Hello, I’m Mike Wang, a China travel expert with over 20 years of experience. During these two decades, I’ve traveled extensively around the world. Immersing myself in local hotels to absorb the regional culture is also a delight of mine. Up next, I’ll introduce Shanghai’s top 10 accommodations that embody the city’s unique local character, each serving as a wonderful window to experience Shanghai’s vibe.
Fairmont Peace Hotel
Location: The Bund, historic center
Price Range: $350-550 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.8/5
Special Amenities: Historic jazz bar, museum tours
Hotel Features: This legendary hotel opened in 1929 and represents old Shanghai’s golden age. The famous Jazz Bar still features musicians who have played here for decades. You can see beautiful Art Deco design throughout the building. Daily heritage tours explain the hotel’s fascinating history. Perfect for experiencing 1930s Shanghai glamour during your China trip.
Capella Shanghai
Location: Former French Concession
Price Range: $500-700 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.9/5
Special Amenities: Shikumen villas, private pools
Hotel Features: Stay in beautifully restored 1930s stone-gate houses called shikumen. These traditional Shanghai homes feature modern luxury inside historic walls. Each villa has its own courtyard and private pool. The hotel shows how local people lived while providing top-class service. Great for experiencing traditional Shanghai architecture during your China visit.
Shanghai Songjiang Prime Minister’s Mansion Hotel
Location: Guangfulin Cultural Site, Songjiang
Price Range: $300-600 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.7/5
Special Amenities: Ming dynasty architecture, cultural activities
Hotel Features: This authentic Ming dynasty mansion was moved piece by piece to Shanghai. Experience traditional Chinese courtyard living with beautiful wood carvings and classical gardens. You can try Chinese calligraphy and tea ceremonies. The hotel sits within an ancient water town archaeological site. Perfect for history lovers during their China trip.
Radisson Collection Xing Guo Hotel Shanghai
Location: Former French Concession
Price Range: $200-400 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.6/5
Special Amenities: Garden villas, historic buildings
Hotel Features: This hotel complex features 1930s garden villas once home to wealthy Shanghai families. The peaceful gardens feel like escaping the city while being in the center. You can stay in villas that show how upper-class Chinese families lived last century. Great for experiencing historic garden house living during your China visit.
Moller Villa Hotel
Location: Central Shanghai, near Jing’an Temple
Price Range: $250-450 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.6/5
Special Amenities: Fairy-tale architecture, garden restaurant
Hotel Features: This unique building looks like a European fairy-tale castle but represents Shanghai’s international history in the 1930s. Built by a Swedish businessman, it shows how foreign residents blended their culture with Chinese elements. The twisted towers and carved details make it one of Shanghai’s most photographed buildings. Perfect for unique architecture lovers during their China trip.
Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai
Location: Former French Concession
Price Range: $180-350 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.5/5
Special Amenities: Japanese garden, multiple restaurants
Hotel Features: This hotel combines Japanese hospitality with Shanghai’s garden villa tradition. The beautiful Japanese garden in front provides a peaceful escape. The building originally housed the French Club in the 1920s. You can experience how international communities lived in old Shanghai while enjoying modern comfort during your China visit.
Intercontinental Shanghai Ruijin
Location: Former French Concession
Price Range: $220-400 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.7/5
Special Amenities: Historic villas, large gardens
Hotel Features: This hotel occupies a former British country club from the 1920s. The massive gardens with century-old trees make you forget you’re in a big city. You can stay in historic villas that once housed important foreign families. The architecture shows classic Shanghai colonial style. Great for experiencing historic compound living during your China trip.
Hengshan Garden Hotel
Location: Central Shanghai, Xuhui District
Price Range: $150-300 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.4/5
Special Amenities: Traditional garden, tea house
Hotel Features: This hidden gem features authentic Chinese garden design in the city center. The traditional pavilions, ponds, and rockeries show classical Chinese landscaping. You can enjoy traditional tea ceremony in the garden tea house. The hotel demonstrates how Chinese scholars created peaceful retreats in urban areas. Perfect for cultural experience during your China visit.
Donghu Hotel Shanghai
Location: Central Shanghai, near Huaihai Road
Price Range: $120-250 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.3/5
Special Amenities: Historic building, garden setting
Hotel Features: This hotel was originally built as private residences in the 1920s and later became a state guesthouse. Many famous Chinese leaders and foreign diplomats have stayed here. The architecture shows the transition from traditional Chinese to modern design. You can experience how official guests were hosted in old Shanghai during your China trip.
Shanghai Dongjiao State Guest Hotel
Location: Pudong, near Zhangjiang
Price Range: $180-320 USD/night
Ctrip Rating: 4.5/5
Special Amenities: Large gardens, multiple villas
Hotel Features: This massive compound was originally built for hosting international leaders and continues that tradition today. The huge gardens feature lakes, traditional bridges, and pavilions. You can stay in villas that have hosted presidents and royalty. The property shows Chinese landscape design at its finest. Perfect for experiencing official Chinese hospitality during your China visit.
This local characteristics hotel guide will help you choose authentic Shanghai experiences for your trip in China. Each hotel offers unique insights into Shanghai’s history and culture.
Mike Wang
Mike Wang is a 40-something Chinese travel expert, has explored the world,
hosting numerous foreign visitors. He’s deeply interested in and knowledgeable
about ancient cultural architectures, enriching journeys with his insights.