Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai

Character and identity

Set on the Huangpu River on the Pudong side, this is a modern counterpoint to the art deco Bund across the water, a large riverfront property that manages to feel like a retreat inside a working financial capital. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the water from guest rooms, manicured grounds soften the scale, and 4,000 original artworks curated with Art Front Gallery thread Chinese and international names through the public spaces. Three restaurants span Asian and European cooking and an all-day show kitchen, Qi Bar anchors the lobby after dark, and the all-suite, butterfly-themed spa sets the wellness tone.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The defining pull here is the combination of riverfront calm, a serious art programme and a spa that earns its billing, all delivered at a scale that still feels personal. Book it if you value sanctuary over Bund-side bustle; the Presidential Suite at 8,000-plus square feet is the headline room, but any river-facing category captures what makes the hotel worth choosing. Ask for the pillow menu.