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Shanghai Packs 'Em In: Waldorf Astoria to Come in 2011

Where: Shanghai, China

With their newly-opened Park Hyatt and a Peninsula and W Hotel coming in the next few years, Shanghai is primed to become one of the world's top urban luxury destinations. While most of the new development is occurring in Pudong, across the river from the old city, the new Waldorf Astoria slated for 2011 is set to take full advantage of the classic buildings along Shanghai's high street.

The Bund, as the multi-lane street along the bend in the river is called, features stately architecture hearkening back to the opium-fueled days of Shanghai's colonial past. The new hotel, Waldorf Astoria On the Bund, will sidle up next to popular retail and dining hotspot 3 On the Bund while encompassing two of its own historical structures, including the iconic site of the former gentlemen-only Shanghai Club.

We are irrationally excited for this property, as the 266-room Waldorf means that when we go to Shanghai in 2011 or after, we will have an alternate to M on the Bund restaurant for catching the best views of the river. We're even more psyched to sit back in neoclassical splendor and chuckle at the modern skyscraper city of Pudong across the river, since by then it should be rife with triple the development (and more hotels) than it has now. A serious congratulations to the Waldorf Astoria on scoring their prime Bund space, as it will bring about the restoration of landmark buildings and help smarten-up what is otherwise an unavoidable tourist trap.

[Photo of the Bund: Ted Woodham]