Where to Stay in Shanghai — Best Hotels by Style
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
Shanghai wears many faces — the grand riverfront hotels of the Bund, the leafy lanes of the Former French Concession, and the glittering towers of Pudong across the water. Rather than sort the city by neighborhood alone, we’ve grouped its most dependable, well-run hotels by the kind of trip you’re planning — from full-dress luxury to honest value, family stays to grown-up retreats. Each pick comes with a candid note and a Book Me link that opens that exact property on Trip.com, so you can simply choose your dates.
Luxury
Shanghai does grand hotels as well as any city on earth, and the Bund is where the legends line up — marble, river views and service polished to a shine. Book here when you want the hotel to be part of the story, with the historic waterfront and the Pudong skyline right outside the glass.
The Peninsula Shanghai
The last great building raised on the Bund, The Peninsula pairs 1920s Art Deco glamour with some of the largest, most beautifully finished rooms in the city, many looking straight across the Huangpu to Pudong. A superb spa, a rooftop bar and famously attentive service make it a benchmark for Shanghai luxury. Best for a landmark stay where location and craftsmanship both matter.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
Set in the restored former Shanghai Club, this Waldorf blends a heritage wing of grand parlors and the celebrated Long Bar with a modern tower of plush, well-appointed rooms. The riverfront address puts the promenade and Nanjing Road within a short stroll. A refined, quietly glamorous choice for travelers who love period character with five-star comfort.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Boutique
For travelers who want personality over sheer scale, Shanghai’s design hotels are a joy — intimate, style-forward and often tucked into the quieter, leafier heart of the city. Expect thoughtful interiors, standout restaurants and the kind of staff who remember your name.
The PuLi Hotel and Spa
An urban-resort sanctuary on the edge of Jing’an Park, The PuLi wraps serene, ink-and-timber interiors around a dramatic 25-metre indoor pool and a soothing spa. It feels a world away from the traffic yet sits atop a metro line and moments from the shops. Ideal for design lovers who want quiet, polish and a genuine sense of retreat in the middle of town.
Book Me on Trip.com ›The Middle House
A warm, contemporary house from the House Collective, dressed in earthy Italian design and set right by the Xintiandi lanes and boutiques. Rooms feel residential and generous, the courtyard restaurants draw locals, and the whole hotel has an easy, unstuffy elegance. A lovely base for couples and independent travelers who want style and a walkable, characterful district on the doorstep.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Budget & Value
Shanghai is kinder to a budget than its skyline suggests: clean, central rooms and friendly hostels sit within walking distance of the Bund for a fraction of the landmark rates. You trade marble lobbies for location and value — and put the savings toward dumplings, museums and the Maglev.
Shanghai Blue Mountain Bund Youth Hostel
A long-running, well-reviewed hostel a short walk from the old town and the Bund, with a sociable common room, a small bar and both tidy private rooms and dorms. Staff are helpful with tickets and directions, and the metro is close for longer hops. A dependable, sociable pick for younger travelers and anyone who wants a central base at an honest price.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Campanile Shanghai Bund Hotel
A straightforward, well-kept hotel from the French Campanile chain, offering compact modern rooms, complimentary coffee and snacks, and a central location handy for the Bund and metro. It won’t dazzle, but it’s clean, quiet and consistent for the money. A sensible value choice for travelers who want a private room and a reliable operation without paying landmark prices.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Family-friendly
Traveling with children? Shanghai makes it easy, with hotels built around pools, play zones and the city’s big-ticket attractions. These two put space, kid-friendly touches and the Disney magic front and center, so the whole family can recharge between adventures.
Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai
A big, energetic hotel beside the expo grounds with one of the largest fitness and pool complexes in the city, plus the excellent indoor-outdoor Adventure Zone play area for children. Generous rooms, a lively brewpub and lots of dining keep every age happy. A superb, high-energy family base with easy metro links to the aquarium, tower and Disney line.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Toy Story Hotel (Shanghai Disney Resort)
An officially themed Disney hotel where the whole world is Andy’s backyard — giant Woody and Buzz statues, playful rooms and a shuttle straight to the park gates. It’s cheerful, well-priced for the resort, and lets little ones stay inside the magic all day. Perfect for families building a trip around Shanghai Disneyland who want ease and theming over city sightseeing.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Adults-only
An honest word here: Shanghai has essentially no dedicated adults-only hotels — the concept barely exists in mainland China, where the big-city hotels welcome all ages. So rather than invent one, we point you to two genuinely grown-up, romance-leaning retreats that suit couples beautifully (though neither enforces an adults-only policy), plus a link to browse the wider city.
Amanyangyun
A serene Aman resort on Shanghai’s green southern edge, built among relocated Ming and Qing dwellings and a transplanted camphor forest. Vast, hushed villas, a magnificent spa and unhurried dining make it a true escape from the city’s pace, about 45 minutes from downtown. Ideal for couples and honeymooners who want calm, space and privacy over nightlife — it welcomes all guests, but its mood is thoroughly grown-up.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Bulgari Hotel Shanghai
A sleek, sensuous Italian hideaway on the Suzhou Creek waterfront, pairing a restored 1930s garden villa with a dark-and-glamorous tower of intimate rooms. The spa, the riverside bar and the destination restaurant make it a natural for a romantic city break. A sophisticated, adult-in-spirit choice for couples — open to all ages, but built for grown-up evenings.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Pet-friendly
Bringing a dog along is less common in China than in the West, and many hotels won’t allow pets, so it’s always worth confirming the exact policy, size limits and any fee when you book. These two are known to welcome pets — but call ahead to be sure your companion is covered.
Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai
A polished riverfront hotel in Lujiazui with sweeping Bund and skyline views, big comfortable rooms and a strong spread of restaurants. It has a reputation for accommodating travelers with pets, which is rare at this level in the city. A comfortable, well-located choice for pet owners who still want a proper five-star base — just confirm the pet terms before you arrive.
Book Me on Trip.com ›W Shanghai – The Bund
A bold, high-energy design hotel on the North Bund with knockout skyline views, a buzzy rooftop and W’s signature pet-welcoming program for smaller companions. Rooms are vivid and fun, the pool and spa are excellent, and the riverfront setting is dramatic after dark. A great pick for style-minded travelers bringing a small pet — check the size limit and any fee at booking.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Shanghai stays — quick questions
A few honest answers to help you settle on a base before you book.
What is the best area to stay in Shanghai?
For a first visit, base yourself around the Bund and People’s Square on the Puxi (west) side — you are walking distance from the riverfront promenade, the old lanes, shopping on Nanjing Road, and a metro ride from everything else. The Former French Concession is the choice for tree-lined charm, cafés and boutiques, while Lujiazui in Pudong suits travelers who want soaring skyline hotels and the Disney and expo districts within easy reach.
Is Shanghai walkable?
Central Shanghai is very walkable in pockets — the Bund, the Former French Concession and the old town reward strolling — but the city is enormous, so you will lean on the metro for longer hops. The subway is clean, cheap, signed in English and easy to use, and taxis and ride-hailing are inexpensive. Sidewalks are wide and generally flat, which helps if you prefer an unhurried pace.
When is the best time to visit Shanghai?
Spring (late March to May) and autumn (September to early November) are the most comfortable, with mild days and lighter humidity. Summers are hot, humid and prone to rain, while winters are damp and chilly rather than freezing. Avoid the national holiday around the first week of October if you can, when domestic crowds and prices peak.
Don’t see your perfect fit?
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