If you’re on the hunt for accommodation that places you firmly in the thick of it, the six best hotels on Shanghai’s Bund have you well and truly covered.
If you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion – or you’re just feeling fancy – you’ll find high-end hotels in spades along Shanghai’s Bund, while cheaper options are harder to come by (though they’re by no means non-existent). Whichever you plump for, this historic promenade – with its former banks and consulates, not to mention views of the glittering Pudong skyline – is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Metropolo Classiq
Hotel
The Metropolo is just off the main street of the Bund | Courtesy of Metropolo Classiq Shanghai / Hotels.com
Located just 10-minutes’ walk from the famous East Nanjing shopping district, this is the perfect base for those interested in spending their days snapping up retail bargains. Boasting an impressive, classic exterior and an elegant, sophisticated interior, the Metropolo is, as the name suggests, just off the main street of The Bund – but some of the rooms and balconies still offer a view of the Pearl Tower and company. The rooms start at a little over ¥1,000 (£113). However, you’ll have to spend more to get that coveted skyscraper view.
Perfectly positioned halfway between the culture-packed Yu Garden and the shopping highlight of East Nanjing Road, Les Suites is a great base for exploring Shanghai’s downtown areas. Each room offers a mobile set up for use in China, so you don’t have to worry about buying a Chinese SIM card while you’re here.
Wanina’s Skyline Apartment is right next door to one of the residences of China’s most famous basketballer, Yao Ming. And that’s not all. You also get an unobstructed view of that classic Shanghai skyline with a unique rooftop garden, free pickup service and the homely feeling of a shared apartment rather than a sterile hotel. Having an on-hand local to help and make recommendations relieves all the stress of arriving in an unknown city, and that’s really something money can’t buy.
Just north of the Waibaidu Bridge sits The Sunrise on The Bund Hotel. Although round the bend of the Huangpu River, it still offers fantastic views of the skyscrapers, especially the Oriental Pearl Tower. The hotel has five on-site restaurants, a gym and a spa, including spa services for couples, making The Sunrise a great spot for a romantic getaway. Being on the edge of Hongkou District is an extra bonus, as this area is also home to countless quiet local coffee spots and peaceful places to stroll. There’s even a ferry shuttle bus, which makes hopping over the river for a closer look at those majestic skyscrapers even easier.
Certainly an option reserved for a cash-splashing trip, The Fairmont Peace Hotel is a stalwart of The Bund and a monument to Shanghai’s patchwork history, its pale green copper turret providing one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. Built in the late 1920s by Sir Victor Sassoon, the hotel’s interiors are a treat for Art-Deco aficionados, while the location is about as central as it gets – positioned neatly between Nanjing Road’s designer shops and the steel metropolis of Pudong. The health club, spa and myriad eateries are world-class, but it’s the renowned Jazz Bar that you really shouldn’t miss.
Mingtown Nanjing Road Youth Hostel’s rooms are kitted out with security lockers | Courtesy of Mingtown Nanjing Road Youth Hostel / Hostelworld
Although technically a hostel, this incarnation of the popular Mingtown chain has long been considered one of the city’s best-value accommodation options by Shanghai’s foreign residents. It’s mere steps from The Bund (a location which usually comes with a hefty price tag), Nanjing Road and People’s Square, and benefits from frequent renovations, meaning that private rooms, dorms and communal areas are guaranteed to be not only clean, secure and functional, but unexpectedly stylish to boot.
