Lonely Planet Review

Set back off Central Huaihai Rd and once the home of famous Shanghai gangster Du Yuesheng, the historic Donghu consists of two main areas, divided up into nine buildings. Rooms overlooking the front garden - laid out with bamboo and old growth trees including magnolia grandiflora - are pricier than those to the rear.

The gorgeous fenced-off green enclave with lawns on the southwest corner of Donghu Rd is home to a historic old building (now a restaurant) just inside the entrance; note that there are no guestrooms here. Just to the north is the new featureless modern No 6 Building, which is where you will need to go for the inexpensive single rooms. Guests eager to ferret out some history should make their way to Building No 1 across the road - an austere, grey building over five floors with very spacious and elegant double rooms, lovingly furnished with traditional-style Chinese furniture but old style bathrooms. The lobby of Building No 1 is small but grand, decorated with bonsai trees and a diminutive lobby bar decked out with rather uncomfortable-looking Chinese furniture. Suites are housed in Building No 2, just east of Building No 1.