Top 5 Hotels in Shanghai

Luxury with a Capital L - The Peninsula Shanghai

The solid, unassuming architecture belies what lies behind the facade. Officially opening in March 2010 (having run through its soft opening October 2009) to an ‘all bells and whistles' grand opening bash, it boasts some of the largest hotel rooms in the city. Each room is divided into living spaces and even features a dressing room in lieu of an all-too-small closet. Combine that with its art deco interior, its Michelin-starred chef, the fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms (including a vintage 1934 Phantom designed to blow the socks off a client transfer) and The Peninsula will rule Shanghai's luxury hotel scene .. until the next big opening!

Rooms from 2,415 CNY (£230 GBP)

The Peninsula Shanghai, No. 32 The Bund, Zhongshan Dong Yi Road,
Tel: +86 21 2327 2888
www.peninsula.com

Sophisticated Technology - Zendai Art Hotel

Located in Shanghai's main financial hub and opposite Shanghai's New International Expo Centre, the 300-room Zendai Art Hotel features complimentary wired and wifi internet throughout, a cone shaped ballroom, roof garden, several restaurants and a plethora of leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool, gym, spinning room and ‘rejuvenation pods'. The smaller, boutique style 78-room Zendai Hotel Yin is located on the top four floors and features 60 sqm suites, complete with butler service, a spa, library, and a traditional Chinese Tea House to soothe away those stressful business meetings.

Opening Summer 2010

Zendai Art Hotel, No. 1098 Meihua Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai
Tel: +86 21 5033 5981
www.zendaihotels.com

Superb Views - Park Hyatt

Not for the vertiginously challenged, the Park Hyatt is situated on the top fourteen floors of the World Finance Centre. With it's own entrance, a lift smoothly whisks you up to the 87th floor reception in a timely 50 seconds. A notable feature are the floor-to-ceiling windows in every part of the hotel including each of the 147 bedrooms, spa and pool, allowing you an uninterrupted 360-degree vista of Shanghai. Unlike many of its larger cousins, the Park Hyatt has retained a cosy intimacy, particularly in its two restaurants, the Living Room and the Dining Room. But if you're looking for something more lively, head up to the 91st floor and 100 Century Avenue - a buzzing restaurant and two bars that the the talk of the town.

Rooms from 2,720 CNY (£259 GBP)

Park Hyatt Hotel, 100 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Tel: +86 21 6888 1234
www.shanghai.park.hyatt.com

Small and Intimate - JIA Shanghai

Jia means home in Mandarin, and the hotel's generous residential style rooms (with fully equipped kitchens and free wifi) , and loaded perks (free afternoon tea, evening wine, juice and soft drinks bar) live up to the name. JIA also offers a range of flexible meeting and dining spaces for up to 300. Dine in their authentic Italian restaurant, Issimo or for the weary traveller, just have them deliver it to your room.

Rooms from 1,703 CNY (£162 GBP)

JIA Shanghai, 931 West Nanjing Road, Shanghai
Tel: +86 21 6217 9000
www.jiashanghai.com

Carbon neutral - URBN Hotel

This is the 26-room debut of a chain of carbon neutral hotels across China. The hotel uses locally sourced materials, simple eco-friendly solutions (such as vintage suitcases, instead of plexi-glass sculptures, in the lobby) and a carbon credit program that goes towards wind-farms and other clean energy projects around China. The rooms are comfortable and their clean lines and furniture often serve multiple functions. Rooms look out onto a patio of bamboo, ivy and soaring trees and the two penthouse suites enjoy expansive private rooftop gardens.

Rooms from 2,198 CNY (£209 GBP)

URBN Hotel, 183 Jiaozhou Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu, Shanghai
Tel: + 86 21 5404 0110
www.urbnhotels.com

 Shanghai's Top 10 Restaurants

Whampoa Club

Chinese Smart $$

The Whampoa Club offers contemporary and innovative Shanghai dishes in an elegant and traditional decor. Enjoy the views over the Huangpu River and the Pudong district while you peruse the extensive a la carte menu or opt for the degustation menu.

