The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Shanghai for an Unforgettable Journey
The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Shanghai for an Unforgettable Journey
Shanghai
Welcome to Shanghai, China’s dazzling metropolis. A city where futuristic skyscrapers pierce the clouds and traditional Shikumen houses line quiet lanes, Shanghai is a dynamic blend of East and West. From the glamorous Bund to the trendy French Concession, this guide to the best luxury hotels in Shanghai will ensure an unforgettable journey through the heart of the country.
Welcome to Shanghai: China’s Dazzling Pearl of the Orient
Welcome to Shanghai, China’s dazzling and ever-evolving metropolis. A city where futuristic skyscrapers pierce the clouds in Pudong while traditional Shikumen houses line the quiet, leafy lanes of the former French Concession, Shanghai is a dynamic and captivating blend of East and West, past and future. From the glamorous, historic waterfront of The Bund to its world-class museums and cutting-edge culinary scene, this comprehensive guide to the best luxury hotels in Shanghai is designed to help you find the perfect accommodation for an unforgettable journey through the heart of modern China.
1. The Peninsula Shanghai
The Place: The only new building on the historic Bund, this hotel is a masterpiece of Art Deco-inspired design that pays homage to Shanghai’s glamorous 1930s. It offers magnificent, front-row views of the Bund, the Huangpu River, and the futuristic Pudong skyline. It is renowned for being one of the most iconic luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: Sir Elly’s Terrace on the 13th floor offers what is arguably the most spectacular, panoramic rooftop view of the iconic Pudong skyline in Shanghai.
1. The Peninsula Shanghai: Art Deco Grandeur on The Bund
The Place: As the only new building constructed on the historic Bund in decades, The Peninsula Shanghai is a magnificent masterpiece of Art Deco-inspired design that pays a fitting homage to Shanghai’s glamorous 1920s and 30s. The hotel offers magnificent, completely unobstructed, front-row views of the Bund, the bustling Huangpu River, and the futuristic Pudong skyline. It is renowned for its impeccable, legendary service and its timeless amenities, making it the most iconic of all luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: Sir Elly’s Terrace, the hotel’s stunning rooftop bar on the 13th floor, offers what is arguably the most spectacular, breathtakingly panoramic view of the iconic Pudong skyline and the historic Bund in all of Shanghai.
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2. Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
The Place: A magnificent hotel housed in two buildings: a beautifully restored 1911 neoclassical heritage building (the former Shanghai Club) and a modern tower. It masterfully blends the glamour of old Shanghai with contemporary comfort. This property is celebrated for its rich history and stunning heritage suites, a true gem among luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: Enjoying a classic cocktail at the legendary Long Bar, with its 34-meter bar counter, feels like stepping back into the city’s glamorous 1920s heyday.
2. Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund: A Tale of Two Buildings
The Place: A magnificent hotel comprised of two distinct buildings, the Waldorf Astoria masterfully blends historic grandeur with contemporary luxury. The heritage building is a meticulous restoration of the iconic 1911 Shanghai Club, the city’s most exclusive gentlemen’s club, while the modern tower offers contemporary comforts. This property is celebrated for its rich history and stunning heritage suites, a true gem among the historic luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: Enjoying a classic cocktail at the legendary Long Bar, with its incredible 34-meter mahogany bar counter and historic, clubby atmosphere, feels like stepping back in time to the city’s glamorous and decadent 1920s heyday.
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3. Park Hyatt Shanghai
The Place: Occupying floors 79 to 93 of the Shanghai World Financial Center, this was once the highest hotel in the world. Park Hyatt Shanghai is a sophisticated and serene retreat in the clouds, offering breathtaking, bird’s-eye views. The hotel is celebrated for its minimalist, contemporary Chinese design, making it one of the most serene luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: The spectacular indoor infinity pool on the 85th floor, which feels like you are swimming in the sky, is a truly unforgettable and serene experience.
