World City Guide

Hotels

Most of the new hotels in Shanghai are aimed (and priced) at the increasing number of business visitors to the city, therefore the distinction between a ‘business’ hotel and a ‘luxury’ one is somewhat difficult to make. Tourism is still developing and, although lower priced hotels exist, room rates at the international brand hotels remain high throughout most of the year, with the one exception being during the Christmas holidays. At all other times, occupancy rates are very high and discounted rooms hard to find. The hotels below have been classed into four different pricing categories:

$ (up to US$99 per night)
$$ (US$100 to US$174 per night)
$$$ (US$175 to US$249 per night)
$$$$ (over US$250 per night)

Business

Portman Ritz-Carlton
Popular with repeat corporate guests, this classy hotel forms part of the ‘expat magnet’ Shanghai Centre – incorporating shops, bars and restaurants. Situated on busy Nanjing Road, its service levels and attention to detail have gleaned several awards. Its 578 spacious rooms are divided into seven categories, and regularly host visiting celebrities and politicians. The second-floor jazz lounge is a pleasant place to offload some expense account dollars.

Shanghai Centre (Puxi)
1376 Nanjing Xi Lu
Tel: (21) 6279 8888.
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com
Price range: $$$

Shangri-La
Riverfront location, impeccable service and views of the Bund make this a major player in the in-house corporate meetings market. The hotel's 606 rooms, including 31 suites, will be bolstered in mid-2005 by a second tower. The resulting 981-room hotel will be Shanghai’s largest. A new signature Fook Lam Moon restaurant opened in October 2004 – reputedly the most expensive in Shanghai. Upper-floor Bund-view rooms offer complimentary binoculars and views from the gym are awesome.

33 Fucheng Lu (Pudong)
Tel: (21) 6882 8888.
Website: www.shangri-la.com
Price range: $$$$

Luxury

Grand Hyatt
Located on the 53rd-87th floors of Pudong’s modern art deco, 88-storey Jin Mao Tower, the Grand Hyatt is the highest hotel in the world. Sophisticated and innovative design permeates the entire hotel and the rooms are among Shanghai’s most coveted. Several bars and restaurants are topped off by the 87th-floor Cloud 9 lounge bar, an ultra-swanky spot to sip a martini and gaze down on the city below.

Jin Mao Tower (Pudong)
88 Shiji Da Dao
Tel: (21) 5049 1234.
Website: www.grand.hyatt.com
Price range: $$$

JW Marriott
Futuristic new 60-floor landmark is Marriott’s China flagship. Adjacent to People’s Park, it combines 342 elegant hotel rooms and suites with 255 serviced apartments. The 360-degree city views from the 38th floor lobby are sublime. The 40th floor JW Lounge Bar includes tables built into the windows. Other services include a 24-hour business center and Mandara Spa.

399 Nanjing Xi Lu (Puxi)
Tel: (21) 5359 4969.
Website: www.marriott.com
Price range: $$$

Moderate

Hotel Equatorial
Close to the Hilton, this is largely a business hotel aimed as Asian travellers, but it offers some good deals at weekends. The rooms and facilities are good and it is located not far from Nanjing Lu restaurants and the Huashan Lu bar strip. Sitting near the Yan’an Highway, it provides good access to Hongqiao domestic airport.

65 Yan’an Xi Lu (Puxi)
Tel: (21) 6248 1688.
Website: www.equatorial.com
Price range: $$

Sofitel Hyland
Soaring glass tower overlooking the pedestrianized Nanjing Lu shopping street, and a short walk from from the Bund. The calming interior is happily free from major design statements to inhibit its gentle ambience. As well as a comprehensive range of conference services, special Shanghainese and Cantonese wedding packages are offered (1088 happy couples so far). All 389 guest rooms and the restaurants will be renovated during 2005.

505 Nanjing Dong Lu (Puxi)
Tel: (21) 6351 5888.
Website: www.accorhotels.com
Price range: $$

Other Recommendations

Pacific Hotel
Push open the wooden revolving doors and step back into1920s Shanghai. The magnificent exterior on People’s Park is matched by the period lobby, Italian marble pillars and ornate ceiling. The rooms are simple but comfortable and good value. For anyone prepared to forego luxury for an authentic Shanghai experience, the Pacific is a good option.

108 Nanjing Xi Lu (on People’s Park)
Tel: (21) 6327 6226.
Price range: $

St Regis
Opened in 2001, the St Regis oozes real class. All 318 elegant and contemporary rooms (including 48 suites) offer complimentary broadband internet access, BOSE CD wave radio, and rainforest showers. Two floors have dedicated ladies guest rooms. The mostly business clients enjoy a nightly free cocktail. Wireless Internet access is available in the lobby and 24-hour business center, currency exchange, concierge and in-room dining services are provided.

889 Dong Fang Lu (Pudong)
Tel: (21) 5050 4567.
Website: www.stregis.com/shanghai
Price range: $$$$