The Best Hotels in Shanghai, The Pearl of The Orient

Shanghai is the biggest city of China and here you’ll find hotels for all the taste, from the cheapest hostel to the most expensive 5 stars hotel. Given its extension, finding the right hotel may be a challenge, especially if you don’t know the city. This guide features a selection of the best hotels in Shanghai, whatever your budget may be.

In this guide we have selected hotels in three different areas, downtown, near Pudong Airport and, finally, near Hongqiao Airport.

If your looking for a general recommendations on booking hotels in China you can click here to read our guide.

Reviews of Luxury Hotels (5 Star) in Shanghai

The Puli Hotel and Spa

The The Puli Hotel and Spa is a luxury hotel in central Shanghai, located only 11.3 km from the Hongqiao airport and a short walk away from the airport shuttle express. The hotel features well equipped 229 rooms, a restaurant serving international cuisine, nightclub, fitness center, spa and sauna, and a business center. Some of the other amenities include airport transfer, babysitting services, valet parking, and free Wi-Fi in public areas and all the rooms. The hotel is closely located to malls, shopping arenas, and restaurants. The staff is well-versed in English, friendly, and welcoming. The hotel is perfect for couples, families, and business travelers.

Les Suites Orient Bund Shanghai

The Les Suites Orient Bund Shanghai is another luxurious hotel with 168 well decorated and spacious rooms that offer free Wi-Fi. The hotel is well situated and provides easy access to Shanghai city center. Some of the attractions in the neighborhood include Old Chinese City, Yu Yuan Garden, The Bund, and Pudong Riverside Promenade and Park, within a distance of 0.8 km. The hotel’s staff speaks English and is responsive to guest’s needs and inquiries. In addition, the hotel provides child care services, express check-in/check -out, airport shuttle service and train station pickup.

Grand Central Hotel Shanghai

The Grand Central Hotel Shanghai is located in the Shanghai city center offering a relaxing stay to solo travelers, couples, business travelers, and families. From currency exchange, facilities for disabled, ATM cash machine to a salon, smoking area, and staff speaking English and Japanese in addition to Chinese, all your needs will be taken care of. The hotel’s recreation facilities include spa, steam room, fitness center, garden, and hot tub. The hotel is located close to Nanjing Road, which houses famous shopping centers. Attractions like The Bund, Shanghai Museum, and Pudong Riverside Promenade and Park are all within 1.6 km from the hotel. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi in all the rooms and public area.

Park Hyatt Shanghai

The Park Hyatt Shanghai is a grand hotel with five restaurants and 174 guestrooms, located in the heart of Lujiazui district. The hotel offers 14 different kinds of rooms to suit various needs and preferences of guests. The rooms start from the level 78, which offers you with great city views. The Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Tower are at a stone throw while the Old Chinese City and Yu Yuan Garden are within 3.5 km from the hotel. To keep the guests connected 24×7, the hotel offers free Wi-Fi in all the rooms and public area. The staff speaks English and also arranges tours to nearby attractions and other places of interest in the city.

IFC Residence

The IFC Residence is located in Lujiazui Financial District providing easy access to Shanghai World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower, and Pearl TV Tower. The hotel offers 296, beautifully decorated and spacious apartments with free Wi-Fi. It also features a terrace, fitness center, business center, and an indoor pool. In addition to these, the hotel offers airport transfer, shuttle service, kids club, kids pool, shops, salon, and facilities for disabled guests. The staff speaks little English, however, is friendly and considerate to guests needs.

Mid-range hotels in Shanghai

Ibis Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel

The Ibis Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel is a mid budget hotel located in Shanghai city center, providing convenient access to places of interest that include Old Chinese City, Yu Yuan Garden, and The Bund, all located within 1.6 km from the hotel. The hotel features 130 well-equipped guest rooms with free Wi-Fi. Free internet is also available in the public areas of the hotel. It also provides you with facilities like currency exchange, coffee shop, airport transfer, restaurant, car hire, and shuttle service. This is a hotel that provides value for money and easy way in to close by attractions. The hotel staff is helpful and friendly; however, do not speak English very well.

Jinjiang Inn-Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Street

The Jinjiang Inn-Nanjing East Road Pedestrian Street is situated on the East Nanjing Road with People Square Metro Station (Line 1, 2, and 8) only 3 minutes walk away. The popular attractions like The Bund, Shanghai Museum are within 3 km from the hotel. It features 220 guest rooms with a writing desk, seating area, and TV with cable channels. The on-site restaurant serves Chinese delicacies and you can enjoy a cup of coffee at its coffee shop. The staff speaks English that helps you converse with them easily. The tour desk lets you arrange city tours and tours to popular attractions. Some of the other facilities provided by the hotel include room service, laundry, and ironing services. While the hotel has all the basic facilities and well-equipped rooms, it does not provide Wi-Fi in rooms, which may be an issue for business travelers. You can still access the internet in the public areas as it is provided for free there.

Zhongdian Hotel Shanghai

The Zhongdian Hotel Shanghai is a big mid-budget hotel, located in the Lujiazui Financial Business Area. The Central Avenue Metro Station (Lines 2, 4, and 6) is only a short walk away from the hotel. The 230 guest rooms are clean, comfortable and have a work desk, cable TV, tea/coffee making facilities. In addition, you get free Wi-Fi in all the rooms and public areas. The hotel features restaurants serving Chinese and international cuisine to cater to the tastes of all kinds of travelers. For business travelers, it provides many conference rooms in a variety of sizes. For your convenience, the hotel arranges city tours, airport transfer, and car parking. To keep you entertained, the hotel also features a casino, nightclub, and bar. The hotel staff speaks English and is warm and responsive towards guests.

