FAB HOTELS ASIA 100

Throughout Shanghai’s dramatic rise from a small fishing village to the modern day bastion of Chinese commerce, fabulous hotels have sprouted up across the city to cater to the endless streams of visitors who visit the metropolis to marvel at the confluence of the historic and the futuristic here. Whether they are historic addresses that trace back to the turn of the century or modern day babels that tower into the sky, here are some of the best hotels and hospitality adderesses of enigmatic Shanghai.

The Peninsula Shanghai
 

For years now The Peninsula Shanghai has maintained itself as one of the city’s most glamorous luxury hotels with aplomb. Award-winning restaurants, virtuoso service and rooms that open to gorgeous river views all add to the allures of this hospitality landmark just steps from Shanghai’s most exclusive stretch on the Bund. Unlike many other hotel chains imprinted with high luxury, the countenance of a Peninsula property is largely and invariably reflective of the mothership.

 

In sharing a DNA so magnificently devoted to service refinement and technological wizardry, this offshoot in the lofty metropolis of Shanghai has been setting new heights even within the iconic Bund vicinity saturated with high-end hospitality players.

 

A light-drenched lobby studded with handsome columns is a deliberate transference from the Hong Kong flagship, as are the hefty silverwares, live jazz bands and impeccable service orientation. The rooms and suites here are amongst Shanghai’s best, raised contemporary with art deco flourishes and invested with all the creature comforts one naturally expects from the Peninsula name.

Take a plunge into the hotel’s gorgeous indoor pool or repose at the fabulous Peninsula Spa to alleviate some of the maddening stress of Shanghai kept outside the fold of this exemplary hospitality landmark.

 

Culinary Highlights

 

Yi Long Court is The Peninsula Shanghai’s one-Michelin-starred Cantonese fine dining address that serves delectable signatures like Spotted Grouper Blanched in Fish Broth and Baked Spring Chicken amidst stunning interiors and a resplendent milieu. Sir Elly’s Restaurant presents modern northern Italian cuisine paired with breathtaking views of the iconic Pudong skyline. In the warmer months guests can also enjoy the view with a tipple outside at Sir Elly’s Terrace. The ritual of afternoon tea is another Peninsula signature not to be missed at The Lobby.

 

The Peninsula Shanghai, No. 32 The Bund, 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road

 

Fairmont Peace Hotel
 

In the summer of 2025, it was announced that the Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai is set to be rebranded as Raffles Peace Hotel Shanghai in 2027. The hotel, originally built in 1929 as the Cathay Hotel by Sir Victor Sassoon, a prominent hotelier in Shanghai’s roaring Bund epoch, has been one of the city’s most storied establishments for close to 100 years. It is significant that the rebranding will come at the dawn of its centenarian milestone, as the Fairmont Peace Hotel is a heritage landmark that evokes the theatrics and glamour of The Bund’s golden era.

 

Presently, the Fairmont Peace Hotel is a 270 key property that offers breathtaking views of Pudong across the Huangpu River with 270 distinctive guest rooms. There are presently 39 suites, and 11 of them are luxury theme suites that evoke a bygone era. Besides the behemoth Sassoon Suite, once occupied by the founder himself, the most distinctive suites here are the Chinese Suite and the Indian Suite, both meticulously carved from the historic building and imbued with striking cultural accents. The world is waiting with bated breath for the new luxury entity to emerge from ongoing renovations in time for its 2027 reveal.

 

Culinary Highlights

The Fairmont Peace Hotel was a stately confluence of East and West from its early years and that tradition has been perpetuated into its culinary direction in the present day. The Cathay Room serves beautifully assembled afternoon tea sets and international cuisine for lunch and dinner.

 

Dragon Phoenix Room is a favourite for quintessentially Shanghainese flavours as designed by executive chef Ma Hao Cheng, offering updated classics like Shanghainese smoked fish and braised pork belly with beautiful plating. The Peking duck here is also one of the city’s best. The Jazz Bar may be overtly touristy on most nights but as a nostalgic throwback to the endless revelries of the Bund’s golden age, it is well worth a visit for the uninitiated.

