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People think going Goa is like burning money. That’s pretty much true, but if you love life hacks then you can really enjoy Goa by spending very less. The objective of writing this answer is to share real experiences with you, which can you travel Goa in the most cost-effective way.Before continuing further, please note any suggestions/inclusions are welcomed to this answer below in comments. The answer is a bit lengthy because I tried to add every small and important thing which can help you plan better. Bookmark and read later, if you’re in a hurry.Hack #1How to ensure you are travelling in Goa in the most cost-effective way?Getting ready: Whether it’s a sudden plan or an advanced plan: A proper backpack is very important to save on unnecessary expenses at Goa.Please make sure you have packed below things:A pair of shoes and most importantly beach slippers. Having Slippers is more important than shoes because most of the time you will walking on sand only.At least 2 pairs of shorts and boxers1 Swimwear - For swimming at the beach or in your hotel swimming pool. People don’t plan and bring this and end up paying just 1000 or more bucks buying at the spot.Shampoo and conditioner - This is always recommended to avoid using bad quality shampoos at the hotel or end up buying one from the local shop. Carry sunscreen - if you really need one.Earphones - so that you can enjoy listening to music during the entire travel or at beaches or in your free time.Camera - In case you don’t have a good quality phone camera. There is a lot to capture, but you really need a good one to capture those.Mobile chargers, Power bank/Portable (battery-powered) speakers: This will be required while travelling and speakers if you going in a group and want to enjoy dancing at the beach.Your driving license and one more id proof: People take Scotty/bikes on rent to roam here and there in Goa. So a valid driving license and one more ID proof is a must.Shades/Goggles: This is important to travel from one place to another especially in the hot summer.Shaving kit & toothpaste, toothbrush, Antiseptic cream & a soapShould I go with a Travel Package?Here's a live experience shared by Shantanu Thaker“Never go with travel packages even if they sound affordable. Reason:- You will be shown only famous places and you will not be able to enjoy as there will be a time limit to every place you visit. Also, there will be a lot of crowds at these places are famous. Instead, go independently and explore on your own. Try to go to places not explored by anyone if you really want to get some peaceful time. Befriend any local to get that information.”For Airport Transfers: Ola, Uber or any other such popular cab services are actually banned in Goa. During my conversation with locals, I came to know that there are some group of people/powers who are against any such online services. They don’t want the revenue to go outside of the state, as Travel and Tourism are the main earning source for them. While I don’t have much more details on this, but I personally against any such geo-based trade bans.But, don’t get worried, Govt. of Goa has launched an app for cab booking called GoaMiles available on both IOS and Play Store or you can take a Govt bus from the airport too (though the frequency is not that good, in case you are in a hurry). When you will come out of the Airport Terminal you will see a big crowd of drivers/travel agents, who will start approaching you. Don’t listen to them, instead, book a cab using GoaMiles. The cost will be not only economical but lesser as compared to other local taxis there.Caution: Never go for sharing/pooling with local taxi drivers there. The cost will be less and lucrative, but you will be in big trouble in the mid-way. Share taxis keep on stopping in midway and wait for more passengers to onboard else they transfer their passengers to some other cab.I travelled from Airport to Calungate and it charged around INR 1030 while the local taxis were charging in between INR 1500–2000 bucks.Same GoaMiles app you can use while coming back to Aiport also. But, one thing to remember currently there are not many cars running under GoaMiles, so during the pick hours, you might face difficulty in getting a cab. Same is true if you are staying at some remote outskirt, where again you will not get a GoaMiles cab easily. So, check the app well in advance, so that you will not miss your flights or trains.Note: Looking for your Contribution!There were few feedbacks coming from Quora Readers, that GoaMiles is not working now or maybe some problem. So, if you are a recent traveller to Goa, then please do share your experience with GoaMiles below in the comments, so that same can be updated as a part of this answer.For Local Goa commute: The answer is straight- Bikes/Scooters on rent. Yes, Goa is very known for this type of rental service. Almost everywhere you will find small bike rental shops and agents roaming here and there, trying to get customers for rental bikes. This is the best and most economical way to commute in Goa. The only thing you need is a valid Driving License. The cost of these bikes/scooters range from INR 300–500 per day depending on the season and day of the week. Bargaining is the key if you want a better price. You will easily get a bike/scooter in INR 300–350 if you bargained correctly.Note: Before taking, always check:the bike condition. Because many times the owner gives very old bikes with very less mileage.try to get the copy of bike papers so that you are not caught up in legal matters while you are on road.3. Fuel for your bike:Like rental bike shops, there are small shops selling petrol too. But the cost will be almost 30–40% higher than what the fuel pumps/stations will be offering.But stations are not everywhere, so in case you are in a hurry than only pay high to get petrol, else refill from fuel station only. In reality selling fuel in the bottle is illegal in India and also it will contain impurities.While I tried to cover everything about travel in my answer, but in case you still have