Wanda Reign on the Bund

Wanda Reign on the Bund, Shanghai, a property formerly recognized for its opulent luxury and prime location, offered guests an extravagant experience with stunning views and high-end amenities. Notably, the hotel was selected by the Michelin Guide for its quality. It has recently undergone a significant change, being acquired by Pacific Eagle Real Estate and rebranded as The St. Regis on the Bund, Shanghai, in late 2023/early 2024. This review reflects its operation and reputation under the Wanda Reign brand.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Wanda Reign on the Bund was generally perceived as an exceptionally luxurious and extravagant hotel, often described as opulent and magnificent. Guests frequently lauded its "7-star" aspirations, even if the "software" (service consistency) sometimes lagged behind the "hardware" (facilities). The overall sentiment was overwhelmingly positive, with many guests praising it as a perfect five-star stay and a truly luxurious experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently loved the unbeatable location on the Bund with its panoramic views of the Huangpu River and Pudong skyline. The hotel's elaborate Art Deco design, incorporating Chinese cultural elements, was a major draw, featuring marble, jade, crystal, and bespoke artworks. Exceptional staff and top-notch spa facilities were also frequently highlighted. The luxurious rooms and impressive breakfast spread were often mentioned as key highlights.

3. Room Quality

The hotel featured 192 luxurious guestrooms and 33 suites, ranging from 45 to 288 square meters. Rooms were designed in two distinctive styles: "Trendy" with Art Deco glamour and modernity, and "Noble" incorporating mahogany burl wood and magnolia embroideries. In-room amenities included an innovative digital control system, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, an iPad for smart control, and a digital mini-screen peephole on the door for privacy. The "Bed of Reign" boasted handmade Talalay latex mattresses from the USA and tailor-made wool bedding from New Zealand, ensuring a blissful night's sleep. Spacious marble bathrooms were equipped with heated floors, separate showers and bathtubs (often round), automatic Japanese toilets, heated towel racks, and luxury bath amenities (L'Occitane in rooms, Hermes in suites). Many rooms offered stunning views of the Bund, Huangpu River, Pudong skyline, or Yu Garden. Some suites also featured an Ogawa massage chair.

4. Dining Experience

Wanda Reign on the Bund offered a premium collection of cuisine choices across its five restaurants and bars.

• Café Reign: An all-day dining restaurant on the ground floor, known for its extensive buffet breakfast. The breakfast featured a wide variety of Chinese and Western meals, including a wealth of Shanghai's classic dishes and snacks, fresh hot soy milk, and made-to-order options. Some guests noted a few specific items like chocolate and strawberry milk were not up to par.
• RuiKu Restaurant and Champagne Lounge: Located on the top floor (21st), offering fine-casual dining with seafood and oysters, along with a champagne and wine lounge and stunning panoramic views of the Bund. In the evenings, it transformed into a terrace bar with live DJs.
• RIVER DRUNK: A Huaiyang Chinese restaurant specializing in fresh seafood.
• HE Japanese Restaurant: Featured authentic Japanese cuisine, with a Japanese head chef and fresh ingredients supposedly imported daily from Japan. Guests praised the delicate presentation and good service, though some found it pricey for Shanghai standards.
• Lobby Lounge: Offered a "Reign Afternoon Tea" reminiscent of Old Shanghai and an extensive selection of whisky and single malts.
• MARC Restaurant: Led by a Michelin-starred French chef, offering haute French cuisine.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on hospitality was generally positive, with many describing staff as excellent, extremely friendly, helpful, and professional. Guests appreciated the attentive service, with some noting that staff would greet them consistently. However, some reviews indicated occasional inconsistencies, particularly in "software" aspects like efficiency for requests (e.g., extra towels) or language barriers with some staff members. Butlers were also available to provide personalized service to guests.

6. Location & Accessibility

Wanda Reign on the Bund boasted an excellent, central location on the Bund, offering magnificent views of the Huangpu River and the Pudong skyline. It was described as perfectly positioned for guests to gaze at the bustle of Shanghai or wander into it. The hotel was within walking distance (around 1km) of the ancient Yu Garden and City God Temple, and convenient to the Shiliupu Wharf. While a bit detached from the main Nanjing Road area, it offered a pleasant walk along the Bund to other attractions. The nearest subway station, Yuyuan Station on Line 10, was about a 10-minute walk away. It was located 42 kilometers from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and 16 kilometers from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport.

7. Value & Pricing

Wanda Reign on the Bund was an undeniably luxurious and expensive property, with an initial investment of $516 million, making it one of the most expensive hotels ever built in China. Promotional rates in 2016 started around 3000 RMB (approximately $449 USD at the time). Despite its opulence, some guests found the prices sensible and comparable to other luxury hotels like The Peninsula and Four Seasons, suggesting good value for the level of luxury offered. Standard rooms were priced from around $230-282 nightly. The hotel was built by Chinese billionaire Wang Jianlin, targeting China's elite, and its lavishness reflected this intention.

8. Common Complaints

While overall sentiment was positive, some recurring criticisms included:

• Service Inconsistencies: Despite generally good service, some guests noted that the "software" (staff efficiency for certain requests) sometimes lagged behind the "hardware" of the luxurious facilities.
• Minor Amenities Issues: Isolated reports mentioned issues like moldy umbrellas or poorly folded items.
• Food Quality (Specific Items): A few specific breakfast items, like chocolate and strawberry milk, received negative feedback for tasting artificial. Some Chinese dumplings were also found to be disappointing.
• Swimming Pool Size: One reviewer mentioned the swimming pool being relatively small.
• Website Usability: The hotel's website was noted by one reviewer as being unhelpful for viewing room details.

Rebranding Note

As of late 2023 and early 2024, the property formerly known as Wanda Reign on the Bund has been acquired by Pacific Eagle Real Estate and has officially rebranded as The St. Regis on the Bund, Shanghai. This transition means that current and future experiences will be under The St. Regis brand and management.

Sources

1. michelin.com
2. shanghaicityhotels.com
3. mingtiandi.com
4. scmp.com
5. hotels.com
6. flyertalk.com
7. luxurylaunches.com
8. thewanderingeater.com
9. frommers.com
10. youtube.com
11. luxurylink.com
12. booking.com
13. wandahotels.com
14. itravelblog.net
15. lux-life.digital
16. wandahotels.com
17. diningcity.cn
18. youtube.com
19. planetofhotels.com