Top 10 Hotels in Shanghai

Top 10 Hotels in Shanghai

Shanghai's luxury hotel scene splits mainly between two waterfronts: the Bund, where restored colonial-era buildings and new towers alike look out over the Huangpu River toward Pudong, and Pudong itself, where the newest properties occupy the upper floors of the city's tallest skyscrapers. Jing'an rounds things out with a cluster of design-forward hotels a short distance from the busiest tourist routes.

The ten hotels below span all three areas, from a Ming Dynasty-adjacent riverfront icon on the Bund to a design hotel overlooking Jing'an Park, and every one carries a strong guest score across a meaningful base of reviews. We've linked each to its real listing on Booking.com, Agoda or Trip.com so you can compare live rates for your dates.

1. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai

Set on the Pudong riverfront with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Bund and the Huangpu River, Mandarin Oriental Pudong pairs a genuinely spectacular view with the brand's signature understated luxury. The 362 rooms come with a refrigerator, hair dryer and minibar as standard, and the spa and indoor pool round out a property built as much for a long stay as a short one.

Dining spans Fifty 8° Grill's French cuisine to Yong Yi Ting's Cantonese menu, both consistently among the best hotel restaurants in the city. Guests consistently rate this the single best-reviewed luxury hotel in Shanghai, citing the unbeatable skyline views and genuinely attentive service.

2. The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi

Sitting directly above Xintiandi's restored shikumen lanes, The Langham Xintiandi puts the district's restaurants, bars and boutiques immediately outside the door while still delivering a genuinely quiet, well-insulated stay. Rooms lean toward warm, contemporary design rather than the more traditional Chinese motifs found at some competing luxury properties nearby.

With well over a thousand reviews and a 9.8 guest score, it's one of the most consistently well-reviewed hotels in the city, praised especially for its location and service standard even by frequent Shanghai business travelers.

3. The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong

Occupying the upper floors of a Lujiazui tower on Century Avenue, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong delivers some of the highest hotel-room views in the city, with the club lounge alone sitting above the 50th floor. It's built squarely for both business travelers working Pudong's financial district and leisure guests who want the skyline as the main event.

Reviewers consistently single out the views and the club-level service, with the hotel holding a 9.8 guest score across more than a thousand reviews — a strong result even by Shanghai's competitive luxury standards.

4. The Sukhothai Shanghai

The Sukhothai brings its Thai-luxury design language to Jing'an, resulting in one of Shanghai's more distinctive high-end hotels — understated, minimalist interiors that stand apart from the more conventional five-star aesthetic found elsewhere in the city. It's a genuinely design-forward choice for travelers who've already done the more obvious luxury brands.

Guests consistently praise the calm, uncluttered atmosphere and attentive service, with the hotel holding a 9.8 guest score across a substantial base of reviews.

5. Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund

The first Waldorf Astoria in Asia, this property combines a restored historic Bund building with a contemporary tower, giving guests a choice between old-Shanghai grandeur and modern design across its 260 rooms. Panoramic Huangpu River views come as standard from much of the property, and the location puts the Bund's entire waterfront promenade steps from the door.

Reviewers consistently highlight the blend of heritage architecture and modern comfort, along with the unmatched Bund-front location, contributing to its 9.8 guest score.

6. Jing An Shangri-La, Shanghai

Set inside the Jing An Kerry Centre complex, this Shangri-La property puts guests directly above one of Shanghai's best shopping and dining hubs, with the metro, a large mall and a cluster of well-regarded restaurants all within the same development. Rooms are spacious by Shanghai luxury-hotel standards, and the pool and spa are a genuine draw rather than an afterthought.

Guests consistently rate the location and the Shangri-La brand's reliable service standard highly, holding a 9.8 guest score across a strong review base.

7. The PuLi Shanghai

The PuLi was one of the first Shanghai hotels to fully commit to a contemporary, design-hotel aesthetic rather than conventional five-star grandeur, and it remains one of the city's most photographed lobbies as a result. It overlooks Jing'an Park, a genuinely green pocket of the district, and pairs its design credentials with the Long Bar, one of Shanghai's best-regarded hotel bars.

Reviewers consistently praise the design, the park views and the bar, contributing to a 9.8 guest score across a smaller but very consistent review base.

8. W Shanghai - The Bund

W's signature playful design language shows up throughout this Bund-area property, from the lobby's bold color palette to rooms that lean noticeably more contemporary than the historic-building luxury hotels nearby. It's a strong pick for travelers who want the Bund's location without the more traditional, formal atmosphere of some competing five-star options.

Guests consistently mention the design and the energetic bar and lounge scene, with the hotel holding a 9.6 guest score.

9. The Peninsula Shanghai

Sitting directly on the Bund itself, The Peninsula Shanghai occupies one of the most prominent addresses in the city, a five-minute walk from East Nanjing Road. Rooms come with a Nespresso machine, an iPod dock and a 50-inch TV, and the property includes both Cantonese and European fine-dining restaurants alongside an indoor pool and spa.

Guests consistently rate the Bund-front location and classic Peninsula service standard highly, contributing to a 9.4 guest score across a strong review base.

10. Fairmont Peace Hotel on the Bund

Open since 1929 and once a favorite of Charlie Chaplin among other foreign and local elites, the Fairmont Peace Hotel is Shanghai's most historic address, sitting at the northern end of the Bund with its distinctive art deco pyramid roof still one of the skyline's most recognizable landmarks. The Old Jazz Band, playing nightly in the hotel's bar, remains one of the city's most enduring pieces of living history.

Reviewers consistently praise the sense of history and the art deco design as much as the modern comforts, contributing to a 9.4 guest score.

Prices at all ten hotels swing hard with season and demand, particularly around Chinese New Year and the October Golden Week holiday. Click through to any platform for live rates on your exact dates.

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