questions- feel free to comment. I would love to share more from my experiences.Hack #2How to get some good quality, authentic and cost-effective food and drinks in Goa?Say No to big pubs……. When I said No it doesn’t mean I am saying you not to go there.Go there and yes you should go there, but just to enjoy the DJ and Karaoke and not the Food :)It’s not really an eating place when you have tight budgets. Order some starters or a glass of drink and just keep on enjoying the free unlimited music and dance with your friends. Best time to go is in the evening at 9 pm onwards.And, if you are a foodie like me… then the best places to explore the famous Goan food is not the pubs but the local restaurants/dhabas and homemade food outlets.Here are some of the lesser-known but authentic food points which I spotted during my last visit (Share your experience in comments, so that I can keep this list updated). This is the list which you can/must explore. The list is mostly of North Goa, as I was staying at Calangute:Shree Jaganath Restaurant(Address: Calangute - Anjuna Rd, Baga, Arpora, Goa | Direction: https://goo.gl/maps/DoJtJybiE422)If you are an Odia or Bengali, then definitely this is a place for you. Quantity and Quality at an economical price on the plate. I tried Prawns and Mutton Thali. Rice quantity was very good.. was feeling like home.This restaurant also serves Indian Thali at the best price. Thali completely gives a home-like feel here.Chicken Thali - INR 99 (2 piece chicken, with sabzi of the day, rice, chapati, dal, salad, pickle). I don’t think you will find something cheaper and authentic than this in Goa :)same for Fish Thali.Punjabi Grill Bar And Restaurant(Address: Calangute- Candolim Road, Gauravaddo, Arpora, Goa | Direction: https://goo.gl/maps/AdsPtx1Cu1s)If you are looking for an authentic Goan Food, then this is NOT the place :)I know, many of us don’t like fish, or food prepared in coconut base for them this is the place to try the other traditional (especially, north Indian ) foods. If you want to try authentic North Indian or Chinese food that also in Goa and at an economical cost, then yes this is the place. I ordered simple Roti, Naan and Mutton Masala Fry. It was awesome. We thought to try some Chinese also and ordered Chicken Fried Noodles which also turn out to be superb. Perfectly fried.My experience so far- every restaurant is not good at everything… So you will always find some bad reviews about some of their food. Like this restaurant also serves GOAN food, but that is not good. There is always some food which is special for a restaurant- like this restaurant is only recommended for economical and delicious North Indian and Chinese Food.Ekta Bar & Restaurant(Address: Calangute - Anjuna Rd, Naikawada, Naika Waddo, Arpora, Goa | Direction: https://goo.gl/maps/LgKUPf3FQ5H2)This is a small outlet touching the main road near the Calangute beach circle. I ordered Chicken (INR 120) and Mutton biryani (INR 180) as a parcel. While looking at the price, I was in doubt about the quality, but when I went back to the hotel and tasted with my friend, it was really awesome and worth the money. The same biryani you will get in a pub or big restaurants at INR 300 or maybe higher.Few more Traveler’s PickNote: These recommendations are based on suggestions shared below in the comments by readers of this articleSai Prasad Restaurant(Address: 218-B, Aguada - Siolim Rd, Gauravaddo, Calangute, Goa | Direction: https://goo.gl/maps/jmcHVCwrPR12)Thanks to Sridhar Menon for sharing his experience with this restaurant.After seeing the pics on Google reviews, I can’t stop myself now. I searched for more than 10 restaurants in Calangute for King size prawns. I wish I could have known about this restaurant earlier. You will not find King size fish especially my favourite King prawns in every restaurant. Even if you are not a fish lover, but after eating tandoori King size prawns I am sure you will fall in love. For sure this is on my hit list for next Goa visit.It is slightly inside from the main road, but you can easily locate it if you're following the Google maps. This restaurant is very popular and you will hardly get a seat empty around the meal times. This restaurant is primarily famous for its Goan Fish Thali, priced at Rs.80 which includes Rice, Fish Curry, Fish Fry, one vegetable/sabzi, Salad, Pickle. You can also choose between King Fish, Pomfret, Prawns, Chonak (white snapper), squids, Bombay duck, crabs, and mussels. Drinks are also available at a quite reasonable cost.Anand Sea Food Restaurant & BarAddress: Chivar, Anjuna, GoaDirection: https://goo.gl/maps/1KABHmA3dkaz1uUMAThanks to Emil Singh for sharing his experience about this restaurant. His comments: “The best economical seafood restaurant. Fish & Prawns are amazing”. You will get more reviews on TripAdvisor.Best time to visit is during lunch.If you had some awesome food experience somewhere in Goa, then please share below in comments … I would love to add those there.Remember: Anything you share should be economical else it defects the primary objective of sharing it with everyone as a Travel Hack :-)Goa has many such small shops… so you have to keep exploring to get the best out of it. If your stay is for a very small period 1–2 days, then just go with this list, else keep exploring- similar to the way I did :)Now, let’s come to DRINKS.Note: There is a common perception of Goa, that you can drink anywhere in public places. I just want to clarify this for everyone- This is not at all true and in fact, Goa Govt and Police have strict policies to counter this.You will be in trouble if you were caught drinking in public places like at footpath, sea beaches. We should avoid such activities not because there is a law, but because this is really not human. You will have complete freedom to drink at bars and restaurants. But, remember don’t drink and drive- Like the rest part of the country, in Goa also it is illegal to drink and drive.You can buy and enjoy your drinks at your hotel too.Do you know- in Goa, you will get Drinks, at almost half the price from the rest of India. But, the