 

Fairmont Peace Hotel, 20 Nanjing Road East, 200002 Shanghai, China

 

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
 

The first Waldorf Astoria to open in Asia, the Shanghai flagship was converted from an erstwhile British gentleman’s club on The Bund raised in 1910, and a palpable grandeur still ricochets through its historical recesses. The distinguished milieu that has lingered from the building’s heyday is today reinforced with material comforts and modern luxuries — think suites appointed with poster beds, a luxury spa, a fitness centre and several acclaimed restaurants, to better align the historic address with the Waldorf Astoria brand.

While luxuriating amidst such olden charms, a sense of the future is also palpable courtesy of the gorgeous vistas of Pudong across the Whampoa, guests inhabiting the river view rooms and suites are bound to get an eyeful of.

 

Culinary Highlights

 

There is a variety of dining options from modern and regional Chinese to European cuisine at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai. Wai King Kok is an elegant modern Chinoiserie dining space that serves sumptuous Chinese delicacies updated from regional classics. The Grand Brasserie is set against a contemporary setting next to a tranquil courtyard offering chic yet casual dining options (European and Chinese) at all hours of the day. The Long Bar is a perennial favourite for trendy bar flies with a penchant for sophistication along the atmospheric Bund stretch.

 

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, No.2 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Rd, Huang Pu District Shanghai, 200002 China

 

Regent Shanghai on the Bund
 

Shanghai’s second Regent property is set along a picturesque corner along the riverside promenade with enviable views of both Pudong and the Bund. In terms of conception, it leans heavily towards a design theme that’s meant to impress the younger, trendier set more appreciative of concepts than chandeliers.

The design brief of this reimagined beaut — which for many years operated as the Seagull Hotel — states ‘a contemporary floral wonderland of blooming magnolias, a glistening tree (that) chases light’. Although elaborate adherence to this brief might draw gasps on first visits, one can’t help but wonder if the entire project might have benefited more from tasteful and subtle applications.

 

Still, Regent on the Bund is currently one of the comeliest hotels this end of Shanghai and its triumph lies largely in the immaculate sumptuousness of the rooms and suites. Leading in at 45 sqm, the interior design palettes are refreshingly vert with restrained splashes of prints and gold. Some of the bathrooms are amongst the dreamiest in the city; the Seagull Suite is our firm favourite — boasting incredible views, its plush bathtub is parked next to a patio that opens to the definitive panorama of Pudong, gleaming as it does day and night, across the mighty Whampoa river.

 

Culinary Highlights

 

CONDÉ exudes sophistication with its sculptural ceiling, refractive curved walls and marble floors that contrast beautifully with the dazzling views of the Shanghai skyline, setting the mood for the inspired Western cuisine here. Drawing on the rich tapestry of Shanghai’s varied culinary heritage, Jin Lin is a gourmet spot for those seeking authentic Cantonese flavours served with a dash of modern refinements.

Regent Shanghai on the Bund, 60 Huangpu Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai 

 

Bellagio by MGM Shanghai
 

Bellagio by MGM Shanghai is the first Bellagio Hotel in China and the second in the world, succeeding its sister hotel from across the Pacific at the Bellagio Las Vegas. The hotel was raised to reflect the brand’s design mantra ”Nothing Short of Unforgettable” and was liberally injected with a dose of eye-catching accoutrements like imposing sculptures, dramatic chandeliers and dazzling LED-lit walkways.

The rooms and suites are nonetheless spared from most of the design excesses of the public areas and are largely roomy dens tastefully imbued with both light and views. The Starry Sky Pool is an impressive facility of the property where guests can enjoy the panoramic views of the Bund while luxuriating in the vitality pool, sauna, and steam room.

 

Culinary Highlights

 

Paying homage to Shanghai’s culinary roots, Mansion on One is a dining address installed in a heritage mansion raised with brand-new interiors. The restaurant features Cantonese and Shanghainese cuisine and comes replete with private dining rooms imbued with classic 1920s decor accents. LAGO is a progressive dining experience featuring fashion-forward interiors, creative Italian cuisine and the spectacular views of the Suzhou River. Conceived by internationally acclaimed design firm Studio Munge, LAGO’s avant-garde interiors juxtaposes strikingly with the quaint milieu of Shanghai’s Puxi district.

