Wanda Reign on the Bund’s Grand Deluxe Riverview Room
Photo Courtesy of Wanda Hotel Management Co. Limited
As the saying goes, Wanda Reign on the Bund, the third installment of the Wanda Hotel and Resorts’ ultra-luxury brand, is certainly a charm. The property, which debuted in June 2016, captures the pulse of bustling Shanghai and builds on the glamor established by its sister hotels in Wuhan and Chengdu.
Specifically, these are the four things preventing us from taking our eyes off the property right now.
The design
The British firm Foster and Partners was contracted for the building’s stunning exterior. The history and future of the city informed the masterful blend of modern glass and steel elements with old Shanghai style. The interiors carry on with the story: design touches like Art Deco-inspired jade inlays bear whispers of the 1920s and 1930s, while contemporary art and 3D murals evoke the now.
No stone was left unturned — even the staff uniforms are both head turning and traditional. High-end designer Laurence Xu was tapped to create the elegant workwear, which is made of fine Chinese silk and features customary motifs.
The Elegant Exterior, Photo Courtesy of Wanda Hotel Management Co. Limited
The location
First, there are the impeccable views. The hotel’s prime location along the Huangpu River means that you are privy to panoramic vistas of the Bund, the waterfront, the nearby Yu Garden and the Pudong skyline.
Second, the Bund is a premier attraction in Shanghai for locals and tourists alike. The buildings along the waterfront, which range in architectural style from Gothic to neoclassical, showcase the city’s colonial past. You could easily spend several hours marveling at the historical edifices.
Wanda Reign is close to the Ming Dynasty-era Yu Garden and the City God Temple. The city’s top shopping avenues are also just a short trek away.
The rooms
Most of the 193 rooms and all of the suites boast views of the gardens, the waterfront or the city. From the smallest accommodations (484 square feet) to the largest (1,270 square feet), units seek to maximize comfort and minimize effort (heated bathroom floors, the cloud-like mattress on the “Bed of Reign” and linens crafted from New Zealand wool).
Grand Deluxe Bund View rooms and all three suite types include an Ogawa massage chair. Standard tech perks include iPad in-room control systems, LCD TVs, Bose speakers and bathroom mirror TVs. Rooms also feature L’Occitane products, while suites are furnished with Hermès toiletries.
The Wine & Cigar Bar, Photo Courtesy of Wanda Hotel Management Co. Limited
The amenities
Wanda Reign on the Bund’s commitment to the values of hospitality extends to its amenities. Private butler services and guest experiences aim to meet your every need and them some (try the Angel’s Welcome service for special tea ceremonies and other forms of added attention during arrival and departure). The hotel’s banquet and meeting spaces can comfortably host everything from business events to the wedding of your dreams.
The property’s four restaurants cover all the bases in dining experiences: there’s the rooftop Marc restaurant and club for fine dining and live DJs; Café Reign for casual, all-day eats (the authentic Shanghai breakfast buffet is a great way to start the day); River Drunk for southern Chinese (Huaiyang) cuisine with a focus on seafood; and HE Japanese Restaurant for sushi and teppanyaki.
The Lobby Lounge’s relaxed but upscale ambience is great for sipping rare whiskeys and fine wine. For the ultimate in elite treatment, there’s Club Reign, offering access to private areas. The Wine & Cigar Bar is an exclusive lounge with an exceptional wine selection, premium cigars and other prized consumables.
Shui Spa has three private suites with saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools and treatment spaces.
The Universe KTV rooms are private entertainment areas with dance floors, disco lights and audio-visual equipment to make the perfect party.
