Frankly, Shanghai needs no introduction. Often the gateway for travelers exploring China for the first time, it’s not only the country’s most populous city, but also one of the most vibrant. As a major hub for international trade, Western influences are seen throughout the vast metropolis, most notably in the form of architecture and lifestyle. And when it comes to some of the best hotels in Shanghai, you’ll find that most are a blend of East and West, much like the city itself.

While you’ll likely spend most of your time slurping up soup dumplings, admiring the iconic skyline, and visiting nearby water towns, make sure to also enjoy some time at the hotel. Because here’s the thing about some of the finest in Shanghai: They’re not just a place to rest your head at night, they’re an experience in themselves. Whether it’s in the form of engaging cultural activities, captivating architecture, or a jaw-dropping view, these properties will elevate your trip.

Vogue’s Guide to the Best Hotels in Shanghai:

• For a Serene Retreat: Amanyangyun
• For Boutique Luxury: Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li
• For High Style: Upper House Shanghai
• For an Urban Oasis: The PuLi Shanghai
• For Views of the Bund: Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund

Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li

Tucked away in the former French Concession, Capella Shanghai offers guests the chance to stay in one of the last few remaining clusters of shikumen. Distinctive to the city, this style of architecture blends Western townhomes with traditional Chinese courtyard living. Each of the villas spans five floors, ranging from one- to three-bedroom accommodations, with a mix of French-inspired furniture and Chinoiserie details that nod to the neighborhood’s history while simultaneously incorporating feng shui principles to honor Chinese heritage. Wandering through the narrow alleys is like stepping back in time, and once you reach the guest-only garden, complete with plush seating and a tranquil water feature, you’ll feel worlds away from the bustling Sycamore-lined street just outside.

Attentive service is a hallmark for this intimate property, as is the spa in an adjacent shikumen, where you can customize an essential oil sachet before your treatment and end the experience with tremella soup, a dessert in Traditional Chinese Medicine that’s gained the moniker of “beauty soup” for its collagen and hydrating properties. On site, you’ll also find a French restaurant by celebrated chef Pierre Gagnaire, a boulangerie that bakes fresh bread and pastries every morning, and a bar that incorporates local ingredients in many of its cocktails. And as you walk around the area, keep an eye out for historic Art Deco buildings—or, if you’re really keen on the story behind them, the hotel also offers a guided tour. —Christina Liao

• Amenities: Complimentary activities, complimentary minibar, complimentary snacks and refreshments in the lobby, indoor plunge pool, restaurant, bar, spa, fitness center
• Editor’s tip: Part of the complimentary programming includes a nightly tipple at the bar featuring a variety of classic cocktails with a local touch.
• Address: 480 West Jianguo Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China, 20031

Upper House Shanghai

Situated in the heart of Jing'an, just steps away from the delightful chaos of the Nanjing West Road, the Upper House is Shanghai’s ultimate hideaway for those seeking both discretion and high style. Pulling up through the bamboo-lined driveway and into the lobby, with its jade-tiled walls and colossal Murano glass chandelier, you’d never guess you were so close to one of the city’s busiest shopping areas; decorated with a distinctive blend of Italian modernism and Chinese craft (the property’s interiors were conceived by Piero Lissoni), there’s a temple-like calm to the crisp lines and dark woods that span every corner of the property. The rooms here are equally striking: upon opening your door, the blinds will rise to reveal the sweeping views of the city beyond—a vista best enjoyed from the freestanding soaking tub in your ensuite bathroom, lavishly stocked with Bamford products, including the all-important geranium bath salts. It’s a masterclass in thoughtful East-meets-West design.

The Upper House’s other trump card is its food and beverage offering: on every evening of my stay, every outpost seemed to be abuzz with locals and visitors alike. On the more casual side, there’s Café Gray Deluxe, an all-day restaurant and lounge on the third floor that transforms into a moody cocktail bar by night, and serves as a space for a rotating series of culinary pop-ups; when I was there in December, the team was hosting a pop-up by the World’s 50 Best Bars, with mixologists from across East Asia whizzing up artisanal cocktails across a series of booths. But the real standout is the superb Sui Tang Li restaurant, which is worth a visit even if you aren’t actually staying here. Serving contemporary riffs on classic dishes from across Shanghainese, Sichuan, and Cantonese cuisines, standouts include the rich, deeply umami jamón Ibérico xiao long bao with a colorful swirl decorating the wrapper, and the crunchy hazelnut foie gras with shatteringly crisp scallion pancakes for scooping up on the side. Unsurprisingly, the dining room was packed. Most importantly, though, there’s just a lovely residential feel to the hotel—if you want to feel like a well-heeled, style-conscious Shanghainese for a few nights, this is the place to book. —Liam Hess

• Amenities: Complimentary minibar (snacks and soft drinks), indoor swimming pool, hot tub, restaurants, bar/lounge, spa, 24-hour fitness center, bikes available, complimentary Wi-Fi
• Editor’s tip: Don’t miss the excellent spa and fitness area here, which includes a 33-meter indoor pool, a Finnish sauna, yoga and meditation classes, and facials from the likes of Biologique Recherche and 111Skin.
• Address: No. 366 Shi Men Yi Rd, Jing’An District, Shanghai, China, 200041

