Shanghai is one of the biggest cities in the world, and also in top when speaking of inhabitants in a single city.
While big, it is not the most popular travel destination in the world. Yet, every year a steady stream of tourists and working visitors come here to enjoy what Shanghai has to offer. One of the perks: it’s very affordable to stay at luxurious hotels here.
So, you’ll do best in booking your stay at one of the fantastic hotels listed below. All of them with luxurious rooftops, serving amazing views over the city.
The Rooftop Guide’s list of 5 great hotels with rooftops in Shanghai.
1. The Peninsula Shanghai
The Peninsula Shanghai | Photo: www.peninsula.com
Hotel
This luxurious hotel is located a short walk away from the Nanjing Road Shopping District and The Bund, making it a fantastic choice for those looking to shop around the city.
The Peninsula features five restaurants, an indoor swimming pool, parking, conference spaces, a business center, a fitness center, and laundry facilities.
Each of the hotel's 235 rooms boasts flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, well-stocked minibars, coffee makers, bathrobes, slippers, and complimentary toiletries.
The Lobby, one of the hotel's restaurants, is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.
The Peninsula Shanghai | Photo: www.peninsula.com
Rooftop
The Peninsula Shanghai boasts fine-dining options, delicious drinks, and a gorgeous view.
On the hotel's 13th floor, you can find Sir Elly's Restaurant, a Michelin-starred restaurant serving European cuisine. Sir Elly's features only indoor seating options, but the floor to ceiling windows featured in here ensures you get a great view no matter what.
There's also a spectacular, timber-decked terrace, which is the ideal spot to enjoy drinks and conversation. Seating in this area is limited to lounge sofas and stools, though you can also stand by the edge and look at the city.
Classic and signature cocktails, rare whiskeys, chilled wines, champagne or champagne based cocktails, and other expertly mixed drinks await you at this beautiful venue, as well as a casual yet exclusive atmosphere that you're sure to enjoy.
Address: ZhongShan East 1st Road 32, BanDao Hotel 14 Floor, Shanghai
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2. The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong | Photo: www.ritzcarlton.com
Hotel
Located in the heart of Shanghai, and just a short walk away from the Super Brand Mall and the Shanghai Municipal History Museum, making it an ideal choice for those looking to immerse themselves in the local life.
The hotel boasts four restaurants, two indoor swimming pools, two bars, and a full-service spa.
Each of the hotel's 285 soundproofed rooms features free WiFi, iPod docks, well-stocked minibars, rainfall showerheads, plush bathrobes and slippers, separate bathtubs, espresso makers and more.
The full-service spa offers hot stone massages, reflexology, and access to the hotel's sauna, amongst other services.
The restaurant, Scena, serves Italian cuisine for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong | Photo: www.ritzcarlton.com
Rooftop
While The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong features four restaurants and two bars, its undeniable crown jewel is Flair, a stunning rooftop restaurant and bar located on the hotel's 58th floor.
Flair is not only the highest rooftop bar in the entirety of China but is also one of the most luxurious, offering unbeatable views of the Pearl Tower and Shanghai’s skyline, as well as an exclusive and relaxing atmosphere.
Offering indoor and outdoor seating and serving dishes from Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Thailand, and China, Flair is perfect for anniversaries, romantic dinners, or solely for a night to impress.
This chic and stylish restaurant is one of the most popular in Shangai, so reservations are a must.
3. Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund
Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund | Photo: www.banyantree.com
Hotel
A luxurious hotel in the heart of Shanghai, the Banyan Tree is the perfect choice for those looking to explore the city in style.
Located just 2.5 km away from the Pudong Riverside Promenade and Park and 2.5 km away from the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Banyan tree promises proximity while still delivering privacy.
The hotel features three restaurants, two bars, a full-service spa, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a coffee shop.
The Banyan Tree Spa offers massages, body wraps, beauty treatments, spa tubs, and all kinds of pampering.
