Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel

“How to experience familiar comfort in a foreign land”

If you're a foreigner and visiting Shanghai for the first time, no matter how well you've planned your itinerary with recommendations from the internet, take a moment to consult William at the lounge in the Renaissance Hotel. He will patiently listen to your plans and suggest even better places to … more

If you're a foreigner and visiting Shanghai for the first time, no matter how well you've planned your itinerary with recommendations from the internet, take a moment to consult William at the lounge in the Renaissance Hotel. He will patiently listen to your plans and suggest even better places to visit, along with other spots that complement your interests, in a way that is far more attentive and thoughtful than any online resource. I always ask hotel staff for recommendations on places to visit when staying at five-star hotels, but I have rarely met someone like William, who shares his local knowledge with such enthusiasm and joy. Even though I was traveling solo, I felt like I had a dependable guide by my side. I often search for travel destinations on YouTube and other platforms, but I tend to ask hotel staff more frequently. Through this, I’ve noticed three types of attitudes among staff: 1. 90% of them respond as if they’re answering just because I asked. 2. 9% answer politely and professionally, befitting a five-star hotel. 3. 1% genuinely take pride in their country and find joy in sharing it. William is undoubtedly part of the 1%. For this trip to Shanghai, I booked only a flight and hotel, without any pre-planned itinerary. When I showed William my iPad with Google Maps, saying, "The hotel view is great, but I have no idea how to explore the city," my iPad almost became his. He divided the Shanghai map into four sections—north, south, east, and west—and began explaining where I should go. He tailored a perfect five-day travel plan for me, even accounting for my daily hotel changes. Thanks to a 10-minute conversation with him, I gained a comprehensive understanding of Shanghai that would have taken me 10 hours to figure out on my own. Before coming to Shanghai, I had hurriedly watched several YouTube videos about must-visit places, but they weren’t very helpful. My preferences, travel purposes, and interests were too different from what those videos suggested. At five-star hotels, 90% of staff usually say, "Here, here, and here are good spots," leaving an awkward silence afterward. I would typically respond with a "thank you" and leave. However, William’s approach was different. He said, "You seem to enjoy flashy things. In that case, why not visit this place? It has famous brands like Gentle Monster and Pop Mart, which are currently trending. Walk along this street, and you’ll end up at a park that will give you a complete understanding of Shanghai. Since it’s raining, borrow an umbrella and take a stroll through the park nearby. It will be perfect." This is the kind of response you get from the 1%. William didn’t just stop there. He even looked into the other hotels I had booked in Shanghai and suggested places worth visiting in those areas, aligning perfectly with my preferences. If you’re an ordinary staff member, you might only recommend places near the guest’s current hotel. If you’re part of the 1%, you’ll go beyond that, showing interest in the guest’s entire itinerary. William’s high level of detail and kindness left me feeling ashamed for not planning my trip in advance. I looked at his name tag again and made a note of his name, William. Thank you. I expected a generic answer like, "Visit here and there," but because of a staff member with such affection for Shanghai, I, too, developed a newfound love for the city. For me, the Renaissance Hotel will always be remembered as the most luxurious experience. If you’re a foreigner like me and planning to visit Shanghai, stop by the Renaissance Hotel and quietly ask William for advice. A small question may lead to a big moment of gratitude.

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