 

Bellagio by MGM Shanghai, No. 188 Beisuzhou Road Hongkou District, Shanghai 200080, China

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The Ritz Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
 

Shanghai’s second Ritz-Carlton hotel was raised high in Pudong, occupying the top floors of the Shanghai IFC where Art Deco accents merge with contemporary design in its 287 rooms and suites. Nestled on the upper levels of a 58-floor spire in Lujiazui naturally guarantees grand views of the vicinity, this being the bustling epicentre of Shanghai’s commercial, financial and retail district.

On a clear day guests can enjoy inspiring vistas of the Bund and the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, just some of the Instagrammable moments visitors will cherish from their time at the hotel. Beyond the views, a stay here will also be buoyed by all the creature comforts one can count on a Ritz-Carlton hotel to deliver — marble clad bathrooms, beds of cloud, and in the case of this property, dramatically shaped bathtubs. For a step up from the lead-in amenities, guests can opt for the Ritz-Carlton Club experience here, often described as a ‘hotel within a hotel’ with dedicated check-in, concierge services and five culinary presentations daily at the club lounge.

 

Culinary Highlights

 

Scena di Angelo, an Italian restaurant with Michelin-starred chef Angelo Aglianó as its consultant, was relaunched on September 25, 2023 with inventive renditions of Italian classics like Angus Beef Carpaccio with Artichoke, Arugula and Parmigiano Reggiano and Baked Ricotta Cheese with Choy Sum Veloute and Black Truffle served with a side of stunning views.

 

Jin Xuan has the honour of maintaining its one-Michelin-starred status for eight consecutive years. Under the watchful eyes of Executive Chinese chef Daniel Wong, the culinary team here tempts guests with authentic, creative Cantonese cuisine and other regional favourites of China. Flair, perched at the crown of Shanghai IFC, was once the city’s highest rooftop bar with a perennially trendy crowd that is doubtlessly spellbound by the spectacular view of the Oriental Pearl Tower and its glittering surroundings.

 

The Ritz Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, Shanghai IFC, 8 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai, China 200120

 

Mandarin Oriental Pudong
 

Opened in 2013, Mandarin Oriental Pudong Shanghai exudes a milieu of ‘grown-up sophistication’ on the Pudong waterfront. Located on the east bank of the Huangpu River, the property is part of the dramatic skyline of the Lujiazui financial district, literally just steps from the Oriental Pearl Tower and Binjiang Boulevard.

The hotel’s 318 spacious guest rooms and 44 suites are designed by Peruvian architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia who imbued the building with classic aesthetics and modern elegance. Starting at 50 square metres, guest rooms feature original artworks, guest-centric technology and sweeping views over the Huangpu River, the Bund and the city skyline. The River and Bund View Suites in particular offer the quintessential Pudong luxury experience — space, views and exclusive club lounge benefits reserved for discerning fans of the riverside property. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai offers guests restorative massages and beauty and wellness treatments within a calming space comprising contemporary spa suites with thermal/hydro facilities.

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Culinary Highlights

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Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai has since its inception been bringing celebrity chefs and cutting-edge epicurean experiences to Shanghai’s dynamic dining scene. Plenty of culinary choices abound in this culinary address, from contemporary French at Fifty 8° Grill to fine dining at its one-Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant Yong Yi Ting featuring elegant interiors and scrumptious Hangzhou cuisine rooted in the use of fresh ingredients updated with time-honoured technical mastery.

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai, 111 Pudong Road (S), Pudong, Shanghai, 200120, China

 

Kimpton Qiantan
 

Kimpton Qiantan Shanghai, a relatively new entrant to Shanghai’s luxury hotel scene, opened in 2023 and boasts a design-centric interior ricocheting with edgy vibes and eye-popping accents. Located in the heart of the equally newish Qiantan area, one of Shanghai’s newest central business districts, Kimpton Qiantan is within walking distance of Qiantan Leisure Park, Taikoo Li, Oriental Sports Center and other commercial and leisure hotspots, setting it at the cusp of all the attractions in this business and lifestyle enclave.

