Shanghai Sun Island: A Sanctuary for the Soul and Discovery of Vacation Bliss

Published on June 3, 2020, at 17:45. Duration: 2 days. With whom: Family. The author visited these p[...]

Published on June 3, 2020, at 17:45.
Duration: 2 days. With whom: Family.
The author visited these places: Shanghai Sun Island Resort Hotel, Sun Island.
If there exists a place with breathtakingly vast meadows, a river comparable to West Lake’s Mao River, a lush ecological forest… and a thousand-year-old Mao Tower and pastoral scenery for visitors to explore, could it be considered a good destination? If such a place also offers spacious and convenient roads, as well as a hot spring resort for visitors to rest and recuperate, featuring European-style villas, an equestrian field, lakeside barbecues, and more, wouldn’t it add a touch of paradise to the atmosphere?
In fact, starting from downtown Shanghai, taking the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway, one can quickly reach this location—Shanghai Sun Island Resort Hotel in less than an hour.
The long-promised spring outing with my daughter finally took place in May. What’s more, the Shanghai Sun Island Resort Hotel is pet-friendly, allowing us to bring our dog along as we set off for Qingpu District in a grand manner!
The check-in lobby and villa area of the Shanghai Sun Island Resort Hotel are separate. After completing the procedures, one can drive or take a shuttle bus within the island to their rooms.
The villa area is vast, with lush vegetation, adjacent to the Mao River, and walking through it gives a feeling of tranquil seclusion. We chose a club family room right next to the river. The room was indeed spacious, as described, with a 71 square meter layout.Upon entering, one can see a large chessboard carpet, along with several boxes of Lego toys, children’s tents, and cartoon dolls. The soft furnishings inside are themed with children’s favorite cartoons, truly deserving of the zero negative review title for family hotels in Shanghai. The room is equipped with a capsule coffee machine and complimentary soft drinks, and also includes a bottle of red wine from the hotel’s sister brand, which feels like great value.

The room has a parent-child bed design, with a double bed and a child’s bed. The bathroom includes a separate bathtub, children’s toothbrushes and toothpaste, and a child’s toilet seat, very thoughtful.

Pet Paradise: After dropping off our luggage, we headed straight to the Pet Paradise with our dog, Cola. Even before arriving, we saw various parents with their dogs, and Cola was extremely excited. The Pet Paradise is divided into indoor and outdoor areas. Indoors, dogs can have afternoon tea, play on climbing frames, and enjoy the ocean balls. Outdoors, there is a vast grassy area for dogs to run around and even swim in a professional pet swimming pool. It’s worth mentioning that Shanghai Sun Island offers pet boarding and training services, with professional dog trainers who can help correct bad habits and teach some skills. Cola was boarded here for an afternoon. The staff were very patient with him, even giving him biscuits and yogurt, which was very nice.

Mermaid Train: After leaving the Pet Paradise, we took our daughter on the Mermaid Train.The train, adorned with blue and white colors and featuring colorful paintings on both sides, exudes an air of childlike innocence. Throughout its journey, the train makes stops at three stations: the hotel lobby, the Mermaid Dock, and a small green space. Passengers can take advantage of the all-day validity of their tickets to enjoy the scenic beauty of the island and maintain a pleasant mood.

On the culinary front, the family indulged in a small hot pot for their first night’s dinner. Each person had their own pot, and the set meal included a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, meat, fish, and shellfish. The pork bone soup base was particularly thick and rich. The vegetables, which were organically grown on the island, were crisp and tasted exceptionally good when combined with meat and seafood, providing a satisfying meal.

For those with lingering hunger, there is the option to add a main course without any restrictions. The following morning, the family enjoyed breakfast at the hotel’s buffet restaurant, which was highly praised for its exceptional quality. The buffet offers both Chinese and Western styles, with the open kitchen’s noodles and rice being especially delicious. Homemade soy milk and yogurt are not to be missed, and for those偏好 Western cuisine, there are salads and breads available. The family was extremely satisfied with their meal.

For lunch, the family opted for the Waterfall Western Restaurant located on the first floor of the lobby. As they had already eaten quite a bit in the morning, they were not very hungry. They ordered a special children’s meal for their daughter, which came with kid-sized utensils, making the dining experience enjoyable for the little one.The freshly made hamburger and juice were very popular. My husband and I tried the new ‘Dirty Milk’ dessert, made with fresh milk and fruit. It was a great choice for a cool and refreshing drink in early summer.

For entertainment, we had heard that the Equestrian Club at Shanghai Sun Island was very famous. After breakfast the next day, we took our daughter horseback riding. At first, she was a bit scared of the big horses, but then the staff brought a small pony for her to ride, and she fell in love with it immediately. Before getting on the horse, she was properly equipped with protective gear, and the staff held the reins the whole time, ensuring there was no danger. Our child had a great time. We saw many children learning professional equestrian skills at the Sun Island Equestrian Club, which was very impressive.

There are many places on the island suitable for children to play. We chose to go to the Craftsmanship Hall to do some crafts first. There were instructors and tool kits available, and all we had to do was follow the instructions. We chose to make a piece of soft pottery and a leather bag, and we successfully completed both!

By May, the weather was already quite hot, and many people gathered at the Mermaid Dock, making water sports a popular activity. Our family of three rented a water bicycle and enjoyed a leisurely ride.

After a day of eating, drinking, and playing, we returned home. Our time at the Shanghai Sun Island Resort was very pleasant. The slow pace of life there helped us let go of our fatigue and find peace of mind.Why do we travel? It brings us happiness.