Shanghai Exploration with Friends

**Trip Recap: A 3-Day Shanghai Adventure** **Duration:** 3 days **With Whom:** Friends **Activities:[...]

**Trip Recap: A 3-Day Shanghai Adventure**

**Duration:** 3 days
**With Whom:** Friends
**Activities:** Food, photography, independent travel
**Visited Places:** Moller Villa, South Shaanxi Road, Shanghai National Convention and Exhibition Center, People’s Square, Lujiazui
**Posted on:** December 27, 2019, at 15:04

—

**Escaping the Steel Forest: A Quest for Exotic Charm**

Rarely can one escape the steel forest of the CBD, so one wants to explore the exotic charm. As the end of the year approaches, another year has passed hurriedly in busyness. Also taking advantage of the free time at the end of the year, I made an appointment with a close friend for a small gathering. So we aimed at Huangpu District and Xuhui District, because there are many old western-style houses left over from the 1920s and 1930s. Each old western-style house carries a legendary story of old Shanghai back then.

**[Explore the Century Dreamy Castle]**

The Moller Villa we visited is one of them. Also known as ‘Moller Residence’, it is located on South Shaanxi Road and was built in 1927. The original owner is the British Jew Moller. The villa covers an area of more than 5,000 square meters, and the garden area is about 2,000 square meters. It is said that the original reason for building this villa was that Moller’s youngest daughter had a dream, dreaming of a large house in a fairy-tale pattern. So Moller built this small palace according to what his daughter saw in her dream.

The villa is a typical European-style building with towering spires and steeply sloping roofs, and the shape is strangely undulating. The main building is a three-story Scandinavian Norwegian-style building, which perfectly embodies the elegance of European aristocrats. Although Moller is a British Jew, he made his fortune in China, so he incorporated some Chinese elements into the villa design. A pair of Chinese stone lions are also placed at the entrance of the villa. The exterior wall is ochre-red refractory bricks with colorful tiles embedded in the middle. The roof is yellow-green glazed tiles. The whole villa is hidden among the green trees, and the color combination is unique.

Like other old western-style houses, in addition to the peculiar appearance of the building, the interior decoration of the main building is also very particular. There are wall panels installed in corridors and aisles. The stairs, floors, and wall panels are mostly teak and are all reddish-brown. There are beautiful and delicate patterns carved everywhere, which are pleasing to the eye. One can’t help but sigh that the exotic charm here is full, making us linger.

**[Stay at Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Hongqiao]**

After leaving Moller Villa, we drove to Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Hongqiao located in the core business area of Hongqiao. Here it is adjacent to the convention and exhibition center, Hongqiao Airport, Hongqiao Railway Station and other key transportation hubs, which is very convenient.

**[An Exclusive Extraordinary Exploration Journey]**

From the magnificent retro Moller Villa to this fashionable and modern Courtyard by Marriott hotel, it seems as if we have traveled through several centuries at once. Due to its superior geographical location, just a short distance from the National Convention and Exhibition Center and adjacent to the Hongqiao transportation hub, the Courtyard by Marriott hotel, which mainly targets business guests, highlights an exquisite and simple design style and a comfortable stay experience!

There is an all-day dining restaurant, Wan Huixuan. At the same time, the lobby bar serves a variety of exquisite desserts, coffee and cocktails, making it the best choice for business meetings and social gatherings.

Although the hotel does not have an indoor swimming pool, there is a well-equipped fitness center on the second floor. The equipment is complete and intelligent. Providing the facilities that a business hotel should have is sufficient. In addition, you can also stroll in the urban courtyard outside the hotel and feel this rare leisure and natural oxygen bar.

**[Achieve the most harmonious balance between work and life]**

After a tiring morning of sightseeing, after checking in and visiting the hotel, I returned to my room. When staying at the hotel, I pay particular attention to the facilities in the guest room and the quality of the bed. The guest room gives a simple and fashionable decoration, not flashy. The light in the room is soft, suitable for me to fall asleep as soon as I am tired. The bathroom space is not large, but the hardware is very good. There is a bathtub, which is more suitable for business travelers to relax and gives a home-like check-in experience.

The hotel has a total of 254 square meters of banquet space. Five meeting rooms can be adjusted into flexible spaces to hold annual meeting activities of different scales. I have to sigh that the Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Hongqiao Central is fully equipped and powerful!

**[Encounter of Food and Art]**

The design style of the restaurant is simple and fashionable. The delicate structure and warm yellow light are intertwined to be warm and comfortable.

—

This trip was a blend of history, luxury, and contemporary living, offering a unique perspective on Shanghai’s past and present.

—

**Dining Experience at Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Hongqiao Central**

The striking floor-to-ceiling glass windows **broaden the visual space** of dining guests, creating an expansive and inviting atmosphere. The buffet dinner is a delightful gathering of **Asian cuisine and Western delicacies**, offering a diverse culinary experience.

**Vibrant Open Kitchen & Interactive Dining**
The vibrant open kitchen allows you to **watch the superb cooking skills of the chefs** and simultaneously brings an interactive dining experience to guests. It’s not just about eating; it’s about engaging with the art of cooking.

**Colorful Flavor Buffet & Cultural Exploration**
The colorful flavor buffet changes **different themes from time to time**, allowing the taste buds to explore the cultural charm of food. Each visit can be a new adventure in flavors and traditions.

**Bright Restaurant Decoration & Window-Side Delights**
The restaurant decoration is bright and inviting. Especially the corner by the window near the entrance of the restaurant is great. The wooden dining table is matched with floor-to-ceiling windows, where sunlight pours in front, creating a warm and welcoming ambiance. Coupled with delicious food, it is simply a visual and taste bud enjoyment.

**2nd Anniversary Celebrations & Special Offers**
Now, on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Hongqiao Central, the hotel has launched multiple preferential packages. You can enjoy an exquisite food package at half price!

**Modern & Comprehensive Facilities**
In general, Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Hongqiao Central is not only modern and fashionable in decoration but also very comprehensive in function. Whether it is a business trip or sightseeing and playing, staying here is a good choice.

**High Service Level & Comfortable Atmosphere**
The service level is high, and the environment and atmosphere are very comfortable and elegant. The hotel considers customers in all aspects and provides an ideal residence for relaxing and releasing the body and mind. It can be said that it is worth more than the price, with high cost performance. The service and environment are impeccable. One word, praise. Two words, perfect!

**Location & Connectivity**
Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Hongqiao Central is located in the core area of Hongqiao Business District, adjacent to the National Convention and Exhibition Center. It is a 10-minute walk to Xujing East Station of Metro Line 2 and Panlong Road Station of Line 17, and it is conveniently connected to major core business districts in Shanghai (Nanjing West Road, People’s Square, Lujiazui, etc.).

The surrounding area is equipped with Hongqiao Tiandi commercial center, integrating office, shopping, catering, entertainment, and exhibition. It is closely connected to Hongqiao Railway Station and Hongqiao Airport and can be conveniently reached within 10 minutes. Surrounded by a three-dimensional transportation system, there is Jiamin Viaduct in the east, Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway in the south, Shenyang-Haikou Expressway in the west, and Songze Viaduct in the north, with convenient transportation.

**Contact Information**
No. 333 Panwen Road, Qingpu District, Shanghai, China.
Tel: (+86) 21 6035 8888.

**Book Your Stay**
[Book Now](https://hotels.ctrip.com/hotel/14213033.html)

—