La Vida China: BOUTIQUE CHIC BY THE HUANGPU

Over the New Year holidays, Marc and I took the train to Shanghai to spend a relaxing three days overlooking the Huangpu River. This, in my opinion, is one of the best sights to see in

China

. On one side of the river lies The Bund, a boulevard of beautiful old buildings from the 19^th to early 20^th century, and on the opposite side lays Pudong, the new area of Shanghai with all the modern skyscrapers looming in the horizon. It is a mix of old and new facing each other with the river flowing in between them. To completely take in this incredible view, we decided to try the Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund, InterContinental Hotel Group’s chain of boutique hotels and also known as “the industry’s first branded boutique hotel experience.”

Hotel Indigo's Lobby Waiting Area

What an experience it was! Upon entering the hotel lobby, you are greeted with a variety of eclectic artwork and design. Just like the river view, the hotel interior is a fusion of new and old. Amidst the dark marble floors, you can find a re-painted old rickshaw and bicycle next to a painting of the historic Yu gardens and futuristic chairs and installations in the waiting area. The reception desk is a raw steel ellipse structure and the whole lobby is beautifully lit with LED lighting.

Hotel Indigo's Reception Desk & Lobby

The rooms are the most charming part of the hotel, where once again, modern and ancient design styles come together. The guestroom walls are decorated with the hotel’s signature murals, custom-made silk print wallpapers depicting old Shanghai houses. The lamps, rugs and pillows are colorful and playful and bring an edgy modern contrast to the antiques.

Each guestroom is decorated with beautiful lamps and murals of old Shanghai.

The guestroom work desk and chair

The room's awesome mini-bar or "giant bar"?

The bathroom rain shower, blue tiles, and Ba Yan Ka La organic
amenities were great!

Breakfast was just amazing. Quay restaurant café on the 6^th floor serves a buffet breakfast of mostly organic fare and some of the freshest fruits, salads, bread, coffee and juices I have ever seen. As soon as I saw the abundance of smoked salmon and parma ham in one corner, I was lost in a breakfast trance you could not get me out of. Hotel Indigo’s breakfast buffet also includes one order from the a la carte “hot” menu. Marc and I both ordered the Eggs Benedict. It was just too good to resist.

While eating breakfast, the view was just breathtaking. From every corner of the glass-paned restaurant, you can see the entire view of the Huangpu River, The Bund and Pudong. It was relaxing and wonderful. Even after being to Shanghai several times now, the city still never fails to surprise me with its beauty and splendor. There is always something new to see and discover as it keeps changing everyday. Hotel Indigo was certainly an awesome surprise.