The Peninsula, Shanghai, China

The Peninsula is one of Asia’s most iconic hotel brands, with its legendary flagship property first opening in Hong Kong in 1928. Now, the newest launch, the ninth in its portfolio, marks the return to Shanghai for the Kadoorie family - the owners of the company - who settled in the city from Iraq in the late 19th century. 

And it seems their patience has paid off, for the property, gracing the banks of The Bund, is faultlessly located, capturing not only Shanghai’s impressive skyline across the Huangpu River, but it is only a short stride away from Nanjing Road, the city’s main shopping drag.

Housed in a new-build - the first to be constructed on the Bund in 70 years - the hotel has been designed by architect David Beer, who meticulously recreated a 1920s and 30s noble residence, harking to the city’s glamorous heyday. Perfectly blending in with the eclectic mix of western architectural styles that famously gave the waterfront its nickname ‘the Paris of the East’, the hotel’s modern take on Art Deco continues inside where Paris-based interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon tempered exotic woods, black lacquer and polished chrome with subtle Chinese influences such as delicate hand-painted wallpapers. 

Of course, this being a Peninsula, the heart of the hotel is in the lobby, where the restaurant has a constant flow of guests enjoying the great British tradition of afternoon tea, but if you’d like some peace and quiet, a private cruise along the Haungpu in the hotel’s personal yacht is a treat, or simply head back to your room  and indulge in the sumptuousness and the views.