A detailed review of rooms, restaurants, spa-like bathrooms, a private yacht and exceptional location at The Peninsula Shanghai, one of Shanghai’s most prestigious hotels.
I have enjoyed many luxury review stays with The Peninsula Hotels over the years, including memorable experiences in Hong Kong and Los Angeles, as well as more recent visits for lunch at The Peninsula London and The Peninsula Istanbul. It is a brand I have long admired for its consistency, elegance and deeply considered approach to hospitality.
The Peninsula represents quintessential luxury: grand without becoming ostentatious, highly polished without feeling impersonal and traditional without being trapped in the past. The Peninsula Shanghai embodies all of these qualities while adding a distinctive sense of place that could only belong to this extraordinary city.
Frequently referred to as one of China’s most luxurious hotels, The Peninsula Shanghai occupies a commanding position on the historic Bund. It combines expansive rooms, exceptional soundproofing, superb restaurants, sophisticated retail, intuitive service and one of the most memorable private yacht experiences available in Shanghai.
I stayed for four days and found the hotel to be one of the most complete luxury experiences in China. Every element, from the rooms and restaurants to afternoon tea and the river cruise, felt connected to the city’s history, architecture and glamorous international identity.
Overall Rating: 9.8/10
The Peninsula Shanghai represents quintessential luxury. Its location on the Bund is exceptional, placing guests within walking distance of historic architecture, restaurants, waterfront attractions and some of Shanghai’s most prestigious luxury retail.
The rooms are enormous, elegant and remarkably quiet, with soundproof glass that creates genuine separation from the city outside. The bathrooms feel like private spas, while the technology is sophisticated without being overwhelming.
Sir Elly’s and Yi Long Court provide two outstanding dining experiences, and afternoon tea in The Lobby preserves one of the brand’s most elegant traditions.
The private yacht journey is the element that takes the experience to another level. Cruising along the Huangpu River with afternoon tea and Champagne, surrounded by the historic Bund and the futuristic towers of Pudong, was one of the most memorable moments of my visit to China.
Having experienced The Peninsula in Hong Kong and Los Angeles, as well as recently visiting the brand in London and Istanbul, I continue to admire its ability to deliver a consistent yet destination-specific expression of luxury.
The Peninsula Shanghai is not simply a beautiful hotel. It is a complete and highly curated way to experience the architecture, history, dining, retail and energy of one of the world’s most compelling cities.
Location: 9.8/10
The Peninsula Shanghai occupies one of the finest hotel locations in the city, positioned at the northern end of the Bund overlooking the Huangpu River and the futuristic skyline of Pudong.
This is an ideal area for travellers who enjoy exploring on foot. The Bund promenade begins almost outside the hotel, making it easy to walk alongside some of Shanghai’s most significant historic buildings while looking across the river towards the Oriental Pearl Tower and the extraordinary skyscrapers of Lujiazui.
The contrast between the two sides of the river captures Shanghai perfectly. One side reflects the city’s international history through grand former banks, trading houses and consulates. The other represents its rapid transformation into one of the world’s most modern financial capitals.
From the hotel, guests can walk towards Waibaidu Bridge, Suzhou Creek and the surrounding heritage precincts. Nanjing Road is also nearby, providing access to major department stores, international brands and a constantly changing mix of retail, restaurants and city life.
Some of Shanghai’s finest restaurants, bars and rooftop venues are located within restored buildings along the Bund. The area has also become a significant luxury retail destination, with designer stores and flagship boutiques occupying some of the city’s most prestigious addresses.
The location places guests close to Shanghai’s highest levels of luxury shopping while still offering access to historic streets, local dining and long waterfront walks. In a city of this size, being able to leave the hotel and explore immediately is a considerable advantage.
Rooms and Suites: 9.8/10
The rooms and suites are among the greatest strengths of The Peninsula Shanghai.
My room was enormous and felt much more like a sophisticated private apartment than a conventional hotel room. There was ample space for sleeping, working, relaxing and dressing, with a carefully considered layout that made the room feel both grand and exceptionally comfortable.
The design draws on Shanghai’s Art Deco heritage through geometric details, polished timber, elegant fabrics and understated metallic finishes. It is glamorous without being excessively decorative and contemporary without losing the romance associated with the city’s 1920s and 1930s history.
