7 Best Hotels in Shanghai, China

Background Illustration for Hotels

Shanghai's stature as China's business capital hasn’t stopped it from catering both to business and leisure travelers, especially with its handful of boutique hotels. Business hotels can be divided into two categories: modern Western-style properties, with all the latest amenities, and older hotels built during the city's glory days. The latter make up for a lack of service, modern fixtures, and convenient facilities with an abundance of charm, tradition, and history.

Judging by the number of international chain hotels in Shanghai, the city has proven just how much it has opened to the outside world. Many aren't merely hotels; they're landmarks on the Shanghai skyline. Even the historic properties feel the pressure to update their rooms and facilities.

Shanghai may have an excellent subway system and cheap, plentiful taxis, but if you want to take full advantage of the city's popular sights, restaurants, and nightlife, opt to stay in downtown Puxi, incorporating the quiet, leafy green Former French Concession, the historic Bund promenade, and the bustling shopping street of Nanjing Dong Lu. From these neighborhoods you'll have easy access to the rest of Shanghai.

Fairmont Peace Hotel

$$$ | 20 Nanjing Dong Lu, Shanghai, 200000, China
Originally The Cathay Hotel, built by the wealthy Sassoon family in 1929, the Fairmont Peace Hotel pairs modern-day skyline views with rich history in rooms that maintain the glamour of art deco–era Shanghai.

Pros

  • Stunning architecture
  • Exudes luxury and extravagance
  • Home to Shanghai’s oldest jazz band

Cons

  • Very busy location
  • Outside can be loud at night
  • Dining outlets aren’t as impressive as the rest of the hotel
20 Nanjing Dong Lu, Shanghai, 200000, China
021-6138–6888
hotel Details
270 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Hyatt on the Bund

$$$ | 199 Huangpu Lu, Shanghai, 200080, China

Near the banks of Suzhou Creek, the Hyatt on the Bund offers beautifully appointed rooms in an airy and modern building. This location will only improve as the city continues to modernize the northern end of the Bund, but for now the hotel is a little awkward on its own. However, the main Bund is just a short walk across the bridge, making this hotel reasonably accessible to most of the city. There are knockout views from the rooftop restaurant and bar.

Pros

  • Gorgeous facilities
  • Views are hard to beat
  • Short walk from the Bund

Cons

  • Rather bland neighborhood
  • The food underwhelms
  • Can be difficult to get taxis
199 Huangpu Lu, Shanghai, 200080, China
021-6393–1234
hotel Details
620 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai

$$$ | 1218 Yan'an Zhong Lu, Shanghai, 200040, China
Perfectly primed for business and pleasure, this plush, modern hotel is smack bang in the center of downtown Shanghai's action, with easy access to metro Lines 2 and 7. Though not particularly unique in feel or aesthetic, rooms are elegantly outfitted and have exceptional city views.

Pros

  • Sweeping city views, especially from the lounge
  • Excellent steak house
  • Next to Jing An Kerry Centre mall

Cons

  • Can get very crowded
  • Standards at all-day buffet restaurant not always up to scratch
  • Busy area
1218 Yan'an Zhong Lu, Shanghai, 200040, China
021-2203–8888
hotel Details
508 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Recommended Fodor's Video

JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square

$$$ | 399 Nanjing Dong Lu, Shanghai, 200003, China

Outside, this 60-story tower on the edge of People's Square turns heads with its futuristic design; inside, the decor follows more classic lines, with Chinese celadon vases, wedding boxes, and ornamental jades complementing soft green-and-yellow palettes and warm fiddleback woods in the spacious rooms. The largely business clientele appreciates the one-touch "At Your Service" call button, and the Mandara Spa, indoor and outdoor pools, excellent lounge and restaurants, and proximity to many of the top tourist attractions are big draws for leisure travelers.

Pros

  • Fantastic location
  • Amazing city views from all rooms
  • Wonderful rooftop pool

Cons

  • Exterior far more contemporary than interiors
  • Small service issues
  • Rooms are fairly basic but comfortable
399 Nanjing Dong Lu, Shanghai, 200003, China
021-5359–4969
hotel Details
347 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

Kerry Hotel, Pudong, Shanghai

$$$ | 1388 Huamu Lu, Shanghai, 201204, China

This hotel is great if you're traveling with kids: not only is it across from Century Park, where tandem bikes and pleasure boats are available, but it also has an indoor play area with slides, climbing equipment, and a giant ball pit. Parents can take the edge off at The Brew, where the brewmaster churns out craft beers and delicious ciders. Rooms have clean lines and simple furnishings and are spacious and comfortable, especially the plush beds. Behind the hotel is a shopping complex with a slew of Western-style restaurants. The hotel is within easy driving distance of Pudong International Airport, and it's on top of metro Line 7 and a short walk to Line 2.

Pros

  • Comfortable, spacious rooms
  • Family-friendly, with easy access to greenery
  • On metro lines and connected to Kerry Parkside Mall

Cons

  • Far from downtown
  • Not near popular tourist sights
  • Cookie-cutter design
1388 Huamu Lu, Shanghai, 201204, China
021-6169–8800
hotel Details
574 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai

$$$ | 111 Pudong Nan Lu, Shanghai, 200120, China Fodor's Choice
Situated just outside of the Pudong CBD and offering world-class everything—from generously sized rooms to impeccable service to exceptional restaurants and other facilities—the Mandarin Oriental Pudong is almost flawless. The Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant Yong Yi Ting offers beautiful renditions of Cantonese classics you won't want to miss.

Pros

  • Walking distance to Pudong landmarks
  • Free one-way shuttle service to destinations in Lujiazui
  • Ultraluxe fitness and wellness facilities

Cons

  • Far from Puxi’s sights
  • Neighborhood lacks historic charm
  • Area better suited to business travelers
111 Pudong Nan Lu, Shanghai, 200120, China
021-2082–9888
hotel Details
362 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

The PuLi Hotel & Spa

$$$ | 1 Changde Lu, Shanghai, 200040, China Fodor's Choice
Courtesy of The PuLi Hotel & Spa

The cutting-edge, glass-and-steel PuLi lives up to its billing as an urban resort: with spalike guest rooms—as well as an actual spa, a stunning indoor pool, a garden terrace, and a library replete with fireplaces—it's truly an oasis of calm in Shanghai's bustling center, just off Nanjing Xi Lu. The mellow lobby has low-slung seating, modern porcelain pieces, and windows overlooking adjacent Jing'an Park. The 105-foot Long Bar is a popular place to gather for drinks and afternoon tea. The rooms are true havens, with perks like automated blackout curtains and bathrooms with rain-forest showers. What's more the Wi-Fi, items from the well-stocked minibar, and loaner cell phones are all complimentary. The hotel's PHÉNIX eatery & bar, a popular lunch spot, gained a Michelin star for its menu of contemporary French dishes; UR Spa gets a thumbs-up for its serene atmosphere.

Pros

  • Long list of complimentary amenities
  • Great location
  • Quiet

Cons

  • Service can be stiff
  • Doesn’t cater to children or babies
  • Some rooms feel dated
1 Changde Lu, Shanghai, 200040, China
021-3203–9999
hotel Details
229 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts