TripAdvisor traveler rating: 5 of 5 stars

My stay at the Quintet was great. The rooms were sophisticated with great bedding and all the accoutrements you’d would like. It was a pleasure to have a made to order breakfast in the cafe where you…

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When we opened backed in September last year, I dreamed about having blooming aromatic flowers and thriving colorful plants year-round:  an osmanthus here, a tuberose there, and plenty of hydrangeas to cut and put in vases.  Grapevines would surround the rooftop walls, while delicate adiantum ferns would flow gently with the wind.

Unfortunately, no one in our house had the green thumb.  We did buy several trees, a grapevine with aged branches, and tons of seasonal flowers.  They looked wonderful when they first arrived but then quickly turned into yellow leaves and sagging branches due to heat and mistreatment.  The freezing winter dealt the last blow– even the trees died..

Then came spring.  I was euphoric and decided that this time we were going to pick the right trees and plants so they will last for a while.  Within weeks, most of flowers died and now a mere three months later, even the new trees are not looking up again.  I was mad at the nursery guy who sold me the plants — he either didn’t understand the concept of “perennial” or just wanted to sell more plants to me more frequently.  It seems like they treated these living units like disposable decorations and didn’t really bother teaching us the caring techniques.

Luckily, my friend referred me to a gardener who is taking care of the backyard for several houses.  I asked him to come check on our trees and plants.  It turned out that (of course!) we weren’t trimming and fertilizing them properly.  And the way you water really make a difference.  I decided on the spot that I would hire this guy to help us save our plants!!  Hopefully we can see a visible difference in the months to come.

We’re going to the flower market this weekend to check out some new stuff!

TripAdvisor traveler rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kiwi999 is spot on in their review of this characterful B&B. I never met Fay, the owner, but she had been very helpful and responsive to requests prior to staying. The place has style and it felt…

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TripAdvisor traveler rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just spent 4 nights at the Quintet and really enjoyed it. But be warned, this place is definitely not for the traveler who likes to be pampered. The rooms are up 1 or 2 flights of old wooden steps…

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TripAdvisor traveler rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you want to get to the heart of Shanghai the Quintet is a brilliant introduction. Away from the hustle,bustle and noise of the City centre it is set in the delightful French Concession and easy…

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TripAdvisor traveler rating: 5 of 5 stars

We loved our stay in the quintet very much. in combination with the mediterranean restaurant “closed door” (which has perfect food and vine!) it´s such a nice combination. all the rooms are perfectly…

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TripAdvisor traveler rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a warm and well done inn. The Quintet is a beautifully decorated old lane house in the very lively French Concession area of Shanghai. It’s a mix of local and international shops and businesses….

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TripAdvisor traveler rating: 5 of 5 stars

I would like to thank the previous reviewers of Quintet, because if it weren’t for their reviews I would’ve stayed elsewhere and missed out on this hidden gem.

I stayed in the Aurora room. It is…

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TripAdvisor traveler rating: 5 of 5 stars

My husband and I cannot say enough about the Quintet, Faye or The Closed Door! Style, warmth, sophistication and the best food this side of The Bund all in one perfectly appointed little…

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When I was working for the corporate world, I never got to see Shanghai during the day Monday-Friday.  Since I started becoming an “entreprenuer,” my schedule is more flexible and allows me to roam around the city any odd time of the day.  I thought I’d share some of the great deals I’ve been enjoying with people who are visiting Shanghai (or those who can get out of the office before 6pm).

1. 2 hour foot + body massage for $100RMB – This is a happy hour package that the Butterfly Massage offers Monday-Friday before 6pm.  Normally, one hour of foot or body massage is somewhere around $80RMB per hour so this is a really sweet deal.  It’s also very close to Quintet so I’d highly recommend it to my guests.  Their massage therapists on average are very good — therapeutic but not as brutal as some of the more local places.  The place has a spa-like atmosphere and I especially like their little touches such as a heated neck pillow (filled with some sort of grains) when you’re getting the foot massage and also heated sack for the back during the body massage.  My favorite guy is #2, and according to the manager, he is the “technical director” of the shop.

2.  Happy hour “Tidbits” at the Glamour Bar on the Bund – Glamour is usually more packed as the night goes on so the place is practically empty around 5-8pm.  That’s why they offer a small spread of snack buffet for free during this time Monday-Friday.  For the price of the drinks (typically $70RMB/drink and up), you not only get free food, you can also get the gorgeous bund/Oriental Pearl view all to yourself (sofas next to the windows are hard to come by late at night).  Why not beat the crowd?

3.  English high tea on the 53rd in Jinmao Hyatt – we discovered this one after seeing the 2-hour line to get up to the new Shanghai World Financial Center observation deck.  At SWFC, you’d pay $180RMB to go up to the 100th floor — and it doesn’t even come with a drink!  For $150RMB + 15%, you can sit comfortably in Hyatt’s relaxing and jazzy Piano Bar  with a still very nice view of the Huang Pu River while enjoying excellent tea sandwiches, hot scones and sausage rolls, as well as a good selection of desserts, fruits, and ice cream.  I think I’ll wait until when the crowds subside more (or discounts are offered) before trying the SWFC again.