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This is a list of the best hotels, hostels, B&Bs and guesthouses in Shanghai as recommended by the most popular travel experts around the world from Frommer’s, Lonely Planet, Fodor’s, New York Times and more. All the hotel recommendations on the list have been referenced with customer reviews, and we only list hotels which have a review rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars.
This is one of the four-direct controlled municipalities of China and considered the most populous city proper in the world. A global financial center and a major transport hub, it has the world’s busiest container port. Shanghai has been described as the showpiece of the booming economy of mainland China renowned for masterpieces and beautiful skyline that includes its Lujiazui skyline, museums, historic buildings and the City God Temple.
Shanghai boasts a rich collection of buildings and architectural designs of various styles. Shanghai has one of the largest numbers of Art Deco buildings in the world. Some of the most popular Art Deco buildings in the city include the Park Hotel and the Grand Theatre. Other Art Deco masterpieces in the city include the Peace Hotel, Metropole Hotel, the Broadway Mansions and the Capitol Theatre.
Modern eccentric buildings have sprung up throughout the city showing several contemporary designs and styles. Examples of such buildings include the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand Theatre, and Shanghai Oriental Art Center.
Shanghai is a beautiful city and is the destination of millions of people yearly. As such, it is one of the most visited places in the world.
If you like our list of best places to stay in Shanghai, then you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Seoul or the best hotels in Beijing.
“This 26-room boutique hotel in downtown Jing’an District was once a post office and now claims to be China’s first carbon neutral hotel. The renovation, which was completed using 100 percent locally-sourced and recycled materials, has won numerous awards for its sustainability and design.”
“The W Shanghai has a plum location just north of the Bund, providing stunning views of the Pudong skyline from the outdoor pool deck. A comical touch in the 374 rooms: pillows in the shape of soup dumplings and oversized chopsticks.”
Shortlisted in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Shanghai, China.
“Slightly tucked away from the Lùjiāzu five-star hotel melee in a sheltered riverside spot, the 362-room Mandarin Oriental is a visual feast, from the beautiful oval chandeliers and multicoloured glass murals in the lobby to the excellent dining choices.”
“Bulgari stands out for its ability to channel the city vibe without losing a sense of the brand’s Italian DNA. An immaculately choreographed tussle between Italian and Chinese design is enacted in marble and bronze versus silk and lacquer.”
Featured in CN Traveler’s Best New Hotels of 2019.
“One of the first hotels in Shanghai built to receive international travelers after the Chinese economy opened up to world trade, the 520-room, four-star lodging is in the thick of things.”
“All 250 rooms at Pentahotel are fitted out in a minimalistic style with views over downtown residential buildings. The hotel is near three metro lines.”
“Housed in a secluded 1927 four-storey French Concession villa, this lovely, quiet place is run by a friendly, English-speaking owner. Six spacious suites are spread throughout the house. Suite 328 is the pick of the bunch.”
“The long-awaited Capella Shanghai, the Singapore-based luxury chain’s first China property, opened in September in a restored Shanghai shikumen lane complex originally built for French traders in the 1930s. The property features 55 villas set in three-story traditional houses with private courtyards and rooftop balconies.”
Shortlisted in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Shanghai, China.
“The Park Hyatt provides the best angle to view Shanghai: from the top. Occupying the upper part of the 492-meter Shanghai World Financial Center, all 174 rooms enjoy stunning vistas overlooking Lujiazui high-rises, the Huangpu River or the Puxi downtown area.”
“The Waldorf Astoria occupies one of Shanghai’s oldest buildings: the restored 101-year-old former Shanghai Club. With giant chandeliers, neo-classical ceiling carvings and original marble floor tiles, the interior feels more like a royal palace than a hotel.”
“One of the city’s most iconic hotels, the Fairmont Peace is cast in the warm, subdued tints of a bygone era. Expect all the luxuries of a top-class establishment, with rooms decked out in art deco elegance, from light fixtures down to coffee tables.”