I don't usually bother to write reviews for the 5-star chain hotels, but our experience with the Peninsula Shanghai was so subpar that I feel I ought to give fellow travelers a heads up, and suggest they head to the Waldorf Astoria instead. I know the hotel is new, but there is really no excuse for the poor service – this hotel is in a totally different league than its counterparts in Hong Kong and New York.

We arrived in the evening after 25 hours of traveling, exhausted and missing my husband’s suitcase. We asked the concierge if he could please follow up with the airline to find out whether they had located the bag & what time the next day it might arrive. He promised he would. We never heard from him again.

We found clothes for my husband in the Peninsula's shopping arcade. Something was wrong with the shop's credit card terminal, so we went to the concierge’s desk – maybe 50 meters away - to ask if he could please arrange for the items to be put on our hotel bill and have them sent to our room when the tailor was finished. This is the kind of softball request that any rookie concierge ought to be able to handle in his sleep, but apparently it was too much for him. First he suggested that there must be something wrong with our credit card (a quick call to amex’s platinum line confirmed that, yes, our card was fine). Then he told us to walk 5 blocks in the dark, through the pouring rain, to the nearest ATM to withdraw cash (there is no ATM in the hotel). We asked again, gently, if the item couldn't be put on our bill. He said he didn't think so but would check with the duty manager - but he didn't know where she was. Another employee later found us in the dining room and said she'd try to help, but for reasons that are still unclear to us, was unable to actually do anything at all about it. So my husband was stuck in his first day of meetings in the clothes he’d worn on the plane.

The restaurant staff was no better. The first morning, the waiter thrust the check in my face in the midst of a bite of cereal and held it there until I put down my spoon and took it from him. (The bill was wrong - I'd been overcharged by twice - and the corrected version was again held in my face mid-bite).

The following morning I had the opposite problem, sitting for more than 10 minutes at my table trying anxiously to catch the eye of every passing waiter. I finally had to awkwardly call out to one as he serviced the next table and ask to place an order. Then it took the coffee another 10 minutes to arrive.

Our room was impeccably clean and beautifully serviced by a young, eager woman who knocked on our door three times within 15 minutes to see if we had gone out yet.

The room itself was lovely, with a nice view of the Bund and a good layout. Lots of fun high-tech touches. But annoyingly stingy with the outlets – there is only one outlet in the main room, next to the desk, which meant we had to take turns plugging in computers, phones and ipad. There should be outlets on both sides of the bed, to allow phones to charge overnight and still be handy, and at least 2-3 outlets at the desk. I guess they think their tech-loving guests don’t carry any of their own devices?

The hotel itself is oddly laid out: there is no lobby; reception is tucked into a windowless hallway in the middle of the building, everything is very dark and you have no sense at all of being on the Bund.

All in all, it was a disappointing experience. Peninsula really needs to work to get this hotel up to standard. We will go to the Waldorf next time.

The Peninsula takes luxury to a whole new level. Forget what you know, or have experienced, with The Four Seasons or the Ritz Carlton. The Peninsula is an institution in Asia and takes luxury, sophistication, comfort and service to a whole new level. From picking you up with a Rolls Royce from the airport to the beautiful lobby and amazing restaurants.

The rooms are incredibly comfortable and extremely high-tech. Everything can be done from the comfort of your bed, which has the finest linens and the most comfortable bed. Our deluxe room had a large walk-in closet which can accommodate all the luggage you can bring along with two sides of a closet for hanging your clothes. You will not run out of room with this closet. It also contains, get ready ladies, a "nail dryer" should you be so inclined to touch-up your nails. In the walk-in you will find a laundry cubicle. Put the laundy in this "cubbie", press the service button....two minutes later a staff member opens the "cubbie" from the outside of your room takes the clothes out and returns them a few hours later in the same cubbie all clean. A very nice touch without disturbance of any kind. The bathroom is beautiful with all the amenities you can think of.

The Peninsula has several good restaurants and bars with amazing food. Sir Elly's at the top floor has incredible food with amazing views and a separate bar area. Salon De Ning offers a unique experience for those interested in a late night. The Compass Bar is more subdued and the decor is quite interesting, highlighting some of the history of "The Bund" in Shanghai.

Want to shop? The Peninsula Arcade has the best of the best...Prada, Chanel, Armani, you name it. For the high-end shopping experience you will find it all here.

Location of the hotel is quite convenient with instant access to The Bund and very short and cheap cab rides to other tourist spots.

The Peninsula is a treat. If you go to Shanghai, this is the place to stay.

The experience starts when you are picked up with the PEN's Rolls Royce - of course with wi-fi so can may finally catch up with your e-mails after the long dry stretch of the flight! - whisked away and greeted like a long lost son (daughter) by the blissful staff. Sign-in in the tranquil environment of your truly spectacular suite and commence to enjoy! Great service - you won't even see the valet if you don't feel like as a valet box is provided in your dressing room for all of your laundry/shoeshine or other needs, and swiftly serviced from the outside! Great food in all restaurants, unbelievable shopping at the in-house luxury mall with most of the all the worlds renowned labels showing off their very latest in fashion, juwels etc. and, of course, a heavenly spa - do try their signature 90 min. treatments - and then relax around the magnificent swimming pool. Well, just in case you have to leave after a few days like most of us, having experienced this outstanding buiseness&leisure combi - the RR is taking you back to the reality of the airport - and the yearn- to-return is kicking in!

Every detail of this hotel was wonderful. The room was amazingly appointed that catered to every need of a business traveler. From the comfortable bed to the luxurious bathroom, it really felt like a private paradise in the congested streets of Shanghai. The location is not very convenient to go about visiting tourist site, but who cares when the hotel is oasis by itself.