3. Park Hyatt Shanghai: A Serene Retreat in the Clouds
The Place: Once the highest hotel in the world, the Park Hyatt Shanghai occupies floors 79 to 93 of the iconic Shanghai World Financial Center, often called ‘the bottle opener.’ It is a sophisticated and serene retreat high in the clouds, offering truly breathtaking, bird’s-eye views of the city’s landmarks. The hotel is celebrated for its minimalist, contemporary Chinese design, creating a tranquil and exclusive atmosphere, making it one of the most serene luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: The spectacular indoor infinity pool on the 85th floor is a true highlight. With its serene atmosphere and stunning views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, it feels as if you are swimming in the sky, providing an unforgettable and deeply relaxing experience.
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4. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai
The Place: A sleek and contemporary masterpiece of design located on the banks of the Huangpu River in the heart of Pudong’s financial district. The hotel is celebrated for its stunning, art-filled interiors, its world-class spa, and its exceptional culinary offerings. It stands out among modern luxury hotels in Shanghai with spectacular Bund views.
My Top Pick: The spectacular butterfly-themed lobby, with its thousands of handcrafted glass butterflies, creates a dramatic and beautiful sense of arrival for every one of its guests.
4. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai: A Masterpiece of Contemporary Design
The Place: A sleek and contemporary masterpiece of design, the Mandarin Oriental is perfectly located on the picturesque banks of the Huangpu River in the heart of Pudong’s Lujiazui financial district. The hotel is celebrated for its stunning, art-filled interiors, its world-class, futuristic spa, and its exceptional culinary offerings. It stands out among modern luxury hotels in Shanghai with spectacular, up-close views of the river and the historic Bund skyline on the opposite bank.
My Top Pick: The spectacular butterfly-themed lobby, which is adorned with a magnificent mosaic wall and a soaring glass installation featuring thousands of handcrafted crystal butterflies, creates a dramatic, artistic, and truly beautiful sense of arrival for every guest.
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5. The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
The Place: Occupying the top floors of a sleek skyscraper in the IFC complex, this hotel offers a glamorous, Art Deco-inspired experience with breathtaking views. Located in the heart of Pudong, it provides spectacular, direct views of the Oriental Pearl Tower. It is renowned for its opulent design and legendary rooftop bar, a true icon among luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: Flair, the hotel’s rooftop bar on the 58th floor, offers some of the most dramatic, up-close views of the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Bund.
5. The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong: Art Deco Glamour with Iconic Views
The Place: Occupying the top 18 floors of a sleek skyscraper in the prestigious IFC complex, The Ritz-Carlton offers a glamorous, Art Deco-inspired experience with breathtaking views. Located in the heart of the Lujiazui financial district, it provides spectacular, direct, and incredibly close-up views of the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower. It is renowned for its opulent design and its world-famous rooftop bar, a true icon among luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: Flair, the hotel’s spectacular rooftop bar and restaurant on the 58th floor, is the highest al fresco dining venue in China. It offers some of the most dramatic, up-close, and iconic views of the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Bund.
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6. Amanyangyun
The Place: A truly extraordinary sanctuary located just outside central Shanghai. This resort is a masterpiece of preservation, centered around ancient camphor trees and Ming and Qing dynasty villas that were painstakingly relocated from Fuzhou. It offers a serene and deeply cultural experience, unlike any other of the luxury hotels in Shanghai, connecting guests with history.
My Top Pick: The magnificent Aman Spa is a destination in itself, a vast complex dedicated to holistic wellness, with two swimming pools and a thermal spa.
6. Amanyangyun: A Journey Through Time and Nature
The Place: A truly extraordinary and unique wellness sanctuary, Amanyangyun is located just outside central Shanghai. This incredible resort is a masterpiece of architectural preservation, centered around thousands of ancient camphor trees and dozens of Ming and Qing dynasty villas that were painstakingly relocated from Fuzhou. It offers a serene, spiritual, and deeply cultural experience that connects guests with China’s rich history, unlike any other of the luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: The magnificent Aman Spa is a destination in itself. As one of the largest and most comprehensive wellness centers in Shanghai, this vast complex is dedicated to holistic wellness, featuring two swimming pools and a stunning thermal spa.
