Inside Shanghai’s most coveted luxury hotels

Best for honeymooners

For timeless elegance at every corner, the Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai offers that and more alongside sweeping views of the Bund and of the dramatic Pudong skyline. 82 rooms and suites are combined with personalised service, plus access to a 2,000-square-metre Bvlgari Spa and fitness centre. The hotel also recently announced the launch of its exclusive new Serpenti Suite late last year in celebration of the Year of the Snake, as well as the luxury houses motif which celebrated its 75th anniversary milestone in 2023. Set on a scenic riverbank, you’re just minutes from the iconic Bund and Shanghai City Centre.

Address: 108 Shanxi North Road, Shan Hai Guan Qu, Qin Huang Dao Shi, China, 066206

Best for business travellers

Located atop the Shanghai Tower, the tallest skyscraper in China and third-tallest in the world, J Hotel Shanghai Tower is designed with cultural and artistic Chinese influences woven throughout each detail of the design and service. All 165 individually furnished rooms feature private indoor hot tubs, pillow menus and premium bedding, plus breathtaking city views unparalleled to anything else. There is also a sauna, 24-hour fitness centre and indoor swimming pool for your leisure.

Address: Shanghai Tower, No, 126 东台路 Shanghai, China

Best for location

The Peninsula Hotels’ flagship hotel in Mainland China is a beacon of luxury hospitality that overlooks the historic Bund. Its Art Deco-inspired interiors add a touch of its own unique savoir-faire, and not to mention the fleet of bespoke Peninsula-green Rolls Royce Phantom cars. The Peninsula Shanghai is the only hotel in mainland China to sustain two concurrent Michelin-starred restaurants, from Yi Long Court serving refined Cantonese cuisine in a 1930s Shanghai manor setting to Sir Elly’s, offering innovative Northern Italian delights over sweeping Bund views.

Address: 32 Zhongshan Rd (E-1), Waitan, Huangpu, China, 200002

Best for couples

Encounter the timeless elegance of Shanghai at this urban escape, created by Jaya Ibrahim and his team to embody the spirit of Jian Ye Li, the historic Shikumen lane neighbourhood in Shanghai’s Xuhui District. 55 Shikumen villas feature a private walled courtyard, multi-level living spaces, entertainment room and rooftop balcony for a resort-style stay within the city. Dine at Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire, the celebrated three-Michelin-star French chef’s first culinary concept in mainland China – a truly singular dining destination in the city.

Address: 480 West Jianguo Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200031, Chin

Best for heritage & history

At the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund you’ll find spacious rooms, dedicated staff and a variety of considerate amenities for your stay. The lovingly restored Long Bar, which was housed in the original 1911 Shanghai Club and featuring what claims to be the longest mahogany bar in the Far East at 110 feet, is an unmissable piece of living history here. Enjoy further culinary delights at the Grand Brasserie’s celebrated Waldorf Astoria Brunch and Wai King Kok’s regional Chinese cuisine to further enhance your gastronomic journey. Within easy walking distance lies Yu Garden, Nanjing Road and the glittering Pudong skyline, making the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund the ideal base for both leisure and business in Shanghai.

Address: 2 Zhongshan Rd (E-1), Waitan, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200002

Best for river views

For a stay away from the hustle of Shanghai, the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan is designed for calmness and serenity, with views overlooking the tranquil Huangpu River and Qiantan area. Standard rooms start at a generous 52 square metres, the majority featuring private balconies and unobstructed views of the river. Dining offerings are not to be missed, including Fu Cheng, led by Michelin-starred chef Justin Yang, featuring refined Min cuisine from Fujian province. Enjoy sunrise yoga, evening meditations and more, or take advantage of the 25-metre marble-clad indoor pool, serene spa, and 24-hour fitness centre your your leisure.

Address: 18 Linyao Rd, Pudong, Shanghai, China, 200126

Best for shopping & nightlife

Situated in the culturally rich Jing’an District, this luxury hotel features elegant rooms, fine dining, and wellness experiences packed with thoughtful details. Café Gray Deluxe serves light, seasonal international fare from a New York-based chef, while Sui Tang Li brings refined Cantonese and regional Chinese dishes from a Michelin-heralded talent. There is also an entire 2,600-square-metre Mi Xun Spa devoted to wellness, featuring a main pool, heated jacuzzi pools, dry sauna, steam room and more. Designed by Italian architect Piero Lissoni, the modern space will energise you at every corner.

Address: No. 366 Shi Men Yi Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai, China 200041

Best for wellness

Taking their name from the precious nature of uncarved jade, The PuLi Hotel and Spa is designed entirely with a calm intention. Its centrepiece is its comprehensive health club which features a sauna, steam room, experiential showers and whirlpool; alongside the Anantara Spa, which draws on ancient healing therapies from China, Thailand, India and more. Tucked beside the green sanctuary of Jing’an Park, the urban oasis offers a tranquil yet centralised space of respite.

Address: 1 Changde Rd, 久光 Jing’An, Shanghai, China, 200040

Best for families

For world-class luxury, opt for the Mandarin Oriental Pudong as your stay. The hotel actually houses the most extensive collection of Chinese contemporary art of any hotel in Shanghai, with over 4,000 original works woven into the architecture, rooms, and public spaces. Michelin-starred dining, award-winning spas and world-class destinations are all located within the halls, though if you do choose to wander further out, the hotel is within walking distance from destinations such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, IFC Mall and Super Brand Mall.

Address: 111 Pudong Rd (S), Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai, China, 200120

Best for nightlife

Fairmont Peace Hotel is a sought out space for dining, events and more, including Art Deco-styled rooms and suites such as the coveted penthouse Sassoon Presidential Suite, which is among the most storied and prestigious hotel suites in all of Shanghai. The hotel has won over 40 awards since reopening in 2010, and features the award-winning Willow Stream Spa, home to 11 treatment rooms, a sky-lit swimming pool and an array of relaxation areas. Located in one of the most central positions in Shanghai, you’re steps away from various shopping destinations, metro access, Yu Garden and Waibaidu Bridge.

Address: 20 Nanjing Rd (E), Waitan, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200002

Best for food lovers

Blending old-world charm with modern captivating elegance, the The Langham Shanghai, Xintiandi is perfect for those who desire a little bit of everything (with indulgence). The hotel offers a dedicated Sleep Matters by Chuan massage programme, as well as exclusive amenities, curated spa treatments and a Sleep Cycle tracker partnership to optimise every night’s rest. Chuan Spa also offers a variety of traditional treatments, a beautifully-lit swimming pool and a 24-hour fitness centre. For dining, visit the two-Michelin Star T’ang Court for its classic Cantonese cuisine. The Langham Shanghai, Xintiandi is located in the heart of Shanghai’s renowned fashion and leisure district, and offers convenient access to all the city’s major business and cultural hubs.

Address: 99 Madang Rd, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200021