Shanghai has an excellent choice of hotels, particularly when compared with other Chinese cities. Slick new skyscraper hotels ensure the business market is well provided for, while historic hotels in old villas handle the rest of the top-end demand. Elsewhere, quality boutique hotels and some funky bed and breakfasts add a touch of cool to the sleeping scene.
Discounts are the norm (except during public holidays) and can be as much as 50% off can be haggled, especially at the higher end of the market. Apart from at youth hostels, it's exceptionally rare to pay rack rates, so always ask for a discount whether you're booking online or just turning up at the front desk.
The Shanghai hotels below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Luxury (over ¥2,500)
Moderate (¥1,000 to ¥2,500)
Cheap (up to ¥1,000)
These prices are per double room per night, and include all taxes. Breakfast is also included in the price, unless stated.
Luxury
Fairmont Peace Hotel
After more than three years of renovations, Shanghai’s definitive art deco building reopened in 2010 under the direction of the Fairmont group. The main challenge in modernising the building was balancing out the architectural integrity of its history with the need to upgrade a building that was not originally designed to be a hotel. Connoisseurs of old Shanghai will be pleased to know that the famous antediluvian jazz band is back in action.
Address: , 20 East Nanjing Road, Shanghai, 200002Telephone: + 86 21 6138 6888
Website: http://www.fairmont.com/peace-hotel-shanghai
Mansion Hotel
Combining historic charm and modern luxury like no other Shanghai hotel, this truly exceptional stay is housed in a beautiful 1930s building and was originally the residence and office of a trio of Shanghai gangsters. The lobby, corridors and even the rooms are filled with 20th-century memorabilia, but there's exquisite luxury too with super-soft carpets, beautifully upholstered wood furniture, big-screen satellite TVs, Wi-Fi and private Jacuzzis.
Address: Xuhui, 82 Xinle Road, Shanghai, 200031Telephone: +86 21 5403 9888.
Website: http://www.mansionhotelchina.com
The Waterhouse at South Bund
Once a dockyard factory, The Waterhouse is now one of Shanghai’s sharpest boutique hotels. Lavish furnishings and the odd nod to the city’s shipping heritage offset its industrial chic. There are just 19 rooms, 11 of which are suites. Thanks to its location, views across the river to Pudong are stunning whichever one you bed up in.
Address: Huangpu, 1-3 Maojiayuan Road, Shanghai, 200010Telephone: +86 21 6080 2988.
Website: http://www.waterhouseshanghai.com
Moderate
Astor House Hotel
Originally the Richards Hotel, this distinguished old gentleman, perched close to the Bund, was built in the latter part of the Qing dynasty in 1846, and was Shanghai's first hotel. More than 160 years on, there remains a distinct air of elegance, with the hotel's original wooden flooring still covering some of the halls and corridors. Rooms are huge, and some on the higher floors have river views.
Address: , 15 Huangpu Road, Shanghai, 200080Telephone: +86 21 6324 6388.
Website: http://www.astorhousehotel.com/
Pudi Boutique Hotel
This exquisite 52-room boutique hotel in Shanghai has trendy, ultra-modern rooms, professional staff and an elite, but accessible, atmosphere. The interior is super stylish and alluringly dark hued, while rooms are beautifully attired and spacious.
Address: , 99 Yandang Road, Shanghai, 200020Telephone: +86 21 5158 5888.
Website: http://www.pudiboutiquehotel.com/
URBN
China's first carbon neutral hotel has open-plan rooms that are beautifully designed with low furniture and sunken living areas exuding space. Bathtubs are in the bedroom rather than the bathroom, while grey slate tiling gives this excellent boutique hotel an urban vibe.
Address: Jing'an, 183 Jiaozhou Road, Shanghai, 200040Telephone: +86 21 5153 4600.
Website: http://www.urbnhotels.com
Cheap
Magnolia Bed & Breakfast
This cosy little bed and breakfast, located in a 1930s French Concession home, has art deco features as well as modern comfort and design. There are only five rooms, so book well in advance.
Address: , 36 Yanqing Rd, Shanghai, 200031Telephone: +86 138 1794 0848.
Quintet
In the heart of the French Concession, the spotless rooms, great service and attention to detail at Quintet has been winning over visitors. As the name suggests, there are just five rooms, each individually designed to a standard you’d expect from pricier stays. The staff are super friendly too, with a wealth of knowledge about the area.
Address: , 808 Changle Road,, Shanghai, 200031Telephone: +86 21 6249 9088.
Website: http://www.quintet-shanghai.com
Yueyang Hotel
A decent budget option in the French Concession area of Shanghai, Yueyang Hotel has smart, spacious rooms with big double beds, desk and chair, TV, kettle and free broadband. Shower rooms are clean and modern, although, annoyingly, the hot water isn't always piping hot. English is minimal.
Address: , 58 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200000Telephone: +86 21 6466 0555
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