Best Hotels in Shanghai: 15 Luxury, Bund & More

Last Updated on October 8, 2026

Introduction

Choosing among the best hotels in Shanghai comes down to one big decision: do you want to wake up looking at the skyline, walk out into historic Shanghai or stay somewhere surrounded by tree-lined streets, cafes and boutiques?

For first-time visitors, the Bund is hard to beat. It puts Shanghai’s iconic waterfront outside your door and provides easy access to Nanjing Road, Yu Garden and the historic centre.

Pudong’s Lujiazui is better for travelers who want skyscraper views, modern luxury and a quieter business-district atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Former French Concession offers leafy streets, restaurants, cafes and some of Shanghai’s most distinctive boutique hotels. Divide the luxury market into these three broad areas.

Selected the best hotels in Shanghai for different travel styles, including luxury hotels, romantic stays, boutique properties, family-friendly options and hotels with spectacular Bund views.

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Quick picks: the best hotels in Shanghai

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Best Hotels in Shanghai

1. The Peninsula Shanghai – Best luxury hotel in Shanghai

For travelers who want the classic Shanghai luxury hotel experience, The Peninsula Shanghai is one of the strongest choices.

The hotel occupies a prime position at the northern end of the Bund, with views across the Huangpu River toward Pudong. Its combination of heritage architecture, polished service and contemporary rooms makes it particularly appealing for first-time visitors.

The Peninsula Shanghai at or near the top of the city’s luxury market.

Best for: Luxury travelers, first-time visitors, couples and special occasions.

Why stay: Iconic location, excellent service and spectacular river views.

Check The Peninsula Shanghai rates →

2. Fairmont Peace Hotel – Best historic hotel in Shanghai

If the history of Shanghai is part of why you’re visiting, the Fairmont Peace Hotel deserves serious consideration.

The Art Deco landmark dates to 1929 and occupies one of the most recognizable addresses on the Bund. It provides a very different experience from the sleek modern towers across the river.

It is especially appealing to travelers who want the hotel itself to be part of the Shanghai story. It one of the signature heritage properties on the Bund.

Best for: History lovers, couples and first-time visitors.

Compare Fairmont Peace Hotel prices →

3. Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund – Best for couples

The Waldorf Astoria combines old Shanghai atmosphere with modern five-star facilities.

Its Bund location is excellent for romantic evenings, waterfront walks and exploring central Shanghai.

For couples, it’s particularly attractive because you get the combination of a historic setting, luxury accommodation and easy access to the city’s evening attractions.

Best for: Couples, anniversaries, luxury travelers and first-time visitors.

Check Waldorf Astoria Shanghai rates →

4. Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li – Best boutique luxury hotel

For travelers who prefer an intimate luxury hotel rather than a giant skyscraper, Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li is one of the standout choices.

The hotel is set within restored 1930s shikumen residences in the Former French Concession, creating a completely different atmosphere from the Bund’s grand waterfront hotels. Capella Shanghai at the top of Shanghai selection.

Best for: Couples, honeymooners, design lovers and boutique-hotel fans.

Why stay: Heritage architecture, privacy, luxury and one of Shanghai’s most atmospheric neighborhoods.

Check Capella Shanghai rates →

5. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai – Best luxury hotel in Pudong

Pudong offers a completely different experience from the Bund.

Instead of looking at Shanghai’s skyline from the historic waterfront, you’re surrounded by the city’s modern skyscrapers.

Mandarin Oriental Pudong is a strong choice for travelers who want sophisticated service, contemporary luxury and easy access to Lujiazui.

Among Pudong’s leading luxury hotels.

Best for: Luxury travelers, business trips, couples and repeat visitors.

Compare Mandarin Oriental Pudong prices →

6. The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong – Best for skyline views

For a dramatic modern Shanghai experience, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong is an excellent option.

The Lujiazui location puts you directly in the middle of Shanghai’s skyscraper district, making this a better choice for travelers who want to experience the futuristic side of the city.

Best for: Luxury travelers, business travelers and skyline lovers.

Check Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong rates →

7. The PuLi Hotel and Spa – Best urban retreat

The PuLi offers a more understated interpretation of Shanghai luxury.

Located in Jing’an, it provides a useful compromise between the historic centre and modern Shanghai. You can reach major attractions while also having restaurants, shopping and nightlife nearby.

Best for: Couples, wellness travelers, business travelers and repeat visitors.

Compare The PuLi Hotel & Spa prices →

8. The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai – Best central luxury hotel

The Portman Ritz-Carlton is located on Nanjing West Road in Jing’an, making it useful for travelers who want a central base without staying directly on the Bund.

It’s particularly practical for longer stays when you want easy access to shopping, business areas and restaurants.

Best for: Business travelers, families and longer stays.

Check Portman Ritz-Carlton Shanghai rates →

9. The Shanghai EDITION – Best design hotel in Shanghai

The Shanghai EDITION is a strong choice for travelers who prefer contemporary lifestyle hotels over traditional grand hotels.