Each of the hotel's 130 rooms features pillow menus, round-the-clock room service, premium linens, rainfall showerheads, complimentary bathrobes, standalone bathtubs, coffee makers, and more.
Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund | Photo: www.banyantree.com
Rooftop
Offering one of the best views of Pudong, the Banyan Tree is a gorgeous airy terrace where you can enjoy fantastic drinks while taking in the scenery.
Featuring a stylish and sophisticated terrace with comfortable lounge sofas and a relaxing yet exclusive atmosphere, TOPS is the kind of place where you can relax after a busy day exploring the city.
Though the rooftop terrace focuses mostly on drinks, with an extensive menu of wines, champagnes liquors, and cocktails, it also serves light food fare, like tapas.
The rooftop terrace is open to the public, though there's a private area that you can book for private events.
Address: 19 Gong Ping Road, Hong Kou District, Shanghai
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4. Hotel Indigo Shanghai
Hotel Indigo Shanghai | Photo: www.ihg.com
Hotel
Located in the heart of Shanghai, and just a short walk away from The Bund and Yu Garden, the Hotel Indigo is a great choice for those looking for a unique and charming stay.
This luxurious hotel boasts a steakhouse, a fitness center, a swimming pool, conference rooms, a business center, laundry facilities, and a café.
Each of the hotel's 184 rooms is individually decorated and features iPod docks, cable TV, well-stocked minibar, round-the-clock room service, plush bathrobes, slippers, down comforters and premium linens.
Hotel Indigo Shanghai | Photo: www.ihg.com
Rooftop
Known as The Char Bar & Grill, this fantastic steakhouse occupies the las three floors of the Hotel Indigo and, as such, features breath-taking views of the Shanghai riverside and the city's skyline.
The first two floors offer indoor seating and lounge areas, where you can enjoy the scenery with floor to ceiling windows, all while lounging on the steakhouse's comfortable furniture.
The top floor is a spacious and gorgeous rooftop terrace, where you'll get completely unobstructed views of the city.
While food is allowed on the first two levels, only drinks can make it to the terrace, so a great option is to reserve a spot on the terrace bar and have a fantastic meal while you wait for your turn up top.
Char's atmosphere is often fun and vibrant, with a young and old crowd enjoying the food and the fantastic drinks.
Address: 585 Zhongshan East 2nd Road, Huangpu, Shanghai
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5. Hyatt on the Bund
Hyatt on the Bund | Photo: www.shanghaithebund.hyatt.com
Hotel
This luxurious hotel is located just a short walk away from the Pudong Riverside Promenade, and the Park and the Bund, making it an ideal choice for those eager to explore the city.
Each of the hotel's 620 rooms features free WiFi, well-stocked minibars, premium linens, premium complimentary toiletries, down comforters, plush bathrobes and slippers, coffee makers, standalone bathtubs, and more.
The Hyatt also features six restaurants, a spa, a fitness center, and a sauna.
Hyatt on the Bund | Photo: www.shanghaithebund.hyatt.com
Rooftop
Known as the VUE Bar, this is an elegant and stylish bar that occupies the 32nd and 33 floors of the hotel.
Up here, you can enjoy stunning views of the ultra-modern Pudong skyline, as well as the historic buildings on Bund.
VUE is a large rooftop terrace, offering plenty of seating options, both indoor and outdoor; the former furnished with floor to ceiling windows to ensure you get to enjoy the sights as well.
The rooftop terrace is tastefully decorated and has its bar, where you can find a wide selection of wines and champagne, craft beers, and premium spirits; You can also find fantastic cocktails, both classic and signatures, like the tremendous Strawbellinii and the VUE Martini.
The atmosphere is sophisticated and luxurious, with liv DJs showing their skills to foreign and local visitors alike.
Hans has visited over 500 rooftop bars, 200 rooftop pools and 300 rooftop restaurants since 2015. This vast experience has made Hans a true rooftop expert, and one of the most knowledgeable in the field. Today, numerous of travel magazines, bloggers and media websites contact Hans to get his expertise on rooftops.
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