So you are going to Shanghai and now you are on Google typing Best hotels in Shanghai, or Unique hotels in Shanghai…right? If you are looking for either one of these, you should definitely consider staying at the elegant Park Hotel in central Shanghai.
Just after moving to Shanghai, we walked past the Park Hotel and the unique style of the building immediately caught our eyes. We joked that it looks like Batman might live in the penthouse. Little did we know that it was a heritage building, so when we saw it was a hotel, we decided to come back again later for a little staycation.
The 4-star Park Hotel is located in one of the most iconic Art Deco buildings in Shanghai. The location couldn’t be better for visitors who wish to stay in the centre of the city while exploring the sights or going shopping.
We recently spent an entire weekend at the Park Hotel and really enjoyed it. So if you are looking for a unique hotel in Shanghai, keep on reading!
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History of the Park Hotel, Shanghai
The Park Hotel is conveniently located on Nanjing Road West, just across the street from People’s Square. Walk a block and you’ll be on Nanjing Road East (Nanjing Dong Lu), which is the most famous shopping street in Shanghai. Due to its location, the hotel is known as the Center of the City, as you can see on the plaque in the lobby.
Hungarian-Slovak architect, László Hudec designed the building and it was completed in 1934. At 22 stories high, it remained the tallest building in Asia until 1963, and the tallest in Shanghai until 1983.
Take the stairs in the lobby up to the second floor to see some nostalgic pictures and memorabilia from the days when the Park Hotel was the number one building in the Far East.
During its heyday, the Park Hotel overlooked the Shanghai horse racing club. At this time it was considered to be the best hotel in Shanghai. People’s Square replaced the racecourse after the Communist takeover in 1949. Today, People’s Park is to Shanghai as Central Park is to New York.
The Park Hotel was built to give the Cathay Hotel (another fantastic Art Deco hotel situated on the Bund) a run for its money. The Cathay Hotel is the Fairmount Peace Hotel these days and is arguably the best hotel on the Bund for those with deep pockets. For normal Art Deco freaks like you and me, there is the Park Hotel.
High Tea and Butterfly Cookies
From the moment the doorman greets you at the entrance, and you walk through the revolving door, you will step right back into the Art Deco era.
The lobby is quite spectacular, and we were excited to stay at the Park Hotel from the get-go. Check-in formalities were fast and friendly, and a friendly employee escorted us to our room.
The lobby is a very popular place for afternoon tea (or any time, really). You see, the Park Hotel Bakery is famous all over China for a pastry called the Park Hotel Palmier. Chinese call them Hu Die Su or butterfly cookies, and locals go crazy for them. Just walk around the corner outside the entrance and see hundreds of people lining up all day, every day to get their hands on the butterfly cookies.
Guests are in luck, as they don’t have to queue for the delicacies. Nibbling on flakey butterfly cookies with tea in the lobby of the best Art Deco hotel in Shanghai is how we roll. It’s a good idea to make a reservation in advance, as afternoon tea at the Park Hotel is quite popular.
What are the rooms like at the Park Hotel, Shanghai?
The Park Hotel has 252 rooms, and we decided to stay in the Superior Queen room. We first got a room on the 8th floor but were a little disappointed that the view was towards Nanjing Road West and not People’s Square.
So we went down to reception and asked if we could get a room with a view. The concierge took us up to the 10th floor and showed us a room with a partial park view. This was better than nothing, so we changed to this room.
We expected the view from the Park Hotel to be over People’s Square, but we were not in luck. Perhaps the more expensive rooms have a better view. For a view over People’s Park, ride the elevator up to the Banquet Hall on the 14th floor.
Our room came with all the mod cons, which is to be expected of a 4-star hotel. The room itself was tastefully decorated and fits the style of the building. Jin says it was a little dated, which is perhaps true. But then, is that not the reason why you are staying at a heritage hotel? The bed was super comfy and we slept like the dead.
The bathroom came with a shower/bath combo and a shower curtain. The highlight of the bathroom, and perhaps the whole room, is the toilet. Do spend some time familiarising yourself with all the buttons, functions, and amazing effects.
One thing I didn’t like was the renovation work in the bathroom. A section of the sink has been replaced, and instead of using matching marble, they used a plastic marble look alike! Art Deco purists might get a heart attack, so be warned.
Overall, I really liked the room and I think it was a very unique and comfortable hotel.
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Park Hotel, Shanghai
What to Do Near People’s Square?
Like I said earlier, the Park Hotel is in the centre of Shanghai. You can walk to most of the tourist attractions in Shanghai.
People’s Square is just across the street. Here you can visit the Shanghai Museum. Entrance to the Shanghai Museum is free of charge, and it is one of the best museums in China. It houses a fantastic collection of art, especially from the Han and Tang dynasties.
To get an idea of how big Shanghai really is, visit the free-to-enter Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. Here you can see a scale model of the city with all its skyscrapers.
People’s Park surrounding People’s Square itself is an oasis of calm and it doesn’t feel like you’re in one of the biggest cities on earth. Come early morning to see groups of people doing Tai Chi. On the weekends there is also a wedding market, where matchmakers, parents, spinsters and those who haven’t given up on love advertise what they have to offer and what they’re looking for in a partner. Like Tinder in 1825…
For shopping and people watching, stroll down Nanjing Road East. Continue until you reach the Bund and the Huangpu River. A leisurely walk to the Bund will take about 40 minutes.
The Bund is best after 19:00, when it lights up. The view from the Bund towards the Pudong skyline is just incredible. It’s definitely one of our favourite city skylines.
Going on a food tour (you can choose morning, afternoon or night), is an exciting way to get to know the city.
Turn right when you exit the Park Hotel, and you’ll be heading towards Nanjing Road West. After a few blocks, you’ll reach the largest Starbucks in the world. Definitely go check it out.
Yu Gardens and Old Shanghai are one stop away on the metro from the People’s Square.
We recommend getting a private, customised tour to get the most out of your stay in Shanghai. Pick what you want to see, and your guide/translator will take you there. Whether you want to go shopping or sightseeing, you are in control.
Should you stay at the Park Hotel?
Yes! If you’re looking for a unique stay in a heritage building right in the centre of Shanghai, you must absolutely give the Park Hotel a try.
The Park Hotel is what it is, though. One of the oldest and most iconic hotels in Shanghai, the Park Hotel offers a glimpse into a bygone era and is one of the best heritage hotels in the city. It’s clean and comfortable, the staff was friendly and spoke English, and the location is the best. It also offers exceptional value for money.
That being said, the hotel had its glory days decades ago. Don’t come here expecting over-the-top luxuries or grand views. If you want that, we can recommend the Shanghai Marriott City Center, just around the corner, where we stayed before.
Come to the Park Hotel for its historic charm, Art Deco heritage, butterfly cookies and central location, and you’ll have a great time.
Over to you: Tell me I’m not the only Art Deco freak out here. In the comments below, let me know how you liked the blast from the Deco past or if you have any questions.
I like the Shanghai Broadway Mansion Hotel better than the Park Hotel.
I like visiting the lobby of this art deco five-star hotel in Shanghai. The staff is friendly. The only strange thing is that the terrace is open to hotel guests for 30 minutes daily. The hotel also hosted many top officials from all over the world, including Song Qignling and the Last Emperor. I love its history and how it preserves it.
Will definitely check out Shanghai Broadway Mansion Hotel when we’re in Shanghai again
I still cannot figure out why over a hundred people always stand in line at the deli store for butterfly cookies. I could order them from the food delivery app, and they would be delivered within 30 minutes. So why do people stand in line for a line that slowly moves? It’s still very perplexing to me. 😅