Top 8 Hotels in Shanghai

December 12, 2009

Shanghai is fast becoming a city of opulence. From Cartier on the Bund to Gucci on Nanjing Road, five-star treatment is not difficult to find. "The Paris of the East" has no shortage of luxury 5-star hotels, and more are being built as this is written. Here are the best of the bunch (in no particular order).

1. The Portman Ritz-Carlton
The Portman, as it's locally called, is located centrally on Shanghai's Nanjing Xi (West) Road, one of the main arteries of downtown Shanghai. Beautifully appointed rooms with traditional Chinese silk accents and the availability of in-room massage make worrisome jetlag a non-issue. There's also a shopping complex right outside with Starbucks, Chaterhouse (English books), CitySupermarket (import food), California Pizza Kitchen and a lot more so if you want to make a really s-l-o-w entry, grab a latte and the FT and you can pretend like you never left.

Address: Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai, 200040, China
Tel: +86 21 6279 8888
Fax: +86 21 6279 8800

2. The Westin
Shanghai's Westin recently opened a second tower with rooms that overlook the Bund and the Huang Pu river. They've got all kinds of rest and relaxation programs so whether you want a run in the morning or an in-room spa treatment, they can set you up. The Westin is locally famous for its brunch, a free-flow champagne affair highlighted by a sushi and sashimi buffet that might only be topped in Tokyo. So make sure your flight doesn't leave until Sunday afternoon, and you'll enjoy a food-induced slumber as you make your way to your next destination.

Address: Bund Center, 88 Henan Central Road, Shanghai, 200002, China
Tel: +86 21 6335 1888
Fax: +86 21 6335 2888
Email:rsvns-shanghai@westin.com

3. The Four Seasons
The Four Seasons is the talk of the town these days and is the place many 5-star dwellers choose when they decide to stay in Puxi (east side of the river). Rooms have views of the skyline downtown and you can relax to your own music as rooms have connections for your portable music player. It is centrally located to both Nanjing Road locations as well as the Bund and right outside on Weihai Road are a wealth of cafes, boutiques and restaurants.

Address: 500 Weihai Road, Shanghai 200041, China
Tel: +86 21 6256-8888
Fax: +86 21 6256-5678

4. The Intercontinental, Pudong
The Intercontinental is one of the best choices if staying in Pudong and is conveniently located in the shopping district. Rooms overlook an open atrium where Chinese lanterns hang down reminding you that you are, indeed, in China. Book yourself into their recently renovated spa, the Signature Treatment comes highly recommended.

Address: 777 Zhangyang Road, Pudong, Shanghai 200120 China
Tel: +86 21 5835-6666
Fax: +86 21 5835-7777

5. The Grand Hyatt
Stay at the Grand Hyatt, if for no other reason, the view. Currently housed in the tallest building in Shanghai, the Jin Mao Tower (though that will change soon as the new highest building in Shanghai is under construction next door), the Grand Hyatt's rooms command views over the new and old of Shanghai. Venture up to Cloud 9, the highest bar in Shanghai for a nightcap overlooking the Bund.

Address: Jin Mao Tower, 88 Century Boulevard, Pudong, Shanghai 200120 China
Tel: +86 21 5049 1234
Fax: +86 21 5049 1111

6. Pudong Shangri-La
Another fantastic hotel for views alone is the Shangri-La. Request a room on a high floor in their new tower and you'll have views of Puxi and the Bund, the river and the Pudong skyline. The hotel is located right at the river front, so you can take a walk along the Pudong promenade, a nice way to unwind in the early jet-lagged hours or the late evening. There are plenty of cafes along the river to have a drink or a coffee although you need not venture out of the hotel for amazing food. The Yi Cafe has a signature buffet (don't miss the hand-pulled noodles) and the Japanese at Nadaman is fantastic.

Address: 33 Fu Cheng Road, Pudong, Shanghai 200120 China
Tel: +86 21 6882 8888
Fax: +86 21 6882 6688

7. JW Marriott
The JW Marriott at Tomorrow Square has the most futuristic name and is housed in the most futuristic building in Puxi (Shanghai east of the river). Towering above People's Square, the JW Marriott commands views of the whole city. Their Mandara Spa is an eastern retreat in itself and a necessary indulgence after a long flight. Boasting one of the few outdoor pools in Shanghai, it also has a very good fitness center. With all the usual five-star room amenities, the JW Marriott is a good choice for visitors who want to be at the heart of downtown Shanghai.

Address: 399 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai, 200003 China
Tel: +86 21 5359 4969
Fax: +86 21 6375 5565

8. The Peninsula Hotel
The finest when it comes to Asian Luxury Hotels. Newly opened in the fall of 2009, it sits at the northern end of the Bund with views of the whole city. Be sure to take in high tea in the lobby and a swim in the pool.

Address: No. 32 The Bund, 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, Shanghai
Tel: +86 (0)21 2327 2888
Fax: +86 (0)21 2327 2000

Source: Top Hotels in Shanghai, Luxury Hotels in Shanghai at About.com