question is from where?The answer is Supermarkets or Wine shops.Important Note: If you want to save cost, then avoid drinking at Pubs, Restaurants, and Shacks. The beer which will cost Rs. 60 outside will be charged around Rs. 90 or 120 depending upon the place where you ’re drinking.You can go on shacks and pubs, order 1–2 drinks to enjoy DJ and Karaoke. But, don’t get drunk there else you will be burning your pocket in Goa. Buy drinks from Supermarket come back to your hotel and enjoy sitting at your terrace or balcony.I prefer the supermarket because there you can go and explore all the brands and handpick your favourite one. Cost is same as compared to small wine shops. In fact, sometimes the supermarket offers further discounts on bulk purchase.In price range INR 40 - 70, you will get lots of good beer brand. Same for breezers.Some beer brands which I can recall which was there on the rack:HeinekenCorona ExtraKingfisher UltraBudweiser MagnumTuborgEstrella GaliciaIBC's Oaked Brown AleBiraKings (This is a local brand of Goa and costs just INR 30)Here, is one Supermarket in Calangute which I explored for international branded beer and wines.Newton’s Supermarket CalanguteNear St. Anthony Chapel, Calangute, GoaDirection: https://goo.gl/maps/3ggn47f82yS2Few store images:Hack #3Which are the must to visit places in Goa? and how to plan so that you can save time, money and visit maximum places.Goa is primarily popular for following:Sea beaches with Water SportsPeaceful seashore/Silent beaches with western seafood, chilled beer, good music, and night partiesChurchesBeach ShacksCollecting some of the precious stones and seashells on the shore. I have written about that in a separate answer on this link.Tattoo designs and hairstylingSpa and MassageCashew Nuts, feni, goa sausage and different types of spicesCasinosDudhsagar WaterfallsDolphin SpottingCarnival and Festive MoodOne cannot complete Goa in these 11 items :(Goa is very big and it’s difficult to explore it completely in 1–2 days. If you really want to enjoy the Goa life, then be there for at least 4–5 days. Ideally, a 1 week holiday is the best.If you are there at Goa for a short time span of 2–3 days, then it is very important to plan your time very well. Else you won’t be able to enjoy much and end up missing lots of places.The best guide and your time planner in Goa is -> Google MapsThanks to Google for the awesome app. You will realize how important it is once you are there in Goa. Use Google maps extensively to plan your trip. Add all the places which you want to go and plan in such a way that you visit all of them on the way, instead of going to and fro and wasting time driving only. Here is an example of how I planned one of the trips on maps:If I go non-stop, I knew that I can cover these 5 places in 2h 26 min, now if I add a 30 min halt at all places, it comes to around 5 hours. So, if I start my journey at 6 am and covering the beaches first to capture the sunrise, then I can complete the trip by max 12noon and then I will have the rest of the day lined up for other work :)Doing this not only saves time but also gives you more time to relax or gives more time to visit more places or gives more time to complete some of your other work/meeting (as it was in my case). :-)Important: Most of the time your mobile phone will be eating up the battery because either you will be shooting pics, videos or using google maps. So, keep a good handy power bank in you scooty all the time.This time, I went to Goa for a 2 days Ruby Developer Conference which starts at morning 9 am and last till 6 pm plus there is always a couple of meetings lined up after 6. So, I hardly get some time to explore Goa. But, coming to Goa and not exploring it will be a true injustice to Goa. So, as usual, I went through my all-time favourite Lifehack and GrowthHack skills to win both :-)So, my biggest challenge was how to get out my time to do all these, without impacting anyone or our core objective of making our presence at RubyConference also successful.I was staying in Hotel Calangute Central, just above Newton’s Supermarket in North Goa. Because of this 24x7 supermarket, I had the easy access to the most branded and cheapest beers every time :)How to get cheap and good quality rooms in Goa to stay?Another Important Hack to keep the cost down and enjoy more privacy and freedom: I would recommend you not to book a hotel instead get an apartment via Airbnb - that will be good and more cost-effective. They have a good transparent policy with complete peace of mind for you.I booked a room for 2 days for which the actual cost was INR 3000. But, I used Airbnb and got Rs. 2,200 straight discount. So, I end up paying only 800 on my Goa stay.In case you discovered some more good offers, please message me or share below in comments. I would love to add those as a part of this answer.Further continuing on my journey….Day 1 (Arrival): Relax dayFor me, Goa was like a mission. So, Day 1 is like smelling the land on which I want to spend my next couple of days meeting new people and giving my best at the conference.So, I didn’t want to just start running here and there. I enjoyed some drinks and food in the afternoon, took a quick nap and then started my preparation for the next day conference. Later in the evening, I thought of going to some silent beach to get relax and enjoy the cool breezes. You will find both silent and crowded beaches in Goa. Crowded are the ones where watersports are there. One thing which I observed is that most of the foreigners prefer to be there on silent beaches enjoying there food and drinks.Calangute beach was near to my place, so I went there. It is not a silent beach but one of the crowded beaches of Goa. But it really doesn’t matter. It is always good to get the real feel and happening of Goa on Day #1.I kept my plan for silent beaches for other days, where I can relax and enjoy nature.Here are few Silent/less crowded beaches in North Goa:Note: If you are going there during the late evening, you will find the way to be very lonely and haunted too :-)But, nothing really to worry. You will find row houses and people moving around. I said haunted because there will be lots of trees on the way to some of the beaches with no street light. But, yes it’s fun if you are going with friends :)Anjuna BeachMandrem BeachKalacha BeachAshwem BeachMorjim BeachArambol BeachHere are few more in South Goa (in case you are staying there):Kakolem Beach: Secret Beach of Goa. Also known as Tiger beach.Agonda BeachPatnem BeachPalolem BeachCavelossim BeachGalgibaga BeachBetul BeachHollant BeachCola BeachDay #2 ??Will keep on sharing more as an when I get time to write…Meanwhile, share your comments below. Would love to answer those.I cannot wrap up my experience here… Hence, thought to keep writing this answer…Get notified for updates on this answer by Following me on Quora!

