Fairmont Peace Hotel

Fairmont Peace Hotel sits at 20 Nanjing Road (E), placing it steps away from the Bund. It is a five-minute walk from the shops of Nanjing Road and twenty-five minutes by foot from the Yu Garden.

The hotel is a better choice than the contemporary towers further inland if you value the history of the Huangpu riverfront. While the surrounding district often leans into the frantic pace of modern Shanghai, the scale of this property provides a necessary buffer from the crowds on the street. It is the only way to experience the city's architectural legacy without sacrificing the amenities of a full-service spa and gym. Opt for the hotel bars if you want to drink in an interior that actually matches the gravity of the waterfront, rather than the generic glass-box lounges found elsewhere in the city.