Looming over Suzhou Creek is this classic Orwellian brick pile, with superb views over the north Bund, the Huangpu River and Pudong. Constructed to great fanfare in 1934 as an apartment block, it was later used to house American officers after WWII. The building is also commonly … Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Set back off Central Huaihai Rd and once the home of famous Shanghai gangster Du Yuesheng, the historic Donghu consists of two main areas, divided up into nine buildings. Rooms overlooking the front garden - laid out with bamboo and old growth trees including magnolia grandiflora… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Renovated in 2005 and distinguished by the tall cupola of its slender, white clock overlooking East Nanjing Rd, the East Asia Hotel is a popular old-timer and long-standing fixture on the cheap Shanghai room circuit. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

These former Picardie Apartments (circa 1934) still retain considerable Art Deco charm, most noticeably in the fine exterior, the rectangular black and white floor pattern of the lobby and the 1930s touches throughout. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Its fairyland architectural motifs echoed in other local buildings, the Moller House is one of Shanghai's most idiosyncratic and distinctive structures. The building was off-limits for years (after a long spell as the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Youth League), but has b… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Now spruced up after extensive refurbishment, the Hilton remains popular with business travellers and overseas tour groups. The rooms are spacious and have broadband. Other facilities extend to an indoor swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, and a wi-fi internet zone in the ho… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Manned by professional staff, this 27-storey hotel has been transformed over recent years into a well-managed and proficient four-star hotel. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Housed across the upper 24 floors of one of Shanghai's most unmistakable and dramatic towers, the JW Marriott boasts marvellously appointed rooms with full amenities and spectacular views. Marriott serviced apartments are also located within the tower, itself soaring above Renmin… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The setting and location - just west off Renmin Sq in a building with a bit of history overlooked by Tomorrow Square - are up there with the best. But only indolent efforts are made at wooing international backpackers, it's a bit drab and scuffed and some rooms are damp. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The elegant Japanese-run five-star Okura Garden boasts lovely grounds, on the site of the old French Club, and excellent location, across from the Jinjiang Hotel and near Central Huaihai Rd. Popular with Japanese visitors, it has an indoor pool, four restaurants and three bars. T… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Instantly recognisable for its gaudy glass globes echoing the baubles of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, this five-star entity on the east bank of the Huangpu River is attached to the Shanghai International Convention Centre Hotel. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Capped by its distinctive clock tower - a motif that morphs crudely into the flying saucer on top of the Radisson that's virtually next door - this historic three-star hotel is strong on both character and style, despite the rather seedy-looking spa off the lobby. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Erected in 1934, the four-star Park was Shanghai's tallest building until the 1980s - the Jinmao Tower of its day if you will. The Shanghai Chinese said that if you looked all the way to the top of the Park, your hat would fall off. Today the hotel is one of Shanghai's most pure-… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

East Nanjing Rd meets the Bund at this definitive chunk of surviving Art Deco Shanghai and the city's premier historic lodgings. Dating from 1929, the old Cathay rises majestically from the Bund with more than a little presumption and contemptuous glances at Pudong across the bus… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The UFO atop this Radisson tower is typically derivative naughties Shanghai. In this case, the spaceship's B-movie sci-fi contours echo the clock tower of the Pacific Hotel below and the cupolas of the adjacent New World. Classic elegance... perhaps not, but the perch just north … Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The four-star Ramada offers tourists a supreme location on Shanghai's most famous shopping strip, right at the centre of town. Although the overdone lobby, dripping with marble, is unsubtle and overpowering, the impressive hidden inner atrium makes up for it. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Book-ended by an HSBC and a Bank of China, this impressive twin-towered five-star hotel possesses a colossal and expansive lobby and some of the best gym and sports facilities in Shanghai. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The luxurious St Regis mixes hi-tech (Bose radios, broadband Internet) with old-style service. The 24hr personal butlers will record your pillow preference for your next visit just before bringing you a coffee and fixing your laptop. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The name's a misnomer considering it's a good 15min hike to the Bund, but this impressive 22-storey business hotel newcomer has good rooms, smiling keen-to-impress service and a fine location just east of Renmin Sq. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Largely luring business clientele from Russia and Japan, the four-star Seagull - topped with a highly visible Epson ad - is small enough to be intimate while enjoying a prime roost north of Suzhou Creek and gazing out onto one of Shanghai's classic vistas - Waibaidu Bridge, the B… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

A stylish component of the Bund Center, capped with its characteristic lotus-bud crown, this is the best hotel in this district. Losing the palm trees in the overdone lobby is a suggestion, but otherwise the Westin is a stylish addition to the congested Shanghai top-end business … Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The Yangtze was built in 1934 and the exterior, including the wonderful Art Nouveau balconies, has largely been preserved. The inside is more redolent of a dawdling Chinese mid-range hotel, with faded and musty decor, the faint aroma of cigarette smoke and dim lights. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This modern 27-storey tower is a good choice, especially with the 40-percent discounts available in the slow seasons. The location between Renmin Sq and the Bund is excellent, the rooms are equipped with the latest facilities, including broadband, and they have decent-sized bathr… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Peer pressure within the overcrowded five-star Shanghai hotel market has resulted in a giant overhaul of this impressive hotel. Facilities include tennis and squash courts and an indoor pool, and rooms have broadband. The hotel was built on the ruins of the old 1930s Burlington H… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This place may be on the wrong side of Suzhou Creek, but it's within walking distance of the Bund and it has a faded, 1930s-era charm. The rooms are clean, if a little dark, with reasonable bathrooms and broadband. The superior rooms are more spacious and less smoky. It's near th… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The Regal International's sister hotel has one less star, but it's cheaper and if you're lucky and things aren't too busy, they may just upgrade you to a deluxe room. The hotel has an interesting location; it's built into the western side of Shanghai Stadium. There's a decent gym… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This professional hotel has well-trained staff, comfortable, clean rooms with broadband and a great location, just off West Nanjing Rd and near the metro. There are also a few unadvertised economy rooms for around 460 (with discount) on offer, though these have no windows and can… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The 37-storey Four Seasons is an impressive choice, its lobby decorated with huge artworks, warm golden tones and 5m-tall palm trees. Families are well looked after, with family-oriented activities, children's bathrobes and kiddies' meals on the in-room menu. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

With 76 smart rooms tucked away down leafy Xinhua Rd (formerly Amherst Rd), lined with old villas, the four-star Manpo is pleasantly tucked away from the action. This also means that the hotel is somewhat reclusive, stranded off in the west of town on the French Concession/Hongqi… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

There's nothing stuffy at this bright and breezy well-priced modern hotel, from the open business centre in the lobby lounge to the unfussy, yet modern and fully-equipped rooms, all installed with in-room broadband. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Having undergone a massive renovation in 1999, the Portman Ritz-Carlton remains one of the biggest expat hang-outs since the Peace Hotel circa 1931. Service throughout is excellent and well-suited to the demanding business traveller. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Built in 1920, this Ruijin Guesthouse-run villa hotel once served as Jiang Qing's (Mao's other half) Shanghai residence, before she was packed off to prison and eventual suicide. The gorgeous setting is peacefully nostalgic, although facilities are limited. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The location (near the old Jewish area) is inconvenient for sure, but it's also interesting, with lots of scope for local exploration on foot. The rooms are good value and there's broadband access. Discounts of 20-percent available. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The location (close to the metro stop) makes for easy transport, and helpful staff, pleasant rooms and clean bathrooms make this a decent choice for an OK price. But it's an unprepossessing part of town to spend much time in. Deluxe rooms (around 840) are much more spacious and y… Full Lonely Planet Review ›