When a friend wants to go to Shanghai for a free trip or a business trip, he often asks if it is more convenient to book a hotel in that area of ​​Shanghai. Can you see the most beautiful side of Shanghai Bund? I usually recommend suitable accommodation and places according to their travel needs.If you only stay for two or three days, Xiaobian will recommend staying at a hotel in Puxi, as most of the tourist attractions are in Puxi, Shanghai, but if you want to experience the charm of the three major artifacts in the Lujiazui financial district of Pudong, the accommodation is also in Shanghai Lujiazui. Recommended for good choices, Lujiazui is a busy office skyscraper during the day, night is the night view of the Oriental Pearl, and there is a subway line 2 to the Puxi Bund, of course, you can not miss the new attraction of Shanghai Pudong – Shanghai Disneyland However, Shanghai Disneyland is located in a remote area of ​​Pudong. Unless you buy a multi-day ticket, you can live near a hotel near Shanghai Disneyland. Otherwise, it is recommended to stay in the downtown area of ​​Puxi, Shanghai.In order to avoid wasting time on the Internet, Xiao Bian has integrated the online hot Shanghai Bund Hotel promotion and hopes to help everyone.Shanghai Bund Hotel PromotionLe Royal Meridien Shanghai Le Royal Meridien ShanghaiThe beautiful 66-storey Shanghai Shimao Royal Le Méridien Hotel is located on the bustling Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and is one of the landmarks in the heart of Shanghai.The hotel is a low-key luxury five-star hotel, and the buffet-style breakfast is also delicious.Le Méridien’s lobby is full of grandeur, and it seems that every corner is gleaming.(check price)From Longyang Station to the No. 2 subway line to People’s Square, the hotel’s location is very convenient, very close to Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Street!Directly opposite the People’s Square, the hotel offers stunning views of the Shanghai skyline. The Shanghai Le Royal Meridien Hotel is next to the Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Grand Theatre, and only a 3-minute walk from People’s Square Metro Station (Lines 1, 2 and 8). It is a 10-minute walk from the famous Bund and a 15-minute walk from Yu Garden and Xintiandi. It is surrounded by a variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities.The service of the counter staff is very good, and will be upgraded to the high-rise view room for the vacant room.Opening the curtains, standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking at the scenery outside, could not help but make a surprise.At dusk, the sky is the color of violets, and the skyline of the famous buildings such as the Bund, Huangpu River, Pudong's Oriental Pearl, and Jinmao Tower is clearly visible in front of me.It’s so beautiful.Definitely a worthwhile Bund hotel recommendation.Le Méridien is also very caring for mobile phone rental services.This smart phone allows customers to try it for free for 30 minutes before deciding whether to rent it.This is quite convenient for foreign customers.The dining is also excellent. The 789 Nanjing Road Bar + Lounge is located on the 65th and 66th floors and offers 360-degree views of Shanghai and serves a variety of beverages.The 24-hour Le Bistrot restaurant offers an international buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner.Authentic French cuisine is served at Allure Fine French Cuisine.Check availability and price:Click hereRenaissance Shanghai Yu Garden HotelRenaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel is part of the Marriott Group, located in the heart of the city, close to the famous Yu Garden and Old Town, just minutes from the Bund, Xintiandi and other tourist attractions.The hotel is only 100 meters from Yuyuan Subway Station (line 10). The fastest way is to take the maglev train to Longyang Station and then transfer to the subway.The hotel is 500 metres from Yu Garden and 1 km from The Bund. It is an 8-minute drive from Xintiandi and a 10-minute drive from Lujiazui Financial District. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 10 km away.One of the Selling Points at the Renaissance Yuyuan Hotel is an infinity pool. Although the pool is small, the scenery is fantastic, especially when it is night to enjoy the night view.Alternatively, the hotel club lounge is located on the 17th floor and offers city views.The breakfast is super rich, whether you want to eat Chinese or Western style, there are all right here! And there are many options! The hotel offers free parking.Check availability and price:Click hereKempinski Hotel Shanghai / Kempinski Hotel Shanghai / Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai / THE ONE Executive Suites Managed by Kempinski – ShanghaiLocated in the financial district of Lujiazui, this luxurious Shanghai Kempinski hotel features a penthouse indoor pool, 7 dining options and a pampering spa.Beautiful rooms offer views of Pudong’s financial district and Huangpu River.Surrounded by Oriental Pearl, Jinmao Tower and Binjiang Park, Shanghai Kempinski Hotel is a convenient 3-minute walk from Lujiazui Subway Station (Line 2) and 15 minutes from Shanghai New International Expo Centre. It is 17 km from Hongqiao International Airport, 40 km from Pudong International Airport and 42 minutes from