 
5th Floor, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Shanghai 200002
Tel: +86 21 6329 1003
www.threeonthebund.com

Jean Georges

French Chic $$

In the same building, but one floor down is the lavish French restaurant from the Vong brand also located in Hong Kong and the US. A sublimely designed restaurant serving sensational new French cuisine.

4th Floor, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Shanghai 200002
Tel: +86 21 6321 7733
www.threeonthebund.com

Lost in Heaven

Yunnan Trendy $$

Delicious fusion Yunnan and Burmese dishes are the signature cuisine for this beautiful and very popular restaurant. On the ground floor of Lost Heaven is the equally popular bar and lounge area - lovely - a perfect place for a mellow drink. Reservations recommended in advance.

38 Geo You Road, by Fuxing Xi Road. Shanghai
Tel: +86 21 6433 5126
www.lostheaven.com

Yongfoo Elite

Shanghai Stylish $$

Formerly a private club, this Shanghainese restaurant is housed in a wonderful old 1930's villa, on a lovely phoenix-tree lined street. The entrance to the restaurant is through a delightful garden, lit by candles in the evening but equally charming on a nice day. The Chinese food at Yongfoo Elite is not spectacular but no one goes there for the food; this restaurant is one that will delight visitors to Shanghai and give them a taste of how the elite used to live in Shanghai during the glory days of the 1920's and 1930's.

200 Yongfu Road, near Hunan Road, Shanghai
Tel: +86 21 5466 2727
www.yongfooelite.com

Shintori

Japanese Trendy $$

Reconstructed from an old warehouse, the decor is minimalist, Japanese style with high ceilings, cement walls, wooden tables and an open kitchen. The innovative cuisine is unquestionably good but Shintori is a must-see simply because of the impressive venue. Portions are small but exquisite. Try the grilled cod - it is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

803 Julu Road, by Fumin Road, Shanghai
Tel: +86 21 5404 5252
www.shintori.com.tw

Element Fresh

Light Continental Casual $-$

Freshly made excellent salads, light pasta dishes and sandwiches has made Element Fresh one of the most favoured lunch destinations in the city with now seven venues across the city and serving the most popular Sunday brunch in town.

Shanghai centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu (by Xikang Lu), Shanghai
Tel: +86 21 6279 8682
www.elementfresh.com

M on the Bund

Continental Trendy $$

Australian-owned and sister to Hong Kong's M at the Fringe, this decade old restaurant remains an institution and has one of the best terrace views of the Bund and the night-time Pudong skyline making it a delightful venue for the ever-popular Sunday brunch.

7th Floor, No 5 The Bund (corner of Guandong Lu) Shanghai
Tel: +86 21 6350 9988
www.m-onthebund.com

Laris

Fusion Smart $$-$$

Celebrity chef David Laris consults on this swank, fusion eatery. Sumptuous white and gold decor with great views over the Bund combine with a menu that ranges from simple but elegant fish entrees to Russian caviar. Can occasionally suffer from supercilious staff.

6th Floor, Three on the Bund, Zhong Shan Dong Yi Lu, Huangpu
Tel: +86 21 6321 9922
www.threeonthebund.com

KABB

American Casual $-$$

KABB (Kathleen's American Bar and Bistro) is a casual restaurant which welcomes after-work diners, tourists and business visitors in equal measures. Serving delicious hamburgers, soups, salads, and tex-mex food, KABB is candle-lit in the evenings, with decent, laid-back music. It has a good bar, al fresco dining and is perfect for unwinding or people watching after a busy day.

5 North Block, Xintiandi, Lane 181 Taicang Lu
Tel: +86 21 3307 0798
www.kabbsh.com

T8

Fusion Trendy $$

T8 has a contemporary yet warm decor featuring traditional Asian artifacts and Tang Dynasty-inspired oil paintings. The exhibition kitchen acts as a charming centrepiece with counter dining to watch the kitchen antics or at circular tables with moulded elm benches. Soak up the scene as Shanghai's celebrities come out to play.

No. 8 Xintiandi North Part, Lane 181 Tai Cang Lu
Tel: +86 21 6355 8999
www.t8-shanghai.com