provisions, but style and taste. The bed is too soft, and seems used for a long time, the centre of the bed is so soft that you felt like sleeping in a depression. I had to move my body in midnight to the side to gain a firm part of the bed.

I also visited the indoor pool on 4/F in one morning, there was no other guest at the time. It has a 25M rectangular pool and a hot water jacuzzi. Towel, loung chairs, water, magazines, background music are available. Do make some exercise if you have time.

Breakfast provided a big variety of food, Shanghainese style for sure, western, and even Japanese. Food quality is generally good, but the coffee served is not hot, so I have to ask for a change, which I don't expect to happen in a Four Seasons. Other than that, the hotel is a good hotel, but one would expect more from a Four Seasons. Frankly, I feel more like I was in a good Le Meridien than in a Four Seasons.