The Peninsula Shanghai

Breakfast was good. You could tell they made an effort with the smart room controls, but they were honestly a hassle to use. The bathroom was a bit small, and the mattress was sagging with no support. The front desk staff would greet you when passing by, but their attitude during check-in felt totally perfunctory. Only because my booked room type was full did they begrudgingly upgrade me to a low-floor suite, and there was no room tour either. What's worse, they didn't even deduct my dining credit when refunding the deposit...

An exceptional stay! The hotel staff were extremely professional. From the doormen and the front desk agents to the restaurant staff and telephone operators, everyone was fluently bilingual and quick to respond. A special shout-out to the front desk: when we checked in, only third-floor rooms were available. Upon mentioning our dislike for low floors, they immediately checked availability, adjusted our room, and upgraded us directly to a stunning river-view suite for the second night. The seamless room transfer made up for a minor flaw in our accommodation the previous night, making our trip complete and wonderful. (Honestly, the third floor is not great—avoid it if you can. 1. It shares a floor with the gym and pool, with no floor-access security; 2. It’s likely above retail space, and there was construction going on during the day of our check-in.) The room was spacious, and the mattress offered great support—so comfortable to lie on. The double-sink design was a first for us, and it proved to be very convenient. The soundproofing was excellent, and the décor was tasteful. I snapped a few casual photos, and they turned out gorgeous. The night view outside the window was breathtaking, though I was too busy enjoying it to take any pictures. We tried both the Chinese and Western restaurants at the hotel, and they were fantastic! We dined at the Chinese restaurant with family; the portion sizes were just right and the food was of a very high standard—better than that famous popular restaurant, loved it. We had dinner at the Western restaurant with another family of friends, which allowed us to sample a wider variety of dishes. Kudos to the chefs! From the amuse-bouche to the final course, it was a continuous stream of pleasant surprises—not only a feast for the eyes, but also rich in flavor. A wonderful experience. In contrast, the breakfast was pretty standard with few highlights, though the made-to-order noodles were well-made. I loved the crab roe lion's head topping, and the kids preferred the beef noodle topping, though the portions were a bit too large. ☺️ Prime location! Stepping outside for photos or exploring the Bund and Nanjing Road couldn't be more convenient! The elevator floor indicator on the first floor is uniquely designed; the kids discovered it and were thrilled.

The Peninsula is as elegant and beautiful as ever, with impeccable service across the board—from the front desk and housekeeping to the pool and restaurants. Truly fantastic! The only change is that the bathroom no longer provides single-use, travel-sized toiletries. Instead, they’ve been replaced with large, wall-mounted plastic dispensers, which felt like a bit of a downgrade.

The river-view suite at The Peninsula Shanghai is undoubtedly the gold standard for a luxurious stay in the magic city. Situated in a prime location at the source of the Bund, the suite offers an unobstructed panoramic view of the winding Huangpu River and the dazzling Lujiazui skyline, featuring its iconic 'three-piece suit' of skyscrapers. Especially as night falls and the city lights up, enjoying this breathtaking night view from the comfort of your room or private terrace creates an incredibly immersive atmosphere. In terms of hardware, the suite perfectly blends understated luxury with retro charm. The spacious room design cleverly incorporates Art Deco style with old Shanghai aesthetics. A separate walk-in closet, a marble double bathtub, underfloor heating, and a highly tech-savvy bedside control panel all demonstrate an extreme pursuit of detail. Despite being open for over a decade, the hotel meticulously maintains its facilities, and the quality remains impeccable. Furthermore, the dining options within the hotel are not to be missed. Whether it's the exquisite cuisine at the Michelin-starred restaurants or the highly ceremonial English afternoon tea in the lobby, both offer an ultimate culinary delight. A stay in a river-view suite at The Peninsula Shanghai promises an unforgettable journey through luxury. Special thanks to the helpful young lady with glasses at the front desk (I was in a hurry to check in and forgot to ask her name) who kindly upgraded my reserved garden-view suite to a river-view suite for free. I also have a small suggestion: for example, the portion size of the waffles for breakfast is three times that of The Peninsula Beijing. It would be great if guests could be recommended à la carte options, as a smaller, more refined breakfast would reduce waste.

The Peninsula Shanghai truly lives up to its reputation as a top-tier luxury hotel on the Bund. Its location is superb, right next to the Waibaidu Bridge, offering panoramic views of the Lujiazui skyline from the river-view rooms. The Art Deco-inspired decor is high-end and sophisticated, and the guest rooms and bathrooms are spacious, with a thoughtful double-sink design. What impressed me most was the 'Peninsula Time' – checking in at 6 AM and checking out at 10 PM – making for a very generous stay duration. The concierge and butler services were meticulous, and the lobby afternoon tea and the sixth-floor heated pool experience were outstanding. It's definitely worth a stay for a holiday in Shanghai.

Booked this hotel for a friend, and it was excellent! The environment is beautiful, with fantastic views of the river and the Pudong 'three-piece set' (Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center). The night view is especially stunning. Highly recommend! We'll definitely book it again next time.

The stay was very good, though the cutlery in the room was a bit dirty. The service was great, but the facilities were a bit run down. King Abdullah of Jordan had just left, and the hotel's hygiene details really weren't as good as before!

My favorite hotel brand, I always stay here whenever I visit Shanghai. The environment is consistently excellent, maintaining that understated luxury feel. The rooms are very comfortable and quiet. The hotel's location is super convenient, right on the Bund as soon as you step out. The service in all aspects is also very attentive.