Amanyangyun

Sprawled across 140 hectares just outside of the center of Shanghai is arguably one of the most prized properties within Aman’s portfolio. Beyond being a peaceful sanctuary that’s highly sought after by well-heeled locals and well-to-do visitors, Amanyangyun is also a beautiful story of conservation. When a much-needed reservoir in rural Fuzhou was approved in 2002, the fate of an ancient village was seemingly sealed. Chinese entrepreneur Ma Dadong couldn’t fathom losing this piece of his history from his native Jiangxi province and undertook the arduous task of relocating 50 Ming and Qing Dynasty villas, along with 10,000 camphor trees, to be scrupulously reassembled brick-by-brick and replanted, respectively, on the outskirts of Shanghai into what has often been lauded as the city’s most impressive and luxurious hotel since opening in 2018.

The mix of spacious suites and multi-bedroom standalone villas, the majority with their own private courtyards while the latter also boast large pools, is a masterclass in blending history with modern-day living. The resort’s heartbeat can be found at Nan Shufang, where guests can partake in complimentary activities like Chinese calligraphy and incense ceremonies in a building that was fittingly once a private school. And if that’s somehow not enough to impress you, the lush grounds certainly will, from the bamboo grove to the pompoms of dwarf grass, or the expansive art gallery that exhibits the work of artists from China and abroad. The hotel is also home to one of the largest spas in Shanghai, complete with daily wellness classes, both indoor and outdoor pools, and a pilates and yoga studio. And there’s no shortage of dining options, including Lazhu that pays homage to the property’s Jiangxi roots, a lakeside Italian restaurant that pulls ingredients from the on-site organic garden, Cantonese hot pot, and a teahouse that celebrates one of China’s most honored rituals. —C.L.

• Amenities: Complimentary activities and afternoon tea, indoor and outdoor pools, bike rental, art gallery, movie theater, restaurants, bar, spa, fitness center
• Editor’s tip: With so much to see and do on property you’ll want to block off one day and skip the city to just enjoy all the resort has to offer. Art enthusiasts should also time their stay to the hotel’s annual festival in October.
• Address: 6161 Yuanjing Rd, Minhang District, Shanghai, China, 201111

The PuLi Shanghai

Nestled in Jing’An just steps from West Nanjing Road, a popular shopping street lined with high-end stores and glitzy malls, the PuLi is a quiet hideaway despite its central location. The grand lobby with its soaring ceiling and 105-foot Long Bar creates an instant wow factor, but from there it’s more about calming moments than exciting ones. The bamboo-hedged alfresco terrace sits in front of a reflection pool, select rooms overlook the district’s namesake park, and the indoor infinity pool boasts views of lush greenery.

As the brand begins to expand and the Shanghai property becomes the flagship for the PuLi Group, an extensive renovation is slated for completion later this summer. All accommodations will sport a new look with bespoke furniture and original Chinese artwork that’s meant to evoke a collector’s home. Public spaces in the lobby, along with the spa, will be refreshed. And two new culinary concepts will be introduced, including an eight-seat omakase restaurant, while Long Bar will see a revamp to its concept, moving away from classics to more creative cocktails that blend East and West. —C.K.

• Amenities: Complimentary minibar, Indoor pool, restaurants, bar, spa, fitness center
• Editor’s tip: It’s well worth carving out time for a massage by one of the adept therapists at the spa.
• Address: 1 Changde Rd, Jing’An District, Shanghai, China, 200040

Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund

When it comes to Shanghai’s skyline, most people flock to the Bund along the western bank of the Huangpu River. The historic waterfront district is home to European-influenced buildings with stunning examples of Neoclassical, Baroque, and Art Deco styles. And across the way is the city’s iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, a must-see when illuminated in the evenings. But if you’re looking to snap a photo that captures both old and new, the North Bund is the underrated, less-crowded spot to take it all in. And when it comes to spectacular panoramic vistas from the comfort of a hotel, Banyan Tree is just down the road.

The 130-key hotel is the ideal urban retreat for travelers who want to be a stone’s throw away from most of the city’s key attractions while being just enough removed that you aren’t in the thick of the action. All of the accommodations overlook the river, but for the ultimate prize, book one with a view of the Bund, where you’ll see the Oriental Pearl Tower from not just the bed, but the bathtub, too. But even if you’re not able to secure one of these popular rooms, the property’s rooftop bar serves up a picture-perfect scenery, as does its Prince Kitchen restaurant. During your stay, make sure to also hop down to the spa for one of the brand’s signature treatments or take a dip in the indoor pool to fight off jet lag. —C.L.

• Amenities: Indoor pool, rooftop bar, restaurants, spa, fitness center
• Editor’s tip: The city’s skyline goes dark promptly at 10 p.m. in the winter and 11 p.m. in the summer (barring holidays), so make sure you’re back at the hotel before then to fully enjoy the night view.
• Address: 19 Gongping Rd, Hongkou District, Shanghai, China, 200086