Central Hotel Shanghai Review: Your Top Budget Pick for 2026

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Hey there, fellow travelers!

With China's visa-free policies continuing to make travel easier, Shanghai has become an absolute hotspot for global explorers in 2026.

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I recently visited Shanghai and discovered a gem that perfectly balances prime location with incredible value: the Central Hotel Shanghai. I'm excited to share my full review with you!

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Why I Chose Central Hotel Shanghai

When I'm scouting for accommodation, my top two priorities are always:

1. Is the location convenient?

2. Does it offer great quality at an affordable price?

Central Hotel Shanghai ticked both these boxes with flying colors!

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Many international visitors often gravitate towards the 5-star Grand Central Hotel, but I opted for its neighbor, the 4-star Central Hotel Shanghai. (A quick heads-up: their names are quite similar, so be careful not to confuse them!)

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Central Hotel Shanghai boasts slightly higher floors and felt more modern with better room quality, yet it came at a more budget-friendly price. It was truly the ideal value-for-money choice.

Plus, its location is unbeatable! Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is just a short walk away, and you're surrounded by fantastic restaurants and close to subway stations. I wholeheartedly recommend it for its superb accessibility.

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After my trip, I couldn't stop raving about how perfect the location was!

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Best Price Comparison

Central Hotel Shanghai truly satisfied on all fronts: location, room quality, and especially value for money.

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At around ~$85-~$92 per night, it was an outstanding budget hotel!

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To top it off, they even surprised me with a birthday cake – I was incredibly touched!

(It seems they offer cakes for special occasions or birthdays!)

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The 4-star Central Hotel Shanghai (where I stayed) is right next to the 5-star Grand Central Hotel. If you're set on a 5-star experience, the Grand Central is a good option, as both hotels share an excellent location. Ultimately, you can choose based on your preference!

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I compared booking sites for various dates under the same conditions, and Agoda consistently offered the lowest prices, so I highly recommend booking there for the best deal!

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Hotel Exterior and Lobby

The hotel's exterior truly stands tall, hinting at the incredible views you'll find inside.

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Even without requesting a specific view, the vistas from my room were absolutely breathtaking!

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Being in such a high-rise building, I had an expansive panoramic view of the Shanghai cityscape.

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Here's Central Hotel Shanghai during the day – it's genuinely massive and impressive.

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I took a taxi directly from the airport to the hotel, and stepping inside was a delightful surprise.

The lobby was even more spacious, clean, and luxurious than I expected. The pleasant aroma also instantly put me at ease.

The check-in service was quick and the staff were very friendly.

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A deposit of 1000 Chinese Yuan (approximately ~$140 USD) is required at check-in (card payments are accepted), which is promptly refunded upon checkout.

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Right next to the lobby, there's a convenient luggage storage service for after you check out.

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Since I had a late flight, I utilized this service on my last day, allowing me to comfortably continue exploring Shanghai before heading to the airport.

After getting my room assignment, I headed straight to the elevators.

and quickly made my way to my assigned room.

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I was genuinely impressed by the sheer size! If you're looking for a Shanghai budget hotel that offers spacious rooms, a fantastic location, and excellent room condition, I highly recommend this one!

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>>Book Central Hotel Shanghai at the Lowest Price<<

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Room Condition, Amenities, and Facilities

The room was so expansive that I couldn't capture it all in one shot. It was wide enough for two large suitcases to be fully open with plenty of space to spare.

The bed was incredibly spacious, both in width and length. It felt like three people could comfortably sleep there! After experiencing some of the more compact hotels in places like Japan, this Shanghai hotel felt like pure luxury.

Right next to the bed, there was a table and mirror, perfectly positioned to offer stunning views of the Shanghai city skyline.

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What an absolutely beautiful view to wake up to!

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In front of the bed, a comfortable sofa and table, along with a TV, made for a perfect spot to enjoy late-night snacks or takeout meals.

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Here’s a quick panorama to give you a better feel for the Central Hotel Shanghai room:

It was so spacious, it was hard to capture it all!

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To the right, you'll find a vanity, mini-fridge, and wardrobe. A bit further leads to the bathroom.

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The vanity area included an electric kettle, cups, and an ice bucket.

Below the shelves, you'll find glassware and the mini-fridge.

The mini-fridge contained alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, which are available for purchase. However, I'd recommend buying drinks outside or ordering delivery – China is a 'delivery nation,' so you can get almost anything delivered!

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Now, for the bathroom – this truly surprised me!

I usually expect a shower/tub combo and a single sink, but this was much better.

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There was a separate shower stall and a separate bathtub, which is fantastic for saving time if you're traveling with a friend!

ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

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The vanity was spacious, the bathtub was generous, and the large mirror was perfect for getting ready!

The shower area was spotless, and they provided body towels, face towels, and hand towels according to the number of guests. All the essentials like a hairdryer, cotton swabs, shower cap, and soap were readily available.

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>>Book Central Hotel Shanghai at the Lowest Price<<

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For a more detailed look inside the room,

🔽check out the video below🔽

After exploring the hotel, it was time to hit the streets!

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I headed to Xianjiuyiqian, a famous Shanghai restaurant, for some delicious lamb skewers.

Then, I took a leisurely stroll down Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, which was just a short walk away.

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Next, I soaked in the spectacular Shanghai night view at The Bund.

And, of course, grabbed an obligatory selfie in front of the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower.

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I also made a stop at Miniso for some fun shopping, a popular spot for visitors.

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Finally, I returned to the hotel and indulged in some delicious late-night snacks, including my special birthday cake!

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If you're planning a trip to Shanghai in 2026 and seeking a budget-friendly hotel with an unbeatable location and great value, you absolutely have to check out Central Hotel Shanghai!

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You can often find rooms for around ~$85-~$92 per night!

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Book your stay at the lowest price now:

>>Book Central Hotel Shanghai<<

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🔽Compare Shanghai Budget Hotel Prices🔽

For the best deals, I recommend booking through Agoda.

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I hope this review helps you plan your amazing Shanghai adventure. Happy travels!