A CHINESE HOTEL!

THE ASTOR HOUSE HOTEL, No 15 Huangpu Road, Shanghai, P. R. China.

How appropriate! Originally named the RICHARDS HOTEL. In the 26th year of Emperor Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty this hotel was completed in 1846. The British Mr Richards financed this building. very in keeping with"rambling raspberries".

This elegant building is China's only remaining GRAND HOTEL. It combines the classic style of Victorian architecture with all the comforts and facilities of a "modern" hotel.

The Astor House Hotel was the site of the first electric light installation in China. The Hotel has been honoured as the preferred accommodation for many celebrities. These include:-

                       1879     U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant.

                       1895     Premier in the Qing Dynasty, Li Hongzhang.

                       1920     Philosopher Bertrand Arthur William Russell.

                       1922     Scientist Albert Einstein.

                       1927     Zhou Enfai & Deng Yingchao after "12th, April coup d'etat".

                       1931 & 1936 Comedian Charlie Chaplin.

                       1990     First Stock Exchange of People's Republic of China.

                       2012     S. S. I. S.'s Geoffrey Derry and entourage.

The Astor House Hotel seems to compare quite favourably when competing with Sydney's "For Mule" Hotel mentioned in an early Blog. Perhaps the Chinese eventually realized they have something worth keeping.

The front of the 1846 Astor House Hotel.

The Astor House Hotel seen from across the Suzhou River. 

The Ladies enter the foyer. Note the doorman on duty! 

The Lobby exhibits an elegant style. 

Entourage reflections from the lift. 

Boutique emporium at the end of the Lobby.

The Corridor of the Executive floor. Where is our bedroom? 

Well, this appears to be the executive bathroom! 

And this is the deluxe executive bedroom. 

Doors leading to Bathroom & Executive Kitchen. Yes the writing desk was used! 

Glorious scenic Shanghai vistas seen from our window,
with penthouse pigeon coop to the right. 

Half Cellos depict Charlie Chaplin & Albert Einstein.  

The Peacock Dining Room welcomes us to a Chinese wedding. 

If you don't use the lift, then why not clamber up or down the mirrored stairs. 

What an executive setting! My postcards were written at this desk. 

Did Albert Einstein write some of his scientific theories here? 

WHAT IS THIS?  My valet did not understand!

The mirrored majestic Peacock Breakfast Room. 

Breakfast with all the trappings in the Palatial Peacock Room. 

Just TOO vast a selection emitting tantalizing aromas which are "to die for".

Does one expect the Phantom of the Opera to appear in the Peacock Hall? 

The ceiling architecture depicts glorious vault frescos. 

The mirrored dining room willing us to stay, but we must depart for other wonders.