Shanghai Disneyland.The hotel is located at Lujiazui Development Exhibition Hall, Shanghai History Museum, and Oriental Pearl TV Tower.The spacious, air-conditioned rooms at Shanghai Kempinski Grand Hotel offer views of the Bund or the city.Yhi Spa offers a range of massages, a sauna and a spa pool.Guests can also work out in the well-equipped fitness centre or arrange day trips at the tour desk.Check availability and price:Click hereShanghai Zhongxing Junting Hotel Narada Boutique Hotel Shanghai Yu Garden / SSAW Boutique Hotel ShanghaiZhongxing Junting Hotel is located at Exit 4 of Yuyuan Station. After exiting the subway, turn left and walk for about five minutes. When leaving, take the subway to Hongqiao Airport and do not need to change trains.Although its appearance looks a bit old, but the interior has been modified so it is still full of novelty, this can be assured!Junting strives to improve the hotel products according to the needs of customers.In terms of guest room experience, the domestic famous brand mattress and thicker duvet pad are used to fully realize the promise of Junting “to give you a five-star bed”; each room is equipped with convenient capsule coffee machine and exclusive pure Italian coffee. The bathroom rainforest shower and plenty of water pressure create a smooth shower experience; 32-inch and above LCD TVs, Iphone home, free drinks on the freezer, wireless network coverage, undoubtedly a great value for the Shanghai Bund Hotel.The hotel is also close to the Bund. You can clearly see the buildings in Pudong from the Yuyuan Station. It is only a few steps away from the Yu Garden and only a few minutes away from the Yuyuan Old Street.Yuyuan Subway Station is a 5-minute walk away, providing direct access to the city’s main attractions.The hotel is a 20-minute walk from the Bund and a 5-minute drive from Lujiazui Financial District.Shanghai Zhongxing Junting Hotel is only 1 subway stop from People’s Square, a 15-minute drive from Shanghai Railway Station and a 40-minute drive from Shanghai Disneyland.Check availability and price:Click hereFraser Residence Shanghai Fraser Residence ShanghaiFraser Residence Shanghai is located in a quiet part of the bustling city, just one block from Huaihai Middle Road, Shanghai’s commercial and entertainment hub.The airy and eco-friendly apartments offer comfort and convenience, combining Art Deco and Oriental bamboo style with air purifiers, water purifiers and water softeners.Leisure options include a fitness centre and an indoor heated pool.The hotel is located near the South Road of Tibet and Huaihai Middle Road. It is close to the People's Square and Huaihai Road shopping district. If you want to go to other far-away areas, you can quickly pick up the Yanan Elevator after taking a taxi. It is not easy to encounter traffic jams. It is a very convenient location.The hotel has a small kitchen, a refrigerator, and an induction cooker. The wok is also available in a soup pot that can be used to make instant noodles.In addition to this, there is a washing machine.In other words, this is a very suitable hotel room for long-term residence or a large hotel.The bright and airy suites at the hotel feature spacious and elegant interiors with plenty of natural light, all with a private balcony with views of the city.Fraser Residence Shanghai is a 5-minute walk from Shanghai Dongtai Road Antique Market and Xintiandi’s iconic bars and restaurants. The famous Shikumen is also nearby.The property is within a 10-minute walk from several tourist attractions like Old Ximen Station and Chenghuang Temple. It is a 10-minute drive from Yu Garden, People’s Square and Nanjing Road shopping area.Fraser Residence Shanghai is a 37-minute drive from Shanghai Disneyland and a 20-minute drive from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.Check availability and price:Click hereHyatt on the Bund, Shanghai Hyatt On The BundLocated at the northern end of the Bund, the 5-star Grand Hyatt Shanghai Bund is a 3-minute walk from Waibaidu Bridge. It offers stunning views of the Bund, Huangpu River and Lujiazui Financial District. It features a spa and wellness centre and a range of versatile conferences. Room, banquet hall and 4 stylish gourmet restaurants.The hotel's rooms are simple and stylish, with spacious interiors and no pressure. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the Bund and the high-rise buildings on the other side of Pudong.There is also a luxury spa "source", fitness center and indoor swimming pool. It is very spacious, especially the variety of fitness equipment, and almost all parts have equipment to enjoy the sculpture!Occupying the top 4 floors of the hotel, the Vue restaurant serves classic European cuisine with 270-degree views of the ancient Bund.The New World Restaurant serves authentic Chinese local cuisine.A rich international buffet is served at Aroma Restaurant.Alternatively, guests can spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying a drink in the tea room.PS Guests can enjoy a luxurious night view at the very trendy bar of the West Building 32F for free. There is no need to pay an entrance fee of 100rmb. No wine at all! No problem!Check availability and price:Click hereThe Westin Bund Center Shanghai HotelA short 5-minute walk from the magnificent Bund, the luxurious Westin Shanghai offers stylish rooms with an indoor pool and spa.The Westin Shanghai is within a 10-minute walk of Nanjing East Road Subway Station (Line 2 and 10) and Yu Garden. It is a 45-minute drive from Pudong International Airport.Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide brand with first-class service and attentive staff and renowned industry, if the stay in the Mid-Autumn Festival, also send their own specially large moon cake gift box! (Check price)Shanghai Westin is basically a good five-star hotel. It is very good from location, transportation, hardware and software. The service attitude is also very good. If the budget is enough or there are special prices, it is recommended to stay in one. Enjoy a noble life in the evening.Check availability and price:Click hereJW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Tomorrow Square JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Tomorrow SquareLocated on the upper floors of Mingtian Square next to People’s Square, JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Tomorrow Square offers rooms with stunning views of Shanghai. It features indoor and outdoor pools and 6 dining options.Guests can take a limousine to the airport for an extra charge.JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Tomorrow Square is a short walk from the Bund and Nanjing Road shopping areas. It is a 5-minute drive from Xintiandi and a 15-minute drive from Yu Garden.9On the whole, with just over 1000 RMB in one night, living in such a quality hotel, CP is very high!Check availability and price:Click hereGrand Central Hotel ShanghaiLocated next to the Bund and Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Street, Shanghai Grand Hotel offers a large indoor pool, a luxurious spa and rooms with free internet access.Shanghai Grand Hotel is a 3-minute walk from Shanghai Metro Line 1, Line 2 and Line 8. It is a 20-minute drive from Hongqiao Airport, a 40-minute drive from Pudong Airport and a 46-minute drive from Shanghai Disneyland. The Bund is a 4-minute drive away.Bao Yue Xuan serves traditional Cantonese cuisine, while the menu at L'ile de France French Restaurant includes fine French cuisine.Other dining options include a café serving buffet meals and a lobby lounge serving drinks.This hotel has a lot of praise in tripadvisor, foreigners like it:Stayed here for 4 nights. The location is excellent, close to the Bund, and shopping. Huge bathroom, lovely room, but only use the complimentary small bottles of water. The price of the larger bottle of Evian was quite outrageous. We ate out As there are many choices of eateries nearby. This hotel will be my first choice on return to...Check availability and price:Click herePark Hyatt ShanghaiPark Hyatt Shanghai is located on the 79th to 93rd floors of Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai's tallest skyscraper, surrounded by Zhengda Square and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.Park Hyatt Shanghai is located in the heart of Lujiazui Financial District, 500 metres from Lujiazui Subway Station (Line 2), a 5-minute drive from Shanghai New International Expo Centre and a 10-minute drive from People’s Square.The hotel is a 30-minute drive from Shanghai Railway Station and Hongqiao Airport. It is a 45-minute drive from Pudong International Airport.The 5-star luxury hotel features a spa and wellness centre, 8 dining and dining options, and modern Chinese-style rooms with sweeping views of the city skyline and Huangpu River.(check price)The room type is divided into: Park Hyatt Room, Park Hyatt River View Room, Park Hyatt Deluxe Room, Deluxe River View Room, Park Hyatt Suite, Diplomat Suite, and Presidential Suite.All room types feature unrivalled views of the sky. Each spacious room is elegantly furnished in relaxing white and dark brown colours. It offers a flat-screen TV with satellite and cable channels, a walk-in dressing room and a coffee machine. A day bed for wellness treatments in the room.The en suite bathroom features an oversized rain shower, a deep soaking tub and heated floors.Park Hyatt Shanghai offers a variety of local and international cuisines, such as Century 100 Bar serving Western, Japanese and Chinese cuisine, and Western Restaurant is known for its European specialties.The Chef's Table restaurant specialises in dinner and Pantry offers all-day dining and breakfast.Alternatively, guests can spend a relaxing evening enjoying drinks and music in the Living Room, Music Room, Shanghai Lounge or Bar Level 87.Many people on the Internet promote Living afternoon tea, because the environment is comfortable, salty food and sweets are good above the standard!Check availability and price:Click hereShangri-La Hotel, Pudong, Shanghai Pudong Shangri-La, East ShanghaiLocated in the financial district of Lujiazui, Pudong Shangri-La Hotel overlooks the Bund and Huangpu River and has 2 buildings.Zijin Tower provides exclusive services for guests.The elegant Pujiang Tower combines the elegance of the old world with the oriental style to create a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.The hotel is a 35-minute drive from Hongqiao International Airport. It is a 45-minute drive from Pudong International Airport and a 38-minute drive from Shanghai Disneyland.The hotel provides a free 2-way shuttle to Shanghai Disneyland.The nearest subway station is Lujiazui Subway Station, a 5-minute walk away.It is a 1-minute walk from Zhengda Square and Shanghai International Finance Centre.The luxurious rooms at Pudong Shangri-La Hotel offer panoramic views of the Bund, Huangpu River or Pudong skyline! The hotel features 2 indoor pools, spa pool, steam room and sauna facilities.99999Pudong Shangri-La Hotel offers 11 dining options.Guests can enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine at Tanaka and enjoy continental cuisine at Jade 36 Restaurant.The Exchange restaurant and wine offers craft beers; Yi Coffee serves international cuisine throughout the day.Check availability and price:Click hereSofitel Shanghai Hyland Hotel ShanghaiThe 4-star Sofitel Shanghai Hyland Hotel is located in the heart of Shanghai's business district. The hotel has a great location, just off the Nanjing Pedestrian Street, convenient to the Bund, People's Square, close to the subway station, and nearby is the downtown area. Department stores, restaurants, specialty shops are everywhere, what you want to buy and what to eat is easy!Redesigned and refurbished rooms, good in terms of quality of living.The hotel features a spa, fitness centre, business centre, 4 dining options and free private parking.Dining options at Sofitel Shanghai Hyland include Haimao Hall, Mosek Restaurant serving international buffets, Sofitel Club Lounge with refreshments and 505 Bar.Overall, the geographical location and the star rating of the service provided are the introduction of the Shanghai Bund Hotel with a very high