Since the early 20th century, Shanghai’s hotel scene has influenced the city’s architectural, social and economic development. Back in the 1930s, the ‘Paris of the Orient’ epitomised modern sophistication with glamour-laden retreats like the Cathay, Palace, Astor House and Park hotels – inspired in style and substance by New York, London and Paris – which attracted global travellers plus local high society to stay and play.
After a long hiatus following World War II and Mao’s Communist revolution, the 1990s sparked a renaissance in Shanghai hospitality. This continued into the new millennium, as luxury hotel clusters decorated the Lujiazui, People’s Square, Nanjing Road and Hongqiao skylines – many boasting prices as elevated as the high-rise room levels, plus sophisticated dining and deluxe spas.
Shanghai has surged to the top of the global hotel scene, as most of the world’s finest international chains have hurried to open brand-new flagship properties in this mega city. They are joined by Asia’s top serviced apartment companies, which offer more space, and kitchens, along with some hotel-style services. Many Chinese operators have pitched in with fine properties of their own, some of them in heritage buildings, or in villa compounds with spacious grounds.
Many hotels offer lavish spa treatments
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The pace of development remains unrelenting. High-profile architects and wealthy developers are teaming up to reconstruct the Pudong and Puxi landscapes with glassy ‘mixed use’ skytowers, comprising hotels, retail and office space. At the same time, heritage properties along the Bund and in the former French Concession are being converted into more atmospheric, period-infused boutique hotels, while cutting-edge contemporary interiors define a growing band of small design-led hotels.
None of these come cheap, of course. Shanghai is an expensive place to bed down and demand for accommodation still outstrips supply, so book early. Visitors on a lower budget need not fear, however. Shanghai also boasts Asia’s fastest growing budget hotel portfolio, most of which are well located and can be booked online.
In general, the quality of accommodation in Shanghai is very impressive. Most of these hotels have opened in the last decade and come equipped with latest technology and competitive guest perks. Large flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, sweet-smelling bath products and rainforest showerheads are found in most of the star-rated hotels. And many Shanghai hotels offer complimentary WiFi and broadband Internet. Service ranges from exemplary to exasperating – but everyone is generally very polite and well meaning. Booking websites www.ctrip.com and www.elong.net offer easy booking and competitive prices.
Price for a double room for one night without breakfast:
$$$$ = over RMB 1200
$$$ = RMB 900–1200
$$ = RMB 600–900
$ = below RMB 600
Astor House Hotel on the Bund
Ryan Pyle/Apa Publications
The Bund
Astor House Hotel (also called Pujiang Hotel)
15 Huangpu Road; tel: 6324 6388; www.pujianghotel.com; $
One of Shanghai’s oldest – and best-value – hotels. Albert Einstein, Ulysses S Grant, Bertrand Russell and Charlie Chaplin are all said to have stayed, and it was home to the first electric lights in China. The atmospheric old building just north of the Bund is ripe for a revamp, but stay before that happens because for now this wonderful old gem is still in a reasonably authentic state and offers good value for money. Rooms differ greatly – from stark to ornate.
Captain Hostel
37 Fuzhou Road; tel: 6323 5053; www.captainhostel.com.cn; $
A great location near the riverfront and a few minutes from Nanjing Road. Accommodation ranges from basic ‘Sailor Bunks’ to standard rooms. Even if you don’t stay, the rooftop Captain’s Bar, with its Pudong views and cheap drinks, is a welcome antidote to the glitz of its flashier neighbours.
The Fairmont Peace Hotel’s striking c eilings
Leonardo
Fairmont Peace Hotel
20 Nanjing Road East, corner Nanjing Road and the Bund; tel: 6321 6888; www.fairmont.com/peacehotel; $$$$
Shanghai’s most famous hotel, dating back to 1929, has a striking Art Deco façade and iconic green copper dome. After a three-year makeover, the hotel was finally restored to its former glory in 2010. Although the rooms are small for the price tag, the place is dripping with history.
Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund
585 Zhongshan East No. 2 Road; tel: 3302 9999; www.shanghai.hotelindigo.com; $$$
This 30-storey, 184-room hotel is so close to the water that it feels like you’re floating, and it stands out for its sweeping views and deft local design touches, plus a winning rooftop bar and steakhouse. It’s on the South Bund, a short taxi hop to the Bund proper and close to the Old Town.
Room with a view at the Peninsula hotel
Leonardo
The Peninsula’s pool terrace
Leonardo
Les Suites Orient Bund Shanghai
1 Jinling Road East; tel: 6320 0888; www.lessuitesorient.com; $$$$
Located on the South Bund, overlooking the old buildings and river, this is one of Shanghai’s most sophisticated stays. Decorated in nutmeg marble and hardwoods, the rooms feature two TVs, free smartphone, a window-front rocking chair, rainforest shower, and free Wifi. There’s also a gym and a guest library lounge serving tea and refreshments.
Peninsula Shanghai
32 Zhongshan East No. 1 Road; tel: 2327 2888; www.peninsula.com; $$$$
At the head of the Bund, the stone edifice that houses the Peninsula is half a century younger than its illustrious neighbours, but this exquisite five-star hotel has a timeless Art Deco ambience. Rooms are packed with high-tech luxuries such as internet phones and humidifier controls.
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
No. 2 The Bund, Zhongshan East No. 1 Road; tel: 6322 9988; www.waldorfastoriashanghai.com; $$$$
Housed in a neoclassical Bund building that served as a British gentlemen’s club in the 1920s, this exquisite five-star opened in 2010 and features modern-day comforts in a timeless setting. Don’t miss a tipple at the Long Bar, a legendary Shanghai drinking institution.
The Waterhouse at South Bund
Nos. 1–3 Maojiayuan Road, Zhongshan Road South; tel: 6080 2988; www.waterhouseshanghai.com; $$$$
Set in a 1930s dockyard factory beside the Huangpu River on the South Bund, this 19-room designer hotel features industrial-glam interiors and an excellent Mediterranean restaurant, Table No. 1.
The Westin Bund Centre
88 Central Henan Road; tel: 6335 1888; www.starwood.com; $$$
Its readily recognisable pineapple-shaped crown is visible across the city, and the hotel is equally well known for its landmark Sunday brunch, which features choices from every corner of the globe, spiced up with Chinese dancers, acrobats and jugglers. A comfortable and well-placed choice between the Bund and People’s Square.
Suzhou Creek and Hongkou
Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund
19 Gongping Road; tel: 2509 1188; www.banyantree.com; $$$$
Far-flung ‘urban retreat’ with a 130 muted guestrooms, all offering great views along the river – from the pool-size dipping tub in some rooms. There’s also an excellent Banyan Tree Spa and a rooftop bar. Not very conveniently placed to the downtown action.
Chai Living
406 North Suzhou Road, Hongkou; tel: 5608 6051; http://chailiving.com; $$$$
A collection of serviced residences in the historic Embankment Building on Suzhou Creek. Although the location is slightly out of the way and the building a little rundown, the designer residences offer a rare opportunity to live amongst locals with all the comforts of home.
Hyatt on the Bund
199 Huangpu Road; tel: 6393 1234; www.shanghai.bund.hyatt.com; $$$
When it opened in 2007, this funky riverfront property became the first five-star hotel in the up-and-coming Hongkou district, just north of the Bund. Xindalu restaurant serves the city’s best Peking duck, and the top-floor bar and many of the rooms have spectacular views of the Bund and Pudong riverbanks.
Motel 168
300 Huoshan Road; tel: 5117 1111; www.motel168.com; $
One of dozens of Motel 168s in Shanghai, it delivers everything the budget traveller could want: bright, clean rooms, a business centre and free broadband, along with a reliable online reservations system – although only in Chinese – and a bit of spoken English.
