Shanghai Bund's Secret: Luxury Youxi Movie Hotel Unveiled!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're diving headfirst into the shimmering, seductive world of Shanghai Bund's Secret: Luxury Youxi Movie Hotel Unveiled! This isn't just a hotel review, folks, this is a full-blown investigation, a deep dive into a place that promises luxury and whispers promises of… well, let's just say, intimate cinematic experiences. Get ready for the truth, the whole truth, and maybe a few messy, slightly embarrassing truths about me along the way.
First Impressions and the "Oh My God, It's Real" Moment
Landing in Shanghai, jet-lagged and a little… fragrant from the plane, the promise of "luxury" was exactly what I needed. Heading to the Bund, following the hotel's GPS coordinates, I found myself at this seemingly unassuming building. Secret, indeed! The entrance was all sleek glass and hushed tones. The doorman (yes, a real doorman, not just some bored hotel employee) practically glides you inside. Now, I'm a sucker for a good entrance, and this one delivered. The lobby? Think "James Bond meets a high-end art gallery." Seriously, picture it: gleaming floors, dramatic lighting, all the modern amenities you could possibly want: a sleek front desk, easy contactless check-in/out (thank goodness– I'm terrible after a long flight), and the telltale hint of something special lurking just beneath the surface.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly.
Okay, let's get real. Accessibility is crucial, and I always look for places that genuinely care about their guests. According to the details, the hotel lists "Facilities for disabled guests" and an elevator. Fine. But let’s be real: there’s no true details and is not good enough! Is the bathroom truly accessible, or is it a sad little afterthought? That will be decided on my next visit!
Rooms: Where the Magic (and the Movies) Happen
I'm now in my room, and the "Youxi Movie" part FINALLY clicks. The room itself is a showstopper. Forget sterile hotel rooms; this is a vibe. My room had "interconnecting rooms available" so I could share with a friend.
- What’s In the Room?: Air conditioning, a comfy and gigantic “Extra long bed”, a seating area with a sofa, a desk, a mirror, a closet, a mini bar, a coffee/tea maker, complimentary tea (essential!), free bottled water, blackout curtains, soundproofing, a safety box, a laptop workspace, internet access, and so on!
- The Showstopper: The built-in, state-of-the-art, massive screen. They weren’t kidding about the movie thing.
- The Imperfection: The remote control was a little… complicated. It took me a good ten minutes to find my way around it.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Sigh of Relief
Thank goodness, because the reviews, the hotel seems to take hygiene seriously. The checklist is impressive: anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, room sanitization between stays (yes, please!), individually-wrapped food options (important!), hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff trained in safety protocols. Plus, they offer room sanitization opt-out! I felt safe, which, in these crazy times, is worth its weight in gold.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Prepare to Feast!
Listen, I’m a foodie. And a lazy one. I love hotel food. The Shanghai Bund’s Secret has several restaurants, including "Asian cuisine in restaurant", "International cuisine in restaurant" and even a "Vegetarian restaurant".
- Breakfast… In My Room! Yes, I indulged. "Breakfast in room" is a game-changer. And the Asian Breakfast? Delicious - a symphony of flavors that woke up my taste buds.
- The Poolside Bar: Drinks while floating around! Heaven.
- The "Coffee/tea in restaurant": It's the little things! A decent cup of coffee can make or break a day. (Thankfully, this place makes the day.)
Ways to Relax: Body Scrubs and Pool Views, Oh My!
Spa? Check. Sauna? Check. Amazing pool with a view? Absolutely. They even have a Foot bath! I am not entirely sure what that is, but I will go and try it on my next stay.
Services and Conveniences: They've Thought of Everything
This hotel is loaded. I'm talking concierge service, currency exchange, dry cleaning, laundry service, luggage storage, a convenience store, a gift shop (souvenir alert!). They even provide essential condiments in the room. There's a business center, facilities for disabled guests and an elevator.
Getting Around
They have an "Airport transfer", "Car park [free of charge]", "Taxi service" and “Valet parking”. You should be fine with this aspect.
The Perks and Quirks
- Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and also in public areas!
- The "Shrine": Not quite sure what the "shrine" is all about? But I found this curious and interesting to be added.
- Pets Allowed: My heart broke reading that "Pets allowed is unavailable". It is a shame.
- Babysitting service: If you can have children, the Hotel provides this service!
Things to Do (Besides, You Know, Things)
Okay, let’s be straight: the "Youxi Movie" is the main event. But you also have the entire vibrant city of Shanghai at your fingertips. The hotel’s prime location is perfect.
