Sleeping In Shanghai: From Historic Elegance To Industrial Flair

Known as the "Paris of the East" in the 1920s and 30s, Shanghai has long been a vibrant trading hub that bridges East and West. An economic powerhouse with European flair, China’s largest city draws both business travelers and leisure visitors alike with its captivating skyline, fast-paced lifestyle and cultural offerings.

Every city has many facets, and it’s worth experiencing two sides of Shanghai when you visit: its colonial past and its pioneering future. Here’s where you should stay to immerse yourself in both.

Capella Shanghai

Located on an elegant, tree-lined avenue in the city’s Hengfu district, Capella Shanghai is a boutique bijoux hotel imbued with heart and heritage.

The neighborhood, also known as the French Concession, was governed by France for nearly 100 years and housed expats, intellectuals, and wealthy Chinese families from the end of the First Opium War in 1849 until World War II in 1943. It remains one of Shanghai’s most sought-after locations for its European flair and colonial history — and is an ideal place to call home for a few nights.

Capella Shanghai, housed within 55 meticulously restored Shikumen villas, reflects the city’s colonial heritage. These traditional townhouses are arranged along characteristic lanes, combining European elegance and Chinese functionality. Dating back to the 1920s, they feature tall brick facades for privacy, small enclosed courtyards and decorative doorways adorned with art deco motifs.

Cozy and compact, the Shikumen homes have been reimagined by Capella as luxurious stand-alone villas. Step through your courtyard into the living room inside before ascending to a lounge area, sumptuous bedroom, bathroom, and a rooftop terrace, each occupying its own floor.

They say creativity thrives within constraints, and Capella Shanghai excels at incorporating luxurious amenities into its unexpected historic setting. The award-winning Auriga spa, itself located within a pint-sized townhouse, boasts a Himalayan salt room, indoor pool and flotation tanks for the ultimate pampering in a private setting. Meanwhile, the reading room invites guests to indulge in morning tea while flipping through reprinted newspapers from 100 years ago, offering a delightful glimpse into the past.

Shanghai is famed for its world-class dining scene, which Capella Shanghai delivers in spades. Styled like a Parisian Salon, Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire, a one-Michelin-star restaurant, serves legendary dishes by Chef Pierre Gagnaire, meticulously executed by Executive Chef Ramses Navarro. Signature dishes like duck foie gras with roasted peaches and roasted lamb with morel mushrooms are paired with a curated selection of wines and Champagnes. Le Bar, an intimate lounge, offers guests craft cocktails and a complimentary evening happy hour.

Adding to the French flair, La Boulangerie, the hotel’s bustling bakery, is a local favorite where guests and locals gather for coffee and pastries throughout the day.

Artyzen NEW BUND 31 Shanghai

Set 4 miles south of Shanghai’s historic center, Artyzen NEW BUND 31 offers a bold, avant-garde take on modern luxury in the rapidly expanding Pudong district. This new lifestyle destination in Shanghai has seen two decades of investment to transform the area into a thriving hub of sports, culture, and entertainment. Artyzen New Bund 31, in fact, is attached to a performing arts center and surrounded by high-end residential buildings. International institutions, including NYU Shanghai, are just around the corner as well.

Designed by Neri&Hu, a world-renowned, Shanghai-based studio, the hotel is combines industrial aesthetics with an Eastern influence. Floor-to-ceiling windows with metal accents and sleek lights reflected in mirrors create a futuristic ambiance, while outdoor bamboo gardens add a calming, distinctly Chinese touch. Custom-designed furniture fuse style with functionality, ensuring comfort in every space.

The hotel’s 202 spacious rooms and suites, ranging from 430 to 970 sq ft, have a loft-like feel with a soothing color palette, expansive windows, and ample lounge areas. The grey stone bathrooms are equally inviting thanks to their vaulted ceilings, freestanding bathtubs, and rain showers.

Artyzen NEW BUND 31 is an ideal venue for events given its versatile spaces that cater to groups of all sizes. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Shanghai Modern, blends seasonal Chinese ingredients with Western techniques, offering a unique fusion dining experience. A lounge and tapas bar complement the venue, pairing cocktails with expertly crafted small plates. The property’s hidden gem, a “secret garden,” offers afternoon tea in a serene, urban setting. It’s ideal for intimate gatherings or private events.

Though it is located outside the city’s tourist center, Artyzen NEW BUND 31 is easily accessible via subway. For those who prefer driving, a quick 30-minute taxi ride brings you to the bustling heart of Shanghai.