Hotel Equatorial, Shanghai
Hotel Equatorial Shanghai has been a fixture in the city’s skyline since it first opened in 1991. Located at the bustling intersection of Hua Shan Road and Yanan Road West, the hotel serves as a classic choice for travelers looking to be positioned right in the heart of the Puxi central business district.
The property is well-known for its extensive facilities, including multiple dining venues and an indoor swimming pool. A unique feature is the “Equator Club,” which spans the 26th and 27th floors, providing a more exclusive retreat for guests. The fitness center, known as the Shanghai International Club, is also a highlight, designed around a “natural approach” theme that incorporates extensive use of wood to create a balanced, calming environment.
The location is a major win for sightseers. You are just a short walk from the historic and serene Jing’an Temple and the beautiful Jing’an Park. It’s also incredibly convenient for those wanting to explore further; the nearby metro stations provide easy access to the rest of the city, whether you’re heading toward the futuristic skyline of Pudong or the classic colonial architecture of The Bund.
Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, the hotel acts as a reliable home base. With its proximity to the Shanghai Exhibition Centre and various local shopping areas, it makes navigating this fast-paced metropolis feel much more manageable. It remains a practical spot for anyone wanting to blend city convenience with a touch of traditional comfort.
Expert reviews
“One of the first hotels in Shanghai built to receive international travelers after the Chinese economy opened up to world trade, the 520-room, four-star lodging is in the thick of things.”
What guests liked
- Boutique style
- Metro station
- Friendly staff
- Excellent Wifi
- Great location
- Comfortable beds
Location
Recent guest reviews
15 October 2024
Convenient and comfortable
It’s a perfect location for our holiday in Shanghai. Easy walk to amazing shops , restaurants and jin-an temple. Subway No 2 line just next to the hotel, it takes you from hotel direct to Hong Qiao and Pu Dong airport. The room is comfortable and quiet. We will be back for our next trip to Shanghai.
N/A
15 October 2024
Comfortable Stay for business
Room is big enough for 1 person (but, I think also good size for 2 persons). It was very quite and cozy. Stayed 2 nights, but whenever I come back it was well cleaned up. Breakfast was in 1st floor and also acceptable. Location was good - near my customer's office.
Mini bar is empty (only water). I raised up the temperature, but it was still cold and little noisy from the air conditioner.
3 October 2024
not bad, but expensive for what it is
second time staying here, location is good, staff are obliging, gym and swimming pool both good. Near to subway and convenience store and many nearby cafe and food outlets.
old fashioned rooms which need some modernisation including the bathrooms. AC is noisy in the rooms. Breakfast is OK but as a solo traveller they would benefit from smaller tables and the food needs keeping hotter. As last time, the cafe is advertised as open 24 hour when it is not. Change the adverts!
I'm not convinced it is especially good value for money, however I did stay during the national holiday so that may explain the higher price.
2 October 2024
Good staycay in Shanghai
Great location. Enjoyed the pool. Good breakfast
AC a bit noisy
28 September 2024
very satisfied and will definitely come back again.
The location is perfect, close to the centre and subway stations. All the staff I came across including Charles, the cleaners and those at the gym are friendly and helpful. Very good price for what it offers.
Some facilities are pretty old in the rooms.
7 September 2024
It’s nice and has its perks.
The location is very central and the room service was very good and friendly. WiFi was quite good as well. You can find a metro entrance (exit 12) and a convenience store right around the back entrance which is very convenient :D
The room was spacious, had a bar and a mini fridge. Water was refilled regularly as well as fresh towels. My toiletries was also neatly organized by the room service upon return to the hotel.
The receptionists were a bit chaotic (despite pre-communication and booking) and somewhat cold towards guests (like one-word responses). The furnitures are quite outdated and you could see the years it has been in use. The mattress was a bit too hard for my personal taste.
5 September 2024
Very nice stay, as always on this hotel. I will miss it when they close for renewal... Open soon!
The Fitness center and swiming pool. Also the breakfast and the confort of the bed
The free wifi did not allow me to have internet connection, so I had to use my mobile data connection
16 August 2024
Good value hotel in great area with helpful staff and al necessary facilities
The location is great. Super close to Jing’an temple and close to other great areas in French concession. I was upgraded and the room was very spacious.
The aircon wasn’t cold enough
12 August 2024
A great hotel, staff and location
The receptionist; Summer was very helpful in managing an early check-in, this was much appreciated having landed in early into a heatwave in Shanghai
9 August 2024
Great looking hotel, unparalleled location, and despite botchy Internet, it was an awesome value
Awesome location, grand decor, quietness, responsiveness of staff, big and staffed swimming pool
WiFi was almost non-usable on our mobile phones, although it was better on the laptops.