The Emotional Verdict
This hotel? It’s a vibe. It's sexy. It's comfortable. It's different. It’s an experience. Yeah, there were a few minor hiccups, but honestly, I’m still dreaming about that breakfast. And, let's be real, the movie thing is fantastic.
My Offer (Because You Deserve This)
Okay, here's the deal. Based on my experience, I'm giving you the chance to save money! Book by [Date] and Get:
- [Discount Percentage]% off your stay.
- A complimentary bottle of champagne upon arrival. (Because you deserve it)
- Free upgrade to a room with a better movie screen
To make this dream a reality, use the code SHANGHAIFUN at checkout.
Don't wait! Your cinematic escape awaits!
Luxury Guangzhou Guesthouse: Unbeatable Hong Kong Views!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because here's the train wreck/masterpiece of a Shanghai itinerary, centered around the glorious, potentially-haunted (I’m getting vibes, okay?) Youxi Movie Hotel on the Bund. Prepare for tangents, existential crises about dumplings, and possibly, the complete and utter failure to keep to any actual schedule.
Shanghai, Baby! (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bundside Chaos)
Day 1: Arrival - Bund Bound and Slightly Bedraggled
Time: 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM (ish). My flight from… well, let’s just say it involved a questionable layover in Dubai. Think "sand-stained passport, questionable coffee" kind of questionable.
Event: Arrive at Pudong International Airport (PVG). Survive the customs gauntlet, praying my luggage hasn't developed a personality of its own.
Transportation: Airport Express Line to the city. Actually, the efficient metro system is a real stroke of genius. Shame my inner monologue isn't as efficient.
Observations: The sheer number of people in Shanghai is overwhelming, thrilling, and slightly terrifying all at once. Pretty sure I saw a fashion runway of stylish locals, then some street vendors, then someone napping on a scooter. This is going to be a wild ride.
Feelings: Exhaustion, anticipation, and a nagging suspicion that I’ve forgotten something crucial… like, a clean pair of underwear.
Hotel: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Check-in to the Youxi Movie Hotel. First impressions? The lobby screams "Hollywood Golden Age meets retro Shanghai." It has charm, or possibly the slightly decaying remnants of charm. I’ll settle in, survey the room (hopefully with a decent view of the Bund!), and… find the coffee machine. Absolutely essential.
Hotel (More rambles about): I chose the Youxi because, honestly, the name is just so intriguing! "Youxi" – is it about games, fantasy, movies? (turns out, all of the above, since they actually had a film-themed rooms!) Plus, THE BUND. It's practically legendary. I'm picturing myself perched on the balcony, sipping something sophisticated and gazing at the iconic skyline. This will surely happen. (She said, with a healthy dose of skepticism.)
10:00 AM - Noon: The Bund: A Sensory Overload
- Event: First, the Bund itself! Walk and soak in the views. The architecture is mind-blowing! Like, I actually stood drooling for a good five minutes in front of the HSBC building. Then, the iconic waterfront.
- Transportation: My own two feet, plus a little bit of aggressive elbowing to maintain my position. This is a busy place!
- Observations: The sheer contrast of old and new is stunning. Art Deco meets gleaming glass towers. I saw a group of perfectly coiffed women snapping selfies and a street performer belting out a (very) questionable version of a Mandarin pop song. The energy is electric, and the air smells faintly of… something delicious, and possibly pollution.
- Feelings: Overwhelmed but awestruck. This is what I came for! Pure, unadulterated Shanghai magic.
Noon - 1:00 PM: Shanghai dumpling disaster
- Event: I heard that Din Tai Fung is a thing so I should go, but I got myself to a tiny local place. And I ordered, which I am not really sure of what to order. But I got the dumpling! And it was an absolute joy, so much joy.
- observations: The small restaurant was packed, all the local. And I somehow ordered with just pointing and smiling. The waitress was great, since she smiles back to me, and I did get my dumpling.
- Feelings: In the beginning, I was somewhat lost and uncertain, but as the dumpling came, it was pure joy!
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Yu Garden and Bazaar: Lost in a Sea of Souvenirs (and Regrets)
- Event: Get lost in the Yu Garden. It's supposed to be tranquil, serene… Which it isn't the case. It's packed! Like, sardine-in-a-can packed. Still cool, though. The gardens are beautiful!
- Transportation: Take the subway.
- Observations: Okay, the Yu Garden is breathtaking. But the crowds! And the smells! (In a good way, mostly.) Navigating the Bazaar is a full-contact sport. I may or may not have accidentally bought a suspiciously large jade dragon. Or two. Don't ask.
