Review of The Portman Ritz-Carlton, by Caroline Major

Like a matriarch standing proud over her filial children, The Ritz Carlton Shanghai marks the beginning stretch of glitzy Nanjing Lu. Glamourous malls line the street flaunting the aspirations of the worlds most prestigious brands. The goal; To win the affections of newly monied Chinese. Ritz was one of the early luxury brands in Shanghai  and maintains a nostalgic spot in the hearts and minds of Shanghainese business men who entertain their clients here lavishly.

Inside, wrapped up in the cosy opulence of the signature royal blue, gold and muted tones of the chain the whir of efficacy whizzes by. Asian demand for larger than life face making attention in an anxiety filled environment have honed the staff here into a responsive team who don‘t miss a beat. Downstairs in the bars, restaurants and four floors of conference rooms it’s high rotation business meetings and corporate hospitality. Upstairs in the Club lounge, deal makers from the West clutch glasses of wine and copies of the Wall Street Journal or the International Herald Tribune perhaps attempting to grasp something familiar in a hyper-real business environment.

Club rooms are adequately sized and comfortable for the average three day stay. The sheets are great, and the views from the front of the building inspiring in an urban context. Shanghai has a comfortable mixture of architectural styles and from high it’s possible to see beneath the veneer of often bombastic interiors. Junior suites add little extra value over a club room, but a Nanjing suite with a sliding partition is well planned if you’re intending to conduct meetings in your room. Premium suites on the top floor are lovely, and akin to a stylish city apartment with minimalist furnishings and sleek lines. They are somewhat narcissistically named after the gentlemen directing the companies owning the building.

Perhaps the biggest reason to stay at the Ritz Carlton Shanghai is the location. It’s a well known landmark in the centre of Puxi off the main street and well-known by locals. For foreigners ill at ease with extreme cultural immersion (China is difficult), stepping outside onto a prettily lit boulevard with wide well maintained sidewalks and recognizable brands is the alternative to watching CNN in your room. There’s enough branches of Starbucks and ATMs to forget that you’re at the epicenter of one of the world’s poorest and most extreme cultures to provide a welcome security blanket.