The Hotel: Hong Kong-based hospitality group Regal Hotels International has six hotels in Hong Kong, three in Shanghai and one in Chengdu. The Regal Shanghai East Asia is located in the Shanghai Indoor Stadium, in the heart of Xu Jia Hui Commercial and Shopping Centre, close to an array of international eateries and 15 minutes' walk from the Hengshan Road entertainment area and central Shanghai.
The Check-in: After a delayed flight from Beijing and a stressful taxi ride, the palatial marble lobby of the Regal was a breath of fresh air. Check-in was quick and we were escorted to our room.
The Room: Our Deluxe Twin room was compact but comfortable, with a satellite television, minibar and refrigerator, tea and coffee making facilities, a safe, high-speed broadband and telephone.
The business: Located next to the 4,515 square-metre Shanghai East Asia Exhibition Hall, the hotel also has its own flexible facilities for meetings and events. There are just under 20 different venues in all, ranging from the Main Hall and Regal Hall which have the capacity for up to 650 guests, down to Regal suites which serve between 60 and 80 guests and further more intimate venues for 30. Banqueting is catered for and the venues are equipped with audio and visual equipment. There is a business centre with fax, internet, secretarial and translation services.
The restaurant: The Stadium Café serves up international fare with an informal all-day buffet or a la carte menus. Peak Chinese Restaurant serves Cantonese specialities like dim sum and there's also Iwanaga, a Japanese restaurant, and a patisserie and lounge bar.
THE Facilities: As well as a mini mall within the hotel complex, there is a large heated swimming pool, a health club with gym equipment and instructors on-hand, a spa and massage facility and a hairdressers. The hotel has multilingual staff who will arrange anything from tours to a flower bouquet.
The verdict: A haven of self-contained security and comfort close to the 24-hour buzz of central Shanghai, this hotel is positively made for business.
The details: 800 Ling Ling Road, Xu Hui district, Shanghai 200030. A 30-day advance purchase is currently on offer resulting in rates of around 680RMB (£66) per room, per night in mid-August. Tel: (86 21) 6426 6888; www.regalhotel.com; info@regalshanghai.com. Laura Gelder