Hotel Pravo
299 Wusong Road; tel: 6393 8989; www.hotel-pravo.com; $$
Refined art deco look and feel with elegant rooms in soft pastel tones. Located on the edge of up-and-coming Hongkou district; the tunnel beneath whizzes you to the Bund or Pudong in minutes.
People’s Square
JIA
931 Nanjing Road West; tel: 6217 9000; www.jiashanghai.com; $$$$
Singaporean entrepreneur, Yenn Wong, waved her design wand on a Nanjing Road heritage mansion and created a Shanghai icon. Funky, playful and exquisitely styled, Jia offers residence-style rooms with quirky furnishings, kitchenettes and an inbuilt ceiling sound system.
JW Marriott
399 Nanjing Road West; tel: 5359 4969; www.marriotthotels.com/shajw; $$$$
Located atop the iconic Tomorrow Square tower at People’s Square, with an elegant main lobby on the 38th floor. Guestrooms feature silk textured wallpaper, mahogany tea chests and marble tubs along with business-oriented amenities. Don’t miss JW’s Lounge on the 40th floor, which has a 50-strong Martini menu and fine views of the city.
The pool at Le Royal Méridien
Starwood
Le Royal Méridien
789 Nanjing Road East; tel: 3318 9999; www.starwood.com; $$$$
At the top of Shimao Plaza, this 333m (1,092ft) 60-storey tower filled with sheared glass and sharp angles opened in 2005 at the corner of People’s Park and Nanjing East Road. The interiors are filled with artwork, and the bars and restaurants are shaped by the exterior angles of the building, which give it a unique ambience.
Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre
555 Xizang Road Central; tel: 2312 9888; www.marriott.com; $$
Smack-bang central locale just behind People’s Square. This smart, functional hotel offers comfort, convenience and connectivity in one large, marble-wrapped package. Great city views and impressive dining at popular chain restaurants, Man Ho (Chinese) and Inagiku (Japanese).
Sofitel Hyland
505 Nanjing Road East; tel: 6351 5888; www.sofitel.com; $$
Located right on busy Nanjing Road, a pedestrianised street between the Bund and People’s Square, this four-star hotel has 400 tastefully decorated rooms with comprehensive facilities.
Yangtze Boutique Hotel Shanghai
740 Hankou Road; tel: 6080 0800; $$
So this is what the gilded age looked like: located in a 1934 Art Deco building, this pocket-sized hotel has gorgeous interiors. All rooms feature bold 1930s-style designs coupled with modern technology; some rooms have balconies.
Nanjing Road West
Baolong Home Hotel
125 Nanyang Road; tel: 5174 8188; $
Tucked away behind the Portman Ritz-Carlton, this small-budget hotel is part of a well-managed local chain. Its clean, comfortable rooms and superb location belie the very reasonable rates.
Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai
500 Weihai Road; tel: 6256 8888; www.fourseasons.com/shanghai; $$$
Convenient location straddling the city’s two best shopping thoroughfares – Nanjing Road West and Huaihai Road Central. This is one of the older city hotels but comes with stellar Four Seasons service. And don’t tell anyone, but it is the top choice of hotel professionals when they travel at their own expense.
Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai
1218 Yan’an Road Central; tel: 2203 8888; www.shangri-la.com; $$$$
Part of a massive luxury development beside fashionable Nanjing Road, this 60-storey hotel opened in 2013 and is well placed in Shanghai’s fashionable heartlands. Smart, contemporary guestrooms come with top-of-the-city views and there are several excellent restaurants, including Calypso, The 1515 West Chophouse & Bar, and Summer Palace. Jing’an Temple and Park, plus plenty of shopping and dining, lie right on your doorstep.
Pei Mansion Hotel
170 Nanyang Road; tel: 6289 7878; www.peimansionhotel.com; $$
Revives the stunning 1934 family home of architect IM Pei (who designed the Glass Pyramid at the Louvre). Set in a large garden behind Nanjing Road, the hotel has rooms in faux-classical style with indulgent bathrooms and technology, but patchy service.
