Shanghai oozes class, and the city’s signature glamour extends to the great array of Airbnbs on offer. From a loft in the historic Bund to a suite in the stylish French Concession, these are the top 10 places to rent in town.
The world’s biggest metropolis is famous for its forest of skyscrapers, and hidden among the high-rises you’ll find some of Asia’s most stylish Airbnbs. Whether you’re on the hunt for an Art Deco abode, a New York-style loft or a sun-drenched attic apartment, you’ll find everything you need in this curated list.
The decor may be very modern, but this apartment has some serious history behind it: this old-school Shanghai bungalow was built more than a century ago, just steps from the famous Huaihai and Yong Kang roads. The spacious one-bedroom property features a giant bathroom and sleeping space for four guests, and there’s a generous discount available for long-term stays, too.
This chic loft blends the old and the new – traditional shikumen elements complement industrial-chic design, including exposed brick in the entrance, a huge leather couch under the stairs and exposed wooden beams in the upstairs bedroom. Enjoy a cup of coffee at the kitchen bar or in the sunny patio garden before heading off to explore the streets of the surrounding Jing’an neighbourhood.
Occupying a vintage French Concession building, this stylish Airbnb has giant windows, an airy loft bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen and a sleek polished concrete bathroom. Access to the front door is via a leafy courtyard garden that opens onto a generous living space with comfy couches and an Asian-influenced aesthetic.
This 1920s Art Deco property has plenty of charm, with beautifully appointed Asian decor, a well-equipped kitchen and a retro bathroom. Fringed by some of Shanghai’s most historic laneways at the west end of Nanjing Road, this apartment is also one of Shanghai’s best-value options on Airbnb, with rates starting at less than ¥500 (£56).
The elegance of Shanghai’s French Concession area comes to life in this graceful Airbnb, right down to the chic blue curtains and golden chandelier hanging in the living room. The one-bedroom, two-bathroom property is situated on a café-lined street in West Shanghai, only a stroll from shopping havens Huaihai Road and Nanjing Road West.
This classic shikumen property has been given a very contemporary makeover and is kitted out with warm, wooden interior design, East Asian artworks and super-comfortable living spaces. Located right at the heart of the French Concession, this house has much more space than most other one-bedroom Airbnbs in Shanghai, boasting a full-sized kitchen and bathroom.
With zebra-print rugs, greyscale photo prints and monochromatic decor, there’s no mistaking this property’s black-and-white theme. This modern duplex loft sits on the 13th floor of a high-rise building overlooking the Bund, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a south-facing balcony to make the most of the view over the Huangpu River.
This Airbnb is perfect for travellers who are keen to escape the hustle and bustle of this sprawling metropolis. It’s located in the tranquil residential Pengpu New Village in the Jing’an District. Perched on the sixth floor of a quiet block, the Japanese-themed boutique apartment isn’t far from the Pengpu Xincun station for direct access to People’s Square, Xujiahui and Hengshan Road by Metro Line 1.
This cleverly designed studio has converted the attic of a residential apartment block into one of the best Airbnbs in Shanghai’s stylish French Concession. Windows bathe the clean, white space in natural light, the well-stocked bookshelf gives guests plenty to read and the mini-kitchenette and bathroom provide modern amenities. The apartment also enjoys access to a rooftop terrace with sweeping views.
This state-of-the-art riverside retreat has smart TV, air-conditioning, Bluetooth speakers, a fully equipped kitchenette and an ultra-modern bathroom. The location of the boutique loft is another big plus — the property sits next door to the Waibaidu Bridge, just a quick walk to the nearest subway station and the Bund.
