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Shanghai Grand Mercure Going Chinese Five-Star

Where: 180 Yixian Road , Shanghai, China, 200434

Over in Shanghai (home of the spit sack), fancy hotels are getting fancier. Formerly known as the Baolong Hotel, Shanghai, an ongoing renovation and a recent takeover means that the now-named Grand Mercure Baolong Hotel Shanghai is about to receive a five-star rating from the China National Tourism Association.

Launched as a Grand Mercure as recently as Jaunary 26, the two-phase renovation (much needed, according to some reviewers) is due to take another 12 months, so it should be fully five-star in time for the tourism rush of the Beijing Olympics. There'll be a new rooftop swimming pool, new gym and (something they seem quite proud of) a ballroom that has no columns.

With a location near Duolun Road, you can shop for antiques and handicrafts when you get sick of swimming or dancing in the column-free ballroom. It's not central Shanghai, but in an historic area instead; so beware if you think you'll be staying centrally. And it's probably bes to wait until it really turns 5-star.

[Photo: at_polarbear]

Related Stories:
· Shanghai Baolong Hotel reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Launch of the Spit Sack [Jaunted]