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7. Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li
The Place: A unique all-villa urban resort located in the beautifully restored ‘shikumen’ heritage estate in the heart of the former French Concession. Capella Shanghai offers a rare opportunity to experience the city’s traditional architectural heritage in ultimate comfort. The hotel provides an incredibly private and serene retreat, a true historical gem among luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: Staying in a private Shikumen villa, which blends traditional lane house living with chic, contemporary French-inspired design, is a truly unique Shanghai experience.
7. Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li: A Unique Shikumen Sanctuary
The Place: A unique all-villa urban resort, Capella Shanghai is located in the beautifully restored ‘shikumen’ heritage estate of Jian Ye Li, right in the heart of the former French Concession. This remarkable hotel offers a rare opportunity to experience the city’s traditional architectural heritage in the pinnacle of modern luxury. The hotel provides an incredibly private, serene, and exclusive retreat, a true historical gem among luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: Staying in a private Shikumen villa is a truly unique Shanghai experience. The design masterfully blends the character of traditional 1930s lane house living with chic, contemporary French-inspired interior design, creating a perfect and luxurious home.
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8. The Sukhothai Shanghai
The Place: A chic and contemporary design hotel located in the bustling Jing’an district, part of the HKRI Taikoo Hui complex. The Sukhothai Shanghai is celebrated for its minimalist, sophisticated design by Neri&Hu and its serene, resort-like atmosphere. It offers a stylish and tranquil urban retreat, a perfect example of modern luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: The beautiful and serene URBAN Café & Lounge, which opens onto an expansive outdoor terrace, is a perfect oasis for enjoying a meal or drink.
8. The Sukhothai Shanghai: A Chic and Serene Design Haven
The Place: A chic and contemporary design hotel, The Sukhothai is located in the bustling Jing’an district, forming part of the prestigious HKRI Taikoo Hui complex with its luxury shopping. The hotel is celebrated for its minimalist yet warm and sophisticated design by the acclaimed architectural firm Neri&Hu and its serene, resort-like atmosphere. It offers a stylish and tranquil urban retreat, a perfect example of modern luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: The beautiful and serene URBAN Café & Lounge, which opens onto an expansive outdoor terrace surrounded by lush greenery and water features, is a perfect and rare oasis for enjoying an alfresco meal or drink in the city center.
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9. Bulgari Hotel Shanghai
The Place: Occupying the top floors of a 48-story tower next to a restored historic Chamber of Commerce building. The Bulgari Hotel brings contemporary Italian glamour to the banks of the Suzhou Creek. The hotel is celebrated for its exquisite design, stunning spa, and glamorous rooftop bar, a truly fashionable choice among luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: The stunning indoor swimming pool on the 47th floor, with its shimmering mosaic tiles and relaxation pavilions, offers incredible, panoramic views of the city.
9. Bulgari Hotel Shanghai: Italian Glamour on Suzhou Creek
The Place: Occupying the top floors of a magnificent 48-story tower, and located next to a beautifully restored historic Chamber of Commerce building from 1916. The Bulgari Hotel brings the brand’s signature contemporary Italian glamour to the banks of the revitalized Suzhou Creek. The hotel is celebrated for its exquisite design, stunning spa, and glamorous rooftop bar, a truly fashionable choice among luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: The stunning 25-meter indoor swimming pool on the 47th floor is a true sanctuary. With its shimmering, viridian mosaic tiles, relaxation pavilions, and floor-to-ceiling windows, it offers incredible, panoramic views of the city skyline as you swim.
