Romantic Hotels in Shanghai, China

A month before the National Day holiday, I started planning our family trip with our 2.5-year-old. He's not really suited for crowded tourist spots, and as low-energy parents, we're not up for intense 'special forces' style parenting either. So, I opted for a 'staycation,' which is super popular on Xiaohongshu (xhs). I'd bookmarked several highly-rated family-friendly hotels, and Pudong Kerry stood out as the most satisfying from my research. It offered family rooms, a kids' playground, and direct access to a mall – incredibly convenient! I quickly booked a stay on Ctrip, full of anticipation. We checked in on the evening of the 3rd. The front desk lady was very polite and answered all my questions in detail. When I asked if an additional adult could accompany my child into the playground (the package included entry for one adult and one child, but I was worried I wouldn't have enough energy and we'd need to take turns looking after him 🤣), she agreed without hesitation. I'm really grateful for that, and it proved to be a lifesaver in the playground – we truly couldn't keep up with our child! He had an amazing time, and we parents were exhausted. Upon entering the room, we immediately saw the special tent, a highlight of the family suite. Forget kids, even I, a 30+ adult, wanted to crawl in and hang out for a bit! For the two days we stayed, this little tent became his 'secret base.' When we were relaxing in the hotel, he'd be in there watching Qiaohu (Chuckle) or playing with his toys. The hotel also gifted him a little kangaroo plushie. Wow, it completely won him over and became his 'best buddy.' Every night before bed, he'd ask, 'Where's my best buddy?' Hahaha, the innocence of a child really touches your heart every single moment. The kangaroo T-shirt was a bit big, but that's fine; he can wear it when he's older and we can come back to the Kerry Hotel again. During check-in, the bed rail and children's toiletries were all prepared, which was very thoughtful. The first round of the mini-bar was free, and they even provided cookies, which tasted pretty good. The only suggestion I have is that the bed rail felt a bit unstable. At the head of the bed, it was fine because of the cabinet propping it up, but the foot of the bed felt loose; if you nudged it slightly, it felt like it would fall. Later, I was worried he might roll off in the middle of the night if the rail gave way, so I stuffed pillows along the side of the rail, which solved the problem. Hotel breakfast is on the 1st floor. Booking a family room includes two breakfasts. The breakfast spread was extensive, with Chinese and Western options, noodles, wontons, bread, and pastries – everything you could want, and it all tasted good. Next to the kids' playground was a gym, which looked very good with plenty of equipment, but I didn't get to experience it as I was with my child. This trip was very satisfying, and I look forward to returning to the Kerry Hotel to unlock new experiences.

Our stay at Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund was amazing! The room was spacious and comfortable with floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views. You can enjoy a full panoramic view of the Oriental Pearl Tower right from your bed—the river views are expansive during the day, and the glittering lights of Lujiazui at night create an incredible atmosphere. The breakfast was a pleasant surprise; the freshly boiled wontons were flavorful and delicious, the soy milk was smooth and rich, and the authentic Chinese flavors really hit the spot. The overall ambiance is elegant, the service is attentive, and it offers a quiet retreat in the bustling city. It's a fantastic choice for a vacation in Shanghai, and we'd love to stay here again next time.

Pro’s: great location, amazing views from lobby and breakfast, and overall feeling of luxury across the hotel. Cons: The luxury vibes are immediately contrasted and opaqued by the old outdated looks of the room, and the lack of amenities (i.e.: you get a bathtub that looks good, but no bubble bath liquid/gel, and when you request it, they don’t have. They only offer bath salts). The coffee machine was plugged to a wall plug that didn’t work, so as soon as we arrived in the room wanting a hot coffee to deal with the outside cold, we had to call maintenance (plug couldn’t be taken out due to a glass tray it was passed through, otherwise I would’ve connected it myself to another wall plug) to come and try another plug. The wifi was also not working at all and after 20 minutes on the phone with the IT staff and no solution, we gave up on using it (cut off in the middle of a show we were watching, which was very frustrating). The overall staff at the hotel (specifically the breakfast) does not smile at you, and they seem to be overworked and stressed of dealing with the guests, with one exception (the lady chef making the wonton soup. She was lovely and smiling). Lastly, I specifically paid a lot for this room to celebrate our trip and have nice views of the iconic TV tower on our last night in China, so I requested a high floor room, and was very disappointed to see that they put us in a room that LITERALLY had a huge lightning rod/antenna with a whole roofing next to the whole window, making the view blocked and ugly with the old rusty and dirty metal, completely opaque and dissatisfying . Honestly I would not recommend this hotel to anyone at all. They charge a whole lot (we paid USD 500 for one night) and it doesn’t make you feel welcomed or cared for.

