Elong Hotel Shanghai Review 2026: Nanjing Road East Stay

​

​

If it's your first time visiting Shanghai, basing yourself near the iconic Bund

and the bustling Nanjing Road East pedestrian street

is arguably the smartest move you can make.

It's the ultimate central hub for exploring the city.

​

Today, I'll share my top 5 hotel recommendations around Nanjing Road East

​

and dive deep into a full review of my recent stay at the Elong Hotel,

covering location, room quality, and overall value!

​

Stick around, because I'll also share a pro tip for a 5% booking discount.

​

​

​

​

1. Top 5 Hotels Near Nanjing Road East

​

​

Here is a custom map I made of the Nanjing Road East commercial district.

​

​

📌 Top 5 Shanghai Hotels in the Nanjing Road East Area

​

· Radisson Collection Hyland Shanghai

· Grand Central Hotel Shanghai

· Central Hotel Shanghai

· Elong Hotel

· Yitel Premium

​

I've previously written a detailed comparison post

about these five fantastic properties,

so I'll link that guide down below for further reading.

​

But for today, let's focus exclusively on my experience at the Elong Hotel!

​

​

​

2. Elong Hotel Shanghai: Room & Location Review

​

​

Without a doubt, the absolute best thing about the Elong Hotel is its location.

​

(It sits right next door to the Central Hotel Shanghai.)

​

· Just a 5-minute walk from Nanjing East Road Subway Station

· Nearby Eats: Dongbei Renjia (Northeast Chinese cuisine), Henjiu Yiqian (BBQ), Lillian Bakery

· Nearby Shopping: Miniso, White Rabbit Candy Store, New World Department Store

​

With popular spots like Heytea and local fruit stalls within a short walking distance,

we never ran out of late-night snack options!

​

​

​

​

I booked their standard Superior Twin Room.

The room size is around 270-320 sq ft, which felt incredibly spacious.

​

Because it's a relatively new build (only a few years old),

everything felt incredibly modern, pristine, and well-maintained.

​

I originally booked a standard city view,

but they kindly upgraded me to a gorgeous Nanjing Road view!

​

We arrived quite early, and the staff graciously accommodated an early check-in.

​

​

​

​

The two twin beds were generously sized,

and there was plenty of floor space to fully open our large suitcases.

​

Plus, there's a cozy sofa and table setup right by the window.

It's the perfect spot to enjoy food delivered via Meituan (China's top delivery app).

​

Eating fresh Lillian egg tarts while looking out over the neon lights of Nanjing Road...

Wow. It was pure bliss and absolutely delicious.

​

​

​

​

The bathroom features a smart layout: the dry vanity area is separate,

while the shower booth and toilet have their own dedicated spaces!

​

In a smaller room, having the sink out in the open might feel cramped,

but because the room is so spacious, this layout was actually super convenient.

​

(It makes getting ready in the morning with a travel buddy so much easier.)

​

​

If you book Elong Hotel through Trip.com, depending on your membership tier,

you might also score a Late Check-out (up to 2:00 PM).

​

❗ Pro tip: Many Chinese hotels don't show up on Western booking sites like Agoda.

Since Trip.com is a Chinese company,

it's always the best platform for finding availability and deals in mainland China.

​

​

Check Elong Hotel Prices on Trip.com

​

​

3. Detailed Hotel Amenities & Lobby

​

​

You can grab a complimentary cup of welcome tea while passing through the lobby.

​

​

Check-in: After 2:00 PM / Check-out: Before 12:00 PM

​

Most hotels in Shanghai strictly adhere to the 2 PM check-in

and 12 PM check-out schedule.

​

Because we got that late check-out perk at Elong Hotel,

we were able to relax in the room before our evening flight home.

​

​

​

​

The lobby doubles as a cafe and lounge,

and interestingly enough, they sell official Disney merchandise right there!

​

Since Shanghai is home to a massive Disneyland resort,

seeing all these cute Disney items every time I walked by

was highly tempting... I almost bought a few! 😭

​

​

​

​

The 4-star quality beds were incredibly comfortable with zero dampness,

and the soft, plush bedding guaranteed

a fantastic night's sleep during our entire stay.

​

❗ All bottled water and beverages in the mini-fridge are completely free!

This was a lifesaver when washing down our spicy Meituan deliveries.

​

​

​

​

The room was equipped with an electric kettle, a coffee machine, and tea bags.

Everything was spotless, which left a great impression on me.

​

Choosing a newly built hotel was definitely the right call!

​

​

​

​

In addition to the standard bath amenities provided,

you can request toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower caps, combs, and razors

down at the front desk if you need them.

​

The hair dryer hangs on the wall but isn't permanently attached, which is nice.

​

They even had a unique towel sterilizer rack!

It gave me extra peace of mind knowing the towels were fresh and hygienic.

​

​

​

​

Inside the closet, you'll find plush bathrobes, room slippers, and an iron

ready for use.

​

​

​

​

❗ Here is one massive, unexpected perk that makes me highly recommend this hotel.

​

There is a dedicated driveway and drop-off zone right in front of the lobby,

making it incredibly easy to catch a Didi (ride-share) or taxi.

​

In busy areas of Shanghai, if a taxi doesn't have a safe place to pull over, they'll often cancel your ride

or force you to walk several blocks to find them.

​

Here, cars can pull right up onto the designated curb space,

which made getting around with luggage a total breeze. 😊😊

​

​

(Since taxi fares are so cheap and the subway requires security checks for bags,

we ended up taking taxis almost everywhere!)

​

​

📌 I highly recommend Elong Hotel if you:

​

✔ Prioritize an unbeatable location,

but also prefer newer, modern properties.

​

✔ Love clean, spacious rooms with great layouts.

​

I was so satisfied with my stay that I fully intend to book here again

when I return to Shanghai with my parents! 😌😌

​

​

↓ Get more details on Elong Hotel via Trip.com ↓

Elong Hotel (上海艺龙酒店) Reviews & Special Offers, Shanghai 2026 | Trip.com