The property features 143 rooms designed by renowned architecture firm KPF, with interior design by Studio Carter, successfully amalgamating creativity and comfort within the welcoming confines of these comely spaces.

 

Culinary Highlights

 

Le Chloé French Brasserie is a chic restaurant that features an interactive open kitchen that showcases the culinary process as chefs on the other side of the wall adroitly put together dishes that showcase creative French cuisine. Connected to the restaurant is Le Salon Chloé that offers a comfortable and relaxing place for socialising with a selection of wines and crafted cocktails.

 

Kimpton Qiantan Shanghai, No.9, Lane 199 Qian Tan Avenue, Pudong District Shanghai, Shanghai 200124, China

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The PuLi Hotel and Spa
 

One of Shanghai’s most alluring hotels conceived through the mastery of Jaya Ibrahim, the Puli Hotel has maintained its place of prominence in the hospitality landscape of Shanghai via an aesthetic sensitivity so exquisite, it has remained a revered measure of architectural taste and style for all others in the city. The presence of many tastefully curated Chinese art and elements, particularly the bamboo screens and antique furniture set amidst stark modern lines, has done wonders to enhance the hotel’s designer resort ambience in the heart of the culturally diverse Jingan financial district.

 

The rooms, though not as spacious as some would have preferred, are deftly apportioned and exquisitely furnished. Expedient and poised, the staff here are also efficient and welcoming. The indoor lap pool is one of the most beautifully appointed in the city, as is the adjoining UR Spa that diffuses calm and serenity in frenetic Shanghai, delivering signature massages within wonderfully designed treatment rooms.

 

Culinary Highlights

 

The iconic Long Bar at The Puli is still drawing Jaya fans and interior design buffs years after its debut as a trendy spot to see and be seen in the JingAn district. PHÉNIX specialises in intuitive French cuisine augmented by the richness of seasonal natural ingredients. The dishes the culinary team conjures here are modishly French, yet they often harbour surprising little twists like pickled daikon and puffed black rice to keep things edgy and interesting.

 

The PuLi Hotel and Spa, 1 Changde Road, Jingan District, Shanghai 200040, China

 

The Sukhothai Shanghai
 

The Sukhothai Shanghai, the offshoot of the famous Bangkok hospitality landmark in the Chinese metropolis, is in many ways the quintessential antithesis of the progenitor. Located in the Jing An district and raised next to the high-end retail and lifestyle hub of Taikoo Hui, the mood here is lively and energetic as opposed to the calming serenity the brand is renowned for.

 

And in lieu of the cultural elements one finds in abundance in the design DNA of Sukhothai Bangkok, Sukhothai Shanghai is devoid of any overt cultural influences in its interiors, electing instead to showcase its penchant for modern art installations. Several of these decorate the lobby, making the hotel more emblematic of both new Shanghai and Sukhothai rather than an extension of beloved old entities.

There are 170 tastefully-designed guest rooms and 31 residence-style suites fitted with diatom-silica clay — touted to be highly effective in air purification and sound absorption — walls in soothing neutral hues amidst abundantly wooden furnishings. The service orientation here is smart and attentive, and staff seems genuinely eager to engage and make a good impression with plentiful smiles and expedient service delivery.

 

Culinary Highlights

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The Sukhothai Shanghai’s dining venues are poised to make an impression on gourmands in the Chinese city. La Scala presents sincere renditions of Italian fare with updated recipes like pumpkin risotto and ‘elephant ear’ veal Milanese. URBAN Café has brought the robust flavours of Thailand to Shanghai with its well curated menu featuring authentic Thai delicacies like tod man goong and gai pad takrit. Zuk Bar is a trendy bistro by day and a lively bar with an upbeat atmosphere as night falls, serving both handcrafted cocktails and tasty bar grub.

The Sukhothai Shanghai, 380 Weihai Road, Jingan District, 200041 Shanghai

 

The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi
 

A striking juxtaposition to the blocks of heritage Shikumen right at its flanks, The Langham Shanghai is a contemporary fixture in a city still very much in love with the classical. The abundance of light filtering through a generous expanse of windows gives effect to a room awash with cheerfulness. The views from such central heights are of course extremely gratifying. Modern and plush, the designer accents contrast nicely with the heritage vibe of nearby Xintiandi. Whilst the lobby can stand to benefit from a more rarefied air, there is a distinct character that sets it apart from its neighbours.

