Looking for the best 5-star hotels in Shanghai? I’ve got you covered!
I lived in China for over 3 years, including a year in Shanghai. During that time I was DJ’ing full-time across the country, and part of those gigs meant staying at some pretty incredible hotels.
These were way above what I’d normally pay for, but when the club covers it, you don’t say no!
These are the five-star hotels I stayed in, dined at, or held company meetings at in Shanghai.
| Hotel | Best For | Price | Highlight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waldorf Astoria | Historic luxury on the Bund | $350+ | 1920s Art Deco masterpiece | Book Now |
| Moller Villa Hotel | Unique boutique experience | $150+ | Gothic castle architecture | Book Now |
| Shangri La | Classic | $150+ | Great Location in Pudong | Book Now |
| JW Marriott Tomorrow Square | Business travelers | $170+ | Sky-high executive floors | Book Now |
| J Hotel | Ultimate luxury seekers | $400+ | World’s second-highest hotel | Book Now |
Tip: You might notice that 5-star hotel prices in Shanghai are pretty affordable. Much cheaper than in cities like New York, Amsterdam, or Seoul. So this makes a trip to Shanghai the ultimate chance for a five-star hotel experience!
Note: Prices fluctuate based on:
- Season (Chinese New Year, Golden Week = higher)
- Day of week (weekends are cheaper for business hotels)
- Booking platform: Besides Booking.com, also check Agoda (Especially for Asia) and Hotels.com. I personally only use Booking.com, as I’ve always had a great experience with it.
- Current exchange rate
Here is my top five, 5-star accommodations in Shanghai.
1. Waldorf Astoria on the Bund
I stayed here twice during my time in Shanghai, most recently in spring 2025.
If you want to experience Shanghai’s golden age of the 1920s and 30s while enjoying modern luxury, the Waldorf Astoria is the best. The hotel is a restored piece of history, in one of the city’s best locations, seen here on the left.
✓ 9.2 (380+ reviews)
✓ Location 9.6
✓ Ultimate classic luxury style
From $300/night
The moment you walk through the entrance on the Bund, you’re walking into former Shanghai. What I like about this place is the attention to detail and old-world style, but the hotel doesn’t smell dusty/musty like some older hotels do.
The elevator operators still wear uniforms. Staff is super friendly, they really made me feel like a welcome guest. Sometimes in China, in stores or restaurants, customer service isn’t something they’ve heard of, at Waldorf, they certainly have.
Plus, it’s right across my favorite restaurant in Shanghai: Fellas
Best For
Couples seeking romance or celebrating anniversaries/special occasions in Shanghai. It’s ideal for quiet evening walks along the waterfront. When crossing the street, you’ll be right here at the lower part of the Bund.
I prefer the Waldorf over the Fairmont Peace Hotel. Sure, it’s got a similar vibe, and the Peace Hotel is more central near Nanjing Street, but that’s also Shanghai’s busiest area. And the hotel feels pretty dated. The Waldorf just feels more luxurious, stylish, and classy.
The Downside
While there aren’t many downsides to the Waldorf Astoria, one thing to keep in mind is that for lunch or breakfast (if you don’t include it in your stay), you’ll have to walk a bit. It’s not surrounded by local coffee shops and lunch cafes, like many accommodations are in the French Concession, and shopping street Nanjing Road is a 5-minute walk away.
Make sure to book a room with a river view for the best experience!
2. J Hotel
I got the chance to stay here after one of my shows in Shanghai. This place is just insane. The J Hotel is way up in the Shanghai Tower on floors 84 to 105, basically one of the highest hotels in the world. You get insane views of the whole city from up there.
✓9.3 (345+ reviews)
✓ Location 9.5
✓ Best view, ever!
From $400/night
Explored it and man, everything’s massive. The service is insane. You genuinely feel like you’re living in the sky. The downside is that when it’s foggy or rainy, you can’t see anything out the windows. You’re just sitting in clouds, which is also pretty cool in a way!
Especially in this photo, you can see how crazy high the hotel is. It makes the other buildings look small! From the ferry station, it’s only a 5-minute walk to the hotel.
Best For
People who want to say they stayed at the world’s second-highest hotel! Honeymoons. Any big celebration where you just want to go all-in or want a really memorable experience.
The Downside
It costs a lot more than the other hotels, but still much less than other major cities in the world. If you actually want to explore Shanghai, although the waterfront close to the J Hotel is great for a few nights, you’ll have to take taxis to see most things. Plus, the weather can be unpredictable of course. It would be a shame if you booked it for the view and then it’s completely clouded over.
3. Moller Villa Hotel
I had dinner here twice and spent some time exploring the hotel; it’s one of the most unique hotels I’ve seen anywhere in China.
✓ 9.0 (300+ reviews)
✓ Incredibly unique and romantic place
✓ Local area
From $150/night
The Moller Villa looks like someone dropped a fairy tale castle into the middle of Shanghai. During the day, it’s this odd-looking mansion; at night, it lights up like something out of Disney. It’s completely bizarre, and I love it.
