The grand hotels of the Bund: the back story

About The grand hotels of the Bund: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Shanghai Editorial Team

The Bund’s grand hotels sit inside the waterfront’s historic buildings, looking across the Huangpu River to the towers of Lujiazui. They are some of the best places in the city to eat, drink and take in the view, and you don’t need a room to enjoy them.

The Fairmont Peace Hotel

At 20 Nanjing Road East, where Shanghai’s most famous shopping street meets the river, the Fairmont Peace Hotel keeps its legendary Jazz Bar. On the 9th floor, The Cathay Room was once Sir Victor Sassoon’s private banquet hall, with a 270° view of the river, and the Sassoon Presidential Suite is in his former 10th-floor penthouse (the hotel’s own website).

The Waldorf Astoria

At No. 2 on the Bund, the Waldorf Astoria’s Long Bar stretches 34 metres and has been restored to its Shanghai Club grandeur. Ling Long, in the same hotel, holds one MICHELIN star in the 2026 guide.

Book a table, an afternoon tea or a drink on a terrace: the Bund’s hotels are for everyone.

The Peninsula

The Peninsula stands at No. 32, at the northern end of the Bund. Its Cantonese restaurant Yi Long Court holds one MICHELIN star, and Sir Elly’s Terrace is its rooftop bar, looking along the whole waterfront.

Across the river

In Pudong, the Mandarin Oriental sits right on the river, and the J Hotel is inside Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building. Both look back across the water at the Bund.

Booking and arrival

Ask your hotel when you book about being met at Pudong or Hongqiao airport. From Pudong, the Maglev runs to Longyang Road, where a taxi or the Metro takes you on.

Our advice: for one evening, have a drink on the Bund at sunset, then watch the Pudong towers light up.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The grand hotels of the Bund: the back story before you go.