Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Hongqiao Review 2026: Budget-Friendly Stay

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Photos, text. Dochi Nunna

ⓒ 2026. dochi_nunna. All rights reserved

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Shall we take a trip down memory lane?

Soon, it'll be exactly one year

since I met Jingi.

So today, reliving those memories,

I'm going to introduce a budget-friendly hotel in Shanghai!

Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Hongqiao

CBD by IHG

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Stay Period: '25.08.19 - 08.20 (1 night)

Room Type: Superior Double

Check-in: 2:00pm

Check-out: 2:00pm

1. Location

The Shanghai hotel I'm recommending today

is located near Hongqiao Station.

Honestly, since I took a late-night flight at the time,

I considered staying at a Shanghai accommodation near Pudong Airport...

but

I needed to take an early train the next day

to Hengdian.

So, I chose to travel from Pudong to a Hongqiao accommodation.

2. Reception

As you enter through the main entrance, right across from you

is the front desk.

That night, it was so late

I rushed to check in and didn't notice,

but in the morning, I saw that the lobby was

cozy but neatly decorated.

Like many other Shanghai accommodations,

the staff aren't particularly fluent in English.

However, communication is still possible with a translation app,

so even if you don't speak Chinese or English, you probably won't have much to worry about.

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Right opposite the reception desk,

there's also a comfy sofa.

So, if you happen to need to wait for check-in or check-out,

you can sit here and relax.

Next to it, some simple welcome tea is available,

so if you'd like, you can leisurely enjoy a cup.

3. Room Condition

The room we booked this time was

the Superior Double Room.

Honestly, given the price point for a budget-friendly hotel,

I expected a smaller room.

But guess what?! Both I and Jingi were super surprised by the more spacious and generous

room size and quality!

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Upon entering the room, the first things you see are

the sink and the toilet.

The sink, located to the left of the entrance,

is compact, but

with a large mirror and lighting above the sink,

it was perfectly convenient for washing up or doing makeup.

Next to it, the toilet and shower stall

are located side by side.

In the shower stall, basic amenities like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash

are all provided,

so you don't need to bring your own toiletries.

The hot water flowed well and the water pressure was excellent,

so there were no inconveniences when showering.

However, one thing to watch out for is to make sure the door is closed properly!

That day, I thought the door was closed well,

but it turned out there was a gap ㅠㅠㅠ

It's no secret that after my shower, it felt like a water park had opened up in the bathroom, lol.

Oh! By the way, among the amenities, toothbrushes/toothpaste are

They provide them at the front desk when you check in,

so don't forget to grab them!

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Alright, now if you look to the right of the room,

you'll find the space designated as the "bedroom."

A double bed takes center stage in the room,

flanked by side tables and lamps on both sides.

There are plenty of outlets and USB ports too,

which was great for charging our phones and power banks.

The bedding, including pillows and blankets, was absolutely spotless,

which I think helped me get a really deep sleep, even if it was just for a short while.

Even though it was late and I was so excited thinking about meeting Jing the next day

that I couldn't fall asleep right away,

I luckily woke up feeling refreshed! Hehe-

4. Breakfast

Since we had booked an option that included breakfast,

Stjing and I decided to grab a bite to eat

before catching our train.

The breakfast restaurant is located on the left side of the 1st-floor lobby,

and while the variety of menu items wasn't huge...

They still had all the essentials, from basic bakery items and cereals,

to hot foods and desserts, so it was perfectly fine for a simple meal.

If you're someone who usually eats breakfast, I think choosing the breakfast-included option would be a great idea.

5. Recommended Value-for-Money Accommodation in Hongqiao

The Superior Double Room at the Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Hongqiao CBD by IHG,

the value-for-money Hongqiao accommodation where I stayed,

usually costs around ~$69 per night.

(We stayed for a cheaper price, ~$55.)

If you're traveling as a pair like Stjing and I,

it comes out to about ~$35 per person, which makes it quite budget-friendly.

As I've mentioned before,

I always use Trip.com for my China-related bookings.

It's definitely the cheapest way to book hotels, tickets, and transport, so keep that in mind!

Book Holiday Inn Express

▼▼▼

However, during peak season, prices can sometimes go up to ~$207 per night.

Honestly, I don't think the accommodation is worth that much,

so I recommend looking for other options during those times.

Overall Rating & Pros and Cons Comparison

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros

✔ Convenient location close to the train station

✔ Great price for an overnight stay after a late-night arrival

✔ Decent room quality for the price

Cons

✔ Very few restaurants, supermarkets, or other shops nearby

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For me, someone who always uses the train from Hongqiao Station,

the Holiday Inn Express Shanghai was a truly satisfying place,

from its location and price to the room condition.

If I ever need a Shanghai Hongqiao hotel

just for a short overnight stay again,

I wouldn't hesitate to book this place.

So, if you arrive in Shanghai late at night like I did

and need a quick place to stay,

I highly recommend the Holiday Inn Express I introduced today.

Definitely worth checking out!