Luxury Guide

Luxury Travel in Shanghai 2025

Experience the finest hotels, dining, and exclusive experiences in Shanghai.

Shanghai is China's largest city and a global financial hub, where gleaming skyscrapers tower over historic colonial-era buildings along the iconic Bund waterfront. A dynamic metropolis blending East and West, Shanghai offers world-class dining, vibrant arts and culture, and remarkable contrasts between ancient gardens and futuristic architecture.

Luxury Hotels

The finest accommodations in Shanghai.

5-star

The Peninsula Shanghai

$400-1500+/night ★ 4.9

Occupying the 1928 heritage building at the northern tip of the Bund, the Peninsula is consistently ranked Shanghai's finest hotel. Rooms with Bund or Lujiazui views, a fleet of Rolls-Royce Silver Shadows, the famed Peninsula Spa, and multiple award-winning restaurants make this the pinnacle of Shanghai luxury.

Signature: Fleet of Rolls-Royces, signature Peninsula Spa, The Lobby afternoon tea with Bund views
5-star

Bulgari Hotel Shanghai

$500-2000+/night ★ 4.9

The world's most admired Italian luxury brand's Shanghai jewel is housed in a stunning tower adjacent to a beautifully restored 1934 heritage villa on North Suzhou Road. 82 rooms and suites with meticulous Italian-designed interiors, the acclaimed Il Ristorante by Niko Romito, and a breathtaking rooftop pool.

Signature: Rooftop infinity pool with skyline views, Il Ristorante by Niko Romito, Bulgari Spa
5-star

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund

$350-1200+/night ★ 4.8

The legendary 1910 Shanghai Club building restored as a Waldorf Astoria offers Shanghai's most historic luxury experience. The Long Bar, the Empire Suite, and Bund-facing ballroom evoke the city's Jazz Age grandeur while thoroughly modern amenities meet every expectation.

Signature: The legendary Long Bar (once world's longest), Empire Suite, direct Bund views
5-star

Park Hyatt Shanghai

$400-1500+/night ★ 4.8

Occupying floors 79-93 of the Shanghai World Financial Center skyscraper, the Park Hyatt is literally among the clouds. Every room, restaurant, and pool has views from 320 meters up. The 100 Century Avenue restaurant is one of Shanghai's finest.

Signature: Sky Spa at 85 floors, 100 Century Avenue restaurant at 91F, indoor pool in the clouds
5-star

Fairmont Peace Hotel

$350-1200+/night ★ 4.8

Victor Sassoon's legendary 1929 Cathay Hotel — the most glamorous address in 1930s Asia — magnificently restored as a Fairmont. The Grand Suite occupies an entire floor with 360-degree city and river views. The Jazz Bar with its senior jazz band performs nightly.

Signature: Old Jazz Bar with resident jazz band since 1920s, Grand Suite 360° views, art deco heritage

Fine Dining

Exceptional culinary experiences.

Multi-sensory French

Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet

¥6000+ ($830+) per person

Three Michelin stars and ranked regularly among the world's top 5 restaurants, Ultraviolet is a single 10-person table experience with a 20-course menu synchronized with 360-degree projections, scent diffusion, and custom soundscapes. Reservations open months in advance.

Modern French

Jean-Georges Shanghai

¥600-1200+ ($83-166) per person

Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Shanghai flagship with two Michelin stars on the fourth floor of Three on the Bund. Acclaimed for its light, herb-focused French cuisine with Asian accents and one of the best Bund views in the city.

Shanghainese Fine Dining

Fu 1088

¥500-1000+ ($69-138) per person

Set in a stunning complex of restored 1930s French Concession villas, Fu 1088 serves the finest traditional Shanghainese cuisine in private dining rooms filled with antiques. The ultimate experience of Republican-era Shanghai entertainment.

Cantonese

Hakkasan Shanghai

¥400-800+ ($55-110) per person

The global Michelin-starred Cantonese brand's Shanghai outpost in Bund 18 serves exquisitely executed dim sum and contemporary Cantonese dishes in a dramatic black and gold interior. The dim sum brunch is exceptional.

Luxury Insider Guide

Exclusive recommendations, VIP access tips, and concierge contacts.

Get Guide

Exclusive Experiences

VIP access and private experiences.

Exclusive

Private Huangpu River Night Cruise

¥3000-8000 ($415-1100) for private charter

Charter a private boat for an exclusive evening cruise along the Huangpu River watching the Bund light show and Lujiazui towers illuminated from the water. Catered dinner and Champagne can be arranged.

Exclusive

Helicopter Tour Over Shanghai

¥3500-6000 per person ($485-830)

A 20-30 minute helicopter flight from Shanghai's helipad over the Bund, Pudong skyline, and Huangpu River bends. Arguably the most dramatic view of the city available. Book through luxury hotel concierges.

Exclusive

Private Tailor Experience — Dongjiadu

¥2000-8000 ($276-1100) for custom suit or qipao

Commission a bespoke qipao (cheongsam) or suit from Shanghai's finest tailors at Dongjiadu Fabric Market with a private concierge service assisting in fabric selection, measurements, and fittings over 24-48 hours.

Exclusive

Hairy Crab Tasting Dinner

¥1200-3000 per person ($166-415) in season

A private dining experience (October-December) guided by a chef or sommelier through the seasonal hairy crab ritual — comparing male and female crabs, Yangcheng Lake grades, and traditional Shaoxing wine pairings.

Exclusive

Private Art Collection Tour with Expert Guide

¥800-2000 ($110-276) half day

A private guided tour of Shanghai's major contemporary art collections (M50, Power Station of Art, private galleries) with an art expert who provides curatorial context on Chinese contemporary art movements.

Private Transportation

Travel in comfort and style.

Car

Private Car & Chauffeur

Private chauffeur service from ¥800-1500/day; The Peninsula offers Rolls-Royce airport transfers from ¥800-1200 per transfer

Air

Private Aviation

Private helicopter tours and transfers available from ¥3000-6000 per flight; corporate helicopter transfers to Hangzhou/Suzhou available

Transfer

VIP Airport Services

VIP airport meet-and-greet at PVG with fast-track immigration (¥500-800); private lounge access at Cathay Pacific and Air France first class lounges

Spa & Wellness

Premium relaxation and rejuvenation.

Spa

The Peninsula Spa

The Peninsula's award-winning spa over three floors offers an extraordinary range of treatments from traditional Chinese medicine and acupressure to European and Balinese techniques. The Swiss shower, vitality pool, and thermal suite are exceptional.

Spa

Bulgari Spa

The jewel of Shanghai's spa scene, the Bulgari Spa brings the brand's signature Italian wellness philosophy with signature Il Cioccolato (chocolate) treatments, an indoor pool, and perfectly curated treatment menus.

Spa

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Pudong

A serene retreat spanning two floors with signature Mandarin Oriental treatments incorporating ancient Chinese healing traditions alongside modern wellness therapies. The Sky Suite with panoramic views is the ultimate indulgence.

Experience Shanghai in Luxury

Get our luxury insider guide with VIP contacts, exclusive recommendations, and premium itineraries.

Download Luxury Guide