Who says it’s just a premium version of a Four Seasons hotel? The way you check in is very important

When mentioning Marriott hotels in Shanghai, what comes to mind are the cloud-high luxury of the Pudong Ritz-Carlton, the modern grandeur of the JW Marquis, or the nightclub vibe of the Bund W. But you might not immediately think of a luxury hotel hidden within the historic buildings on East Nanjing Road, one that embodies stylish modernity. It’s my top pick among Shanghai’s Marriott hotels and the star of this article—the Shanghai EDITION. Arriving by car at the parking spot on Jiangxi Middle Road, this unforgettable EDITION journey began. The concierge service was very attentive; even though the drop-off point is a short distance from the main hotel building, there were plenty of staff waiting to welcome guests. Interestingly, the parking spot offers free parking, which adds a touch of old Shanghai charm in the East Nanjing Road area. Entering the lobby, the custom Le Labo red tea fragrance hits you, instantly pulling you away from the noise of East Nanjing Road. Looking up, the ceiling is very high, without the dazzling crystal chandeliers typical of traditional luxury. Instead, there’s a large, smooth spherical chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The light is softly filtered, casting gentle spots on the floor. The walls are a clean light wood tone, paired with large dark floors, giving a spacious, quiet, and comfortable feeling. The lobby bar benefits from the excellent ceiling height, creating a strong visual impact. Of course, the signature EDITION pool table and blankets are there, perfect for photos. This time, I stayed in a Bund view suite, 88 square meters in size, enough to support a modern design. The room has a very high ceiling, an open layout, and a strong sense of space. The base tone remains a comfortable warm color, without complicated decorative lines, paired with dark wood floors and a few minimalist pieces of furniture. The most eye-catching feature is the corner sofa facing the unbeatable window view, casually draped with a thick, textured off-white blanket—perfect for daydreaming or enjoying the scenery. The bedding is very comfortable, but the bed width is a bit short at only 1.8 meters; for a suite, a larger bed would be more ideal. The welcome gift was very thoughtful, full of emotional value—fruit, desserts, champagne—all included. It’s impossible to refuse this bottle of Parisian flower. The minibar is quite well-stocked, with non-alcoholic drinks free of charge. The bathroom features a white minimalist marble style, equipped with a bidet and Dyson, fitting for this price range. The amenities are large bottles from Le Labo’s custom red tea series, with a very pleasant and high-end scent. The toiletry bag is of good quality and contains a set of small bottles for guests to take away, extending the beautiful travel memories. The highlight is the large bathtub by the window with a perfect view, directly facing Lujiazui and the Bund. The details are well thought out, providing bath salts and bubble bath liquid, very friendly for bath lovers. When night falls, pouring a glass of champagne, whether soaking in the bubble bath or curled up on the sofa, enjoying the night view of the magic city and this luxurious tranquility is probably the best gift the EDITION offers its guests. For dinner, I chose the YONE Japanese restaurant on the 27th floor of the hotel, with equally outstanding views. The dim lighting creates a quiet, private atmosphere, making you feel very relaxed. After getting used to it, you realize the darkness isn’t to be mysterious but a clever way to help you focus more on the food and the people or scenery in front of you, perfectly matching the hotel’s design concept of tranquility amid the bustle. The trendy triangular window is great for photos. The appetizer was scallop tempura: the scallops were large, with a squeeze of lime juice to remove the fishy taste, very refreshing. The main course was A3 Wagyu filet: medium-rare is just right for premium beef, juicy and tender. The accompanying sterile egg yolk barbecue sauce was very creative and unique in flavor. The main dish was grilled black tiger prawn seafood rice: the prawns were large, with sizzling bonito flakes, paired with rice cooked in seafood broth, mixed well and very satisfying. The service was equally attentive; the waitstaff wore dark clothing, blending into the restaurant environment. Overall, it’s very suitable for gatherings with friends or romantic dates. Beautiful views (and beauties) paired with delicious food are truly heartwarming. Breakfast was at the Shanghai Tavern Western restaurant on the first floor. Unlike the dim YONE the night before, this place is bright, lively, and full of the morning energy you’d expect. The kitchen is open, and watching the chefs cook is a pleasure. Breakfast is semi-buffet style, with a rich à la carte menu. The variety of freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices alone shows the care put into it. There are many Chinese and Western options, all excellent, so I didn’t take much from the buffet area. Shanghai-style spareribs with rice cakes and small wontons tasted no less than those from specialty snack shops. Two types of eggs Benedict were perfectly cooked. Large blueberries were provided. I would give this breakfast a perfect score. Near the end, I must praise the hotel’s thoughtful and attentive service. What impressed me most was that from the front desk to the room service staff, almost every employee you meet in the main hotel area ends conversations with a timely “Enjoy your stay” or “Good night.” This perfectly timed care adds a lot to the stay experience. These details are worth learning for all luxury hotels. Thanks to all the staff at Shanghai EDITION. This hotel has been controversial since opening, often criticized as a “premium Four Seasons.” But after staying here, you realize that whether in hardware quality, spatial sense, or meticulous service, it’s far beyond what Four Seasons can offer. In my mind, Shanghai EDITION doesn’t resemble a traditional luxury hotel with dazzling splendor. Instead, it carries a bit of understated rebellion—the old power plant exterior hides a modern core, like a gentleman in a tailored suit wearing a rock T-shirt underneath. Luxury comes from the heart, and everyone has their unique feeling of what “luxury” means. If the Ritz-Carlton is a glamorous lady in formal attire, then EDITION is more like a relaxed, stylish friend—it knows how to create a modern hidden space for guests in the bustling city and how to break down and blend the soul of “Edition” into every corner and detail. It is, in my heart, the true flagship of Shanghai’s Marriott hotels.