Best unique hotels in Shanghai in 2026

About this list

This guide is for an unusual stay — architecture, format, or location — not “the most expensive hotel”. Here that means a hotel in a quarry wall, Bund Art Deco, a historic club, and a garden heritage stay. Wonderland sits far from the centre, in a Songjiang quarry — go for the architecture, not as a city base. Ratings on this page are from August 22, 2026 and can change; check the price for your dates.

Hotel details

1. 

   1 rank

   InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland

   Songjiang

   4.3/10

   2 reviews

   What makes this hotel unique

   The hotel sits on the rock face of an abandoned quarry: the official site describes a subterranean lobby theme, quarry views, and suites with waterfall or underwater outlooks. The pool looks toward the waterfall.

   Highlights

   • Hotel in a quarry wall
   • Waterfall-view suites
   • Underwater-view suites

   What to consider

   This is not a city-centre base: it is about 36 km from the centre. There are few reviews, so read recent ones before booking. A quarry, waterfall, or underwater outlook depends on the room category.

   See rates and reviews

2. 

   2 rank

   Fairmont Peace Hotel

   The Bund, Huangpu

   10/10

   19,958 reviews

   What makes this hotel unique

   The official site calls the building a Bund landmark with Art Deco character and offers guests a complimentary Peace Museum tour. On site are the Jazz Bar and the Cathay Room, formerly Victor Sassoon’s banquet hall, with a river terrace.

   Highlights

   • Art Deco on the Bund
   • In-house museum tour for guests
   • Jazz Bar and Cathay Room

   What to consider

   The historic atmosphere is stronger in public rooms and the museum tour than in every guestroom: a standard category has Art Deco-inspired furnishings, not a guaranteed 1929 period room. The Bund is lively at night.

   See rates and reviews

3. 

   3 rank

   Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund

   The Bund, Huangpu

   9.8/10

   6,682 reviews

   What makes this hotel unique

   The hotel occupies the 1911 Shanghai Club building plus a later tower. Its signature feature is the restored Long Bar: 34 metres of mahogany, once known as one of the longest bars in the Far East.

   Highlights

   • 1911 Shanghai Club building
   • 34-metre Long Bar
   • Heritage wing and newer tower

   What to consider

   Not every room is in the historic club: part of the inventory is in the modern tower. The heritage experience is stronger at the Long Bar and in the club wing than in a standard tower category. A Bund view depends on the room booked.

   See rates and reviews

4. 

   4 rank

   InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin

   Ruijin, Xuhui

   9.8/10

   7,913 reviews

   What makes this hotel unique

   The official site calls it the first InterContinental Heritage Hotel in China: 1930s classic buildings, about 55,000 square metres of enclosed gardens, and rooms in British-style garden villas near Huaihai.

   Highlights

   • First InterContinental Heritage Hotel in China
   • About 55,000 m² of gardens
   • British-style garden villas

   What to consider

   A garden estate does not mean every guest sleeps in a historic villa: the site also lists standard Classic and Premium categories. For a villa stay, read the category name rather than the hotel name alone.

   See rates and reviews

5. 

   5 rank

   TUI BLUE Yangtze Shanghai

   People’s Square, Huangpu

   9.2/10

   1,332 reviews

   What makes this hotel unique

   A smaller 1933 building beside People’s Square metro: the official site highlights historic Art Deco and “old Shanghai” character in a 103-room, nine-storey house.

   Highlights

   • 1933 building
   • Historic Art Deco
   • 103 rooms by People’s Square

   What to consider

   This is a city hotel by Nanjing Road, not a secluded monument: even with advertised soundproofing, the district stays busy. Art Deco describes the building and concept, not a guaranteed original interior in every room.

   See rates and reviews

How to choose

Choose Wonderland for the quarry, not as a base for daily walks around central Shanghai: the Bund museums are far away. Peace Hotel is for Art Deco, the hotel museum, and jazz; a specifically historic room atmosphere is not promised in advance. Waldorf is strongest in the former Shanghai Club building and at the Long Bar, though some rooms sit in the newer tower. Ruijin suits travellers who want a 1930s garden estate; Yangtze suits those who want a smaller Art Deco stay beside People’s Square metro.

Frequently asked questions

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