Located close to the banks of the majestic Huangpu River, the Pudong Shangri La presents visitors with an incredible view of Shanghai’s historic Bund riverfront, with the city’s brightly lit business district in the backdrop completing the view visible from its twin towers. Both structures stretch 36 levels into the sky and pamper guests with high-end luxury amenities and services, whilst sitting in the heart of a modern metropolis.
The Pudong Shangri La’s two towers are called River Wing and Grand Tower. Between the two structures, the mammoth hotel boasts of 952 rooms and has ample room to cater to the needs of discerning business and leisure guests alike. Each of the River Wing’s elegantly furnished 546 rooms and 30 suites faces feature a touch of oriental décor, are well appointed and are done up in earthy hues that add to the cosy ambience. The Grand Tower on the other hand, is the more modern of the two towers and offers an excellent combination of contemporary design and high-street luxury. The 339 rooms and 36 suites offer similar views to those of the River Wing, but additionally, feature floor-to-ceiling windows that give uninterrupted views of the surroundings
I visited the hotel on a FAM trip with Sri Lankan Airlines in July from India. I was thrilled with the attention to detail and the warm hospitality. All guests staying at the hotel get access to health clubs, an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam rooms, and saunas. For guests keen on having a competitive run around rather than a gym workout, the hotel also has floodlit tennis courts.
Sitting amidst the Shanghai’s world-famous Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, the Pudong Shangri La is a modest 45-minute drive from Pudong Airport and is located centrally enough to be a genuinely good choice for business and leisure travellers alike. The hotel is also home to some great food and drink establishments. These include the Lobby Lounge, perfect for casual drinks or a spot of afternoon tea, Yi Café, an all-day dining restaurant that features 11 culinary theatre stations and a tantalizing array of fresh seafood on ice to choose from, and Gourmet, the hotel’s in-house pastry and dessert spot. In addition to these, the Pudong Shangri La is also famous for its world-class Asian-inspired fine dining restaurants and snazzy bars.
Gui Hua Lou is an award-winning casual fine-dining restaurant that serves authentic Huaiyangnese, Shanghainese and Sichuanese cuisines. The restaurant is spearheaded by Chef Gao Xiao Sheng who has spent 30 years fine-tuning his own style of cooking centred around the highest-quality fresh produce available, to create food that is not only delicious to taste but also delicious to look at. Seventh Son is an opulently decorated Cantonese restaurant that offers visitors a panoramic view of the historic Bund. On the culinary front, its menu follows a singular culinary direction as Head-Chef Pang Wah Yau has mastered the art of cooking delicate Cantonese delicacies over the last 35 years by sticking to an age-old recipe of simply trying to retain the authentic flavours of the ingredients used. Nadaman is the Pudong Shangri La’s famed contemporary Japanese fine-dining restaurant where design meets cuisine. This swanky spot is the stomping grounds for Chef Tsuyoshi Motoyama, famed for his innovative and award-winning Japanese dishes. Additionally, Sushi by Nadaman is a relatively cosy 32-seat location where guests are seated facing the chefs who work hard to serve up sushi creations of Head-Chef Shigeru Sato.
When it comes to watering holes, the Pudong Shangri La doesn’t disappoint as both Jade On 36 Bar and The Exchange are both excellent spots to grab a couple of drinks. Jade on 36 Bar is located on the 36th floor and offers visitors stunning panoramic views of the city. The deliciously crafted cocktails are accompanied by European Asian fusion foods that are great for sharing, all this without burning a hole in your pocket. The Exchange is a bar and grill that has six differently themed rooms and is known for its casual and laid back ambience. It’s a crossover between a bar, restaurant, and lounge, and offers a great list of craft beers on its menu, a billiards table, a large screen for broadcasting live sports, and a stage for live performances which happen every night between Wednesday and Saturday. Open until midnight, The Exchange is ideal for unwinding after a long day or for after work drinks.
Speaking of unwinding, health and wellness have always been an essential part of my stay and the Pudong Shangri La had me satiated. Chi, The Spa offers a range of treatments that include facial therapies, massages, and body treatments, based on the Chinese philosophy of your inner energy called Chi. The Pudong also has a well known TCM expert, Mr David, who has over 2o years of experience in massage and traditional Chinese medicine. All offered treatments are derived from ancient Asian healing traditions and rituals. The spa also boasts of elegant herbal bathing facilities that further help you rejuvenate and revitalize, all this whilst sitting bang in the middle of the financial district of one of the world’s busiest megacities.
Verdict: I spent a few nights at the hotel and was thoroughly impressed with the F&B, room amenities and of course the spa. My hectic schedule aggravated my cervical issue and backache but David who created his own ‘tuina’ methodology was able to work with me to alleviate the soreness and discomfort. To sum up, the Pudong Shangri La doesn’t fail to impress in any department. From the very appearance of its towering structures and careful attention to detail in its rooms to its excellent range of wining and dining options and soothing Chi spa, any traveller looking for a supremely comfortable stay in Shanghai should consider checking out this glamorous hotel. Also, if you are looking to commemorate a special occasion, I suggest that you book a table at Jade and enjoy a few drinks as you watch the Shanghai skyline. I cannot wait to be back.
Quick Notes:
Pudong Shangri-La,
33 Fucheng Rd,
LuJiaZui,
Pudong Xinqu,
Shanghai Shi,
China, 200120
http://www.shangri-la.com/shanghai/pudongshangrila/
Getting there- Sri Lankan Airlines flies to Shanghai. Check out their schedule on the website.
Photo Credits- Shangri La Pudong
