Capella Shanghai Jian Ye Li

Qing (family with young children)
6.3 Pleasant

: The staff was very professional, internationally trained, but a little stiff. The bedding is comfortable. Good for families due to separate floor spaces.

: Being an expensive property with good critical write ups and traveler reviews, Capella turned out to be surprisingly disappointing. The idea sounds well and good, a hotel made from Shikumen restoration, and we chose this place primarily for its historical lineage. Unfortunately the design failed to realize this story. The restoration itself, as another reviewer has mentioned, feels like a movie set - pristine, perfect, unfeeling. I don't know exactly what was lost in translation, but whatever was unique is now perfect identical rows. The villa themselves are very vertical and narrow, and with five floors of it a little claustrophobic. I'm sure this honors the original houses, but the combination of the small space with a very conservative grand interior design doesn't help the small intimate space (marble bathroom typical of expensive Chinese properties). It feels like they were designing for a standard five star hotel instead of using a much bolder, thoughtful design tailored to the difficult space, or just combine the two villas if you're going for grandiose. If the design couldn't tell the story, I was hoping to get it from the library or other places in the hotel that would point to the history, but not a single book or some subtle exhibit is featured. When I mentioned this to the staff in the end when asked for feedback, one is gracious enough to give me a book on Shikumen. Ironically, it is a photography book, which while interesting, doesn't have much content. Money was thrown in on this project, but not a loving hand and respect to an interesting past. This makes other small things like bad coffee at the restaurant, an ok breakfast, and rough bathroom towels somewhat elementary mistakes for a luxury hotel. Perhaps more time is need for the Capella to find its voice.

Enthusiast (family with young children)
9.2 Wonderful

: Fantastic accomodation - nature and city in one. Check in was a breeze and they prepared well in advance. Staff are all courteous and breakfast was great too!

: Stairs...small issue but with small kids, it’s always a worry. Would have liked a real pool but the vitality pool was fun enough for the kids as well. Food option in hotel is not a lot, normally order in room dining but this time skipped it as the option is very limited.

Madhur (review category business travellers)
9.6 Exceptional

: Mind blowing property. Superb service. Wow. Excellent hospitality and ambience

: Nothing. All was good

Neil (young couple)
8.3 Very Good

: Nice touch with an innovative twist. Love the traditional stone buildings in Shanghai. Staff are lovely and gave you the best care. Food is excellent.

: The parking fee is over charged but guess it can’t be changed easily due to its location.

Amanda (group)
9.6 Exceptional

: liked the ambience old world feel attentive staff and smiles .constantly bent over backwards to help even in the gym. english perfect which is at times difficult in shanghai. the buildings were authentic both in the capella sense and the french concession sense. altogether a calm and cosseted place to stay which is great in the bustle of shanghai. we also stayed at a very modern 5 star on the pudong shore on the same trip which an architect friend had designed but you know that though fancy and uber modern we were totally happy at capella and felt underloved at the more exective style one. our advice is to trust capella resorts as they go the extra mile

: nothing. the staff were amazingly genuine and the surrounding patisserie restaurants all great

Tianyin (young couple)
8.3 Very Good

: The staffs were extremely friendly, willing to provide good services but they failed due to lack of training. For example, one staff sent me a bread basket without bringing butter, bread plate and spreader. The housekeepers replaced the toothbrushes that had been just used once. They rearranged my personal toiletries that has been placed very orderly according to my likings. They also placed new slippers apart from the ones that being used just once. These are not necessary and was such a waste. I do not appreciate these efforts.