Shanghai Boutique Hotels Boom
Shanghai, the home of the 2010 World Expo, offers some of the best boutique accommodation in China, including classy small hotels, Imperial guesthouses and traditional Chinese homes that double as world class hotels.
Words by Navjot Singh
Shanghai, the Pearl of the Orient, and China’s economic powerhouse, is economically booming at a dizzying pace. While maintaining its role as a gateway to nearby towns such as Hangzhou and Suzhou, both of which are centers of China’s cultural and heritage significance; Shanghai itself has a wealth of heritage experiences as well as contemporary art and rich cultural offerings. For those who love to explore their gastronomical interests, Shanghai is a heaven for dining; as well as a spectacular destination for avid shopaholics. After the success of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the next stop for most visitors to China, whether on business or pleasure trips, is likely to be the much acclaimed Shanghai Expo that runs from May until October 2010. Predicted to attract around 70 million visitors over the course of six months, the event is going to see a surge in diplomatic and corporate delegations as China has continued to achieve record tourists’ numbers. The run up to this much awaited event has geared up a fever for five-star luxury hotels in the city- with a record number of up market hotels being constructed at a dizzying pace. Apart from this, Shanghai is widely recognized as an Art Deco city with increasing numbers of travelers’ with a passion for art, architecture and social history visiting the city of Shanghai. It goes without saying that some of the rooms in these hotels are perhaps the most luxurious in China. The world’s most well-known architects are flocking to Shanghai, where they are building the world’s biggest skyscrapers and up-market hotels. Some of China’s best boutique accommodation can be found in Shanghai, here are some of the crème de la crème:
HENGSHAN MOLLER VILLA
30 Shanxi Road South
Shanghai 200040, China
+86 (0)21 62478881
Located on the north of the old French Concession, just off the Yan An expressway on Shan’xi road is the splendid 28 room Hengshan Moller Villa. The Hengshan is perhaps one of the few privileged boutique hotels in China that is not just appealing inside but impresses its visitors with its beautiful 1920s architecture that is inspired as the brainchild of its original owner, Eric Moller, a British shipping magnate. The hotel’s architecture is a neat blend of Chinese and Norwegian tastes developed on Moller’s request. Prior to the hotel’s full refurbishment and renaming to “Hengshan Moller Villa”, in 2001, it was used by the communist party for over 52 years. Guests have a choice of Italian, British, French, or Spanish styled rooms- some of which offer panoramic vistas. The Hengshan is all about history, sweet architecture and is quite possibly the most romantic hotel in the city. Double from 2000RMB (US$250), Executive Suite from 5920RMB (US$740).
JIA SHANGHAI
931 West Nanjing Road (Entrance on Taixing Road)
Shanghai 200041 China
+86 (0)21 6217 9000
As a frequent visitor to Shanghai, the Singaporean founder and owner of Jia Shanghai, Ms. Yenn Wong, knows very well the challenges faced when looking for a unique and affluent accommodation right in the heart of Shanghai’s French concession. That thought inspired her to create the idea of the Jia Shanghai into a successful reality. The accommodation’s chic doors opened to the public in August 2007 as Shanghai’s first
true design-led boutique residence concept and, in a short space of time has already made a distinct impression among style-cognizant and discerning travelers – winning awards across the world including being voted on the “Hot List” 2008 by Condé Nast Traveler both in the UK and USA; the Travel + Leisure “It List” 2008; and “Best Hotel Design” in Interior Design China’s Hospitality Design Awards at the 100% Design Conference in June 2008. The rooms and suites were designed by Melbourne-based BURO Architects in association with Hecker Phelan and Guthrie Interiors (HP&G). With five floors offering spacious 55 guestrooms and suites averaging 45 sq. meters, the accommodation is designed as quietly theatrical, warm and appealing spaces for the modern, design-conscious traveler. The guesthouse comes complete with an Italian restaurant, Issimo, whose architecture is the brainchild of the Hong Kong based Darryl Goveas of Pure Creative International. With a great fusion of contemporary 21st century ambiance and the 1920s colonial feel, the Jia Shanghai will give you a true taste of what luxury life was like when Shanghai was known as the “Paris of the East”. All rooms include breakfast and all-day beverages. There’s also complimentary evening wine served in the lobby. Double from 1395RMB (US$174), Penthouse from 5500RMB (US$687).
