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Looking for a great value hotel in Shanghai? The Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Hongqiao offers comfort and convenience, especially for travelers on the go. Discover why it's a top choice!
Photos, text. Dochi Nunna
ⓒ 2026. dochi_nunna. All rights reserved
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
Stay Period: '25.08.19 - 08.20 (1 night)
Room Type: Superior Double
Check-in: 2:00pm
Check-out: 2:00pm
1. Location
📍 Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Hongqiao CBD by IHG
5 Shen Bin Lu, Min Hang Qu, Shang Hai Shi, China 200000
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.
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!
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!
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
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!
The Superior Double Room features a washbasin, toilet, and shower, with basic amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, and body wash provided in the shower. The bedroom is equipped with a double bed, along with ample power outlets and USB ports.
Check-in time is 2 PM, and check-out time is also 2 PM. Toothbrushes and toothpaste are not provided in the room; guests must request them at the front desk upon arrival.
The price for a Superior Double Room is approximately ~$69 per night, and the author stayed for ~$55. During peak season, prices can exceed ~$207 per night, so it's advisable to look for other accommodations during that time.
This hotel is suitable for travelers arriving late at night in Shanghai for a short one-night stay, or those who need to catch an early train from Hongqiao Railway Station. However, a drawback is that there are very few shops, such as restaurants or supermarkets, in the vicinity.
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