Its position near Nanjing Road East gives you access to both the Bund and central Shanghai, while the hotel’s design and rooftop spaces appeal to travelers looking for a more social, modern atmosphere. It among the leading design-oriented luxury options near the Bund.

Best for: Couples, design lovers, nightlife and younger luxury travelers.

Check The Shanghai EDITION rates →

10. Upper House Shanghai – Best modern boutique luxury hotel

Upper House Shanghai is an excellent choice for travelers who want contemporary design and a location near the Former French Concession.

It’s particularly suited to visitors who plan to spend as much time exploring cafes, restaurants, galleries and shopping streets as they do visiting traditional tourist attractions.

Upper House Shanghai among the leading luxury properties around the Former French Concession.

Best for: Design-conscious travelers, couples and repeat visitors.

Compare Upper House Shanghai prices →

11. The Sukhothai Shanghai – Best contemporary boutique hotel

The Sukhothai Shanghai combines contemporary design with a calmer atmosphere than many of the city’s huge international hotels.

It works particularly well for travelers who want to explore central Shanghai while having a stylish retreat to return to.

Best for: Couples, design lovers and independent travelers.

Check The Sukhothai Shanghai rates →

12. Park Hyatt Shanghai – Best high-rise hotel

Want to stay inside one of Shanghai’s most famous skyscrapers?

Park Hyatt Shanghai occupies high floors of the Shanghai World Financial Center in Lujiazui. The result is a very different hotel experience: rather than having a view of the skyline from ground level, the city is spread beneath you.

Pudong’s high-rise hotel cluster is one of the area’s main attractions for travelers seeking modern luxury and skyline views.

Best for: Skyline lovers, business travelers and luxury travelers.

Compare Park Hyatt Shanghai rates →

13. The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi – Best for families

Families often benefit from a hotel that offers spacious accommodation, full-service facilities and convenient access to restaurants and transport.

The Langham is a practical premium choice for families who want a central base rather than a destination resort.

Best for: Families, couples and longer stays.

Check The Langham rates →

14. Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund – Best stylish-value hotel

If you want a Bund address without necessarily paying for the city’s most expensive luxury hotels, Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund is worth considering.

The hotel offers a more contemporary interpretation of the neighborhood and is particularly appealing to travelers who prioritize design and location.

Best for: Couples, younger travelers and design-conscious visitors.

Compare Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund prices →

15. URBN Hotel Shanghai – Best boutique hotel for an alternative stay

URBN Hotel Shanghai offers a smaller, more intimate alternative to the city’s large luxury towers.

Its Jing’an location is convenient for exploring restaurants, cafés and contemporary Shanghai.

Best for: Independent travelers, couples and boutique-hotel fans.

Check URBN Hotel Shanghai rates →

Where to stay in Shanghai

The best area to stay in Shanghai depends on what you want to see.

The Bund – Best area for first-time visitors

If this is your first trip to Shanghai, the Bund is the safest choice.

The waterfront puts you close to Nanjing Road, Yu Garden and the historic centre, while giving you Shanghai’s famous Pudong skyline every evening.

The Bund as the classic first-time base.

Choose the Bund for:

• First trips
• Iconic views
• Couples
• Short stays
• Luxury hotels
• Photography

Top hotels: The Peninsula, Fairmont Peace Hotel, Waldorf Astoria.

Pudong / Lujiazui – Best for skyline views

Stay in Pudong if you want to experience Shanghai’s futuristic side.

Lujiazui is dominated by skyscrapers and major financial institutions, with high-end hotels offering spectacular views.

It’s particularly attractive for business travelers and anyone who wants a room high above the city.

Top hotels: Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental, Park Hyatt.

Former French Concession – Best for boutique hotels

The Former French Concession is arguably the most atmospheric neighborhood in Shanghai.

Expect plane-tree-lined streets, historic shikumen architecture, cafés, independent restaurants, boutiques and cocktail bars.

This is where you’ll find some of Shanghai’s most distinctive boutique luxury properties, including Capella and Upper House Shanghai. 

Best for: Couples, foodies, design lovers and repeat visitors.

Jing’an – Best all-round neighborhood

Jing’an is an excellent compromise.

It’s central, well connected and packed with shopping, restaurants, nightlife and contemporary hotels.

Choose Jing’an if you’re struggling to decide between the Bund and the Former French Concession.

Best for: Longer stays, families, business travelers and repeat visitors.

Bund vs Pudong vs French Concession

Recommendation: Stay on the Bund for a first two- or three-night visit. Choose the Former French Concession for a slower, more neighborhood-focused trip.

Best Shanghai hotels by traveler type

Best luxury hotel in Shanghai

The Peninsula Shanghai is our top choice for a classic luxury stay, while the Ritz-Carlton and Mandarin Oriental are excellent alternatives in Pudong.

Best hotels in Shanghai for couples

Choose Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund for historic romance or Capella Shanghai for a more intimate boutique experience.

Best boutique hotel in Shanghai

Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li is one of the strongest choices for travelers seeking heritage architecture and high-end boutique hospitality.

