Recently I had the pleasure of staying at Pudong Shangri-La and had such a great time I didn’t want to leave! Nestled in the bustling Pudong financial district and directly facing Puxi, this is a classic five star luxury hotel with the best river views in Shanghai.

Pudong Shangri-La – Classic Five Star Hotel with the Best River Views

The Room and the View

Okay. Let’s get straight into the best part of the hotel – the room and the view. We stayed in the River Wing (older building directly facing the river) in a Horizon Club Suite. At first we were assigned to a room that wasn’t directly facing the river, and upon my request they quickly moved us to this Suite with an even better view! This suite is a 1 and a half bath with a living room, dining area and bedroom. It is fully equipped with all the things you need for a smooth stay, but most importantly it has the most amazing views. We were lucky both nights and had the most epic sunsets.

The rooms in the newer building, the Grand Tower, are floor to ceiling windows, but because the tower is located behind the River Wing, some of the views from lower floors can be obstructed. My suggestions is to request a River Wing room with a room or suite directly facing the bund. The view from Pudong Shangri-La is unique from many other hotels (such as W Shanghai or Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund) because it is located in Pudong and faces Puxi. Most of the views you see of Shanghai is of Pudong, so it’s nice to have a different, yet gorgeous view of Shanghai.

“..it’s nice to have a different, yet gorgeous view of Shanghai”

5 Star Standards

Anybody who knows the Shangri-La brand knows that they exceed at customer service. I was really blown away during my stay at Shangri-La by their amazing service. From the moment we checked in, to the morning we left, they have been attentive, polite and kind, catering to all our needs.

I also love their classic decor and the sheer scale of their hotel. Pudong Shangri-La consists of two buildings – the River Wing (older building, more directly facing the river) and the Grant Tower (newer building, with floor-to-ceiling windows) with almost 1000 rooms/suites!! When you walk into their main hall and elevator corridor you will surely be amazed by its grandeur and opulence.

A Look at the Presidential Suite

On our first day, we took a comprehensive tour of the hotel. The one thing that really left an impression on me was their Presidential Suite. I have never set foot inside a Presidential Suite before, so this one really WOWed me! The Presidential Suite is in the Grand Tower, featuring floor to ceiling windows, multiple bedrooms, a work area, dining area and gorgeous living room. Every room offered a different view of Shanghai and it was simply amazing.

Food & Beverages

Only a luxury 5 star establishment such as Pudong Shangri-La could house 7 restaurants and 3 bars/lounges in one hotel! Here you can be sure to find cuisine that you love whether it be Wester or Asian. We visited the Bar at JADE on 36, a European/Asian fusion restaurant, and were amazed by the views. Imagine sipping a cocktail or enjoying a romantic meal here with your loved one while admiring this stunning view!

After our quick visit to the bar at JADE on 36, we headed to Gui Hua Lou, an award-winning Chinese restaurant that serves authentic Huaiyang, Shanghainese and Sichuanese cuisines. We were able to try all of their signature dishes and, boy, did we LOVE it! My mother and I are both huge fans of traditional Chinese cuisine so this meal was really a treat! We were also greeted by the friendly chef, Chef Gao Xiao Sheng, who has 30 years of experience in Huaiyangnese culinary and Cantonese style cuisines. When I return to Shanghai, this is a restaurant I will definitely revisit!

Overall

Overall I’d say my stay at Pudong Shangri-La definitely far exceeded my expectations and was one filled with great memories. The heart-warming service, amazing views and delicious Chinese cuisine are the highlights of this stay. I personally LOVE the Shangri-La brand. I have stayed at Shangri-La in Paris and will be staying at Shangri-La at the Shard in London in February (I am super excited!). Shangri-La honestly never disappoints! I highly recommend you stay at Pudong Shangri-La if you love classic luxury and appreciate great service and cuisine.

How incredible is this view of Puxi?

| Photography by Shen Wu (and occasionally my mum!) |

If you are visiting Shanghai, then definitely don’t miss out on my other hotel review – W Shanghai:

W Shanghai – The Best Hotel Views in Shanghai

Or if you’re traveling to the nearby Taiwan (my hometown!) then definitely don’t miss this hotel with a view of the Taipei 101!

Amba Songshan – Hip Hotel With The Best Views in Taipei, Taiwan