This glamorous Shanghai hotel harks back to the Roaring Twenties
Checking into The Peninsula Shanghai, Samuel Mathewson found a world of 1920s glamour
The Huangpu River separates the hotel from the iconic Pudong cityscape, offering exceptional views of the Oriental Pearl, the 632-metre Shanghai Tower, and the “Bottle Opener” silhouette of the Shanghai World Financial Centre.
Located at the end of The Bund, the former English settlement that evolved into a major commerce centre. The architecture here references famous cities around the world, including London, Paris, and Moscow.
Chic boutiques from Chinese brands made famous on TikTok (Songmont and To Summe) are virtually on your doorstep, along with galleries, restaurants and cafes.
Taxis in China are affordable and easy to book through apps such as Didi. From Pudong International, it takes roughly 40 minutes, and from Hongqiao International, around 25 minutes.
The 14-floor hotel opened in 2009 and feels timeless, with expansive ceilings in the public areas and Art Deco-style design and architecture. You can practically imagine 1920s flappers and overseas businesspeople blending in as easily as today’s Shanghainese guests enjoying afternoon tea in the impressive lobby. In the afternoon, the space is packed with tables of people, heads close together, no doubt gossiping and enjoying the live music.
With an ever-rotating fleet of cars sweeping through the porte-cochère and dropping off fabulous guests, this is the epitome of Shanghai metropolitan living.
Peninsula hotels are unrivalled for their service. Staff are there when you need them, and discreet when you don’t. After a quick call or a message on “PenChat” (the direct chat service for guests), staff will deliver a clothes steamer, collect laundry, or bring extra bath salts almost immediately. The valet box allows any deliveries or collections to be handled quietly, without interrupting your stay.
The hotel has 235 rooms and suites and offers four types of standard rooms, including Deluxe Garden View and Deluxe River View rooms. Suites vary in grandeur and size, up to the largest, The Peninsula Suite, which has a working fireplace, two bedrooms, a powder room, a kitchen and a grand 12-person dining room.
Beyond the stunning Shanghai night view, the room feels elegant and tasteful. Rich, creamy tones contrast with dark wood and black lacquered furniture and chrome lighting. Each room has a substantial walk-in dressing area with a table and ample space for suitcases (we had four, and we could open them fully).
The bathroom is the real showstopper, with two full-size sinks on either side of a large bathtub and an Art Deco-inspired stone carving as the centrepiece. A “spa” button next to the bath dims the lights and plays relaxing music.
All rooms come with a discreet valet box, same-day laundry and dry cleaning (both chargeable), complimentary international calls, a daily fruit basket, complimentary newspapers, turn-down service, tea and coffee in the rooms and chargeable minibars.
The hotel has two main restaurants plus the Lobby where breakfast and afternoon tea are served. Breakfast includes a buffet of continental and Chinese options, plus à la carte dishes made to order. Yi Long Court is a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant with instantly calming 1930s-inspired interiors, traditional music, and the constant sound of tea being poured. Executive chef Jacky Zhang's signature tasting menu is perfectly balanced, with dim sum, fragrant broths, tender beef, flaky cod fillets, and classic Canton sweets to finish. Nothing feels over the top or superfluous.
Sir Elly’s restaurant and bar on the 13th floor has impressive views over Shanghai. Chef Eugenio Cannoni brings Northern Italian influence and uses ingredients from around the world. Enjoy a set menu of inventive dishes, including Iberico pork ravioli and Australian wagyu beef or scallop with XO oil. Sipping cocktails while watching the skyline light up was a standout experience. Vegetarian options are available upon request.
The 25-metre indoor pool area looks like something from a Jazz Age cruise liner, with marble floors, palm trees, and vintage-style lounge chairs. It also has an adjoining terrace for post-swim sunning, plus a fully equipped fitness centre with exercise bikes, rowing machines, cross trainers, and free weights.
The spa offers treatments including Ayurvedic massages and three-hour “city retreats” using organic body products.
The hotel also offers designer and local boutiques in the lobby and basement levels.
The front desk can book transportation for you, including branded Rolls-Royce cars for ultra-luxury transfers.
Connecting rooms make family stays easier and cots are available on request. There's also a kids’ program, with limited events. The local area also offers interesting activities kids will enjoy – on my visit a festival was happening on the river with market stalls, a floating cafe and a bookshop.
The hotel is wheelchair accessible with specific accessible rooms, including a deluxe garden view room. Accessible rooms include a roll-in shower and visual alarms for hard-of-hearing guests. Shower seats are available on request.
Check-in is 2pm; check-out is 12pm. Subject to availability, guests can check in as early as 6am and check out as late as 10pm.