The large windows frame views across Shanghai, with river-facing rooms looking towards the Huangpu and the constantly changing Pudong skyline.
One of the most impressive features was the soundproof glass. The Bund is one of Shanghai’s busiest and most visited areas, yet the room remained remarkably quiet. The sophisticated soundproofing created a cocoon-like sense of calm, allowing me to watch the activity of the city without hearing it.
This degree of silence significantly enhances the guest experience. After a day spent exploring one of the world’s largest and most energetic cities, returning to such a peaceful room felt restorative.
The bathroom was equally impressive, with a deep bath, separate shower, expansive marble surfaces and generous vanities. There was also an atmospheric spa and music function that could be activated at the touch of a button, transforming the bathroom into a private retreat.
The room technology was extensive but discreet. Lighting, curtains, entertainment and other functions were intuitive to operate, reinforcing The Peninsula’s reputation for developing technology that makes a room easier to use rather than more complicated.
Beautiful Peninsula bath products (each hotel globally has its own fragrance in the bath products) and thoughtful amenities added to the sense of refinement. Every detail appeared to have been considered from the guest’s perspective.
Food and Beverage: 9.7/10
The Peninsula Shanghai has two outstanding destination restaurants, each offering a completely different interpretation of luxury dining.
Sir Elly’s is the hotel’s elegant Italian restaurant, positioned high above the Bund with exceptional views across the river and Pudong skyline. The dining room feels polished and romantic, while the terrace provides one of the most striking perspectives in the city and the best place to begin a night out in Shanghai.
The food is sophisticated and beautifully presented, with refined Italian flavours and high-quality ingredients. The combination of the skyline, elegant service and accomplished cuisine makes Sir Elly’s particularly well suited to a special occasion.
Yi Long Court offers an equally impressive but culturally distinct experience. The restaurant specialises in refined Cantonese cuisine and is designed to evoke the grand private homes of wealthy Shanghai families during the city’s glamorous early twentieth-century period which being from Australia was a super unique experience to feel.
Its interiors are intimate and richly detailed, with elegant screens, jewel-toned fabrics and beautifully set tables. The menu reflects the precision and complexity of Cantonese cooking, with accomplished dim sum, seafood, soups and carefully prepared meats.
What makes these restaurants especially compelling is the contrast between them. Sir Elly’s looks outward towards Shanghai’s international skyline, while Yi Long Court creates a more intimate connection to Chinese tradition and old Shanghai elegance.
Both restaurants are outstanding, and both feel like genuine destinations rather than simply convenient places for hotel guests to dine.
Afternoon Tea and The Lobby: 9.5/10
Afternoon tea is one of The Peninsula’s most recognisable traditions in every hotel globally, and the Shanghai experience delivers all the ceremony and refinement associated with the brand.
Served in The Lobby beneath soaring ceilings and glittering chandeliers, afternoon tea includes beautifully arranged savouries, delicate pastries, cakes and traditional scones accompanied by a selection of premium teas.
The room is magnificent, but it remains welcoming enough for guests to relax and linger. Live music adds to the sense of occasion, while the constant movement of international travellers, local residents and hotel guests gives the lobby a distinct social energy.
This is not simply an afternoon meal. It is a ritual that reflects The Peninsula’s heritage and the enduring glamour of grand hotel life.
The Peninsula Yacht Experience: 10/10
The private Peninsula cruiser journey was one of the defining experiences of my stay and one of the most indulgent ways to see Shanghai.
The cruise offers an entirely different perspective of the city. From the Huangpu River, guests can see the historic buildings of the Bund on one side and the futuristic towers of Pudong on the other.
Experiencing these two versions of Shanghai simultaneously is extraordinary. The city’s past and future appear directly opposite one another, creating a visual summary of its remarkable transformation.
I enjoyed the cruise with afternoon tea and Champagne, which elevated the experience well beyond a conventional sightseeing trip. The food was beautifully presented, the service was calm and attentive and the atmosphere felt private and glamorous. The interiors are air conditioned, but we enjoyed the open air rooftop and flawless city views.