The Experience
The building itself has a pretty cool history. Nosey as I am, I looked up on Wikipedia why and when this unique building was built. It was built in the 1930s by a Swedish shipping magnate who supposedly designed it based on his daughter’s dream. Whether that’s true or not, it definitely feels like a dream. You’ve got Gothic architecture mixed with Art Nouveau details, sitting in a Chinese neighborhood.
I ate at their restaurant both times I visited. The food and service was great, traditional Shanghainese dishes with Western options. But you’re not coming here for the food. You’re coming because the dining room has stained glass windows, ornate wooden carvings, and feels like you’re eating in a medieval castle.
Walking through the property, every room has a different vibe. Some areas feel like an old European manor, others have been updated with modern touches. The staff gave me a quick tour of a few guest rooms. They’re not huge, but they’re decorated with classic furniture and just a lot of character. Way more personality than your standard luxury hotel.
It’s in a residential area northwest of the city center, so you’ll mostly be taking taxis. But! The street itself (Shanxi Road), where the Hotel is located, is actually really nice. There are lots of coffee shops, convenience stores open 24/7, lunch places, and even outdoor terraces (which are rare in China) to have a drink in the evening.
It’s also a boutique property, so don’t expect the same level of service or facilities you’d get at a Waldorf or Shangri-La. Some rooms are reportedly small, and reviews mention occasional maintenance issues from the building’s age. But overall, it’s just an incredibly unique experience.
I also spent a few nights at the City Hotel when my brother had a DJ show in Shanghai. It's a budget hotel that's right across the Moller Villa Hotel.
Best For
People who want something completely different from the typical Shanghai hotel experience. Couples looking for a unique, romantic and affordable stay. It’s perfect if you appreciate quirky architecture and don’t need cutting-edge modern amenities. Also great for photos.
NOT good for: Families, rooms aren’t all kid-friendly, and business travelers wanting conference facilities.
The Downside
The hotel is quite old, obviously, so you’ll hear some creaking and cracking, but nothing serious. If you’re okay with that trade-off for staying in an actual Gothic castle in Shanghai? Totally worth it.
4. Shangri-La
Stayed here during a trip for a show, and it’s exactly what you’d expect from Shangri-La. Reliable, professional, solid.
✓ 9.0 (1300+ reviews)
✓ Location 9.6
✓ Great location at the Bund (Pudong side)
From $150/night
It’s nothing fancy or too crazy like the Moller Villa hotel, not an overly classic style like Waldorf Astoria, nothing disappointing. Everything’s just really good.
The main thing I liked was the location. You can walk out of the hotel and walk straight to the best part of the Pudong waterfront. You’ll find a lot of restaurants, dessert shops, and bars over there. It’s a much quieter and more spacious area than on the other side of the river, while there are still lots of things to do.
Here’s a short video to get a good sense of what it’s like. As you can see, it’s pretty lively!
It’s in Pudong, which is also nice if you want to be closer to Pudong Airport. The rooms are big, the service is solid, and it feels elegant without trying too hard. If you don’t care all too much about the hotel room, this is a great place to stay for a few days.
Best For
Travelers who come for a short stay. Also good if you want to explore the modern side of Shanghai with all the skyscrapers.
The Downside
It’s… safe. Like, maybe too safe. You get what you pay for with Shangri-La; it’s nice, but it doesn’t have a lot of personality. If you want authentic Shanghai character like at the Waldorf, this isn’t it.
5. JW Marriott Tomorrow Square
Spent a night here and explored the place.
✓ 8.8 (580+ reviews)
✓ Location 9.3
✓ Great location in city center
From $170/night
The architecture of this hotel is pretty sick. I got an alien-invasion vibe when I saw it for the first time. And the contrast between the local Shanghai streets couldn’t be bigger,
The thing about this hotel is it’s basically vertical, you’re going way up into the sky. The views are insane, especially from the higher floors.
If you’re in Shanghai for business, the facilities are great. But, it is very corporate. Which is fine if that’s what you want, but it’s not romantic or particularly memorable.
It does have an outdoor pool, which not many hotels have in Shanghai, or even China, so that’s a plus! Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to go for a swim.
The JW Marriott is in a good location, quite central, right at People’s Square, and close to Nanjing Road (the main shopping area). Because of the location, it’s also easier to go to bars and clubs at night.
Read my complete nightlife handbook to discover the best things to do at night.
Best For
Business travelers, short stays.
The Downside
It’s corporate. It’s not charming like the Waldorf or weird like Moller Villa. You’re getting efficiency and nice rooms, but there’s no soul to it.
Essential Hotel Info
Whatever hotel you choose, these are the key things to know about Shanghai hotels:
Communication challenges: Most international hotels have English-speaking staff, but it’s not guaranteed. Even the international brands will catch you off guard. Bring Google Translate (you’ll need a VPN), though WeChat’s translation feature works better. You can photograph text in Chinese and get instant translations right in the app. Perfect for when breakfast times are on a sign in Mandarin.
