OK, ok, ok, so I had an ulterior motive other than wanting to get away from the smelly student apartment! I went there because it’s the tallest hotel in the world as it is located on the top 20+ floors of the Jinmao Tower (one of the tallest buildings in the world and thus in my all-important “101 things to do before you die” list) . With the lobby on floor 68 and an observation deck somewhere on the 89th or 90th floor... I was game for some exploring.
Sandra and I headed to Pudong – the area of Shanghai that boasts humongous towers with ridiculous shapes – my personal favourite is of course the Pink Pearl Tower!!! After schlepping around in temperatures of 40C, we finally made it to the underground entrance for the observation deck. The views from the top were amazing – especially the view of the new tower being built “next door” to the Jinmao Tower. It is soon to be the tallest building for no doubt at least 10 seconds before another one somewhere else in the world tops it. Interestingly, it had gone up in flames 2 days before and tens of floors had been completely gutted by the fire. Now there’s a sobering thought as you’re 90-some floors high in the air watching the smoke damage “next door”.Being a complete and utter tourist, I took the opportunity to buy stamps and post my postcards from the highest post office in the world - or rather the one located highest above ground level. Totally cheesy, but hey, when in Jinmao... So keep a watch out for "lofty" mail!!!
To end the day with a bang, we decided to go have cake and coffee in the Hyatt as a treat after seeing the inside atrium above the lobby from the observation deck (40-some floors of open space with a window at the top to look down on people haing coffee!!! - see left - Wicked). So we raced back down in the observation deck express elevator and then journeyed back up to the 68th floor lobby in the Hyatt hotel elevator where we were met with one uniformed person after another. No doubt they were casing us to see if we would be running off with the silver! Admittedly, we didn’t look nearly as “dressed down” as some other guests – in flip flops, ratty shorts, and carrying backpacks! I mean, really, at least Sling On the Bling, Dahling!
Anyway, we made it through all the security to find that the doormen, receptionist, bellboys, and waiters were all incredibly polite and friendly... not a condescending look to be seen! We came, we sat, we ordered 2 cappucinos, 2 pieces of miniscule cake, a bottle of water and an orange juice and paid 660 RMB... 44 quid! Service not included... naturellement!
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