InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland

InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland is a one-of-a-kind landmark hotel built directly into the bowl of an abandoned quarry 88 meters deep, offering guests an unforgettable visual spectacle. The main draw is the fantastic evening laser and drone show, plus jaw-dropping views of an artificial waterfall and sheer cliffs right from your balcony. Behind the flawless futuristic facade, however, are tangible maintenance issues: many guests report worn furniture, a whiff of damp in the corridors, and communication struggles without Chinese. The hotel is perfect for a one- or two-night stay to soak in the wow factor, but it’s unlikely to satisfy anyone expecting a classic, immaculate five-star luxury experience.

Key Observations

Architectural Triumph: Guests rave about the concept of the “upside-down” building, where the lobby sits at ground level and elevators whisk you down to rooms that gaze upon a craggy amphitheater.

A Show of Cosmic Proportions: The projection-mapped laser show on the cliffs and the evening drone display deliver an aesthetic shock and are the number-one reason people make the trip.

Top-Tier Butler Service: Personal butlers (Bruce, Alisa, and Amara are frequently praised) provide seamless support via WeChat, anticipating every need before you think of it.

Ventilation and Wear Issues: Due to the quarry’s microclimate, a musty, moldy odor lingers in hallways and some rooms, and after several years of operation, finishes and furnishings show noticeable wear.

Trajectory: A review of feedback across years shows that guests remain consistently wowed by the visual concept and butler service, though complaints about room wear and a damp smell have grown more frequent over the last year.

Main Pros

A unique view of the flooded quarry and waterfall from floor-to-ceiling windows and balcony.
A grandiose evening laser and water show that you can watch from your own private “box” on the balcony.
Personal butler accompaniment that promptly resolves any request.
Complimentary minibar with snacks and drinks, plus thoughtful extras like an evening sweet soup.
Option to book exclusive rooms and dine in an underwater restaurant with a view of the aquarium.

Main Cons

Noticeable interior wear: scuffed parquet, scratched furniture and chips that fall short of InterContinental standards.
Unpleasant musty, damp smell in some corridors and restaurants.
Language barrier: front desk staff and phone operators speak little English, turning simple requests into a lengthy, stressful process.
Isolated location far from central Shanghai with no pedestrian infrastructure around.

Overall Grade: B

Hotel Overview

Basic Information:

Name — InterContinental Hotels Shanghai Wonderland by IHG (上海佘山世茂洲际酒店)
Pinyin / romanization / transcription — Shànghǎi Shéshān Shìmào Zhōujì Jiǔdiàn (Шанхай Шэшань Шимао Чжоуцзи Цзюдянь)
Address — No. 5888 Chenhua Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai, 201619, China (中国上海市松江区辰花路5888号)
Contact details — Tel: +86-021-67661888, Email: [email protected]
Year opened — 2018
Number of rooms — 336
Positioning and category — Unique five-star design resort, the world’s first underground high-rise and a marvel of modern engineering.

Description: Construction of this megaproject took 12 years and cost over 300 million dollars. The hotel is literally carved into the vertical wall of an abandoned coal quarry: two floors sit above ground, the remaining 16 descend below, with the two lowest completely submerged as underwater rooms with panoramic windows into a giant aquarium. The interior design harmoniously blends the brutal industrial aesthetic of a mine with the refined luxury of a contemporary five-star hotel.

Target Audience: The hotel is ideal for romantic couples celebrating an anniversary or honeymoon, families with kids fascinated by unusual architecture, and experienced travelers seeking a bucket-list experience for one or two days.

Location & Transport

Location: The hotel is in the Songjiang district on the southwestern fringe of Shanghai. The surroundings are a quiet suburban area dotted with greenery, the Sheshan Hills, and scenic parks. The main downside is its extreme isolation from central Shanghai and major tourist arteries.

Key Points of Interest: The Smurfs theme park and the Shimao Dream Park (Shenkeng Secret Realm) are right next door. Within 3 km (about 1.8 miles) you’ll find the picturesque Chenshan Botanical Garden. The NECC exhibition center and Hongqiao Airport are around 25–30 km away (40 minutes), while Pudong Airport is over 75 km (about 1 hour 15 minutes).

Transport: Public transport is scarce. The nearest metro station (Line 9, Sheshan) is a 20-minute taxi ride. Bus No. 98 runs from the metro station to the hotel very infrequently (once an hour). For comfortable travel, a taxi (DiDi works perfectly) or a private car is essential.