Security: Shanghai’s genuinely safe. You can walk around after dark without worrying. Just be smart about online conversations, avoid texting about politics, government stuff, Taiwan, the president, or anything else the country monitors.
Seasonal pricing: Rates go up a lot when local holidays start. If you can, plan your trip outside these peak times. Train bookings also get crazy tight around holidays like Golden Week (1st week of October generally), basically impossible to get on any train.
How to pay: Shanghai’s basically cashless, but bring some cash for taxis just in case your card doesn’t work. You can use WeChat Pay and Alipay for everything. Just link your credit card to Alipay and pay wirelessly with your phone everywhere.
Getting Around
Here’s how to get around in Shanghai.
Airport
If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, try to see if you can arrive at Hongqiao Airport. This airport is much closer to the city than Pudong Airport. From Pudong it’s about an hour driving, from Hongqiao 20 minutes.
Paying in China
China is a bit of an odd duck for most. It takes a bit of effort to get everything sorted, like paying, visas, VPN, and Western apps like Google Maps are blocked.
The two most important things you should know are:
- SIM card by Airalo (You don’t need a VPN with this SIM Card). Please check if your phone accepts e-SIMs.
- Connecting your credit card to Alipay. This is what you’ll use to pay for everything, including the rental bikes. You need a good internet connection to unlock the bikes; otherwise, it won’t work.
Subway
Shanghai’s metro is one of the best in the world. Single rides cost 3 to 9 RMB (50 cents to $1.50) depending on the distance. You can get a transportation card at any station or use Alipay’s metro QR code.
Taxis
Taxis are everywhere and cheap. Use Didi app (Chinese Uber) to avoid language issues. You can find the Didi app inside your ALipay app. So once you’ve connected your credit card to it you can also book taxis. Just select Didi in the app and select your destination; it works pretty easily.
- Open Alipay and go to the Didi travel section
- Enter your destination
- Choose your vehicle type and service level
- Wait for a driver to accept
- Watch the mini app for driver messages
- Pay once you arrive
Most rides in the city center cost 20 to 40 RMB ($3 to $6). Even the more expensive taxis, like the one below, are still very affordable and will only cost a few dollars more.
Taxis in Shanghai are quite affordable, and the luxurious options are only a few dollars more. It’s really fun to book these; you might get a Chinese Rolls-Royce with a driver wearing white gloves opening the door for you, or a futuristic car like this one!
Rental Bikes
Bikes are everywhere. Unlock them with Alipay, just a few RMB per ride. Perfect for exploring neighborhoods. You can drop them off basically anywhere.
FAQ
Which hotel has the best view?
J Hotel undoubtedly has the best view, but on a rainy/foggy day, you might not be able to see anything. But any hotel room with a view of the river is incredible.
Where should I stay if it’s my first time in Shanghai?
Waldorf Astoria and JW Marriott make it easy to explore Shanghai.
Which is closest to the airport?
All hotels on the Pudong side, so that’s the side with all the tall buildings: J Hotel, Shangri-La, Cartlon Ritz are all on the Pudong side. Pudong Airport is the airport where most international flights arrive.
All the other hotels, like Waldorf, Moller Villa, and the JW Marriott, are closer to Hongqiao Airport.
Final Thoughts & Tips
If you’re looking for a luxurious trip in Shanghai, either one of these hotels is a great choice:
- J Hotel – Ultimate View experience
- Waldorf – Best classic, luxury style, located close to many activities
- Moller hotel – Best local and unique architectural experience
- Shangri-La – Best location on the Pudong Side of the river
- JW Marriott – Best Outdoor Rooftop Pool experience
My Top Pick
If I: Want the most memorable stay and I’m staying 1 or 2 nights in Shanghai, I’d book the: Skyline Room at the J Hotel.
If I: Want to explore most of Shanghai while also wanting a luxury experience, I’d book the Deluxe Room with River View at the Waldorf.
Compared to other major cities like New York or Amsterdam, five-star hotels in Shanghai are very affordable. So you get the ultimate luxury experience for a way lower price.
I was lucky enough to experience these hotels, and many others in China, during my time performing in clubs. I did about 100 shows in 40 different cities, each city with a different hotel.
Two things that surprised me after spending nights at all these hotels are:
- Even at international brands, you might need to either speak some Chinese, use a translator app (WeChat), or have someone translate for you. Often, staff couldn’t understand questions like “What time does breakfast start?” Luckily, I’m able to speak some Mandarin. But this is something to keep in mind.
- The other thing is, even at expensive 5-star hotels, you’ll see large families with a lot of kids running around. It always surprised me how they can afford such a costly room for such a large family! In many Western countries, 5-star hotels are more for couples and business travelers. But don’t expect 5-star hotels in China to be the same.
And if you’re looking for things to do in Shanghai, check out my complete handbook with more than 57 activities.