CP value.Check availability and price:Click hereGrand Hyatt Shanghai Grand Hyatt ShanghaiLocated in the landmark building, Jinmao Tower, Grand Hyatt Shanghai is decorated in an elegant Art Deco style, surrounded by Zhengda Square and the famous Oriental Pearl TV Tower.This 5-star hotel features luxurious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, several versatile meeting rooms and 9 stylish gourmet restaurants.Grand Hyatt Shanghai offers local and international delicacies.The Italian restaurant serves Italian cuisine.The Rijin Grill Restaurant serves seafood and Japanese cuisine.Jinmao Club offers local specialties.Spend a relaxing evening with a drink and music at the Nine Heavens Bar and Piano Bar.The biggest selling point of Jiuzhongtian is to enjoy the view of Shanghai at a high level, especially the night is low, and the charm of Shanghai on the Bund night is even more vivid.Basically, if you live here, you will find this night in Shanghai, it’s really fascinating!So on the Internet is a lot of people on the Shanghai Bund Hotel!Check availability and price:Click hereThe Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, PudongThe Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong opened in May 2010. The hotel is located upstairs in the Shanghai International Finance Center. Ritz-Carlton is one of the world's famous 5-star hotels! The five-star Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong Offering views of the Huangpu River and the Bund, it offers luxurious accommodation in the city, an indoor pool and an exclusive spa.The on-site Italian restaurant serves Italian cuisine, and the Michelin-starred Jin Xuan Chinese Restaurant offers Cantonese cuisine.FLAIR's top restaurant bar is China's tallest rooftop restaurant and bar, and afternoon tea is available at AURA Lounge and Jazz Bar.(check price)There are also many top restaurants in the Shanghai IFC Mall – one of the Michelin-starred Liyuan restaurants, the Su-Zhe Hui, the hot pot restaurants from Taiwan – the Taihe Hall, Morton's steaks, etc., so don’t worry about food.The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong is within 500 metres from Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Centre, Shanghai Centre and Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art is about 3.2 km away.Check availability and price:Click here

Now this is something which I can answer with relative ease.Because as the question details have mentioned, I’ve recently returned from a vacation where I stayed in two hotels, ‘in the same location, overlooking the same beach’ and despite not being mentioned above, ‘at a comparable cost’. And as mentioned, one was the cheapest room in a 5 star hotel and the other was the best room in a 3 star (or maybe even 2 star) BnB villa. This question is subject to the actual properties and preferences but overall, the below description will give you an idea.Disclaimer - As I don’t have many well-taken pictures, I will just use some Google images to bring forth my point. I don’t own any pictures here and would remove it if any one wants me to.Location: Belle Mare beach, MauritiusA white sand, turquoise water beachOption 1: LUX* Belle Mare MauritiusThis is a super luxurious 5 star resort with really high Tripadvisor reviews. With huge buffets, exceptional service and outstanding amenities, it is something you will cherish for life.While there are private villas on offer, I stayed at one of the Junior Suites - the cheapest option as desired by the OP.Option 2: Orchid Villas MauritiusNow, just 700 meters from the above resort is a small set of villas. Run by a Mauritian family, these are across the road and you have to walk around 300–400 meters to reach the same Belle Mare Beach. The villas have a pool, has daily housekeeping but there is no room service and the air conditioner works only in the bedrooms.As all villas are identical, there is nothing as best suite but the accomodation was definitely comparable to the best suite of a 3 star hotel.Now comes the comparison part. As the costs of rooms were similar and the location was the same, I will just compare these on 5 fronts - Rooms, Beach, Food, Amenities and Service.Rooms:Thanks to an online promotion, the Junior Suite at LUX* Belle Mare costed us slightly over 130 Euros (including breakfast). At the price, it was a real deal. The suite was tiny at less than 700 square feet. Despite the size, there was a main room, a living room and a guest room. The balcony of the main bedroom opened out to the garden, which was a 100–200 meter walk to the beach. The sheets were spotless and there was a massive bath tub.The villa at Orchid was not that clean. The property was quite worn out despite bein just a couple of years old. The sheets were not as crisp like a hotel but were still clean. We had 1 main bedroom, 2 guest rooms and 1 living room with kitchen at our disposal. The price was comparable at 110 Euros.Verdict: Despite a higher price, the rooms at LUX* were way better. If you are a honeymoon couple and gonna spend most of your time in the rooms (wink* wink*), there is no doubt that you should select LUX*. But if you were an extended family on a trip (like us), the rooms were just a place to crash after a busy day visiting this amazing island. For us, the villas made more sense, with the price and our need. Which room was better - well Option 1 but which room suited our needs - Option 2.5 Star Hotel - 03 Star Hotel - 1Beach Access:Before I move on, let me clarify that this might not be true for other countries. But in Mauritius, all the beaches are public beaches. So, you can easily use the same beach as any other resort as long as you don’t use their sun loungers.Aayush Shrivastava's answer to What are some things free in your country but you have to buy when visiting other countries?LUX* was right at the beach. There were beach towels, sun loungers and beach side bar for the hotel residents. ‘Sex on the Beach’ (the cocktail, mind it) was just a hand wave away.Orchid Villas required a walk to the beach. You had to carry your towels and might have to sit on the sand or the