Forget about Google, your “Shanghai Top 10 To-Do List” on TripAdvisor or any of your advanced digital devices, ready for a bespoke and extremely personal experience tailored for you and yourself only, at the Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai Hotel.
Different from most other luxury hotels around the world, Mandarin Oriental insists on “everything is personal here”. Indeed, when the world grows and revolutes on a hard-to-follow-up pace, “personalised” service and products are rare nowadays. Look into the fashion industry, not many consumers nowadays can afford “tailored clothing” neither do they have the time or money to invest in something “bespoked for oneself only”. Fast fashion and ready-to-wear replaced cute little tailor shops. Same rules apply to many hotel chains – Fast check-out and self-checkout are seen from 3-star hotels to 6-star hotels. People may argue that “time is money”, ain’t nobody got time to “get personal” with the hotel reception at check-in. Wrong! The Mandarin Oriental does not require more time from you but asks some questions so that you can enjoy your time and have a more unforgettable travel experience – for example, I was specifically asked about my dietary requirements in details and room preferences before travelling to Shanghai, also the MO hotel manager literally remembered my name even though he has to greet hundreds of people and hotel guests every day. Your needs are their priorities here, their recommendations come from their staff’s personal experiences plus what actually suits for your agenda or not, rather than a list of “Shanghai Must- See” shoved directly into your inbox with Control + C and Control + P.
The same rule also applies at any other Mandarin Oriental Hotels across the world – While I was at Mandarin Oriental Paris during Paris Fashion Week, the marketing director Raphaëlle came to greet us during our lunch, she was checking about some of my small projects I was doing. I was surprised she knew almost everything I was doing on social media lately – an important communication and marketing director like Raphaëlle, who is meeting with many important people like vogue director, fashion designer or anybody you can imagine who came to Paris for the biggest fashion week of the year – but regardless who you are – as long as you are a guest here at MO, your personal travel needs and preferences will be equally listened and served – by a real person, personalised.
No surprise that a car and driver was sent to me to be picked up to the MO Pudong Hotel. This complimentary service is also available for any hotel guests for a short distance away from the hotel during your stay. I found this is extremely helpful, especially for travellers who can’t speak the local language, taking public transportation or taxi can be extremely stressful.
Not only the communal areas are extremely glamorous at any Mandarin Oriental Hotels, but also a very relaxing and intimate space at any guest suites and hotel rooms. No need to mention the beautiful view of the Huangpu River from daytime to nighttime.
There are five dining options for Mandarin Oriental guests at MO Pudong ( i hope this is personal enough for you) including the award winning Chinese restaurant, Yong Yi Ting, which I personally experienced while I was there. Yong Yi Ting has been awarded one Michelin star by the inaugural Michelin Guide 2017 for Shanghai, the first-ever Michelin Restaurant Guide in mainland China.
Unique amongst Shanghai hotel restaurants, Yong Yi Ting showcases Jiang Nan (south of the Yangtze River) cuisine, reflecting the diverse gastronomy of Shanghai and its neighbouring Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Consultant Chef Tony Lu highlights delicate seasonal flavours and adds an enticing touch of modernity to the menu, which changes seasonally throughout the year.
Jiang Nan (literally meaning ‘south of the Yangtze river’) cuisine is known for its light, delicate flavours and aromatic scents.
