The Peninsula Shanghai, one of the city's most iconic hotels, has a history dating back to 1850. The elegant Art Deco lobby, with its celadon green walls and black marble floors, takes you back to Shanghai’s heyday. In contrast, the guest rooms, with their cerulean-and-white decor, offer a distinctly modern experience: with a simple press of a button, the bathtub fills, the curtains open, and Internet radio plays through the speakers.

While the high-tech rooms are a highlight, the hotel’s restaurants also shine. Sir Elly’s, a chic dining venue, ranks among the finest in the city, and Yi Long Court offers exceptional Cantonese cuisine. A visit to The Peninsula Spa by ESPA is a must—it is Shanghai’s only Five-Star spa, featuring carved wooden furniture and luxurious touches like heated treatment floors, evoking the opulence of the city’s golden age.