A little rancid smell from the shower curtain due to a combination of heat and humidity
30 July 2024
Great stay, friendly stuff, excellent location, great for the value.
We stayed here for 5 days with my family with a small child. The hotel is a great for the value. Next to the Jing-an metro and close to everything. The facilities are also great. We especially like the comfortable bed and the swim pool. The neighborhood is amazing. I highly recommend for family and also business traveler.
28 July 2024
A great location for exploring Shanghai
The location is prefect for seeing Shanghai (including the Jing'an Temple which can be seen from your hotel room) with an underground station literally around the corner with two lines to choose from. Only a short walk away from the French Concession area, full of great bars & restaurants.
The bar closes too early (around 10pm)
24 July 2024
best value and best location.
location is excellent. Our room is facing JinAn temple, nice view.
24 July 2024
Booked this hotel for its central location. Staff very helpful like Summer from the reception who upgraded us to a newer
Location very convenient in center Shanghai
No comment
23 July 2024
Great short stay.
Friendly staffs who appreciate returned customers. I have stayed in this hotel when I first come to Shanghai 20+ yrs ago and have been staying there since then.
Nil.
3 July 2024
I'm satisfied hope to be back again in Shanghai and this Hotel
Breakfast super good
WiFi
27 June 2024
A great value for a centrally located hotel,
Great location; good breakfast.
The beds are small.
17 June 2024
Good, but get rid of those carpets
Nice location for a hotel, good breakfast and gym/pool
CARPETS - in room and hallways were dirty, disgusting. They should remove them entirely
6 June 2024
Very conveniently located hotel with amenities within walking distance.
Very convenient location within walking distance to 3 metro lines.. So it's easy to get wherever u want within Shanghai. Even if you're traveling to nearby cities, Line 2 will take to a transport node to go almost anywhere u want.
There isn't much.
4 June 2024
Breakfast was amazing, multipal choices of excellent quality.
Staff was very nice and easy going and helpful.
Giving us twice a smelly old room. The smell was terrible to old sigarette smoke.
29 May 2024
A modest option in great central location
The localtion of this hotel is simply exceptional. It is right in the heart of the Jing An commercial centre and you can practically walk from the subway into the hotel. The staff is friendly and reliable, the rooms are spacious for this price range and the overall value for money is good.
I have stayed there for years and I think some services are getting a bit worse. Previously there were coffee machines in each room, now I didn't have one. The gym closed at 8pm, but I am not sure that was the case before (I think it wasn't). I had a fridge in the room but it didn't cool properly.
28 May 2024
Great place to stay to visit downtown Shanghai
Great location within walking distance to the Metro which lets you access most parts of Shanghai.
Not much
24 May 2024
Perfectly located close to JingAn temple. Staff very friendly and service oriented
Very good breakfast
Furniture and bathroom getting old and a bit worn
24 May 2024
Was a very good stay, whatever for shot or long stay , are very comfortable.
The Hotel is in the great location, very easy to access from International airport to the hotel, with comfortable walking distance to the CBD, and access by metro to everywhere.
The staff are very helpful, front desk service are excellent, we ask the room can take some photographs, they help us to choice the right room, especially Brenda You very patiently serve us. We very appreciate.
The room are big and clean, the bed are comfortable.
The breakfast need more various food.
18 May 2024
Great stay. Friendly staff and great location
The hotel has very friendly and well speaking english staff. From management till the bell boy. Their customer service is very fast, for any inconvenience they think along with you and come up with a solution in a matter of minutes. I have previously lived in Shanghai for 6 years and have seen some hotels. But this hotel experience was definitly one of the better ones. Next to that the hotel is located very central to the buzzling life of shanghai. Ideal location.
Some of the rooms are still being renovated. I have been switched during my stay to a room that is renovated. Comfort is the same but all in all the looks of the room feels more modern.
16 May 2024
After all, I am happy to choose this hotel.
The location is perfect. The subway station is nearby. Lots of restraints around that area.
The bathroom seems old, and it needs to be upgraded.
13 May 2024
Good value for money, but the staff is not familiar in dealing oversea document while checking in
nil
nil
1 May 2024
Great Location and a Great Hotel with good service and hospitality.
I have been staying here regularly in the past before COVID. This was my first trip back after 2019. The hotel has still maintained its high standards of service and cleanliness. A special shout out to Charles Lin who was the Duty Manager who handled my check in. He was so warm and made sure all my needs were looked after.
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Car hire
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Business centre (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Currency exchange
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage
- - ATM/cash machine on site
- - Concierge service
Activities
- - Tennis court (additional charge)
- - Fitness centre
- - Spa & wellness centre (additional charge)
- - Indoor pool
Outdoors
- - Garden
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
Pool and wellness
- - Swimming pool

More photos

22 October 2024
Did not meet my expectations