Shanghai Luxury Travel: The Ultimate High-End Experience

Shanghai offers world-class luxury experiences that rival any global city. Here is a local's guide to the finest things the city has to offer.

Ultra-Luxury Hotels

The Peninsula Shanghai

Grande dame of the Bund with timeless elegance.

Local's Take: The Peninsula is not just a hotel - it is a Shanghai institution. The lobby is a destination in itself, with its famous afternoon tea and live string quartet. Locals come here for special occasions even when they are not staying. The fleet of Rolls-Royce house cars is a nice touch.

Park Hyatt Shanghai

Sky-high luxury with breathtaking views.

Local's Take: The Park Hyatt occupies floors 79-93 of the Shanghai World Financial Center (the "bottle opener" building). The design is understated and serene - a deliberate contrast to the chaos of the city below. The pool on the 85th floor is one of the highest in the world.

Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai

Italian sophistication meets Shanghai glamour.

Local's Take: The Bvlgari is the newcomer that has quickly become the favorite of Shanghai's fashion crowd. The rooftop terrace has one of the best views of the Bund, and the Italian garden is an unexpected oasis in the city center.

Michelin Dining

Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet

Three Michelin stars. An avant-garde multi-sensory journey with only 10 seats per night.

Local's Take: Ultraviolet is not just dinner - it is theater, art, and technology combined. Each course is accompanied by projections, sounds, and scents that transform the room. It is wildly expensive (about $600 per person) and books months in advance, but for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, nothing compares.

T'ang Court

Three Michelin stars for exquisite Cantonese cuisine in the Langham Hotel.

Local's Take: T'ang Court represents the pinnacle of Cantonese fine dining in Shanghai. The service is impeccable, the dining room is opulent without being gaudy, and the roasted meats and seafood dishes are executed at the highest level.

Exclusive Experiences

Private Art Tours

After-hours access to museums and private galleries with expert guides.

Local's Take: Shanghai's art scene is booming, and the best way to experience it is with a private guide who can take you to artists' studios and private collections that are not open to the public. This is how serious collectors experience the city.

Private River Cruises

Champagne sunset cruises on the Huangpu River.

Local's Take: A private yacht cruise at sunset is the most elegant way to see Shanghai's skyline. You avoid the crowds of the public ferries, and the champagne tastes better when you are the only ones on deck.

Luxury Spas

The Peninsula Spa

Award-winning treatments with Bund views.

Local's Take: The Peninsula Spa is the gold standard in Shanghai. The facilities are immaculate, the therapists are world-class, and the post-treatment relaxation lounge overlooking the Bund is worth the price of admission alone.

VIP Services

• Airport fast-track immigration through your hotel concierge
• Private car with English-speaking driver (arrange through your hotel)
• Personal concierge for restaurant reservations and exclusive access
• Priority reservations at fully-booked restaurants through hotel connections

Luxury Shopping

• Plaza 66: The ultimate luxury mall with Hermes, Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton flagships
• IAPM Mall: More contemporary luxury, popular with young Shanghainese
• Bund-side boutiques: Independent luxury brands in historic buildings

Local's Take: For the best luxury shopping experience, start at Plaza 66 on Nanjing Road West, then walk east toward the Bund. The concentration of luxury flagships is staggering, and the service is generally excellent. Many stores have Mandarin-speaking staff, but English is widely spoken in luxury retail.

Shanghai's luxury offerings are truly world-class, and the level of service and sophistication continues to rise every year.