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Two Drifters check into Shanghai's Fairmont Peace Hotel for a stay that combines historic details, city views and dining. Their room has robes, an ironing board, a Japanese-style toilet, a waterfall shower and a television by the bathtub. They have afternoon tea with champagne, visit the rooftop bar and tour the hotel's history, including its 1929 opening and connection to Charlie Chaplin. The breakfast buffet includes xiao long bao and honeycomb, while Dragon and Phoenix serves a Shanghai-style presentation of duck. They finish with dinner and a performance by the resident jazz band, described as the world's oldest.
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A room with Bund views
Two Drifters check into the Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and look out over the Bund. Their room has plush robes, a shoe-shining service and an ironing board. The bathroom draws particular attention: it includes a Japanese-style toilet, waterfall shower and a television by the bathtub. The bedroom has a desk and a king-sized bed with multiple pillows, and the hotel sends a fruit platter and a personalized welcome letter. The travelers contrast these amenities with their usual budget-conscious accommodation.
Afternoon tea includes champagne and a spread of sweet and savory items with views of the Bund. The sweet treats stand out to one traveler, who usually prefers savory food. A rooftop bar gives them another viewpoint over the city. They also learn about the hotel's history: it opened in 1929 as the Cafe Hotel and is described as one of Shanghai's first hotels with air conditioning and an elevator. The hotel hosted well-known guests, including Charlie Chaplin, and artifacts connected with him remain in the building.
Dining and the resident jazz band
The breakfast buffet includes homemade xiao long bao, savory pancakes and organic honeycomb, and the travelers call it the best buffet they have seen. At Dragon and Phoenix, they try dishes that present Chinese food in a Western style, including roast duck skin and pork buns. Their evening meal at the Western Restaurant includes beef dishes, especially steak, and a view over the city. They also note the restaurant’s presentation and service.
A distinctive part of the stay is the resident jazz band, described in the video as the world's oldest. Members average 82 years old, and one is a centenarian. The travelers say hearing the band perform is a special part of the visit. Their time at the hotel moves from the room and its amenities to tea, restaurants, history and live music, presenting the Fairmont Peace Hotel as both a place to stay and a destination in itself.
The room tour also includes a work desk and a king-sized bed with enough pillows for both travelers. A welcome letter and fruit platter arrive as personal touches. In the bathroom, the in-mirror television and waterfall shower make the room feel different from a standard hotel stay. The travelers talk about how the amenities compare with their usual budget-conscious accommodation, and use the views over the Bund as a recurring part of the visit. The rooftop bar is another place to take in the skyline.
At breakfast, they choose from a wide buffet that includes local and international food, homemade xiao long bao, savory pancakes and organic honeycomb. Their lunch at Dragon and Phoenix features roast duck skin and pork buns, while dinner at the Western Restaurant centers on beef and steak. They notice the presentation and views. The resident band plays in the evening, and the travelers note its members’ average age of 82, including a performer they describe as a centenarian. The performance closes a day of dining and exploring hotel history.
The hotel opened in 1929 as the Cafe Hotel and is described as one of Shanghai’s first hotels with air conditioning and an elevator. Artifacts connected with Charlie Chaplin remain inside. The name Peace is associated with tranquility, which the travelers note as they walk through the elegant halls. The hotel serves as accommodation and as a destination for history, food and live music.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What surprised the travelers in their hotel room?
- A: They were surprised to find an ironing board in the room, alongside plush robes and a shoe-shining service. They mention that it was not an amenity they usually expected in an Asian hotel.
- Q: What made the bathroom stand out?
- A: The bathroom has a Japanese-style toilet, waterfall shower and a television by the bathtub. The travelers describe it as their favorite hotel bathroom.
- Q: What did they enjoy about afternoon tea?
- A: The tea service includes champagne and a spread of sweet and savory treats with a view over the Bund. The sweet items were especially memorable for a traveler who usually prefers savory food.
- Q: What is notable about the Fairmont Peace Hotel’s history?
- A: The hotel opened in 1929 as the Cafe Hotel. The video describes it as one of Shanghai’s first hotels with air conditioning and an elevator, and says it hosted guests such as Charlie Chaplin.
- Q: What was included in the breakfast buffet?
- A: The buffet includes homemade xiao long bao, savory pancakes and organic honeycomb. The travelers describe it as the best breakfast buffet they had seen. They also remember homemade xiao long bao, savory pancakes and organic honeycomb among the choices.
- Q: How does the Shanghai duck meal differ from Beijing Peking duck?
- A: The video says the Shanghai meal focuses on crispy duck skin served with pancakes, while in Beijing the skin and meat are typically served together. The travelers describe the difference as Shanghai emphasizing crispy skin with pancakes, while Beijing service typically brings the skin and meat together.
- Q: What is special about the hotel’s jazz band?
- A: The band is described as the world’s oldest, with members averaging 82 years old; the video also notes that one performer is a centenarian. The travelers recommend experiencing a performance during a stay.
