I recently concluded a 6-night stay at the New Century Hotel (Best Western), where myself and approximately 8 other people had a group booking as part of a study abroad course. The hotel is rated 4 star, but the accommodations I had in a private room at a hostel just the night before checking in here were far superior. I think that speaks volumes alone, but I'll add a few more highlights.

First of all, I shared a room with my husband, and our booking included breakfast... but apparently it was just for one person. For the price they were charging, I ended up eating McDonald's for breakfast, while my husband had the buffet. Another major complaint is that there is no WiFi (paid or otherwise) in the rooms, and the WiFi in the lobby is temperamental at best. Our booking was supposed to include 50% off of the wired internet in the room, but I had to fight to get this up until checking out. Other nitpicks about the hotel are that the beds were very uncomfortable and we ran out of toilet paper twice since they do not leave a spare (and do not change the rolls), the carpets and windows were flithy, the room was hot, and the room smelled.

On another note, one of my classmates had $500 USD taken from his room. The hotel used video cameras located outside his room to narrow it down to two staff members that entered the room, but both of them denied it. The only way to proceed was by filing a police report, but we have since left the hotel and I do not belive the matter was resolved.

The only real benefit to this hotel was its location nearby to the subway. Given the choice if staying in Shanghai again, I would choose a different hotel.

Book the hotel in the last seconds. It's now under the Bestwestern brand, which is supposed to be a high-end luxury 4 star hotel in Shanghai (BW also have a couple of 5 star hotels in China). The price is not bad but through a friend's company. Walk in price would be twice as much. The location is pretty good. It's located not right at the city center but 2-3 subway stops away. Itself is about 5 minutes walk to the Hailun Lu station for Line 4 & 10, a great advantage. Line 10 directly goes to the HongQiao airport.

The lobby is grand, like many other 4+ star hotels in China. The elevators are fast and higher floors have dedicated ones. The rooms are of good size including a regular sized bathroom. The room is pretty quite and the curtains keep the room dark even in the afternoon. The room is relatively clean except for the carpet, which is typical for Chinese hotels.

The breakfast is amazing. Definitely a 4+ star level buffet.

The good part ends here, unfortunately.

First, the internet is wired and cost 100 yuan/day, that's more than most US 5-star hotels rates.

Secondly, the beds and bedding are the worse than any 3+ star hotel in US, at least those I stayed.

Third: the gym opens at 10am and there's no pool.

The service is okay and its staff speaks good English. It also have shuttles goes to the subway station and a few other places nearby (I didn't use it).

We call before book the hotel online, ask room reservation if the price include the breakfast, they told us yes, when we checking in, the front desk also confirmed its included, tell us just show the key before breakfast.
When we go for breakfast next day, they told us that breakfast is not included, we ask the front desk, they said our room do not included breakfast, we have to pay for that. they do not care what the customer say, money seems is the most important. they have plenty of reasons.
Very poor service. Liar hotel.
Is that the BEST WESTERN HOTEL management?

The New Century Hotel was centrally located in the nothestern part of the city. Very easily reached from Metro Line #4 Hailun Rd. After getting off the subway use exit #7, hotel will be almost directly across the street on the left. Entrance to hotel is down Li Yang road. The hot buffet breakfast was great with eastern and western style food. There was an ATM in the lobby that exchanged virtually any type of currency into Chinese, with a fair exchange rate and no fee. Rooms were clean and comfortable, with everything a regular traveller would need. We had some difficulty paying with a Best Western Gift Card, but it all worked out. Some language barriers at front desk if you do not know Chinese, but they were most accommodating. Metro stop across the street made it easy to get anywhere in the city....cheaply, kiosks are in English.