A distinctive new addition to the hotel scene in Shanghai is The Waterhouse at South Bund, an intimate boutique hotel located in Shanghai’s historic Shiliupu dockyard district.  This unique hotel with original designs has a philosophy based on an “inversion of internal and external spaces” and aims to create a “disorienting yet spatial experience for guests in search of something out the ordinary”.  The hotel is designed by one of the leading architectural teams in China, Neri & Hu Design and Research Office (NHDRO), who have been awarded many awards, both domestic and international for their work.

The hotel features rooms and public spaces filled with designer furniture to complete the touch of unique elegance. For food and wine you can choose from three different places. The more casual Table No. 1 by Jason Atherton has contemporary European cuisine and an informal atmosphere with wood and grey brick that’s conducive to shared dining. For more glitz, the Roof at the Waterhouse as the name implies is a cocktail bar with wonderful views of the Huangpu River. The Lobby is a lounge that has a light menu and is therefore ideal for just relaxing or an afternoon tea by the cozy fireplace.

There are only 19 rooms and some of them come with private terraces. Room rates start at US$200 (160 EUR) per night. Two private dining rooms are available and can accommodate up to 10 guests.  There is also an event warehouse for larger parties and has a capacity of 800 guests (standing) or 500 banquet-style seats.

The Waterhouse
Maojiayuan Road N°1-3
Zhongshan Road South
Huangpu District
Shanghai 200011, China
+86 21 6080 2988
Email the hotel to inquire about a booking.

For those of you who are visiting Shanghai around the time of the Beijing Olympics, you’ll be impressed by the number of excellent places to eat in the city. I have compiled a list of favorite restaurants based upon recommendations of friends living in Shanghai. Don’t miss my earlier post on Shanghai hotels.

French restaurants

A Future Perfect (French)
Huashan Lu Lane 351
Shanghai, China
No. 16, (in a lane just west of Changshu Lu)
+86 21 6247-8020
www.afutureperfect.com.cn

Franck’s Bistro (French brasserie)
Ferguson Lane, 376 Wukang Lu,
French Concession
near Hunan Lu
Shanghai, China
+86 158-2167-6767
www.franck.com.cn

La Grange (French)
794 Julu Lu,
Jing An near Fumin Lu
Shanghai, China
+86 21 6248-2185

Western Restaurants (expensive)

Jean George (Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s)
3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu 1
Shanghai, China
+86 21 6321-7733
www.jean-georges.com

Sens & Bund
Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu 18
6th floor (south of Nanjing Lu), Huangpu District (Downtown Shanghai)
Shanghai, China
+86 21 6323-9898

Laris
17 Guangdong Lù (Three on the Bund, 6th Floor)
Shanghai, China
+86 21 6321-9922
www.threeonthebund.com

Jade on 36
36/F, Tower 2, 33 Fucheng Lu (Pudong)
Shanghai, China
+86 21 6882-8888
Fusion cuisine

Italian restaurant

Otto Restaurant and Wine Bar
85 Fumin Lu
Jing An near Yan’an Xi Lu
Shanghai, China
+86 21 6248-9186
www.otto-cafe.com

Japanese restaurants

Shintori Null II
Julu Lu 803
West of Fumin Lu
Shanghai, China
+86 21 5404-5252

Haiku by Hatsune
28B Taojiang Lu
Shanghai, China
+86 21 6445 0021
Terrific sushi place near Hengshan Lu, in French Concession Area

Cool bar

The Glamour Bar
6/F, No.5 The Bund (entrance at 20 Guangdong Lu)
Shanghai, China
+86 21 6350 9988
www.m-theglamourbar.com

Shanghai - Pudong at night

The Beijing Olympics are just around the corner. I just posted my favorite hotels and restaurants in Beijing. But I also know many people will be going to other cities in China. So here are my favorite hotels in Shanghai. I will post my favorite Shanghai restaurants in a later article.

JIA Shanghai
931 West Nanjing Road
Shanghai, China
+86 21 6217 9000
www.jiashanghai.com
Book online now

URBN Hotel Shanghai
183 Jiao Zhou Lu
Shanghai, China
+86 21 5153 4600
www.urbnhotels.com
Book online now

Rei Jin Guest House
118 Rui Jin 2 Road
Shanghai, China
+ 86 21 6472 5222
http://www.shedi.net.cn/OUTEDI/Ruijin/

Old House Inn (B&B)
No 16, Lane 351, Huashan Rd, French Concession
Shanghai, China
+86 21 6248 6118

Mansion hotel
French Concession area
82 Xin Le Road
Shanghai, China
+ 86 21 5403 9888
www.chinamansionhotel.com

Les Suites Orient
1 Jinling East Road
Shanghai, China
+86 21 632 00088
www.hotelsuitesorient.com

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Related articles about Mapplr’s favorite hotels and restaurants in China:

Hotel G: stylish boutique hotel opens in Beijing

Mapplr’s favorite hotels and restaurants in Beijing

Mapplr’s favorite hotels in Hong Kong

Mapplr’s favorite restaurants in Hong Kong