When staying in Shanghai for a flight, Vienna International Hotel (Shanghai Pudong Airport) is always my top choice. After several pleasant stays, I really must highlight their exceptional service: the front desk staff are warm and responsible, carefully explaining the airport shuttle schedule and accommodating the special requests of elderly guests. The room is spacious, bright, and impeccably clean. The bedding is soft, dry, and extremely comfortable. The air quality in the room is great, the AC is powerful, and all the lighting and electrical facilities work wonderfully. The bathroom features a dry-wet separation layout, is very clean, has an ample supply of hot water, and even provides disposable toilet seat covers, making for a very comfortable stay. I also have to mention the hotel's breakfast. The selection is rich, featuring both Chinese and Western options, as well as delicious small wontons and rice noodles—truly wonderful in both nutrition and taste. The airport shuttle driver is also conscientious and responsible; he answers calls immediately and enthusiastically helps with luggage. The hotel staff demonstrate high professional standards and thorough service. A well-run hotel is the true root of guest satisfaction.

Facilities: Well-equipped. Cleanliness: Clean and tidy. Service: The staff were extremely attentive and helpful. Round-trip shuttle bus between the hotel and Disneytown: Convenient and fast. Early Park Entry benefit (up to 1 hour early): Used it and used the dedicated hotel entrance. We got into the park very quickly, headed straight for the popular attractions, and managed to ride them two or three times. Staying at the hotel allows you to purchase a half-day ticket for entry at 3 PM at half the price of a full-day ticket, so we had a very productive first day. While others were watching the fireworks, we managed to hit several rides with short wait times, saving time and effort. Especially near park closing time, we rode several attractions with almost no wait. On the second day, we took our time with a full-day ticket and watched the fireworks at night.

Meliá Shanghai Parkside offers good value for a reasonable pricing and convenient location within walking distance of Shanghai Disneyland. Our flight arrived early morning so we greatly appreciated the helpful staffs arranged an early check-in for us. We stayed in a Deluxe Olive Room with an animal view. The capybara-themed bedsheets and cute kids’ amenities were lovely touches that made the stay extra special for my kid. Breakfast offered a decent selection for a quick meal before heading to the park. While some staffs have limited English and certain amenities are listed only in Chinese, they were very accommodating and actively used translation apps to help us. ***One thing to note: The hotel golf cart drops you at the hotel front gate, but you still need to cross the street and walk approximately another 10 minutes to reach the actual Disney entrance. Overall, a comfortable, family-friendly hotel with thoughtful touches, helpful staff, and good value for a Disneyland visit. Recommended for families looking for convenience without paying Disney resort prices.

The hotel has a unique location right at the foot of Sheshan Mountain. Having stayed at Le Méridien Sheshan Shanghai many times, I still love it just as much. Bob provided warm and enthusiastic service as always. Nestled at the foot of the mountain and surrounded by lush forests, the rooms are well-maintained, spotless, and quite spacious, making for a very comfortable and reassuring stay. The pool facilities are complete, offering a great swimming experience. The lakeside beach is great for photos, and kids can have a blast playing in the sand. Just remember to bring your own sand-digging tools...

From the moment I stepped into the room, I was impressed by the attention to detail. The bedding had a high thread count, feeling luxurious yet breathable. The sofa by the window was perfectly angled to offer a fantastic view of the city skyline, and even the lighting was gently adjusted to be soft and non-glaring. The biggest pleasant surprise was being offered a complimentary late check-out until 2 PM. This meant I could leisurely enjoy breakfast and then relax in the room for a bit longer without rushing to pack up. This unhurried, relaxed feeling, free from any pressure, truly is the most luxurious experience when traveling.

This hotel offers incredible value for money! I was surprised to find a pool and hot springs, and the room was quite spacious. While the immediate area isn't super convenient, ordering food delivery was easy, and the robot delivery was quick. The environment is absolutely lovely – surrounded by lush greenery, and the entire complex is very quiet. It was a fantastic staycation. My only minor complaint is that the breakfast could be better, and you have to pay upfront if you want to add it, you can't charge it to your room, which isn't very convenient. Finally, a big thank you to the hotel for the room upgrade, which really helped with accommodating my older child.

The front desk staff were exceptionally attentive and friendly! The rooms are spacious, clean, and tidy. They even serve a late-night snack, and the breakfast is abundant. Wanda Plaza is within walking distance, making the location fantastic. The hotel also prepared little carved pumpkins for the kids 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 with a strong Halloween atmosphere. Highly recommended! The hotel features a free gym, laundry room, complimentary parking, and EV charging stations, all of which are very convenient.