The Best Boutique Hotels to Book in Shanghai

Housed in a handsome, imposing 1920s art-deco building is the Cachet Boutique Shanghai, the 45 spacious studios and suites come equipped with thoughtful perks such as fully stocked kitchenettes and elegant Italian Bisazza-tiled bathrooms. A location in the heart of Shanghai, a brief walk from the Bund and the pedestrian street of Wujiang Road, means easy access to some of the city’s best eating, drinking and shopping options.

Opened in 2009, The PuLi was one of Shanghai’s first urban resorts. The lobby, decked out with unique materials and objets d’art, sets the tone. The 193 rooms and 36 suites are similarly stylish, attended by a team of service-minded staff. A spa, pool and lauded dining outlets round off the extra-curricular activities, not to mention a location within walking distance of even more eating, drinking and shopping options.

Bold lines and clean silhouettes form the vibe at Shanghai’s The Middle House. The luxuriously designed guest rooms and serviced apartments provide a stylish, comfortable stay in the city, while a slew of dining outlets and a heated indoor pool are there for rest and relaxation. Located a short walk from the Bund and the pedestrian street-food strip of Wujiang Road means easy access to even more eating, drinking and shopping options.

Less a hotel, more an elegantly designed, intricately interlinked complex of structures, spaces, and settings is The Shanghai Edition. A dramatic lobby grants access to 145 guest rooms, many with wide-screen views over The Bund and Shanghai’s ever-expanding skyline. The hotel’s communal areas span 10 floors and include a variety of food and drink outlets (including two rooftop bars) and a spa. A location in the centre of Shanghai, a short walk from The Bund, means even more entertainment and shopping options.

Shanghai’s Bulgari Hotel Shanghai unites a modern 48-floor tower and the 1916-era Shanghai Chamber of Commerce building. The rooms and suites are spacious and decadent, and come equipped with the type of amenities you won’t encounter elsewhere, not to mention panoramic views of the iconic Bund waterfront, Pudong skyline and beyond. A spate of dining and drinking outlets and an inviting pool and spa will most likely coax you out of your room.

Boasting an urban-resort feel is the Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund. Rooms are subtle and spacious, many offering city or river views, some with an in-room pool. There’s an emphasis on wellness, with a lauded spa that takes its cues from Thai traditional medicine, as well as a variety of swimming pools and fitness facilities. A location on The Bund means easy access to some of Shanghai’s best entertainment, drinking, dining and shopping spots.

It’s not just humans who love the Pudi – this 4.5-star property is a favourite among animal guests, too. Here, you and your four-legged friend will discover an atmospheric space to escape the overwhelming energy of Shanghai, with 52 dark and moody suites available. And, if you need someone to look after your pup while you’re out seeing the sights, there are even 24-hour butlers to lend a hand.

URBN is China’s first carbon-neutral hotel, converted from a post-office building with recycled and locally sourced materials like reclaimed hardwood and upcycled bricks, as well as eco-friendly features like solar shades and water-based air-con. Guest rooms are furbished in black and white decor, ranging from simple studios and atrium rooms to elegant garden-view rooms and a penthouse.

Only five minutes from the Shanghai New International Expo Center, the Century Park Crowne Plaza is a boutique-style luxury hotel in central Shanghai. The suites enjoy five-star decor and furnishings, like marble bathrooms and spacious sitting areas, as well as access to a 24-hour fitness centre, the relaxing Spring Spa, the authentic Heji Chinese restaurant and childcare services. Also, the panoramic views of Shanghai are to die for.

When China’s richest man creates a boutique hotel, he doesn’t mess around. Wang Jianlin’s pet project bills itself as Shanghai’s first ‘seven-star’ hotel, with over-the-top opulence around every corner. The 190 guest rooms are designed in two distinct styles – the modern Art Deco ‘trendy’ suites and the wood-lined ‘noble’ rooms – and Wanda Reign also boasts a range of impressive restaurants and lounges.

These converted 1920s colonial mansions are the height of luxury and carry the price tag to boot. The 60 upscale villas come with private gardens, butlers and garages. If it’s a little out of your price range, then settle for a taste of luxury at Hotel Massenet’s gorgeous in-house restaurant, Aux Jardins Massenet, housed in its own villa.

This hotel might be housed in an old bank but it’s anything but boring. The stylish boutique has overseen Nanjing Road’s transformation into one of the world’s elite shopping precincts over recent years and these days, guests of the 165 four-star suites are provided a front-row seat to the world-class retail action, with state-of-the-art amenities and a super-central location.

Live the spirit of old Shanghai at the Mansion Hotel, located in a French Concession villa designed by European architect Lafayette in 1932. The former headquarters of Shanghai mob boss Du Yuesheng, the property was once the centre of Shanghai’s infamous opium trade. Today, the Mansion Hotel preserves much of the original furniture and antiques, transporting guests to that bygone era.

Nanjing Road is Shanghai’s premier shopping district and this five-star property is the premier boutique hotel in the area. Inhabiting a lavish Art Deco building, the Yangtze’s 96 rooms exude old-world charm and all boast balconies overlooking the skyline, while the 24-hour fitness centre and spa services are waiting to pamper guests around the clock. The location is enviable as well, just steps from People’s Square and Shanghai’s hottest shops.

The name of this five-star property harks back to the halcyon days of the French Concession, as do the 168 decadent suites. Situated in downtown Shanghai perched high above the 16th-century Yu Gardens, Les Suites Orient features an array of huge guest rooms with glitzy marble bathrooms, a cutting-edge fitness centre, plus a high-end cigar bar and Cafe DongXi, serving both Asian and Western cuisine.