The Langham Yangtze Boutique: Practically Perfect in Shanghai

Where: No. 740 Hankou Rd., Shanghai, China, 20001

January 24, 2011 at 3:01 PM | by Katherine | Comments (0)

We've recently spent some time in Hong Kong and Tokyo but now we've got our eyes on the hotel scene in Shanghai.. But where should we stay? Katherine Spiers comes to our rescue with her Shanghai hotel suggestions all this week.

These days, images of Shanghai focus on its absurdly fast growth, with all those skyscrapers that break height records for a few seconds before a new, even taller neighbor pops up.

The hotels are as gigantic as you'd expect in such a more-is-more town. Some of them occupy tops floors in multi-use buildings, giving them pretty fantastic views, too. But even taking into account the joy of literally looking down on a city of 20 million, the tiny Langham Yangtze Shanghai is my favorite hotel there.

It was built in 1934 in the Art Deco style the city was once so famous for, all geometric shapes and lavishly unnecessary decorative details. Seventy-five years later Langham bought the property and worked their magic on it, restoring its beauty while adding stuff like iPod docks and flat-screen TVs above the soaking tubs.

It's a lovely property now, and at only 90-something rooms, relatively tiny. The location can't be beat: it's not the Bund, but two blocks from both People's Park and Nanjing Road, which are must-sees for new visitors.

If gorgeousness and luxury isn't your bag, the breakfasts might do the trick. Eggs and bacon if you're (being boring and) keeping it Western-style, but the noodles and dumplings and mysterious fruit are better. Or, hey, make it a combo platter. Then head out into the heart of Shanghai.

An art deco king room at the Langham Yangtze starts at around 1,350 CNY or about $204USD.

[Photo: Langham Yangtze]

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