towel itself. While you could also order cocktails from the same resort as above, you would most probably sip the beer you picked up from the nearby shack.Verdict: The water was the same, the sand was the same but what made the difference was the luxury and service that came with the stay at LUX*. Even though it is the same beach, to compare the experience would be blasphemous. If you are just there to swim or snorkel in the water, you might say it doesn’t matter if there is a waiter with a colorful glass around or not. But the truth is, a beach holiday is not just about the beach but what you get at the beach.5 Star Hotel - 13 Star Hotel - 1Food:Both the places had complimentary breakfast. Both places offered in-room dining and lunch / dinner at an extra price.Despite the parity in room prices, paid food at LUX* was at least 3 times the price of Orchid Villas. But there were 4–5 restaurants with different themes and menu items. So, if you seek luxury and world-class food, LUX* was several notches above Orchid. The breakfast buffet was by the pool and nothing can match the pleasure of having a typical English breakfast in a luxurious setting.Orchid had a decent restaurant but with limited dine & wine options on the menu and zero ambience as the outdoor seating was just near the main road, there is no comparison between the two. However, people with tighter budgets won’t mind the restaurant at Orchid. We often met residents from the resort opposite to the road (La Palmeraie) coming down to Orchid for dinner. Breakfast buffet options were limited but adequate. Also, as there were fewer guests, the queue and the rush to take food was less and the service was quicker and more personal.(picture is from a different hotel but with similar look)Verdict: I know that my opinion / preference will be different from most of the people. Most people believe that breakfast buffet defines the stay in a hotel and there is a huge difference between a 5 star and a 3 star hotel. While this is mostly correct, the fact is that you end up eating the same staple for breakfast, despite the spread. if you are a cereal guy or an omelette - baked beans guy, you might not find any difference between the various breakfasts. There are more local cuisine options in a bigger hotel but trust me, most of us just scrape through them. While the quality of bakery items and salads is normally much higher in high-end resorts and the ambience is way nicer, the overall food and experience is similar. So, for breakfast, both of them tie up.5 Star Hotel - 1.53 Star Hotel - 1.5But this section is called ‘Food’, not ‘Breakfast’. So, when you take into account the cost of dinner and room service, what you get in 5 star hotel is not at all value for money. In this particular case, we loved to have dinners at Orchid Villas. What it lacked in ambience, it made up for it in personal attention by the owner and the home cooked taste of the food at a price which didn’t make a dent on your pockets. After a day of endless driving and tripping, the local beer or rum with local curries in the candlelight in a homely environment were what we cherished more than the unaffordable food at LUX*.5 Star Hotel - 1.53 Star Hotel - 2.5Amenities:Well, this one is an easy victory for LUX*.LUX* was a massive resort. Kid’s club, gym, huge pool, spa…. you name it. While some of it comes at an extra price, most things were inclusive. If you are one of those gym or pool guys, you should just neglect whatever I have written above and chose LUX*.Orchid Villas had just a pool. To its credit, it was a private pool and it was more fun if you are a family guy with no desire to ogle at bikini clad aunties. To its disadvantage, it was only cleaned once a day, the place looked scary after dark and water was not temperature controlled.Verdict: As I said, there is no comparison between the two. Any 5 star hotel will be way better than a 3 star when it comes to amenities. Even the 3 star ones which have gym and spa can’t compare to facilities at a 5 star resort. From kid’s club, activities like movies, exclusive dinners, well trained masseuse, most 5 star hotels are defined by these amenities. And even if you don’t use these amenities, the fact that you are entitled to them is a huge feeling. So, this one goes to LUX* by a huge margin.5 Star Hotel - 2.53 Star Hotel - 2.5Service:Now this is my last criterion and a tie breaker. Service is a subjective term and varies from person to person. While it is not uncommon to experience rude service at 5 star hotels, most people feel pampered at these places. But many people hate these resorts where the service is intrusive and mechanical. As the employees are very professional, the service and response to needs rarely gets a personal touch.Coming to our experience. LUX* was flawless in terms of service. The staff was well trained and the resort was quick to resolve any issues. There was an army of nameless faces who would ensure that you enjoy your stay at LUX* without any worries.The service at Orchid Villas was good too but there is no comparison with LUX*. The owner of the villas spent a few evenings with us and we had some memorable conversations. The staff were always adding that extra touch of hospitality as there were fewer guests. But the staff was not as trained as LUX* and you could see biases depending on how the customers responded, unlike in LUX*Verdict: So, I will rest my case by saying that any average 5 star hotel will provide much better service than a 3 star hotel. A hotel stay can be marred by poor service, despite having good rooms, great beach or decent amenities. If service is the only criterion, a five star hotel would amaze you every time.5 Star Hotel - 3.53 Star Hotel - 2.5Final Verdict: So, what does the above score say. Well, it says that the difference is minimal but if you have to chose between the cheapest room in a 5 star hotel compared to the best suite in a 3 star hotel and if they are at comparable prices, you should definitely opt for a 5 star hotel. The amenities and service would be what will fuel your choice and make your stay a memory of a lifetime.