Best hotel for families

Choose a full-service central hotel with easy metro access. The Langham and the major Bund properties are practical choices.

Best hotel for first-time visitors

The Peninsula, Fairmont Peace Hotel or Waldorf Astoria are excellent choices because the Bund gives you immediate access to Shanghai’s most iconic scenery.

Best hotel for skyline views

Choose The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong or Park Hyatt Shanghai.

Best hotel for foodies

Stay around the Former French Concession or Jing’an, where restaurants, cafes and bars are easy to reach.

4 Days Shanghai itinerary

If you’re visiting Shanghai for the first time, four days is a good length for combining the classic sights with the city’s neighborhoods and food scene.

Day 1: The Bund + Nanjing Road

Start early with a walk along the Bund.

Admire the historic buildings before crossing toward Nanjing Road and exploring central Shanghai.

In the evening, return to the waterfront after dark for the city’s famous illuminated skyline.

Book a Shanghai tour →

Book a Huangpu River cruise →

Hotel

Want the classic Shanghai experience? Stay on the Bund so you can walk to the waterfront at sunrise and return for the skyline after dark.

Day 2: Yu Garden + Old City + French Concession

Start with Yu Garden and the surrounding Old City.

After lunch, head toward the Former French Concession.

Spend the afternoon walking beneath the plane trees, exploring boutiques and stopping at cafés.

Finish with dinner or cocktails in the neighborhood.

Book a Shanghai tour →

Day 3: Pudong skyline + Huangpu River

Cross to Pudong and explore Shanghai’s modern financial district.

Depending on your interests, visit one of the major observation decks or simply explore Lujiazui on foot.

For the best contrast, return to the Bund around sunset.

Book Shanghai Tower / skyline tickets →

Book a Huangpu River cruise →

Day 4: French Concession + Jing’an + Shanghai food

Keep your final day flexible.

Explore the Former French Concession in the morning, then continue toward Jing’an.

Depending on your interests, finish with:

• A Shanghai food tour
• Shopping
• A spa treatment
• Contemporary art
• A rooftop bar
• A final Bund dinner

Find Shanghai attractions and activities →

Where to stay for this 4 days Shanghai itinerary

For a first trip, recommend:

Nights 1–2: The Bund

This puts the city’s most recognizable sights immediately outside your hotel.

Nights 3–4: Former French Concession or Jing’an

This gives you a completely different side of Shanghai and makes the second half of your trip more neighborhood-focused.

If you don’t want to change hotels, simply stay on the Bund for all four nights.

How to choose a Shanghai hotel

Best time to visit Shanghai

Shanghai can be visited throughout the year, but spring and autumn are particularly attractive for sightseeing.

Summer can be hot and humid, while winter is colder but can offer lower hotel prices.

For hotel bookings, compare several dates whenever possible because weekend, holiday and major-event pricing can differ substantially.

For a first visit, three to four nights is a good starting point.

FAQ: Best hotels in Shanghai

What is the best hotels in Shanghai?

For an iconic luxury stay, The Peninsula Shanghai is one of the strongest choices. For boutique luxury, Capella Shanghai is an excellent alternative.

What is the best area to stay in Shanghai?

The Bund is best for first-time visitors and iconic views. Pudong is best for modern skyscrapers and business travel, while the Former French Concession is ideal for restaurants, cafes, boutiques and boutique hotels.

Is it better to stay on the Bund or in Pudong?

For most tourists, choose the Bund. You’ll have easier access to Shanghai’s historic centre and the famous waterfront.

Choose Pudong if your priority is skyline views, modern luxury or business travel.

What is the best luxury hotel in Shanghai?

The Peninsula Shanghai, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Fairmont Peace Hotel, Capella Shanghai and Mandarin Oriental Pudong are all excellent luxury choices.

What is the best boutique hotel in Shanghai?

Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li is one of the standout boutique luxury options. It combines restored shikumen architecture with a high-end hotel experience. 

How many nights should I stay in Shanghai?

Four nights is ideal for a first trip if your schedule allows. Three nights works for the highlights, while five or more nights gives you time to explore Shanghai’s neighborhoods at a slower pace.

Is the French Concession a good place to stay?

Yes. It’s one of the best choices for travelers who prefer cafes, restaurants, boutiques, historic architecture and a more residential atmosphere.

Conclusion – Best hotels in Shanghai

Shanghai offers several completely different hotel experiences.

For the classic Shanghai trip, stay on the Bund.

For spectacular skyscraper views, choose Pudong.

For boutique hotels and neighborhood atmosphere, stay in the Former French Concession.

For central convenience, Jing’an is an excellent compromise.

And for a truly memorable luxury stay, our shortlist starts with The Peninsula Shanghai, Capella Shanghai, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund and Mandarin Oriental Pudong.

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J Diary

MBA Global Business | PMP | Train-the-Trainer
From bank to exploring Asia. Combining professional research with first-hand travel experiences to create practical hotels, tours, itineraries and travel guides.