The PuLi Hotel and Spa, Shanghai

The city known for constantly reinventing itself is the home to a plethora of business hotels consistently ranking as some of the best in the world. Look no further than the PuLi Hotel and Spa to see just how true this is.

Pu-Li reflects a modern luxury resort that feels like a residence, a hotel grounded in modern China that references its ancient past. Even the name hints at this elegant dualism: the Chinese characters for ‘Pu-Li’ mean precious but unpolished jade. And though a city business hotel, The PuLi Hotel and Spa follows an organic approach more fitting a tropical resort.

Garden in the city

It could have been just another skyscraper, but designers behind The PuLi—the Melbourne-based Layan Design Group—made it feel like a comfortable private dwelling.

Instead of the traditional notion of reception and concierge desks, the designers opted for a 105-foot solid teak bar that spans the length of the ground floor. It’s a great hangout for a drink, checking emails or grabbing breakfast on the go.

Then there is the 5m high fireplace, very much the heart of the hotel, located in an intimate lounge. Its walls are lined with thousands of Chinese and English books.

Urban Resort

The lower levels of the hotel overlook the neighboring JingAn Park. The PuLi’s design looks to the park for inspiration, including elements typically found in resorts, like rows of bamboo trees and a reflecting pond that runs the length of the hotel.

The guest rooms are spacious retreats where work and play are equally important. The spaces flow freely, also into the generous bathroom, separated only by oversized sliding screen doors with translucent silk sandwiched between glass panels.

The hotel feels very much like a resort in the hotel’s wellness center, as extensive as any full-service health club with the spa run by the excellent Anantara.

in our opinion

What we love

• Luxurious and elegant, yet simple and private—this is a home-from-home concept unlike any big city hotels;
• The “urban resort” idea—devised by the Urban Resort Concepts, the aptly named hotel brand behind The PuLi;
• The design integrity and understated elegance;
• Free parking and free wi-fi.

What you should know

• Parking is free but there is a charge for valet parking;
• No pets are allowed;
• The PuLi is located some 20-minute drive from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and a 45-minute drive from Shanghai Pudong International Airport;

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