Portman Ritz-Carlton
1376 Nanjing Road West; tel: 6279 8888; www.ritz-carlton.com; $$$
Located in the Shanghai Centre, this recently renovated hotel combines smooth luxury with a location on Nanjing Road, surrounded by a wealth of sightseeing and dining choices.
In the PuLi Hotel & Spa
Leonardo
PuLi Hotel and Spa
1 Changde Road; tel: 3203 9999; www.thepuli.com; $$$$
Right in the heart of the Puxi CBD, near Nanjing Road and overlooking Jing’An Park, this dazzling hotel has a seductive modern oriental style.
Shanghai Centre
1376 Nanjing Road West; tel: 6279 8600; www.shanghaicentre.com; $$–$$$$
An excellent and little-known accommodation option within the same complex as the Portman Ritz-Carlton on Nanjing Road West. A genuine bargain, the apartments offer short-term stays in a variety of rooms, from studios to three-bedroom suites.
Swissôtel Grand Shanghai
1 Yuyuan Road; tel: 5355 9898; www.swissotel.com/shanghai; $$
Well-priced option tucked away behind shopping centres in the fast-changing neighbourhood just north of Nanjing Road. Its key design feature is a grand lobby of polished marble and vaulting gold ceilings, punctuated by a sweeping central staircase.
Urbn
183 Jiaozhou Road; tel: 5153 4600; www.urbnhotels.com; $$$$
China’s first carbon-neutral hotel is far more environmentally friendly than the former factory it replaced. Design-wise, the little boutique property is an effortless success – smooth, minimal and compelling without trying too hard.
Shanghai’s bedding down options are plentiful
Dreamstime
Xintiandi and Old Town
88 Xintiandi
380 Huangpi Road South; tel: 5383 8833; www.88xintiandi.com; $$$$
A refreshing departure from the chain hotels, this boutique residence in the heart of Xintiandi has a charming oriental design, high-tech electronics and kitchenettes. Try to get a room with a balcony.
Andaz Shanghai
88 Songshan Road; tel: 2310 1234; http://shanghai.andaz.hyatt.com; $$$
Hyatt’s hip Andaz brand rises 28 storeys over the heritage rooftops of Xintiandi. Hyper-modern rooms feature large, cave-like stone bathrooms and high-tech conveniences; you can even choose your own lighting colour scheme. A friendly vibe prevails and guests are encouraged to use the trendy lobby like their living room.
The Langham Xintiandi
99 Madang Road; tel: 2330 2288; xintiandi.langhamhotels.com; $$$$
Supremely elegant hotel in the Xintiandi neighbourhood with polished dark-wood and marble interiors, plus a wonderful Chinese restaurant Ming Court and fashionable outdoor lounge XTD elevated. More dining, nightlife and shopping are at the doorstep.
Oriental Bund Hotel
386 Renmin Road; tel: 6333 8888; www.orientalbundhotel.com; $$
It won’t win any style awards, but this mid-level hotel is well priced, with stark but comfortable rooms, a small gym, business centre and a convenient location not far from Yu Garden.
Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel
159 Henan Road South; tel: 2321-8888; www.renaissancehotels.com/shasy; $
Overlooking the Old City, this stylish hotel adorned with colourful contemporary interiors and glass sculptures is a well-priced option. Its location close to Yu Garden and the Bund are the main draws. What you shouldn’t draw are the curtains at night – the heritage rooftops outlined in yellow light are a magical Shanghai sight.
Shama Luxe at Xintiandi
168 Shunchang Road; tel: 2320 6688; www.shama.com; $$–$$$$
One-, two- and three-bedroom long-stay apartments in styles ranging from traditional to ultra-modern pads. All rooms have fully equipped kitchens, and the property also features a gym, spa, swimming pool and other upmarket hotel features.