LAPIS CASA BOUTIQUE HOTEL
68, Taicang Rd
Shanghai, China
+86 (0)21 5382 1600
Although originally built in 1959 as a normal bed and breakfast, the rather small twenty-room Lapis Casa has since 2009, however, been part of the unique collection of trendy-chic and luxury-archetypal boutique hotels of the American group, Epoque & Avantgarde. All the rooms offer a taste of 1920s style Shanghai architecture, furniture and ambience. What’s more, if you like the furniture and the furnishings, then you can purchase them. The rooms reflect a strong passion for China’s craft and rich architecture heritage. Lapis Casa is home to the chicly beautiful Tanya Japanese Restaurant. The Double Deluxe Room and the Double Deluxe Suites’ offer the best views over Huai Hai park. Double from 1520RMB (US$190), Suite from 2520RMB (US$315).
Lapis Casa Shanghai
Lapis Casa Shanghai
MANSION SHANGHAI
82 Xin Le Rd.
Shanghai
China
+86 (0)21 5403 9888
www.chinamansionhotel.com
If you have come to Shanghai in search for some evidence of 1930s colonial lifestyle, complete with the period architecture and furniture, then the 30-room China Mansion is probably the closet you will ever get to that. The five story hotel, which somewhat feels like a grand British gentlemen’s club, is a beautifully restored French manor-style house that was the brainchild of French architect Lafayette in 1932- who built it on request from Du Yue-Sheng, the city’s most notorious gangster of the era. If you can get around the rather flashy furniture, the lobby is quite lovely with plenty of 1930s period objects such as the wind-up phonograph and deco desks. There are even lots of brown, as well as black and white period photos. Wind away the evenings with a drink on the classy roof terrace dining room, which is also the venue for many networking events organized by those in the high end of Shanghai’s who’s who. Developer, Lu-Jun Yin, has painstakingly put a lot of attention to restore and make sure that every smell, every look and every feel that guests achieve at the Mansion house will leave them feel as if they have suddenly stepped back in time. It’s so good that guests are treated to the original rarity of hearing the renowned Beijing opera singer Mei Lanfang played on an old Columbia gramophone from 1910. The Mansion pride’s itself on its 24/7 butlers. Double from 1200RMB (US$150), Suites from 2783RMB (US$348)
PUDI BOUTIQUE HOTEL
99 Yandang Road (Intersection Nanchang Road)
Luwan District
Shanghai 200020 P.R.C
+86 (0)21 5158 5888
The Pudi Boutique is located on the northwestern corner of Fuxing Park, beaming down over Yandang Street and a short walk away from the trendy Huaihai Lu and the Xintiandi area. Since opening in 2008, they’ve catered to tourists and longer-staying corporate guests. A few treasured Chinese antique paintings hang on the walls; however the place does put on a strong preference for an ambience consisting of Chinese contemporary art too. Some of the art and artifacts have been sourced from the nearby Suzhou and other design accents are from villages around China. All the 52 rooms come with larger than normal sized baths, which can double as massaging Jacuzzis’. The one remarkable thing you do notice immediately upon setting foot inside the hotel is the amazing silence and peaceful atmosphere in complete contrast to the noise outside. With a personal touch to quality, service and art, the hotel also prides itself as one of the very few in China that is pet friendly, and there are even special pet friendly rooms available. Double from 1377RMB (US$172), Suite from 1977RMB (US$248)
88 XINTIANDI
380 Huang Pi Road South
Shanghai 200021, PRC
+86 (0)21 5383 8833
Conveniently located right in the heart of Shanghai’s trendy Xintiandi district, which represents the architectural character of early 20th century Shanghai; and overlooking the Taipingqiao Lake is this relatively new luxurious boutique hotel that forms part of an area designed by the renowned Wood and Zapata Inc., a Boston-based architectural firm specializing in adaptive re-use of old buildings, and the Singapore office of Nikken Sekkei International Ltd. The 88 Xintiandi was originally built as serviced studios and apartments, which explains why the rooms are more spacious and better equipped than those in the average hotel. Attention to detail is all important: all 41 rooms and 12 suites are well equipped with to the use of complimentary internet and fax machines, microwave, refrigerator, plasma TV and even a juice blender! Meals are scrumptious; and in the evenings drinks can be taken on the second-floor terrace overlooking fabulous plane trees lining the street with nice views across the horizon. Double from 2064RMB (US$258) and an executive suite with two bedrooms goes for 5508RMB (US$688).
Navjot Singh 2010
Navjot Singh is a freelance Journalist and Photographer, with a special passion for China. Navjot is a published author of two travel guides to China.
About BHM
Boutique Hotels Magazine, aka BHM, is a leading source for news about the boutique hotel industry. Here you will find news related to this niche market: openings of new boutique hotels, renovations, awards, additions, etc.
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