Top 10 Hotels In Shanghai
Romance. Drama. Intrigue. Architecture. Jazz. Shanghai is one of the most exciting cities in Asia — with a vibrant hotel scene to match. From the historic Bund and French Concession neighborhoods to the forward-racing, sky-reaching Pudong district across the river, there's a kick-ass hotel at every turn. Just about every major luxury brand operates a great hotel here, but those bigger names aren't always my favorites. Here are the 10 about that I'm most excited about right now.
Related: Photo Gallery: Scenes From Shanghai
For a brief minute, this super-modern hotel was the tallest in the world, occupying the 79th to 93rd floors of the World Financial Center in Pudong. It's no longer the tallest, but it's still one the most exquisite hotels in Asia, providing an incredible sense of intimacy (only 174 rooms) despite the mind-boggling grandeur of the imposing tower. 100 Century Ave., Pudong, +86-21-6888-1234
2. The Puli
Contemporary without being stark. Tranquility in the midst of chaos. Bring a bathing suit because you won't want to miss the pool. 1 Chang De Road, +86-21-3203-9999
Unparalleled glamour and grace. A fairytale come true. The poshest hotel on The Bund. 2 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, +86-21-6322-9988
4. URBN
A truly fun, quirky artist haven in a renovated factory warehouse near the French Concession. Australian celebrity chef David Laris runs the see-and-be-seen restaurant. 183 jiaozhou lu, +86-21-5153-4600
5. Waterhouse
Only for those in the know. Twenty amazing rooms of varying sizes, no two alike. Lots of cement and reclaimed wood. A true architectural and design gem in the emerging, not quite gentrified, South Bund district. 1-3 Maojiayuan Road, +86-21-6080-2988
This is definitely one of the top hotels in the entire Ritz-Carlton portfolio. Drink and dine with the jet set on the 58th floor rooftop terrace. 8 Century Avenue, Pudong, +86-21-2020-1888
7. Andaz
The first Andaz in Asia, this is one of the prettiest high rises in Shanghai, soaring above the old French concession, offering great city views from curvaceous windows. 88 Songshan Road, +86-21-2310-1234
Under the radar. Contemporary minimalist decor. Rooftop restaurant and lounge. Cigar bar. Killer views across the Bund. 1 Jinling East Road, +85-21-6320-0088
When designers try to evoke a sense of Shanghai in the Jazz Age, this is generally what comes to mind. Only 25 rooms. Romantic and hidden. 170 Nanyang Rd, +86-21-6289-7878
For the perfect date night in Shanghai, grab a drink and get cuddly at the Jazz Bar inside the recently revamped Peace Hotel, which also has one of the most indulgent spas in town. 20 Nanjing Road East, 800-940-4914
Food and travel journalist Brad A. Johnson is the only critic in America to win both the James Beard Award and the Cordon Bleu World Food Media Award for restaurant criticism. And his blog at bradajohnson.net won the prestigious 2011 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award for best travel blog in America.