A modern metropolis, Shanghai is China’s most famous and international city. Shanghai is at the center of China’s economic resurgence, situated on the eastern seaboard of the country. Shanghai is a fast paced and contemporary city and is the perfect place to take a vacation with its great shopping and colorful nightlife. Accommodations of every kind can be found in Shanghai. Hotels, resorts, discount hotels, guest houses and hostels are located all over the city to suit every budget.
Although traveling around Shanghai is relatively easy with an effective public transportation system, many of the city’s main attractions are spread out around the city. Depending on the kind of vacation you prefer, the best places to stay in Shanghai are in Huangpu, Luwan and Jing An.
Huangpu is located in downtown Shanghai and lies in the center of the city. Many tourist attractions are found in this area as well as a number of top hotels (such as the Westin Hotel and the JW Marriott). Staying in Huangpu gives travelers easy access to the Bund, Peoples Square, the Shanghai Grand Theater and Nanjing Road, which is famous for its shopping.
Luwan is the place to be if you are looking for an exciting nightlife. Formerly a French Concession, Luwan is a great place to stay with its quaint buildings and old fashioned charm. There are many excellent restaurants around Xin Tiandì and Hengshan Lu in Luwan as well as excellent places to shop in such as Huaihai Lu and Maoming Lu. Jing An is in the northwest area of Shanghai and was a British Concession. Located here are the chic hotels like The Four Seasons, the Portman Ritz Carlton and the Hilton. Many of Shanghai’s fine restaurants can also be found in Jing An. The Sheraton and the Marriott hotels are situated in Changning, which is primarily a residential area. Also a development zone, this area is easily accessible by taxi and has quite a few good restaurants and cafés. Pudong is essentially a business district and many new hotels are located there. The Holiday Inn and Hotel Intercontinental cater to business travelers.
Fun family Resorts
Shanghai is an ideal holiday destination for families and business executives alike. Though Shanghai is mainly China’s financial capital, it has plenty of fun for the whole family with zoos, museums, water parks and play lands to visit. Most hotels and resorts in Shanghai have free stays for children under 12, as well as free baby sitting services. Some hotels also have special children’s facilities, for example, the Shanghai JC Mandarin has a special children’s playroom and the Westin Shanghai has a Kids Club with a terrace paddle pool. Another good family hotel is the Novotel Atlantis which has its own Kiddy Club and a special children’s buffet on Sundays.
Pudong Shangri-la – 5 Star
The Pudong Shangri-la is an expensive resort in Shanghai. With rooms costing upwards of $200, this hotel is primarily meant for the business executive who needs a comfortable place to rest after a long day at work. A five-star hotel located only 15 minutes away from downtown Shanghai, the Pudong Shangri-la has 606 tastefully decorated rooms and suites that offer spectacular views of the Bund and Huangpu River. With top notch services and amenities this hotel also has a ‘Horizon Club Floor’ with special privileges such as complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and cocktails and express check-in/out. Facilities include:
3 restaurants
deli
lounge
nightclub
indoor swimming pool
tennis courts
health club with a Jacuzzi and sauna
concierge and tour desk
24 hour room service
babysitting services
Jin Sha Hotel – 3 Star/budget
Located near Hongqiao Airport, the Jin Sha Hotel is close to the Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai Mart and Intex Exhibition Centers. With about 300 rooms, this three star hotel is perfect if you are on a budget. With all the modern comforts and amenities, the Jin Sha has 7 different restaurants as well as a night club and recreation room. Other facilities of the hotel include a gym, a small convenience store on the premises, a boutique, a car rental company and free laundry service.
Radisson SAS Lansheng – 4 Star
If you are not watching your budget too closely, the Radisson SAS Lansheng is an affordable four-star hotel for under $100. Located northeast of Shanghai, it is next door to the Shanghai Commercial Center, 15 minutes away from Bund and Pudong and 20 minutes away from the city center. This hotel is perfect for families and business travelers. With 400 spacious, air conditioned rooms and suites, the Radisson SAS has a wide range of dining facilities, as well as a bar and night club. One important feature of this hotel is its comprehensive facilities in the wellness centre which also has an in-house doctor. Equipped with a gym, sauna, steam bath, Jacuzzi, massage parlor, bowling alley, TV golf simulator, badminton court, table tennis and billiards, guests can also take advantage of herbal remedies and reflexology treatments from a local qualified practitioner.
Shanghai Astor House Hotel/Pujiang Hotel – 2 Star
Located near the Bund area, just over the Waibaidu Bridge, is the Shanghai Astor House Hotel, a well known resort. A two-star hotel that is both comfortable and convenient, the Shanghai Astor House has a very famous past. It was built in 1860 and served as part of the Shanghai Stock Exchange from 1990 to 1997; it has also had many famous celebrity guests. U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant stayed here in 1879 as well as musician Scott Joplin, Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein. Guests at the hotel can also choose to stay in the rooms that these famous people used known as ‘celebrity rooms’. A backpackers’ hangout, this hotel has large comfortable rooms with a restaurant, Internet café, spa, bike rental and tour desk service.