 

The hotel’s 357 elegantly appointed guest rooms, including 41 suites, are raised handsome and interesting through the use of dark woods, chic furnishings, and innovative touches that create a sophisticated and stylish environment. With floor-to-ceiling windows, each room is bathed in natural light, fostering a winsome atmosphere that is alluring and tranquil. The Langham Club is an outstanding executive lounge manned by dedicated staff who are serious about making lasting impressions through dedicated and smart service. At Chuan Spa, the treatments and massages are classically attuned. Tea at Lobby Lounge served on Wedgewood wares remains a popular attraction amongst the trendy set in Shanghai.

 

Culinary Highlights

 

Headed by executive chef Tony Su, Tang Court is an award winning culinary address in Shanghai renowned for its sterling service and sublime cuisine. In updating Cantonese classics, there isn’t any amateurish resolve to reinvent Chinese cuisine, but rather uncommon dedication and masterful creativity that succeed in elevating the tastes and presentations of perennial Cantonese classics proffered in its comprehensive menu.

The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi, 99 Madang Road, Xintiandi, Shanghai 200021, China

 

The Edition Shanghai
 

The Edition is a brand that tends to stick to its design brief, as mandated by founder Ian Schrager, part owner of the notorious Studio 54 from the hedonistic heydays of New York’s disco era, and thus the design aspects of its worldwide installations are unflinchingly uniform, give and take a few details. The Shanghai Edition was evidently raised on a different scale — an expansive urban retreat that is elegantly designed, comprising an intricately interlinked complex of structures, spaces, and settings that made it one of the comeliest Editions this bend of the continent.

 

The striking lighting centrepiece by French designer Eric Schmitt at its lobby, the luminous lobby bar, the spiral staircase at Yone and the inspiring views of Pudong all round set the mood for explorations at this hotel. The 145 guest rooms at Shanghai Edition are also some of the city’s best with luxurious Anichini bed linens, unique custom designed furniture and custom light fixtures. The Bund View Suite is especially gorgeous with good design accents, comfortable furnishings and a fabulous bathtub parked right next to grand city vistas.

 

Culinary Highlights

 

Perched at level 27 of the Shanghai Edition, Yone Restaurant and Bar is a vibrant culinary endeavor that harmoniously blends tradition and innovation. Helmed by Chef Fumio Yonezawa, formerly the esteemed Chef de Cuisine at Jean-Georges Tokyo, and renowned mixologist Shingo Gokan, Yone serves exquisite inventive dishes and crafted cocktails. Located on the 29th floor and surrounded by a stunning ivy-covered trellis, ROOF is an open-air lounge area offering guests a comfortable, intimate setting for casual drinks. Featuring one of the most spectacular panoramic views of Pudong from the Bund, the bar serves a range of classic and innovative libations prepared by the expert in-house mixologists.

The Shanghai Edition, 199 Nanjing Road East, Huangpu, 200002, Shanghai, China

 

Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li
 

Shanghai’s priciest rooms are currently the inventory of Capella’s Shanghai installation housed within a heritage Shikumen block in the former French Concession area. The design refinements here are unmistakably Capella, though raised within the conservation confines of narrow units stacking 4 stories high.

Hotels taking shape within conservation buildings are usually constrained by plenty of physical boundaries and within Capella Shanghai one may find the multiple flights of stairs cumbersome to scale. The lovely air permeating these grounds seeps through eventually and even the lack of width provides no hindrance for one to enjoy the heavenly comforts of a Capella haven here. A modern splendour has long taken root in this heritage enclave with elements both lush and lyrical. A spa session in Auriga Spa with a massage fused with Chinese techniques is one of the best wellness moments one can relish in Shanghai.

 

Culinary Highlights

 

A constraint of space and functions has resulted in the establishment of just one restaurant within the hotel, conceptualised by Pierre Gagnaire no less. Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire serves inventive French cuisine for lunch and dinner, but one can also enjoy lovely afternoon tea here accompanied by views of the elegantly moody Shikumen lanes below.

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Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li, 480 West Jianguo Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200031, China