Hotels in Shanghai are your friend.
When you need some comfort, some care, some escape, some seduction … choose from any top 5 star hotel.
But, we all know that for ¥888+++ you can get ‘good stuff’.
What is it that each hotel does genuinely well?
What can you get which is special — and, at a decent price?
We looked around Shanghai’s hotels — all types — to recommend things that really stand out, taste amazing and don’t hurt your WeChat wallet too much.
Pudong Shangri-La: Curry
The buffet at Yi Cafe is a hallmark of Shanghai hotel eating.
Everything is pretty decent — but it’s their curries which are one of a kind. They have Thai, Malaysian, Indian and Lebanese. All the Chefs are native from the relevant country and the choice is huge.
Whereas some Indian food, in particular, can be very over-priced and disappointing in Shanghai, Yi Cafe has it.
Next time you want curry, the Pudong Shangri-La should actually be your go-to. Lunch is ¥258 +16% per person.
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Four Seasons Pudong: Dim Sum
ShangXi’s Chef is a Cantonese cuisine-dedicated expert. The ingredients are personally sourced, the food is both authentic while staying fresh and the dim sum is so yum.
The standard price is, well, pricey, but you can go on Sunday to an ultra-deluxe environment in a beautifully decorated hotel and have top dim sum, at good a la carte prices. Two people can eat well here for around ¥400+.
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Jing An Shangri-La: Pizza
Calypso is owned/operated by the Jing An Shangri-La, but sits outside the building. So you can avoid the 15% hotel charge and any business/corporate feeling, instead feeling light and airy in the lofty space.
The pizza is authentic, top-quality, and reasonably priced, with filling and scrumptious pizzas for around ¥100-130.
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The Peninsula Shanghai: Around the World
Search for a ‘best hotel in China’ list. Whatever the publisher, you’re likely to see ‘The Peninsula Shanghai’ at number 1.
The ‘Around the World with The Peninsula’ set menu is currently available at The Lobby.
The menu is designed to showcase The Peninsula Hotels’ stunning portfolio of properties and their finest signature dishes across the world.
Executive Chef Terrence Crandall and the team has selected the most popular menu items from Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok, Paris, Beverly Hills, New York, Chicago, Tokyo and Manila. It’s priced from ¥198 +16%.
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Intercontinental Shanghai Expo, Basilico: Seasonality
You might not think of this hotel right away, but the Italian restaurant, Basilico, has river views, an open kitchen with two chef’s tables, wood-fired oven and over 2,000 bottle of wine.
If you’re into seasonal specials, go for the white asparagus menu, for ¥558.
It includes white asparagus carpaccio, white asparagus risotto with sashimi ocean langoustine and black caviar, cod fillet with white asparagus sauce,
Australian beef tenderloin with White asparagus couscous and even white asparagus ice cream.
These dishes obviously feature more ingredients besides, but you get the point.
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Twelve at Hengshan: Tops & Terrace al fresco Seafood Buffet BBQ
Al fresco eating in Summertime — go here for a seafood buffet cooked live in an open terrace in a boutique-style designed hotel.
It’s served at 6-9pm, every Friday and Saturday, on the hotel’s 5th floor. It’s ¥388 per person — and it’s buy two get one free, so make the price reasonable between three people or more.