Reviews of Budget hotels in Shanghai

Phoenix Hostel

The Phoenix Hostel is one of the best places from where visitors can explore the city of Shanghai. It is located in the heart of People Square and South Bund Huangpu and is merely 1 km from the city center. Major tourist attractions including The Bund, Yu Yuan Old City, and Xintiandi, which are just a 15-minute walk away from the hotel. The People’s Square Subway Station is 5 minutes away from the hotel while the Shanghai Pudong International Airport is located 46 km from the hotel. The hotel provides excellent facilities like free Wi-Fi in all rooms and in public areas, airport transfer services, and a staff that speaks fluent English.

Shanghai Soho International Youth Hostel

The Shanghai Soho International Youth Hostel is an affordable hotel that provides easy access to city’s must-see destinations. Located in the South Bund Huangpu area, the hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the Xinzha Road Subway Station (Line 1) and 17 km away from the Hongqiao International Airport. Nanjing Road Shopping District, People’s Square, Shanghai Museum, Jade Buddha Temple and The Bund, all of these places are located in a 3 km radius from the hotel. The Soho International Youth Hostel provides free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas along with other facilities like garden, terrace, designated smoking area, restaurant, bar, and recreational activities like cycling, hiking, and billiards.

Mingtown Nanjing Road Youth Hostel

The Mingtown Nanjing Road Youth Hostel is a conveniently located hostel in the Shanghai city center. It features 40 comfortable shared and private rooms. The Shanghai Railway Station and the Shanghai Hongqiao Airport can be reached within 30 minutes. The Nanjing Road shopping belt is just 5 minutes away while the Yu Garden is a mere 10-minute drive from the hotel. The Mingtown Nanjing Road Youth Hostel provides free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas and also arranges sightseeing trips. Its restaurant serves western and Chinese cuisine and you can also visit a variety of restaurants in the vicinity. The staff is helpful but not well versed with the English language.

Reviews of Hotels near Pudong Airport

The QUBE Pudong

The QUBE Pudong is located in the most popular port city of China that provides a lot of facilities and services to its guests. The hotel is merely 25 minutes away from the Pudong International Airport and a walk away from the Chuansha Metro Station (Line 2). It is equipped with free Wi-Fi in all public areas and rooms also. The city center is easily accessible via the subway. The staff speaks both Chinese and English and is very helpful and attentive to guests’ needs and inquiries. You can also opt for pick-up and drop to the airport; however the time has to be booked one day in advance.

Jiahe Shangju Hotel Pudong Shanghai

The Jiahe Shangju Hotel Pudong Shanghai is located in the vicinity of the Pudong International Airport, only 15 km away. Because of its convenient location, this hotel makes city’s must-see sites easily accessible. The Chuansha Park is just a 15-minute walk from the hotel while the Shanghai Railway Station is a 30-minute drive. This hotel offers a plethora of facilities that include free wireless internet in all rooms and public areas. The hotel offers laundry service, business center, and a massage center along with a nightclub to keep the guests entertained.

Joyfulstar Hotel Pudong Airport Wanxia

The Joyfulstar Hotel Pudong Airport Wanxia Wanxia is one of the most conveniently located hotels for travelers who want to explore the city in its truest form. Surrounded by many attractions, including the Shanghai Wildlife Park, Shanghai New International EXPO Center and Disneyland, this hotel shares close proximity with the Pudong International Airport (5.4 Km). The Yuandong Avenue Metro Station is only 2.8 km from the hotel and provides easy access to the downtown area. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi internet, free shuttle service to the airport and also assists the guests with ticketing services. The staff is humble, helpful and speaks enough English to understand your requirements.

Reviews of Hotels near Hongqiao Airport

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Hotel-AirChina

The Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Hotel-AirChina is one of the hotels located in the vicinity of the Hongqiao Airport at terminal 2. Apart from being close to the airport, this hotel is just a few steps away from the Hongqiao Airport metro station (line 2 and 10) and Hongqiao Railway Station. The Daduhui Golf Club and National (Shanghai) Center for Exhibition and Convention is a 10-minute drive from the hotel and the Shanghai Zoo is 15 minutes away. Other places of interest including People’s Square, Jin’an Temple and Yu Garden can be easily reached through the subway. The facilities provided by the hotel include free Wi-Fi connectivity in all rooms, business center, an ATM machine, laundry service and special services for the disabled guests. The staff speaks excellent English and is more than willing to ensure that the guests enjoy a comfortable stay.

Huntington Terrace

The Huntington Terrace is another hotel located in the premises of the Hongqiao Airport & National Convention Center. It is a perfect place to start the exploration of the city and enjoys close proximity to a number of attractions including, the Shanghai Zoo, Peace Square, Shanghai Mart and Qibao Historical Town. The hotel is just 2 km from the Henchuan Road Metro Station and offers shuttle service to the airport. It provides free Wi-Fi in all the rooms and public areas laundry with photocopying services that are available on request. The staff members speak understandable English and it is not at all hard to communicate with them.

Shanghai Blue Mountain Hongqiao Youth Hostel

The Shanghai Blue Mountain Hongqiao Youth Hostel is an affordable and comfortable place to stay in. It is located 5 km away from the Hongqiao Airport; however is just a 5-minute walk from the Beixinjing Subway Station (Line 2). The Consulate of Bulgaria, Brilliance West Shopping Mall, and Changfeng Ocean World are located nearby the hotel and can be easily accessed by road or subway. The hostel offers free Wi-Fi in all rooms and also arranges sightseeing tours. The staff speaks broken English, but their helping attitude does not leave any space for complaints.