Dynamic Shanghai seamlessly balances old and new, tradition and innovation. Puxi, on the west side of the Huangpu River, offers a peek into the past with colonial-era buildings, traditional shikumen lane houses and historic neighborhoods such as the waterfront Bund. Meanwhile, Pudong, on the river’s east side, provides a glimpse of futuristic Shanghai, with a skyline of modern marvels.
Whether you seek a restored relic of a bygone era or a soaring skyscraper, you can trust Forbes Travel Guide’s exclusive list to find it. To discover the best hotels in Shanghai, our incognito inspectors posed as ordinary guests and stayed multiple nights at each property. The inspectors tested hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, which accounts for 70% of a property’s rating. The remaining 30% comes from the quality and condition of the facilities. FTG does not require a business relationship from the properties it rates, and it does not earn a commission if you book one of the following hotels.
Five-Star Hotels in Shanghai
Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai
The Roman jewelry brand’s 48-story Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai is a gem, set inside the immaculately restored Shanghai Chamber of Commerce building — complete with a red-brick facade, verandas and imposing columns. Combining the best of Shanghai’s history and modernity, the property serves as a beautifully curated homage to the brand’s legacy. See more.
Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai
As you pull up to Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai, one thing is clear: you can successfully create a city hotel that feels like a secluded escape. While the classic art deco architecture dominates the city’s famous Bund, Shanghai’s Pudong side is increasingly more modern, and so is this Five-Star hotel. See more.
The Peninsula Shanghai
The Peninsula Shanghai‘s gorgeous art deco lobby, outfitted in celadon-green walls and black marble floors, transports you back to Shanghai’s golden age. But the cerulean-and-white guest rooms are undeniably modern: with the push of a button, the tub is filled, drapes fly open and Internet radio streams through the speakers. See more.
Four-Star Hotels in Shanghai
Amanyangyun
Amanyangyun‘s story begins in the city of Fuzhou, 435 miles from Shanghai, where construction of a new reservoir threatened the existence of thousands of camphor trees and dozens of homes dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. See more.
Bellagio Shanghai
Tucked away along the banks of the Suzhou River, Bellagio Shanghai overlooks the Bund — Shanghai’s most famous promenade — and skyscraper-filled Lujiazui. The first Bellagio outside of the United States, the hotel offers 162 sophisticated rooms, world-class dining and a lavish spa. See more.
Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li
Capella Shanghai is a reconstruction of a real-life lane called Jian Ye Li. A stay at is a chance to enjoy a bygone era in the middle of a modern city. Of course, there are updated features, like the Four-Star Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire restaurant. See more.
Fairmont Peace Hotel
The landmark Fairmont Peace Hotel has a long history in Shanghai — Charlie Chaplin started a scandal when he visited with his unmarried female companion, and playwright Noël Coward wrote Private Lives here. See more.
The Middle House
Since opening its doors in 2017, The Middle House — so named for its location right in the middle of Shanghai — has quickly carved out a niche as the destination du jour for fashion, design and cultural mavens. See more.
Park Hyatt Shanghai
You can’t miss Park Hyatt Shanghai — its towering screwdriver-like structure is one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city. But you won’t find that flash inside the quiet Shanghai hotel, where gray, cream and chocolate-brown hues and dark wood give it a sleek, hushed aura. See more.
The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai
The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai opened as the brand’s first branch in China. You’ll find classic Ritz-Carlton service here; one concierge even took a flight to Hong Kong to get cigars for a VIP guest. See more.
The PuLi Shanghai
The sophisticated PuLi Shanghai exudes a Zen vibe that’s more akin to a spa with neutral hues, spacious surroundings and tasteful Eastern touches found everywhere throughout the design-driven property. Nestled next to Jing’an Park, it feels like a nature retreat. See more.
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
The Ritz-Carlton pays homage to Shanghai’s deep art deco history by putting a modern bent on it. Pencil in visits to the Five-Star spa and Flair, the hotel’s red-hot rooftop bar that offers mesmerizing vistas of the city from an expansive terrace. See more.
The Sukhothai Shanghai
Understatement and sustainability define this contemporary hotel, composed of 170 tastefully designed guest rooms and 31 residential-style suites, where everything from the materials used to build the place to the ingredients used in the hotel’s five dining venues has been considered through an eco-friendly lens. See more.
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
Like the city itself, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund is split in two: There’s the historic part of the building that dates to 1911 and the new modern tower. No matter your preference, you will enjoy access to the Four-Star spa and delicious dining. See more.
Recommended Hotels in Shanghai
Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai
The luxurious Andaz Xintiandi is bold bundle of contradictions: retro yet modern, minimalist yet quirky, and luxurious yet casual. In the glitzy Xintiandi district, the hotel maintains a boutique feel with a casual but buzzy atmosphere and approachable service. See more.
J Hotel Shanghai Tower
As one of the world’s highest hotels, J Hotel Shanghai Tower is a vision of lofty luxury with its stratospheric views and art-fueled interior design. The property stretches across the upper floors of China’s tallest skyscraper at 2,000 feet. See more.
Kerry Hotel, Pudong, Shanghai
The contemporary Kerry Hotel was built for the young and young at heart. While the rooms are spacious and comfortable, the fun starts when you step out the door. The hotel sits next to the nearly 350-acre Century Park. See more.
The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi
Enter The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi and you’ll get a whiff of its signature sweet ginger flower scent. While there’s much to explore in the hotel, it’s across the street from Xintiandi, a pedestrian-only area with chic shops and upscale restaurants in shikumen housing. See more.
The Shanghai EDITION
Many urban hotels aim to host restaurants, bars and lounges that are as much for locals as for travelers, but few are able to pull it off as seamlessly as The Shanghai EDITION. Those in the know will seek out the reservations-only Punch Room. See more.
The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan
Opened in May 2017, The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan resides in a more quiet but nevertheless convenient location in Puxi, particularly for business travelers looking for proximity to the commercial heart of the Jing’an District. See more.
