Wanda Reign on the Bund
When China’s richest man creates a hotel, he doesn’t mess around. Located on Shanghai’s historic Bund, Wanda Reign is elegant, extravagant, and easily accessible to all of the city’s major attractions. The views are killer; even a luxurious bath means looking out across the Huangpu River onto the Lujiazui skyline. The guestrooms are designed in two distinct styles: Trendy and Noble. Trendy rooms blend Art Deco with glamour and modernity, and Noble rooms incorporate mahogany burl wood, magnolia embroidery, and Art Deco elements. If this isn’t enough, enjoy one of the hotel’s impressive restaurants, like MARC by Michelin-starred Marc Meneau or RIVER DRUNK Huaiyang Chinese.
538 Zhongshan East 2nd Rd, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
URBN
Looking for your zen spot? Tucked away on a quiet French Concession street, URBN Hotel Shanghai offers a green retreat right in the heart of the city. Everything in the hotel is sourced from recycled materials. The hotel occupies a former factory warehouse, but you would never know that from the luxurious atmosphere. A neutral color palette is used throughout the hotel to enhance the natural beauty of the recycled wood materials, and all rooms are a blend of contemporary, minimalist and eco-chic design.
183 Jiaozhou Rd, Jing’an District, Shanghai, China
Pudi Boutique Hotel
Not only is the Pudi one of Shanghai’s most beautiful boutique hotels, it is also the number one pet-friendly hotel in the city. Here, you and your four-legged best friend will discover a dark, cozy place to escape the often overwhelming energy of Shanghai. The name Pudi is a play on words, a Chinese homophone for boutique using the characters meaning “rough jade.” Need someone to tend to your dog while you’re out seeing the sites? One of the hotel’s 24-hour butlers is there to help.
99 Yandang Rd, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
Hotel Massenet
Hotel Massenet has cleverly redeveloped a collection of 1920s colonial mansions near Xintiandi into 14 ultra-luxury villas, some with gardens, all with private butlers and garages. Fancy renting an entire villa for yourself? That will run you about RMB40,000 (US$5790) per night. Of course, it’s understandable if that is a bit beyond your budget. Experience just a taste of the luxury at the public restaurant, Au Jardin Massenet, housed in its own villa.
Sinan Mansions, 51 Sinan Rd, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
Mansion Hotel
Live the spirit of old Shanghai at the Mansion Hotel, located in a former French Concession villa designed by the French architect Lafayette in 1932. The former headquarters of Shanghai mob boss Du Yuesheng, the hotel was once the center of the opium trade and Shanghai decadence. Today, the hotel preserves much of the furniture and antiques original to the time period, immediately transporting you to a wilder time, yet maintaining an absolute air of exclusivity and luxury.
82 Xinle Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China
The Yangtze Boutique Hotel
The Yangtze Boutique Hotel, by luxury hotelier brand Langham, is ideally located in Shanghai’s People’s Square neighborhood. Sixty percent of the hotel’s guest rooms feature a private balcony or terrace, enabling guests to enjoy views of Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, which leads directly to the must-see-attraction, the Bund. With gorgeous Art Deco heritage architecture, The Yangtze is a more affordable way to enjoy the glamour of old Shanghai. The hotel has several top-rated restaurants on site, and the third floor spa offers a range of treatments, from acupuncture to stone therapy.
740 Hankou Rd, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
The Waterhouse
Housed in a three-story building that was once the Japanese Army headquarters in the 1930s, the Waterhouse Shanghai is industrial rustic chic. There’s no way around it: it’s so cool, so very cool. Located on the South Bund’s Cool Docks and designed by architects Neri and Hu, the hotel is a shockingly beautiful contrast of old and new. Neri explains: “This is a hotel that puts the emphasis on the traveler in search of some meaning, and not just the luxury component of living.” Each of the 19 rooms, uniquely decorated, offers a coffee machine, a minibar, a refrigerator, a seating area with a sofa, and more.
1-3 Maojiayuan Rd, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
Pei Mansion Hotel
It’s no coincidence that this hotel’s name sounds like that of celebrated architect I.M. Pei; it was designed for his family in 1934. Now a five-star hotel, Pei Mansion combines heritage charm with contemporary Chinese design. All 19 luxury rooms and suites feature king size beds, marble bathrooms with large jacuzzis, rain showers, and more. On-site restaurant Xin Rong Ji is impressive as well, having recently been ranked the number one restaurant in all of China by crowd-sourced rating website Dianping.
170 Nanyang Rd, Jing’an District, Shanghai, China