We are planning 4 days in Shaghai during summer. We enjoying walking and exploring. What is the best located 4-5 star hotel for our stay ?

Well, you couldn't do much better than the fine old art deco Peace Hotel for location. In general I'd be looking for somewhere in Puxi (the west side of the river) between the Bund on the east and Renmin (People's) Park on the west and within a few blocks north or south of Nanjing Road. I'm sure other readers will have specific recommendations, and you can use the search box above to turn up older threads which may help.

Pudong, on the east side of the river, is less convenient, much newer and more sterile. It has 4-5 star hotels, but as far as I know they're all modern and "international" in style. You'll have much more chance of finding accmmodation with some character om the old part of town.

We found Shanghai a great city for walking around. Grab a city map and you'll have no problems. If you get too footsore, just hail a cab - they're cheap and efficient - and show the driver your hotel name and address in Chinese characters.

What is your budget and what time are you traveling? If it's around the Beijing Olympics, the prices will be higher as there will be many travelers.

In addition to Neil's suggested area, check out the old french concession hotels. And yes, do a search, there has been quite a few threads on this subject.

WE stayed at the Portman Ritz Carlton last summer and adored it. The immediate area is busy with malls, bars and restaurants. Shanghai doesn't really have a city centre, as such, but this area has plenty going on. It's also on the main shopping street which leads, eventually, to the Bund and is a short taxi ride from Renmin Square/Park. Above all, though, the hotel is fabulous, as are the staff. If location is more important than accommodation and you plan to walk a lot, then Renmin is probably more central, while the French Concession area has the most character.

If you want to be very near the Bund in a fabulous hotel, stay at the "Westin on the Bund." I loved it. It is about three blocks from the Bund and not like any Westin you have ever seen in the US--much more elegant with a fabulous lobby. It is also a nice short walk to Najing Road.

We are booking well in advance and will be there 2nd week June 2009. Budget is 4-5 stars, but not over the top. In Hong Kong we would stay at Island Shangri-La, Conrad type standard, but old hotels/French influence/Art Deco are all fine too.

Peace Hotel is frequently recommended here in Australia, but it is good to see other options and views on location.

We have 4 days there to fit in with Frequent Flyer point redemptions. I had originally planned 3 days, so we need to read many threads and do much research to see as much as possible from old to new.

Good Will -- I topped 2 threads for you, one on Shanghai Hotels and the other is notes from my 13 days in Shanghai last year.

Thank you Shanghainese. I greatly appreciate your help. I have been reading about the Peace Hotel. It sounds like a great place to visit in the top location, but based on the reports on Traveladvisor the accomodation does not sound too good. Maybe some rooms are better than others ? Thanks again.

The Peace Hotel's location is great and the art deco decor has character but not all the rooms are 4 star and other amenities lag too. There are several wonderful 4-5 stars on the same and a block or few away.

Thank you for confirming situation at Peace Hotel Shanghainese. I will now read through the threads and pick a hotel in that area.

i'm planning a trip to shanghai in mid march 09. i've checked on the peace hotel, but no vacancies during my time there. out of curiosity, i tried random dates from oct. to feb., and still could not get a room.

also, i can't seem to get a room rate. i must be using an incorrect website.

any recos for checking for room avaiability and rates?

kuranosuke -- I tried their website and others, same results, strange since it's 9 mos. away. Try sending an e-mail to:

[email protected]

mahalo shang. will try that. btw, does anyone know what are the room rates like?

Aloha, K, sorry I don't have rate info. I don't know your budget and requirements but seriously I would check out others, there are so many to chose from, just make sure you stay in Puxi, that's the west side of the river.

ok, will stay in puxi area. budget around $250-$300/day. if i'm there a week, maybe an apt would be better??

Sorry to hijack your thread, Good_Will.

K -- Not sure what type of apartment you have in mind, I can think of Marriott Executive Apts at Tomorrow Square and Howard Johnson All Suites Hotel , note HoJo is an up market brand in China.

You have a very comfortable budget, in city centre (People's Square)and the Bund (riverfront) area, check out Le Royal Meridien, Radisson New World, JW Marriott, Westin, Portman Ritz-Carlton, they have all received high marks from Fodorites. For the french concession area which has some old world character, look at Okura Garden, Ruijin , 88 Xintiandi and the Hilton.

Are you going to other cities? marksfour is coming to the HI GTG, she was in Shanghai a few months ago. Both she and MelissaHI have my e-mail address.

No problems - more info is good -recently I viewed a romantic comedy movie called Shanghai Kiss. It provided a good geographical description of both sides of the river.