Hotel The Kunlun Jing An (Shanghai, China)

First-time visitors could not be better placed for exploring the array of must-see attractions dotted around the city. Within walking distance of the wondrous Jing-An Temple, the surrounding streets are safe and welcoming to newcomers, who revel in the authentic street-food joints, colourful shops and lively bars.

Foodies are spoilt for choice by the options that await. Get things off to a great start at the bountiful breakfast buffet—a smorgasbord of international delights to appease every palate. Later, choose from a range of in-house restaurants, all of which receive high praise from delighted diners.

In a country where communication breakdowns are a daily occurrence, guests appreciate the extraordinary lengths gone to by management to ensure staff are confident when it comes to communicating. Multilingual personnel make for effortless interactions and are invaluable when it comes to resolving occasional issues that arise.

This ageing building is showing signs of wear and tear, and would benefit greatly from an update. Tired furnishings, dirty carpets, mould spots in bathrooms and peeling wallpaper in corridors are amongst the list of things guests observe that aren't quite in keeping with the brand's worldwide standard.

Guests who opt for executive-lounge access are not always overly impressed. The impeccable standards of service that can usually be taken for granted here are not always evident, with bland buffet food, untidied tables and unenthusiastic staff conspiring to sour the experience for some.

While the majority of guests are given the best care and attention during their time here, occasional slipups from staff spoil some stays. Arrivals haven't always been overwhelmed by the warmth of their welcome, while some food and beverage staff appear to endure rather than enjoy their job.