- Feelings: Overwhelmed (again), slightly claustrophobic, but ultimately charmed. I'm pretty sure I've just added two (or three?) unnecessary items to my already-overstuffed suitcase.
3:00 PM- 5:00 PM Back to the Hotel to Rest and recharge
- Event: Rest and Recharge, and maybe admire the Bund view, if it's not raining.
- Observations: The time in the hotel is just for my own pleasure, no more sightseeing is necessary.
- Feelings: Glad to stay.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner and a Rooftop Bar: Attempting Glamour (and Probably Failing)
- Event: Dinner at a restaurant with a view of the Bund. Maybe try to look chic, even though I'm probably still covered in dumpling grease. Then head up to the rooftop.
- Observations: The dress code does not apply to me, it's ok
- Feelings: I can't wait for the view!
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM: The Bund at Night: When the City Really Comes Alive
- Event: Stroll along the Bund again, but this time at night. The lights! The reflections! Pure magic. Maybe take a river cruise if I’m feeling particularly extravagant (read: haven’t blown all my budget on jade dragons).
- Transportation: Again, my trusty feet. And maybe a taxi if the dragon-induced fatigue kicks in.
- Observations: Seriously, the Bund at night is breathtaking. It's the kind of view that makes you want to write poetry, or sob uncontrollably, or both. The people are still out in force.
- Feelings: Euphoric, slightly tipsy, and completely in love with this city.
10:00 PM - Late: Return to the Youxi and Unwind (Maybe with a Midnight Snack)
- Event: Collapse into my hotel room, probably while analyzing the day in excruciating detail. If I have any brain cells left, I'll journal, process the day, and then probably regret my choice of midnight snacks (because I ALWAYS regret midnight snacks).
- Observations: The Youxi is actually pretty cozy, even after the chaos of the day. The air conditioning is a godsend. I should probably set an alarm for tomorrow. (Spoiler alert: I won't.)
- Feelings: Exhausted, exhilarated, and already planning my next Shanghai adventure.
Day 2: Exploring Shanghai (More of a Suggestion Than a Schedule)
Morning: (Whenever I wake up – which is probably noon, given the late night.) Start the day with exploring a more local side of Shanghai.
- Event: Walk, get lost, and discover new neighborhoods.
- Transportation: Walk, metro but mostly by foot.
- Observations: Discover cafes, hidden parks, or local shops, a true experience of the city
- Feelings: Explore, adventure, experience.
Afternoon: The Shanghai Museum
- Event: Visit the Shanghai Museum
- Transportation: Metro or Taxi
- Observations: The collection of the museum, get lost in the art.
- Feelings: Amazement.
Evening: A second night at the Bund
- Event: Explore a new district.
- Transportation: Taxi or Metro
- Observations: Every district of the city is a whole new experience.
- Feelings: Joy
Day 3: Departure (Maybe with a Few More Souvenirs)
Morning: Last-minute souvenir shopping (because I definitely need more stuff). Breakfast near the hotel. Final Bund view, hopefully not obscured by the morning mist.
Afternoon: Head to Pudong International Airport. Reflect on my time in Shanghai.
Departure: Depart from PVG.
Final Thoughts (Or, Rambling Endings)
This itinerary is, obviously, a suggestion. It's more of a… guideline. You know, like pirate code ("More a set of guidelines"). Shanghai is a city of infinite possibilities, and honestly, the best experiences are probably the
Escape to Paradise: Starway Hotel Chuzhou Awaits!
Shanghai Bund's Secret: The Youxi Movie Hotel - A Hilarious Deep Dive (Because, Let's Be Real, Hotels Are a Whole Thing)
Okay, so, Youxi Movie Hotel? What *IS* this place, exactly? Is it actually a secret? Because secrets in Shanghai... they rarely stay secret for long, do they?
Alright, alright, so the "secret" part is, well, mostly marketing, yeah? Though, finding it on a map feels like a treasure hunt, even *I* was getting lost on the way! It's a super-swanky hotel on the Bund, and the "Movie" part? Think ultra-luxe, like, "spent-a-fortune-on-the-decor" kind of luxe, themed around classic movies. It's not like you're *in* the movie, thank god, but there are nods, winks, and enough velvet and gold to make Cruella de Vil swoon. Honestly? I'm still not entirely sure how they got away with it.
My first impression? "Wow, that's a lot of…stuff." I was half expecting someone to jump out and yell "Cut!" like some ridiculous movie set. Probably not what you want after a 14-hour flight, but hey, this is Shanghai, baby!
