The US $ continues to slide against the Chinese RMB (yuan), and combined with China's inflation, the value of visiting Shanghai is eroding. However, the Asset Hotel remains a fine value in this now-expensive city.

Other favorite hotels in Shanghai have more than doubled in price in the past six years. However, the Asset remains a real value for the price conscious traveler in a city now getting very pricey.

In that six-year period, this is my third review of the Asset. Compared with most Shanghai hotels, the Asset is simply a pleasure to enter. The staff tries very hard. When there is a problem or concern, the situation is made right. First timers should have no concern about being in a strange hotel in a strange city. You are on friendly soil.

For example, most Chinese-managed hotels have beds more like rocks. At the Asset, ask for the mattress pad/topper and you will have a much softer pillow-top mattress effect. It still will not be the complete comfort of a Westin or Park Hyatt, but you are paying 1/4 the price of those hotels. Ask for a smoke-free room, and you will be situated on the third floor, now completely smokeless, a rarity for a three-star Chinese-managed hotel. (See my TripAdvisor Top Question on the China Forum page, "What should I expect at Chinese hotels...")

You get what you pay for at the Asset, so if you pay a promotional rate for a single, yes the room will be very cozy. If you choose the junior suite for less than US$100, you will have a very spacious tasteful bi-level room with huge bath and separate tub and shower. The number and reception quality of English-speaking TV stations is variable. Management says it is at the mercy of the cable provider. The courtyard-like, off-street location is naturally quiet. I hear the birds chirping every morning in the middle of one of the top five most populous cities in the world. My previously published pictures of this hotel are still accurate.

The free breakfast is modest in scope and diversity, as it is primarily aimed at the mid-level Chinese business person. However, I buy my own small fruit yogurt at one of the many convenience stores within a half block and have a great breakfast complete with eggs, vegetables, buns, cereals, etc. Chinese enjoy the congee, pickles and other local favorites.

The location is just fine, located midway between stops on Line 4 (Shanghai Stadium and Dongan Road), and now close to Line 7, so you can get anywhere within Shanghai very fast. Line 7 takes you to the Maglev terminal at Longyang Road. Line 4 circles the downtown area, with stops at the Shanghai Railway Station and Century Blvd. in Pudong, among others. Since the exact courtyard-like location can be a little difficult to find, be sure to print out the map and details on the hotel's web site in Chinese for the taxi driver or you to find first time.

Local restaurants offer very good fare at a good (for Shanghai) bargain price. As this Xujiahui neighborhood is less touristy, there are fewer "traps" to avoid, and you get to eat with locals at all levels of dining taste and comfort. Just make sure there is an English menu, usually with pictures, and you will have no problem.

I prefer this neighborhood any day compared with a typical tourist hotel downtown charging two to three times as much where the tourist touts outside the front door incessantly want to sell fake watches or their women. And you avoid the very slick white-collar scammers on East Nanjing Road/Peoples Square/The Bund who want you to line their pockets with hundreds of ill-gotten USD$$. (See TA's Shanghai Forum for tourist advisories.)

While the price for some rooms might be closer to a hostel than a full-service hotel, you need not worry about the services. Clean and comfortable rooms, plentiful towels and amenities, lots of 24/7 hot water--all are standard comforts of this three-star bargain.

The Asset Hotel remains this Shanghai Region Destination Expert's favorite budget hotel. While the city continues its steady climb in prices, the Asset remains a solid bargain with clean modern rooms, friendly staff, and a good location off the tourist trail.