InterContinental Shanghai Hongqiao NECC is the most prestigious luxury hotel in the vibrant new Hongqiao CBD. It is the only luxury hotel located within Shanghai’s new National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), the largest single building and exhibition complex in the world. The hotel is just five kilometers from Hongqiao International Airport and Hongqiao Railway Station. It is only a three-minute walk to Metro Line 2 on the Shanghai subway network. Guests can also enjoy exploring nearby attractions, such as Qibao Ancient Town, Zhujiajiao Watertown, Hongqiao HUB and the popular Shanghai Outlets Mall. InterContinental Shanghai Hongqiao NECC offers elegantly designed rooms and suites featuring the finest modern comforts for discerning guests. The hotel also features four showpiece restaurants and lounges, a luxury spa and an indoor infinity pool. The spectacular Grand Ballroom spans 900 sqm, which can be sub-divided into three parts, accommodating up to 900 guests. Ten flexible meeting rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual and multimedia facilities.
"I booked two rooms for one night using a voucher. During our stay, we had executive lounge access, which included breakfast, afternoon tea, and happy hour. We were also offered a late 4 PM checkout, subject to availability.
We arrived around 2 PM on the check-in day, but were told our rooms weren't ready. We didn't get to check in until 4 PM. Luckily, we enjoyed a simple afternoon tea at the executive lounge while we waited. The afternoon tea selection was just okay, but they refilled items promptly. Coffee was from a Nespresso machine, and soft drinks were self-serve and unlimited.
Our room was on the 10th floor, near the executive lounge, with a view of the walkway between exhibition areas 5 and 6. The size wasn't too small (though it didn't have the chaise lounge shown in the pictures). The king-size bed was truly huge, and on the softer side. The minibar had a separate charge (with a price list provided), but bottled water, Nespresso capsules, and tea bags were complimentary. The bathroom had a separate wet and dry area, and a large bathtub. The wall between the bathroom and the room was fixed, not a movable partition. There were speakers in the bathroom connected to the TV. The shower stall was a bit small, and water tended to spill out. I also have to complain about the wall-mounted toiletries – I wanted to use some shower gel for a bath but couldn't find any.
The hotel pool is on the 5th floor, and the water quality was pretty clean. It's also open to the public. Next to it, there's a hot tub. There were three lifeguards on duty.
The executive lounge area isn't very large. Breakfast is also served here, but the variety isn't as extensive as the buffet restaurant on the first floor. The upside is that it's much less crowded. Happy hour, however, gets incredibly busy. There wasn't enough seating in the executive area, and the food selection was mediocre. Hot dishes were gone within minutes, so fast I couldn't even take pictures. There were mostly flour-based items. For the cold dishes, I managed to snap a photo at the very beginning, but the presentation was never like that again. The food items changed, and the soup of the day was served at our table. Cocktails (including non-alcoholic options) were available during happy hour. The staff were all very friendly and attentive.
Side note (no comparison, no harm done): The other room in our booking was upgraded to a premium room, which was noticeably more comfortable. It had three large closets, an ironing board, a chaise lounge, and a movable partition between the bathroom and the room. The shower area was also significantly larger. Unfortunately, bookings made through third-party platforms do not qualify for IHG points."