Former French Concession
@Gallery Suites
525 Hengshan Road; tel: 5179 5000; www.artgalleryhotels.com; $$
Charming boutique guesthouse in a heritage French Concession residence, with 39 spacious rooms featuring throwback-1930s styling, free-standing bathtubs and modern amenities.
City Hotel
5–7 Shaanxi Road South; tel: 6255 1133; $
Three-star hotel with a great mid-city location, business facilities, Chinese and Western cuisine and a skylit swimming pool.
Hengshan Hotel
534 Hengshan Road; tel: 6437 7050; $$
Formerly the Picardie Mansions, this Art Deco-style hotel is located on tree-lined Hengshan Road. Offers adequate rooms, Western and Chinese restaurants, a business centre and a health club.
Hilton Shanghai
250 Huashan Road; tel: 6248 0000; www.hilton.com; $$$
A venerable hotel that has established itself as an accommodation landmark, the Hilton has a convenient location between the former French Concession and Jing’An Temple. Well managed and always buzzing, it has good restaurants, a skylit pool and penthouse bar.
Howard Johnson Huaihai
1 Fenyang Road; tel: 5461 9898; www.hojochina.com; $
The Howard Johnson fills a key niche: an international-standard hotel that effortlessly delivers all the key amenities at a reasonable price, and with a fine location just off Huaihai Road in the leafy French Concession.
InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin
118 Ruijin No.2 Road; tel: 6472 5222, www.ihg.com/intercontinental; $$$$
Formerly the Ruijin State Guesthouse, this storied property is set within an expansive estate in the heart of the old French Concession dotted with heritage villas, fountains and pavilions. A recent revamp has seen the addition of new buildings with comfortable Chinese-styled guestrooms and a selection of restaurants.
Jin Jiang Hotel
59 Maoming Road South; tel: 3218 9888; www.jinjianghotels.com; $$
The Jin Jiang’s buildings were some of the former French Concession’s most popular addresses. Rooms are comfortable and homely but not luxurious, with the exception of the Grosvenor House, which offers the most decadent suites at the most decadent prices. Its history trumps the rooms: Richard Nixon and Mao Zedong signed the Shanghai Communiqué here in 1972.
Mansion Hotel
82 Xinle Road; tel: 5403 9888; www.chinamansionhotel.com; $$$$
The Mansion is a grand hotel in miniature, small in stature but large in palatial trappings and old-world charm. The 1920s-era building has just 30 rooms, but its garden courtyard, high-ceilinged lobby and dressy doormen evoke images of classic grandeur, while the rooms feature wood floors, antique mirrors and chandeliered ceilings.
Okura Garden Hotel
David Shen Kai/Apa Publications
Okura Garden Hotel
58 Maoming Road South; tel: 6415 1111: www.gardenhotelshanghai.com: $$
An old-meets-new property managed by Japan’s Okura group, featuring a modern high-rise tower perched adjacent to an historic base: the public areas of the hotel occupy the renovated Cercle Sportif Français (French Club), with many of the historic details and sprawling gardens still intact.
Taiyuan Villa
160 Taiyuan Road; tel: 6471 6688; www.ruijinhotelsh.com; $$
One of the nicest mansions in the former French Concession dating back to the 1920s, Taiyuan Villa was once the home of General George Marshall, as well as Mao’s dragon-lady fourth wife, Jiang Qing (though not at the same time). Refurbished using 1930s-style Shanghai furniture, the rooms overlook the villa’s sprawling lawns.
Boutique style
Dreamstime
Western Shanghai
The Longemont Shanghai
1116 Yan’an Road West; tel: [86-21] 6115 9988 www.thelongemonthotels.com; $$
Despite a rather lackluster location, squeezed up against the Yan’an elevated highway between Hongqiao Airport and downtown, this Chinese-run hotel boasts impressive interiors. With 511 rooms, it can feel busy at peak times, but the comfortable rooms also offer free WiFi.