Walkability: The surrounding roads are not designed for pedestrians. You can rent shared bikes opposite the hotel to reach the Botanical Garden, but walking off the property is awkward and unsafe because there are no sidewalks along the expressway.

Grade: B-

Rooms & Cleanliness

Rooms are very spacious, with modern amenities, a smart-home system, and private terraces that frame a mesmerizing view of the cliffs and waterfall. Beds are comfortable, linens are high quality, and bathrooms come with individual tubs, rain showers, and Japanese tech toilets. Still, guests regularly point out cleanliness and ventilation issues: the quarry’s humid climate sometimes leaves a stale smell in corners and textiles, while wooden surfaces and floors show visible scratches and signs of wear. Daily housekeeping is provided, but attention to detail can slip—streaks often remain on balcony glass.

Grade: B

Service

The hotel’s standout feature is its personal concierge service. At check-in, every guest is assigned a butler who creates a WeChat chat for instant contact. Butlers Bruce, Alisa, and Amara have earned hundreds of glowing reviews for their heartfelt care, help with celebratory surprises, complimentary desserts, and extending late checkout until 2:30 pm. Meanwhile, the rest of the team draws criticism: front desk and restaurant staff often speak no English, turning simple requests—like ordering soup to the room or a coffee in the lobby—into drawn-out, stressful sagas.

Grade: A-

Dining

The hotel’s dining options are diverse but leave mixed impressions. The breakfast buffet offers a huge spread of Chinese and international dishes, though guests note food can be lukewarm and some items mediocre. The standout is the top-class Chinese restaurant Cai Feng Lou, serving refined local cuisine, and the famous underwater fish restaurant Mr. Fisher, where you can dine surrounded by swimming sharks (though some visitors complain about a lingering seafood smell). In-room dining works brilliantly—evening snacks and the traditional white wood ear soup arrive quickly and piping hot.

Grade: B+

Facilities & Amenities

The star amenity is the quarry itself, with promenade decks and observation platforms that let you grasp the scale of the structure. The evening highlight is the spectacular water and laser show projected directly onto the vertical cliff face. There’s also an indoor pool (regrettably small and geared more to kids than to actual swimming), an excellent spa with professional massage, a sauna, and a fitness room. Just 100 meters away, a breathtaking glass bridge spans the quarry chasm—a must for souvenir photos.

Grade: A-

Important Notes

The hotel is a substantial distance from central Shanghai (about 1.5–2 hours at rush hour), so planning daily trips to the Bund or Nanjing Road is not practical.
The language barrier is a serious issue: install WeChat beforehand and use its built-in translator to communicate comfortably.
Room rates and restaurant prices are very high even by Shanghai five-star standards.
On holidays and weekends, the hotel gets packed with both overnight guests and day-trippers, creating bustle at breakfast and at the elevators.
The building has been in operation since 2018, and some areas already show cosmetic wear that needs refreshing.

Practical Tips for Guests

Book a stay of one night, two at most—that’s enough to explore the hotel, enjoy the show, and not get bored in the isolated location.
Choose rooms on the lower quarry levels (closer to the water): because of the unique “upside-down” architecture, the best, most dramatic views are from down low.
Don’t miss the 8:30 pm laser show. Order dinner via room service and watch it from your balcony—it feels like a private box at the theater.
Install WeChat before arrival so you can instantly connect with your personal butler, who will help you overcome any language hurdles.
Visit the glass bridge over the quarry chasm, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the hotel entrance, for panoramic shots of the whole complex.
If traveling with kids, combine your stay with a visit to the adjacent Smurfs Park or Shenkeng Secret Realm; entrance is very affordable.
Rent a bike from local providers across the road from the hotel for a comfortable ride to the beautiful Chenshan Botanical Garden.
Plan your arrival for a weekday in the low season to dodge crowds and avoid queues at breakfast and elevators.

Final Verdict

InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland is a unique engineering triumph and a must-visit for its stunning visual impact and evening shows, but the hotel urgently needs tender updating and better cleanliness control.

Overall Grade: B

Best for: Architecture buffs, romantic couples on a weekend escape, and families with children who want laser shows and an out-of-the-ordinary experience.

Not for: Those coming to Shanghai for classic sightseeing and shopping, and anyone who prizes flawless room condition with zero signs of wear.

InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland5

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