Shanghai Hotels
Especially when you compare Shanghai with other Chinese cities, the selection of hotels is outstanding. Chic skyscraper hotels serve the business travel market and historic hotels in former villas share the luxury market. In addition, boutique hotels and some exceptional guest houses bring a breath of fresh air to the scene.
Discounts are common in Shanghai (except on public holidays) and can be up to 50% of the room rate, especially in upscale hotels. Apart from youth hostels, you almost never pay the official price, which is why you should always inquire about a discount, whether you book online or spontaneously at the reception.
The following hotels are divided into three categories:
Luxurious (over ¥ 2,500)
Moderate (¥ 1,000 to 2,500)
Inexpensive (up to ¥ 1,000).
These are minimum prices for a double room per night with taxes. Breakfast is usually included in the price.
Lifted
St. Regis
Personal butler service and a lobby with boxes like in an opera house. All 318 elegant and modern rooms (including 48 suites) are equipped with free broadband internet access, Bose CD wave radios and rainforest showers. Two floors are only for female guests.
Guests who are mostly on a business trip can enjoy a free cocktail every day. Wireless Internet access is available in all rooms and public areas of the hotel. There is also a 24-hour business center, currency exchange, concierge service and in-room dining service.
Address: Pudong New Area, 889 Dong Fang Lu, Shanghai
Phone: (21) 50 50 45 67
Website: http://www.stregis.com/shanghai
Portman Ritz-Carlton
This classy hotel, which is popular with regular business customers, is located in the Shanghai Center, an attraction for emigrants with many shops, bars and restaurants. It is located on the busy Nanking Street, and the high level of service and attention to detail have earned him several awards. The 578 rooms are divided into seven categories and regularly house celebrities and politicians. There is a pleasant jazz lounge on the second floor.
Address: 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu (Shanghai Center, Puxi), Shanghai
Telephone: (21) 62 79 88 88
Website: http://www.ritzcarlton.com
Pudong Shangri-La
The location on the river bank, the impeccable service and the view of the federal government make this hotel a hit with both business and leisure travelers. The second tower, opened in 2005, houses three of the city’s best restaurants: Jade on 36, Yi Café and Nadaman. The CHI wellness center is incredibly luxurious and the business facilities are exceptionally well equipped. You can enjoy the view of the Bund in the rooms on the upper floors with the binoculars provided free of charge. The view from the fitness center is also fantastic.
Address: Pudong New Area, 33 Fucheng Lu, Shanghai
Telephone: (21) 68 82 88 88
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com
Moderate
Grand Hyatt
The Grand Hyatt is located on floors 53 to 87 of the modern, art deco-style Jin Mao Tower with a total of 88 floors, making it one of the tallest hotels in the world. Elegant and innovative design is the hallmark of the Grand Hyatt, whose rooms are among the most coveted in all of Shanghai. In addition to several bars and restaurants, the Cloud 9 lounge bar on the 87th floor is a chic place where you can drink a martini and marvel at the city from (very far) above.
Address: Pudong New Area, 88 Shiji Da Dao (Jin Mao Tower), Shanghai
Phone: (21) 50 49 12 34
Website: http://www.grand.hyatt.com
JW Marriott
This 60-story hotel is the Chinese flagship of the Marriott hotel group. It is located right next to the Volkspark and is a combination of 342 elegant rooms and suites and 255 rental units with room service. The all-round view of the city from the lobby on the 38th floor is breathtaking. From the JW Lounge Bar two floors higher with tables integrated in the windows, you have a wonderful view of Shanghai. There is also a business center that is open around the clock and the Mandara wellness center.
Address: 399 Nanjing Xi Lu (Puxi), Shanghai
Telephone: (21) 53 59 49 69
Website: http://www.marriott.com
Sofitel Hyland
The hotel is a sky-high glass skyscraper overlooking the Nanking Lu pedestrian area and shopping street. It is only a few minutes walk to the Bund. The recently renovated house has a pleasantly reserved interior and an extensive range of services for meetings. The packages for weddings in Shanghai or Cantonese style are a special feature.
Address: 505 Nanjing Dong Lu (Puxi), Shanghai
Telephone: (21) 63 51 58 88
Website: http://www.accorhotels.com
Jing’an Hilton
The Jing’an Hilton, Shanghai’s grande dame of the hotel industry, was the pioneer of all other branded hotels that have now established themselves in the metropolis. The hotel is characterized by a convivial atmosphere, more than in the other hotels in the city, and it is still popular with celebrities and world-class athletes.
The location between Nanking Lu and Huaihai Lu is great, and for those who want to be pampered, The Spa Wellness Center and its “bio-air” enriched with ozone is available.
Address: Jinshan, 250 Huashan Lu, Shanghai
Telephone: (21) 62 48 00 00
Website: http://www.hilton.de
Cheap
Motel 168
Excellent, affordable hotel chain that is expanding rapidly in the city. The simple rooms are relatively spartan, but the budget rooms for business travelers are very spacious and have satellite television, free Internet access, and special rainforest showers. Motel 168 is popular with student and travel groups, as well as business travelers with limited expense accounts.
Address: 1119 Yanan Xi Lu, near Fanyu Lu (Puxi), Shanghai
Telephone: (21) 63 16 81 68
Website: http://www.motel168.com
Old House Inn
This red brick building from the 1930s has been lovingly restored and turned into an exclusive but affordable hotel. All 12 rooms have been decorated with attention to detail and are equipped with wooden floors, traditional Chinese furniture, chic works of art, a few antiques and wireless internet access. The room prices include breakfast in the cool A Future Perfect restaurant on the ground floor, which also has a bar.
Address: 16 Lane 351 Huashan Road, Shanghai
Phone: (021) 62 48 61 18
Website: http://www.oldhouse.cn