Xijiao State Guesthouse
1921 Hongqiao Road; tel: 6219 8800; www.hotelxijiao.com; $$$
What sets this place apart is its picturesque setting in an 80-hectare (200-acre) woodland park. There are stylish rooms as well as villas, the latter for long-term guests and scattered throughout the beautiful grounds. A 20-minute drive from the city centre.
A welcome sight for a weary traveller
iStockphoto
Pudong
Four Seasons Hotel at Pudong
210 Century Avenue; tel: 2036 8888; www.fourseasons.com/pudong; $$$$
Sparkling contemporary hotel opened in 2013 on the edge of the Lujiazui. Stylish guestrooms with views over Pudong along with excellent Chinese and Western restaurants. The Spa is well worth a visit, and the swimming pool overlooking Pudong appears straight out of a James Bond movie.
Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel
1108 Meihua Road, Pudong; tel: 3858 0855; www.jumeirah.com; $$$$
Incorporated into the eye-catching Himalayas Art Centre, this cavernous hotel is themed on modern-meets-classical Chinese art. The lobby is dominated by a hand-carved opera pavilion hosting regular performances, and all artworks are original. The rooms have hardwood floors, Ming-style furnishings and high-end technology. Among the eateries is J-Mix, a sleek sushi and teppanyaki restaurant.
Kerry Hotel Pudong
1388 Huamu Road, Pudong; tel: 6169 8888; www.shangri-la.com; $$$$
Shangri-La’s luxury business hotel brand dominates the Kerry Parkside complex near Pudong’s MagLev station. This vast 574-room hotel features seven floors dedicated to Club accommodation, with 24-hour butlers and Club lounge access. A unique highlight popular with all ages is Kerry Sports, Shanghai’s largest hotel-based sports club, which features a 24-hour gym, indoor swimming pool, tennis courts and even a rooftop garden with jogging track.
Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai
111 Pudong Road South; tel: 2082 9888; www.mandarinoriental.com/shanghai; $$$$
Stylish 2013 addition to the Pudong waterfront. Makes up for its lack of centrality with peaceful riverfront gardens, luxurious guestrooms and showpiece dining. Shanghainese restaurant Yong Yi Ting is one of the city’s finest. Sunset cruises depart from the luxury marina next door.
Marriott Executive Apartments Union Square
506 Shangcheng Road, Pudong; tel: 2899 8888; www.marriot.com; $$$$
Well-equipped and stylish serviced apartments ideal for short-term stays. The price is similar to nearby high-end hotels, but guests get a separate bedroom, kitchen, living room and other apartment-style perks.
In a Park Hyatt dining area
Alamy
Park Hyatt Shanghai
100 Century Avenue; tel: 6888 1234; www.parkhyattshanghai.com; $$$$
Shanghai’s highest hotel, on the 79th–93rd floors of the Shanghai World Financial Centre, is an exclusive retreat above the clouds, with chic, minimalist guestrooms and excellent restaurants.
Pudong Shangri-La
33 Fucheng Road; tel: 6882 6888; www.shangri-la.com; $$$$
A fine five-star with a superb location, the Shangri-La has spacious rooms, first-class service, good views and some of the best dining in the city, along with a superior on-site Chi Spa. Hint: try the Himalayan Bath.
Ramada Pudong Airport
1100 Qihang Road; tel: 3849 4949; www.ramadaairportpd.com; $$
Close to the gateway Pudong Airport, this hotel is a boon for travellers with tight flight connections. There is a full range of restaurants and a health club, and all the TVs receive instant flight information. And don’t worry about all those roaring jets – the windows are double-glazed.
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
8 Century Avenue; tel: 2020 1888; www.ritzcarlton.com; $$$$
Above the Shanghai IFC on the Pudong riverfront, this five-star features a modern Art Deco design, high-tech rooms with magnificent views (book a Bund-facing room), plus a stunning alfresco rooftop bar, Flair. There’s also an excellent shopping mall and a metro station in the basement.