Known for its high ceilings, marble tiling, and gleaming floors, the St. Regis brand has long stood by its “Live Exquisitely” motto. That sentiment carries through to its 60th property worldwide and second address in Shanghai: The St. Regis on the Bund.
The location is hard to fault. The Bund sits right on your doorstep, with Yu Garden a 10-minute stroll away and Nanjing Road within 15. From the grand river-view rooms, the skyline and Huangpu River unfold in full view, particularly striking after dark.
Drawing on Shanghai’s rich cultural identity, the interiors feature Art Deco influences reminiscent of the city’s 1920s heyday, paired with intricate Su embroidery and magnolia motifs, creating a true East-meets-West design sensibility. With 72 original artworks placed throughout the hotel, including Legend of Shanghai by Ma Tianyu and Splendid Orient by Shi Qi, you’ll find texture and intricacy in every corner of the property.
Dining here works much the same way as choosing a mood. Spago arrives via Wolfgang Puck’s Shanghai outpost, serving modern plates in a rooftop setting above the historic Bund, complete with sweeping views of the skyline and river. Celestial Court focuses on Huaiyang cuisine, best enjoyed slowly in its elegant dining room or one of its private spaces. The St. Regis Bar delivers on form, with a cocktail list worth settling into, especially its take on the Bloody Mary, the ‘Bund Snapper’, layered with Shanghai spices, rice wine vinegar, and a soft note of osmanthus. For something more relaxed, the Brasserie runs from breakfast through dinner with local flavours, grills and fresh seafood, while The Drawing Room offers a gentler pace, ideal for afternoon tea or a glass of Champagne in the evening.
Breakfast arrives as a generous spread, covering everything from local Chinese favourites to western staples like eggs cooked to order and flaky croissants. There’s plenty to choose from, though the Chinese offerings are easily the standout. Elsewhere, you’ll find freshly baked pastries filling an entire section, plus breakfast meats, salads, fruit, cereals, and juices. It’s the sort of buffet where one lap around rarely feels like enough.
As for the rooms, the floor-to-ceiling windows deserve special mention because they really are the highlight. By day, sunlight pours through the space; by night, the Shanghai skyline takes over, becoming a cinematic backdrop. The bathroom maintains the same polished feel, with marble finishes, a shower-and-tub setup, plush robes, and designer toiletries that enhance the sense of comfort. Whether it’s a long soak after a day exploring the city or simply watching Shanghai light up from above, the room makes it very easy to stay in.
Around the rest of the hotel, the atmosphere feels polished without becoming overly formal. Lounges and seating areas are thoughtfully designed, while the corridors carry subtle touches inspired by Shanghai’s heritage. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a modern fitness centre, and The St. Regis Spa, where you’ll notice an Italian-inspired elegance and the grandeur of Roman thermae through mosaic-lined treatment rooms complete with soaking pools and saunas. Everything carries the same understated sense of luxury found throughout the property. And that’s the charm of The St. Regis on the Bund: it feels luxurious, evokes the elegant glamour of the 1920s, and still retains a distinctly Chinese character.
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