Trail29362816726
Google
The Langham Xintiandi benefits from an exceptional location and a team of hardworking staff, particularly housekeeping, who are clearly doing their best within the constraints of the systems and facilities they are given. ||Unfortunately, the overall guest experience does not currently align with what should be expected from a five-star Langham property in one of Shanghai’s most prominent districts.||From the outset, operational execution fell short. The check-in experience lacked clarity and efficiency. Defined stay benefits were not proactively presented or explained, and there was no simple printed overview of amenities or entitlements— if the Waldorf can do this, Langham can do the same. Instead, there was persistent emphasis on enrolling me in Brilliant by Langham, despite my reservation already having my Brilliant by Langham membership number fully loaded, along with my name and contact details. At this level, systems should prioritize seamless service and recognition of existing guest profiles rather than repeated loyalty enrollment prompts.||Communication during the stay was fragmented. Having already contacted the hotel via WeChat, subsequent correspondence should have been coordinated and transparent. I later received a letter in my room regarding laundry, which stated that staff were unsure how to contact me. This was confusing, given that my phone number, profile details, and loyalty information had already been confirmed, and WeChat communication had previously been initiated. This lack of internal alignment signals systemic process gaps rather than isolated missteps.||WeChat itself is understandable in China, but requiring guests to navigate two separate WeChat accounts to reach different hotel functions is unnecessarily complicated, particularly for international travelers who may not be accustomed to using WeChat. Reaching assistance involved excessive steps, though I do acknowledge and appreciate staff responsiveness after the published business hours.||Room service was acceptable but unremarkable. Food was prepared efficiently and tasted fine. However, the menu was severely limited due to multiple unavailable items, despite ordering within the published service window.||Professionalism among some front-of-house staff (specifically the Porters) was inconsistent. Being addressed in an overly casual manner, as if already acquainted or as though interacting in a bar rather than a luxury hotel, diminishes the sense of arrival and departure that defines a true five-star experience. Warmth and polish are not mutually exclusive. Here, polish was often missing.||One clear positive was Stephen at the front desk, who handled a significant issue with cigarette odor in my room by arranging an air purifier and assisting with an external appointment. He also had fruit, Evian, and sparkling water put in my room as well. (This should be done for all guests as a welcome— there is no welcome beverage or anything upon arrival. Checking-in at the Langham felt very transactional.) Stephen’s professionalism stood out and reflects the standard the rest of the operation should aspire to.||The rooms themselves are dated and in need of desperate refurbishment. While the shower is excellent and housekeeping performs admirably, my room smelled strongly of cigarette smoke upon arrival and throughout the night. The issue was only mitigated the following day with an air purifier.||More concerning was the final day of my stay, when the room thermostat became uncontrollable and the temperature reached 28°C. As the climate appears to be centrally managed, the only response offered, an apology, was insufficient. When a hotel controls the environment, comfort must be actively restored, not simply acknowledged.||In summary, this property appears to be relying heavily on its location and brand reputation while front-line staff compensate for outdated rooms, fragmented systems, and unclear service protocols. The employees are not the core issue. The tools, training, and operational alignment are. With meaningful investment in modernization and process refinement, this hotel could once again reflect the level of excellence associated with the Langham name.||As it stands, it does not.