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10. The Shanghai EDITION
The Place: A vibrant and stylish hotel housed in two separate towers in a beautifully restored Art Deco building, located just off the Bund. The Shanghai EDITION is a hub of sophisticated design and lively social scenes, featuring multiple bars and restaurants. It masterfully blends its historic setting with a modern aesthetic, a hotspot among trendy luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: The Punch Room is a cozy, reservations-only speakeasy-style bar that offers a sophisticated and intimate setting for enjoying incredibly creative and bespoke cocktails.
10. The Shanghai EDITION: A Hub of Modern Sophistication
The Place: A vibrant and incredibly stylish hotel housed in two separate towers within a beautifully restored Art Deco building, located just off the historic Bund. The Shanghai EDITION is a dynamic hub of sophisticated design and lively social scenes, featuring multiple bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. It masterfully blends its rich historic setting with a modern, minimalist aesthetic, a hotspot among trendy luxury hotels in Shanghai.
My Top Pick: The Punch Room is a cozy, reservations-only, speakeasy-style bar inspired by London’s 19th-century private clubs. It offers a sophisticated and incredibly intimate setting for enjoying creative and bespoke cocktails based on different punches.
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Bonus: W Shanghai – The Bund
A vibrant and energetic hotel on the North Bund, the W is known for its bold, futuristic design, its pulsating social scene, and its spectacular views of the Huangpu River. The hotel offers a playful and high-energy experience, with a stunning outdoor swimming pool and lively WOOBAR, a dynamic choice among luxury hotels in Shanghai.
Bonus: W Shanghai – The Bund: A Futuristic Playground
The Place: A vibrant and energetic hotel located on the North Bund, the W Shanghai is known for its bold, futuristic design, its pulsating social scene, and its spectacular, unobstructed views of the Huangpu River. The hotel offers a playful, high-energy, and thoroughly modern luxury experience, with a stunning outdoor swimming pool and lively WOOBAR, a dynamic choice among luxury hotels in Shanghai.
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Expert’s Opinion: One to Choose?
Here’s our recommendation to help you choose the perfect luxury hotel in Shanghai for your trip:
- For iconic Bund glamour and history: The Peninsula Shanghai or the historic Waldorf Astoria Shanghai are the quintessential choices.
- For breathtaking, sky-high views: The Park Hyatt Shanghai or The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong offer unparalleled, bird’s-eye perspectives.
- For a unique, cultural retreat: The historic villas of Amanyangyun or the traditional ‘shikumen’ experience at Capella Shanghai are unmatched.
- For a vibrant, modern social scene: The Shanghai EDITION or W Shanghai – The Bund are perfect for a lively, energetic stay.
Expert’s Opinion: One to Choose?
Here’s our recommendation to help you choose the perfect luxury hotel in Shanghai for your trip:
- For iconic Bund glamour and history: The Peninsula Shanghai or the historic Waldorf Astoria Shanghai are the quintessential choices.
- For breathtaking, sky-high views: The Park Hyatt Shanghai or The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong offer unparalleled, bird’s-eye perspectives.
- For a unique, cultural retreat: The historic villas of Amanyangyun or the traditional ‘shikumen’ experience at Capella Shanghai are unmatched.
- For a vibrant, modern social scene: The Shanghai EDITION or W Shanghai – The Bund are perfect for a lively, energetic stay.
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Travel Guides: Shanghai, China
A stay at a luxury hotel is just the beginning of your Shanghai adventure. To make the most of your trip, here is a travel guide that complements the article on luxury hotels in Shanghai.
1. Best Time to Visit Shanghai
- Spring (March-May): One of the best times to visit the city, with pleasant, mild temperatures and beautiful blooming flowers in the city’s many parks and gardens.
- Autumn (September-November): Also an ideal season for a visit, with comfortable, mild weather, lower humidity, and less rain, making it perfect for walking and exploring the city.
- Summer (June-August): This season can be very hot and humid, with the possibility of heavy rainfall, but the city has a vibrant summer energy and numerous indoor attractions.
- Winter (December-February): Can be cold and damp, but you will experience the city with significantly fewer crowds, offering a different, more local perspective of Shanghai.
