Hotel in The Bund / Nanjing Road, Shanghai, Shanghai
Fairmont Peace Hotel
Opened in 1929 as the Cathay Hotel and once called the finest hotel east of Suez, the Fairmont Peace Hotel is an art deco masterpiece on the Bund. Glamorous public spaces, the legendary Jazz Bar, and rooms with stunning river or city views make it an unmissable Shanghai experience.
The Fairmont Peace Hotel stands at 20 Nanjing East Road at the confluence of Nanjing Road and the Bund in Shanghai's Huangpu District, occupying an art deco masterpiece inaugurated in 1929 as the Cathay Hotel and reputedly the finest hotel east of Suez in its era. The building's distinctive green copper pyramid roof is one of the most recognizable silhouettes on the Shanghai skyline, and its position at the junction of two of the city's grandest thoroughfares makes it a historic and cultural landmark as significant as the Bund itself. East Nanjing Road metro station (Lines 2 and 10) is immediately adjacent, providing direct access to Pudong and the rest of the city.
The hotel occupies two buildings: the iconic 1929 North Building, which houses the heritage suites and landmark public spaces, and the modern South Building completed during a meticulous restoration in 2010. Guest rooms in the historic wing are furnished with genuine art deco antiques and custom-designed period furniture, with high ceilings, lacquered wood paneling, and Bund views that rank among the most storied in Shanghai. South Building rooms offer a contemporary aesthetic with full modern technology. In total the hotel holds 270 guest rooms and suites.
The legendary Jazz Bar, where the Old Jazz Band has performed nightly for decades, is an essential Shanghai experience, drawing guests and visitors for classic cocktails accompanied by 1930s Shanghai jazz. The Dragon Phoenix restaurant serves elevated Shanghainese cuisine in a setting of restored original décor, while the Cathay Room hosts afternoon tea with views directly over the Bund. Breakfast service in the atrium is acclaimed for both its breadth and atmosphere.
Spa facilities include a well-equipped fitness center and treatment rooms offering Eastern-inspired therapies; the hotel does not feature a swimming pool. Butler service is standard in heritage wing suites, and the concierge team holds deep expertise in historical Shanghai tours, private museum access, and bespoke cultural programming. The hotel remains a preferred venue for film shoots, fashion events, and diplomatic receptions, reflecting its enduring cultural prestige.
Amenities
- spa
- jazz bar
- fine dining
- butler service
- gym
- business center
- concierge
Visit / Book / Contact
- Official website
- Phone: +86 21 6321 6888
Location
20 Nanjing East Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
31.2408, 121.4876 — View on map
Highlights
- Iconic art deco Cathay Hotel building (1929) with the signature green copper pyramid roof and genuine period antique furnishings in heritage rooms
- The legendary Jazz Bar hosting the Old Jazz Band nightly, one of Shanghai's longest-running cultural traditions
- Prime corner position at the Bund and Nanjing Road junction, immediately above East Nanjing Road metro station
- Dragon Phoenix restaurant serving refined Shanghainese cuisine in a meticulously restored original setting
- Bund-facing heritage suite rooms with 1930s décor and unobstructed views of the historic waterfront
Tips
- Reserve a heritage wing room for the full art deco experience — South Building rooms are comfortable but lack the period character
- The Jazz Bar opens around 6:00 PM and becomes busy after 8:00 PM on weekends; arriving early secures better seating near the band
- Afternoon tea at the Cathay Room is a sought-after reservation during peak season; book at least one week ahead for weekend slots
- The hotel's lobby and public areas are open to non-guests — the grand staircase and atrium are worth seeing independently of a hotel stay
- Heritage suites on the Bund-facing corners offer the widest views and are significantly more spacious than standard category rooms
FAQ
What makes the Fairmont Peace Hotel historically significant?
The hotel opened in 1929 as the Cathay Hotel under tycoon Victor Sassoon and quickly became the social center of Shanghai's cosmopolitan golden age, hosting luminaries including Charlie Chaplin and Noël Coward. Its art deco architecture, original furnishings, and continuous Jazz Bar tradition preserve an unbroken link to that era.
Does the Fairmont Peace Hotel have a swimming pool?
The hotel does not have a swimming pool. It offers a fitness center and spa treatment rooms. Guests seeking pool access may inquire with the concierge about partner arrangements at nearby properties.
What are the dining options at the Fairmont Peace Hotel?
Dining includes the Dragon Phoenix restaurant for Shanghainese cuisine, the Cathay Room for afternoon tea and light meals with Bund views, and the legendary Jazz Bar for cocktails and live 1930s-style jazz nightly.
Which room category best captures the hotel's historic character?
Heritage Bund-view rooms and suites in the 1929 North Building, furnished with genuine period antiques, offer the most authentic experience. The Victor Sassoon Suite, occupying the former owner's private apartment, is the hotel's most prestigious accommodation.
Accessibility
The Fairmont Peace Hotel provides lift access to all guest floors and accessible entrances from Nanjing Road. The heritage building's layout includes some areas with narrower corridors; guests with specific mobility requirements should contact the hotel directly to discuss accessible room availability and routing.
When to visit
The hotel is a year-round destination; autumn (October–November) offers the most comfortable temperatures for exploring the Bund area on foot, and the Jazz Bar is equally atmospheric in any season.