One Summer’s Night in Qingdao, 2016 (I) – Qingdao Shangri La

Qingdao Shangri La

Qingdao Shangri La is located in the heart of the city of Qingdao.  It was a 45mins taxi ride from the airport.  Taxi ride was less than RMB200 in a premium taxi 礼宾车.  The premium taxi is larger, cleaner and more comfortable than a regular taxi.  Hotel pick up by Shangri La would have been about RMB350.

Qingdao Shangri La at the city centre of Qingdao

The hotel is conveniently located next to Qingdao MIXC, purportedly the largest shopping mall in China and mins walk to the May Fourth Square where the sum a of Qingdao, May Wind, is found.

Upon arrival, check in was smooth and efficient. I had booked a standard room at RMB1360 per night including breakfast. We do not have corporate rates here. At check in, I was given an upgrade to a deluxe room. To me, the difference between a standard room and a deluxe room is in the toiletries. Shangri La provides L’occitane toiletries in their deluxe rooms.

The room is comfortable and quite modern and new.  Much nicer and up-to-date compared to my recent stay at Shangri La Singapore.

Deluxe room at the Qingdao Shangri La

That night, 4 of us bought Tsingtao beer from the convenience store and gathered in my room to drink.  They had different types of Tsingtao beer here that we do not find in Singapore.  They have the regular beer stout and white beer.  I like the white beer!

The different types of Tsingtao beer!

Buffet @ Cafe Yum

The buffet restaurant at Qingdao Shangri La is called Cafe Yum.  We had a buffet lunch there on the day of our arrival.  It was about RMB160plus per person.  There was an excellent variety of food ranging from Szechuan Chinese, Cantonese Chinese and Shanghai Chinese food etc.  They also have a excellent selection of seafood like oysters and prawns and shell fish.

Buffet lunch @ Cafe Yum, Qingdao Shangri La

And these days, what’s a buffet without Japanese food.  The salmon used in the sushi and sashimi is apparently imported from Norway rather than Sourced locally.

Japanese selection at the buffet lunch @ Cafe Yum

The international selection and dessert choices were fantastic too.   There’s cupcakes and chocolate fondue etc.  And for those traveling with family, they even had a kids buffet section.

Delectable desserts at the lunch buffet @ Cafe Yum

I had breakfast the next morning at Cafe Yum which is included in my room rate.  Again lots of local and international options.  I find that the best thing about staying at a Shangri La is its buffet breakfast.  They always have so many choices!

Breakfast @ Cafe Yum

Next up : One Summer’s Night in Qingdao (II) – May Fourth Square , Shopping and Eating