1. When to Go?
- Spring (March-May): One of the best times to visit, with pleasant temperatures and blooming flowers in the city’s parks.
- Autumn (September-November): Also an ideal season, with comfortable, mild weather and less rain, perfect for walking and exploring.
- Summer (June-August): Can be very hot and humid, with heavy rainfall, but the city has a vibrant summer energy.
- Winter (December-February): Cold and damp, but with fewer crowds, offering a different perspective of the city.
2. Getting Around Shanghai
- Metro: The Shanghai Metro is one of the world’s largest and most modern subway systems. It is incredibly efficient, clean, affordable, and the absolute best way to navigate this vast city.
- Taxis and Ride-Sharing: Taxis are plentiful and affordable. Ride-sharing apps like Didi Chuxing (China’s Uber) are the most common and convenient way to get around the city.
- Maglev Train: For travel to and from Pudong International Airport (PVG), the high-speed Maglev is a unique and incredibly fast experience, reaching speeds of up to 431 km/h.
2. Getting Around Shanghai
- Metro: The Shanghai Metro is one of the world’s largest, and it is a modern, efficient, and affordable way to navigate this vast city.
- Taxis and Ride-Sharing: Taxis are plentiful and affordable. Ride-sharing apps like Didi Chuxing are the most common way to get around.
- Maglev Train: For travel to and from Pudong International Airport (PVG), the high-speed Maglev is a unique and incredibly fast experience.
3. Must-See Sights in Shanghai
- The Bund (Wai Tan): Stroll along this famous, historic waterfront promenade for spectacular, iconic views of the futuristic Pudong skyline across the Huangpu River.
- Yu Garden (Yuyuan): Explore this exquisite and perfectly preserved classical Ming dynasty garden, a tranquil oasis located in the heart of the bustling Old City.
- Jade Buddha Temple: Visit this famous and active Buddhist temple to see its two precious and beautiful jade Buddha statues, which were brought to the city from Burma.
- Shanghai Tower: Ascend one of the world’s tallest buildings to its observation deck for breathtaking, 360-degree views of the entire, sprawling metropolis below.
3. Must-See Sights
- The Bund (Wai Tan): Stroll along this famous waterfront promenade for spectacular views of the futuristic Pudong skyline.
- Yu Garden (Yuyuan): Explore this exquisite classical Ming dynasty garden in the heart of the Old City.
- Jade Buddha Temple: Visit this famous Buddhist temple to see its two precious jade Buddha statues.
- Shanghai Tower: Ascend one of the world’s tallest buildings for breathtaking, 360-degree views of the entire metropolis.
4. Unique Experiences in Shanghai
- Explore the French Concession: Wander through the charming, leafy, tree-lined streets of the former French Concession, with its unique independent boutiques, stylish cafes, and historic European-style villas.
- Acrobatic Show: Witness a spectacular and gravity-defying Chinese acrobatics show, such as the famous ERA Intersection of Time, for an unforgettable evening of entertainment.
- Tianzifang: Explore the labyrinthine alleyways of this arts and crafts enclave, housed in traditional Shikumen (stone gate) buildings, now filled with small, quirky shops, bars, and cafes.
- Huangpu River Cruise: Take a boat cruise on the Huangpu River at night for the most spectacular, glittering, and iconic views of both the historic Bund and the futuristic Pudong skylines.
4. Unique Experiences
- Explore the French Concession: Wander through the charming, tree-lined streets of the former French Concession, with its unique boutiques, cafes, and historic villas.
- Acrobatic Show: Witness a spectacular and gravity-defying Chinese acrobatics show for an unforgettable evening of entertainment.
- Tianzifang: Explore the labyrinthine alleyways of this arts and crafts enclave, housed in traditional Shikumen buildings, now filled with small shops and cafes.
- Huangpu River Cruise: Take a boat cruise at night for the most spectacular views of the glittering Pudong and Bund skylines.
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