I love the internet. Got a $250 room for $55. This mansion, in the middle of the French concession of Shanghai, belonged to I.M. Pei’s father in the 1930’s and was recently converted into a boutique hotel. The only thing that was not completely 1930’s art deco was a modern toilet that did everything except talk to me. It even somehow knew whether I did #1 or #2 and adjusted its flush size accordingly.
Here’s the rather M.C. Escher-esque the staircase. Luckily there was also an elevator.
The main lobby was so ornate, I was afraid to set my grimy backpack down anywhere. The staff rushed to my aid, bringing me fresh coffee, toast and jam…
