Ayesha de Kretser/Shanghai Daily news

This week we journey across the river and check into The Ascott Pudong to check out one of their serviced apartments.
The Ascott Group currently has two brands in China - the signature Ascott Pudong as well as the Somerset Grand in Puxi near Xintiandi. A third series of serviced apartments under the Citadenes brand is due to be finished in November and will be located in the People's Square area.
We look at a two-bedroom apartment with an open living and dining area plus two separate balcony areas.
The interior design uses natural colors and fibers to good effect. There is nothing gawdy or tacky about the fittings or furniture, but they are somewhat bland in terms of atmosphere.
The space is well laid out and the balcony off the living area is big enough for outdoor dining or entertaining.
In the master bedroom is an ensuite bathroom with separate shower recess and bath tub as well as double sinks. There is no balcony off the master bedroom but there is a small area outside the second bedroom. The bedrooms aren't huge but are definitely big enough and far from claustrophobic.
The one thing missing in the kitchen is the oven, although it does have a microwave. The washing machine is in the kitchen, but the management also offers a laundry service. Apartments are cleaned six times a week (not on Sundays) and there is a 24-hour help desk available as well as round-the-clock security.
The staff are helpful and friendly, providing everything from weekend activities to foster a sense of community among residents to a shuttle bus service to different places in Pudong and Puxi, such as the Jin Mao Tower and Plaza 66. Many residents use the bus service to get to their offices in the morning.
Facilities - including an indoor heated swimming pool, meeting rooms, full gymnasium, Jacuzzi and sauna - are available for all guests, while the tennis and badminton courts can be booked for a small fee.
The Ascott Pudong is located in Lujiazui but is surrounded by parkland, including a soccer field for residents and a barbecue/picnic area and children's playground so one does not feel too crowded.
Short-term visitors can also enjoy the facilities as rooms may be rented by the night or by the month. Families in need of more than just a hotel room and residents looking for somewhere to house visitors dropping in from overseas could consider these serviced apartments as a reasonable and more practical solution.

Size: 133 square meters
Location: 3 Pudong Ave
Price: 1,900 yuan per night or 33,120 yuan per month
Tel: 6886-0088 (or visit The Ascott Group's Website at www.the-ascott.com)