Luxury? What does that even *mean* in this context? Like, are we talking gold-plated toilet paper? (Don't judge, I want to know!)
Oh, honey, you're getting warm. Let me tell you about the room... the *room*. I had supposedly "upgraded". The toilet? Not gold-plated, sadly. But the towel rack? Probably more expensive than my rent. Massive, ridiculously comfortable bed – think sinking into a cloud of soft dreams. And the view? Stunning. Bund views from my window were almost worth the credit card bill. Almost.
Then there's the mini-bar. Filled with things I could *never* afford (champagne, artisanal chocolates, an entire bottle of something I couldn't pronounce. The implication of a secret button? I didn't find it. But I looked.) Plus, the service. Impeccable. Almost *too* impeccable? (The staff are beyond amazing, but still, after a while you wonder if they're actual people or highly trained robots with perfect calligraphy.)
The theming... spill the tea! What movies are we talking about? And did it actually work or was it just, well, gaudy?
Okay, the theming… this is where it gets interesting. Think classic, mostly Hollywood, movies. There was a room themed around *Breakfast at Tiffany's*. I kind of loved it. I definitely saw a *Casablanca*-themed suite. (I didn't stay there. I was too broke) And then there's the lobby, which is a whole other story. It feels like you've walked into a movie premiere from the Golden Age. It's a lot. *A lot*. Maybe a bit too much, honestly, on occasions. It had those low lights, a ton of people and a lot of the same things. But still, you can't deny the effort.
Gaudy? Sometimes, yeah. But also, fun. It's a fine line. They're trying to transport you, and it kinda works, in bursts. Let's be honest, if it wasn't expensive, I would be totally in here.
Speaking of "fun," what about the food? Is it as extravagant as the decor? And, more importantly, is it *good*?
The food... now, this is where things get a little… complicated, which can be expected from somewhere like this. There's a gorgeous restaurant, all velvet and chandeliers, where you could either order a burger or something involving truffles and caviar. Both options hit the wallet - hard. Look, I appreciate a Michelin-starred chef as much as the next person, but sometimes, all I want is a decent club sandwich. And the club sandwich? Yes, it was delicious. But after I found out its price, it lost a bit of its appeal.
The breakfast buffet? A *spectacle*. Mountains of pastries, every fruit imaginable, fresh juices (because, health!). Is it the *best* food I've ever eaten? Probably not. But the experience? Utterly absurd, in a good way. The sheer volume of croissants was overwhelming! I'm still trying to work out how much of the buffet I ate. My jeans are not happy.
What was the *worst* part? Okay, be honest. We're friends, after all.
Ugh, the worst part... Apart from the bill? Okay, let's talk about the *other* guests. This hotel definitely attracts the kind of people who loudly announce their wealth. There was a guy, for example, who was wearing a watch that probably cost more than my car. And he kept interrupting his phone calls to loudly shout "champagne!" at the poor waiter. Ugh.
And sometimes, the whole thing just felt... a bit performative. Like, everyone was trying *so hard* to look glamorous. The pressure to be perfect? Exhausting. But hey, that's Shanghai for ya! You can't always get what you want, especially not on a meager budget. The other issue? The sheer distance from the hotel to all the actual 'Shanghai' things. It's the Bund, so you'll have stunning views and photo opportunities, but you have to wade through throngs of people.
The *best* part, then? Because surely, despite the gold leaf and the champagne-guzzling guests, there *was* a good bit.
Okay, okay, the *best* part… Hmmm. The view, obviously. The actual view of the Bund is breathtaking, especially at night. Worth, like, a solid 30 minutes of staring into the void, even after the initial "OMG" factor is done. The sheer, unapologetic *luxuriousness* of it all. It's like stepping into a dream. And the service. Honestly, the staff were incredible. They went above and beyond. One of them, upon hearing me grumble about the bill (which was mostly my fault), actually brought me a little box of chocolates. I almost cried. (Okay, maybe I *did* cry. Don't judge me.)
It was the experience of a lifetime. I'll be saving up for a long time. Also, that ridiculously comfortable bed... I'd go back just for that. Seriously, I'm tempted. Maybe... just to sit on the bed for a few days. A girl can dream... right?
Would you recommend this place? And if so, to whom?
Ah, the million-dollar question! It depends. If you've got the cash, and you love being pampered, and you don't mind a little ostentation, then ABSOLUTELY. It's a memory made. It's that rare place that's truly memorable, despite itself. But if you're on a budget, or if you prefer your hotels a bit more… understated, then maybe give it a missBook Hotels Now