Moving along the river while enjoying Peninsula hospitality was a genuine highlight. It was not simply an activity arranged by the hotel but an experience that felt completely connected to its location and identity.
Many luxury hotels offer city tours or private excursions. Very few provide something as distinctive or memorable as sailing through the centre of Shanghai aboard a private yacht. We were collected and delivered to the hotel in a superb BMW Peninsula car to top off the experience.
Service: 9.9/10
Service at The Peninsula Shanghai was extraordinary. The strongest hospitality often involves anticipating what a guest needs before they have to ask, and this occurred repeatedly throughout my stay. Staff were attentive and observant but never intrusive.
Requests were handled smoothly, restaurant service was beautifully paced and every aspect of the yacht experience felt effortless. There was a clear consistency across departments, from the front desk and concierge to housekeeping, dining and guest experiences.
The service felt confident without becoming formal or robotic. Staff communicated warmly and clearly, while maintaining the discretion expected at this level of luxury. One staff member Sherman offered to take me on a curated walk around the hotel explaining the local high end brands, their history and even taking photos of me – which were excellent. This was another highlight of my stay.
Having experienced The Peninsula brand in several cities, I recognise this consistency as one of its defining strengths. Whether in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, London, Istanbul or Shanghai, the brand places exceptional importance on personal service and guest comfort. Shanghai upheld that tradition beautifully.
Style and Design: 9.8/10
The hotel’s interiors offer a sophisticated interpretation of Shanghai’s Art Deco era.
Grand chandeliers, polished stone, lacquered timber, tailored furniture and intricate decorative details create visual drama, but the result never feels overdone.
The public spaces are impressive in scale, yet smaller seating areas prevent the hotel from feeling cold or ceremonial. Artwork, lighting and architectural details reveal themselves gradually rather than demanding attention all at once.
The Peninsula Shanghai does not attempt to reproduce a historic hotel exactly. Instead, it references the glamour and confidence of old Shanghai while providing the technology, comfort and functionality expected by contemporary luxury travellers.
The result is elegant, distinctive and unmistakably connected to the destination.
Shopping: 9.8/10
Shopping is an important part of the experience, both inside the hotel and throughout the surrounding area.
The Peninsula Arcade contains an exceptional selection of luxury boutiques, including a huge Chanel store as well as a stunning Ralph Lauren boutique giving guests direct access to prestigious international brands without needing to leave the building.
These are not generic hotel stores. The arcade feels like a serious luxury retail destination, with fashion, jewellery, accessories, beauty and lifestyle brands presented in a calm and beautifully designed environment.
The hotel’s own boutique is also worth exploring for Peninsula gifts, gourmet products and elegant keepsakes.
Outside the property, guests are within easy reach of some of Shanghai’s highest-end retail. The Bund has increasingly become home to major designer stores and beautifully conceived flagship boutiques, while nearby Nanjing Road offers department stores and international fashion brands.
For travellers drawn to fashion, design and luxury shopping, the hotel’s position is exceptionally convenient.
Wellness: 9.4/10
The Peninsula Spa provides a calm and restorative contrast to the energy of Shanghai.
Its elegant treatment rooms and warm Art Deco-inspired interiors feel intimate rather than clinical. The spa offers a range of massages, facials and body treatments designed to support relaxation and recovery.
The hotel also has a beautiful heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam facilities and a substantial fitness centre.
The pool is large enough for proper swimming and feels like a genuine wellness facility rather than a decorative addition. The fitness centre is equally practical, with cardio equipment, strength machines and free weights.
The wellness experience continues inside the guestrooms through their generous bathrooms, deep baths and spa-inspired technology.
The Peninsula Shanghai. Renae says:
Location: Stunning views of The Bund and beautiful walks in every direction.
Who should Stay here: Couples, families and anyone wanting absolute luxury, service and joy.
Who shouldn’t Stay Here: Anyone who does not love luxury. This is the ultimate.
Best culinary delight: Hard to choose.
The Highlight: The in-room spa facility Peninsula have introduced to every room. You truly relax and unwind. Extraordinary.
The lowlight: Leaving this absolutely lap of luxury.
Insider Knowledge: The sound proof rooms are so quiet, you may want to turn music on! The silence truly is deafening – it is amazing.
