There’s something to be said for choosing the right side of the river in Shanghai. While the Bund offers undeniable historic charm, staying in Pudong puts you at the heart of modern China’s most ambitious skyline, and nowhere does this better than Mandarin Oriental Pudong.
This iconic property has earned its reputation as one of Shanghai’s most prestigious addresses, consistently attracting discerning travellers who understand that location and luxury go hand in hand. Set along the banks of the Huangpu River with commanding views of both the historic Bund and Lujiazui’s towering financial district, the hotel occupies a unique position that captures Shanghai’s dramatic transformation from colonial trading port to global metropolis. Our recent stay reinforced exactly why this property continues to set the standard for high-end hospitality in China’s most dynamic city.
A room with one of Shanghai’s most coveted views
Our King Room delivered exactly what we’d hoped for: unobstructed views of the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Bund’s colonial facades across the Huangpu River. The real winner, though, was the freestanding bathtub positioned to take full advantage of these views. After long days exploring Shanghai, there’s genuine pleasure in soaking while watching the city light up for the evening. It’s one of those simple luxuries that makes a sophisticated urban retreat memorable.
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The inclusion of club access proved worthwhile, particularly for breakfast. The main restaurant can feel overwhelming in the morning rush, but the club lounge offers a quieter alternative with attentive service and a solid selection of both Western and Asian options. The staff here know their business, offering useful recommendations that go beyond the standard Shanghai adventures suggestions.
Unique perspectives from the water
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One unexpected highlight came through a casual conversation with the concierge team at Mandarin Oriental Pudong, who invited us to join a boat trip along the Huangpu River. Seeing Shanghai from the water provides context that’s impossible to grasp from street level. The contrast between the Bund’s weathered grandeur and Pudong’s gleaming towers becomes much more striking when viewed from the river, and it’s these thoughtful extras that distinguish good hotels from great ones.
Dinner at Yong Yi Ting, Mandarin Oriental Pudong’s One Michelin Star restaurant, provided a pleasant evening, though it didn’t quite reach the heights of some other top dining experiences we’d had during our trip. The service was impeccable and the elegant setting created a lovely atmosphere for our meal. While the cuisine was well-executed, it played things relatively safe, which felt like a missed opportunity given Shanghai’s reputation for culinary innovation.
The hotel’s location works brilliantly for exploring this side of the city. The waterfront promenade is right outside, perfect for morning runs or evening walks, and we particularly enjoyed cycling along the dedicated paths with views across to the Bund. IFC Mall is a short walk away, which proved handy for both luxury shopping and casual dining when we wanted something less formal than the hotel restaurants.
What impressed us most was how the hotel manages to feel both distinctly Chinese and internationally polished. The service never felt overly formal, but maintained the kind of attention to detail that makes you feel genuinely looked after rather than simply processed. In a city where new luxury hotels seem to open monthly, Mandarin Oriental Pudong has the confidence that comes with knowing exactly what it does well.
For anyone considering Pudong over other Shanghai neighbourhoods, this property makes a compelling case. You’re not just paying for the famous views, though they’re undeniably spectacular. You’re investing in a level of service and location that makes exploring Shanghai both comfortable and convenient, with staff who understand that sometimes the best recommendations come from genuine local knowledge rather than tourist brochures.
