Gay Popular

W Shanghai – The Bund

9.2 Very Good

 5/5

W hotels are a long-established gay favorite brand throughout the world, and this brand-new addition to their portfolio is the W Asian flagship. The great location, exceptional design, attentive staff, and top-tier facilities combine to make this one of the very best luxury options in Shanghai for gay travelers.

As usual, you can expect impeccable contemporary design, blending modern lines, classic Chinese motifs, and quirky, unexpected details. Meanwhile, the hotel’s excellent position on the North Bund offers fantastic views of futuristic Pudong skyscrapers from almost every room. While these are impressive during the day, they become mesmerizing at night when the skyline comes to life.

There are four restaurants, including both international and Chinese options, and three excellent bars. As well as the usual poolside bar, you have a choice between a 1920’s speakeasy-themed vibe in Liquid at YEN and the ultra-hip cocktail stylings of in-house mixologist Dylan Lam in WOOBAR.

Why We Love It

♥ Original, luxurious, and fun design across the entire hotel
♥ Instagram-Perfect hotel for Shanghai landmark
♥ The WET outdoor swimming pool deck is one of the best spots in Shanghai for a #poolside photoshoot

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Location

The hotel’s excellent position on the North Bund offers fantastic views of futuristic Pudong skyscrapers from almost every room. While these are impressive during the day, they become mesmerizing at night when the skyline comes to life. The pool offers the most instagrammable shots of the city’s iconic skyline. The hotel lies north of the river in the up-and-coming Hongkou district. From here is a quick 15-minute walk to Shanghai’s historic district or 10 minutes on the metro trains to reach downtown. The gay nightlife of Shanghai can be reached within a 20-30 minute taxi from the hotel.

Style & Design

As usual from W Hotels, you can expect impeccable contemporary design, blending modern lines, classic Chinese motifs, and quirky, unexpected details. As you arrive in the lobby the playful vibes become immediately apparent. Corridor dressed as a traditional alleyway is filled with bright neon laundry hanging including a delightful pair of fluorescent Y-fronts.

Facilities

The hotel’s most striking feature are the Instaperfect views from the outdoor pool. Stretching out over The Bund, this is one of the best photos backdrops in all of Shanghai. Inside there is another pool, perfect for winter, complete with sauna, steam room, and whirlpool tubs. The well-equipped gym is open 24-hour and like all W hotels, the Away Spa offers packages for complete relaxation and pampering. There are four restaurants onsite, including both international and Chinese options, plus three excellent bars. As well as the usual poolside bar, you have a choice between a 1920’s speakeasy-themed vibe in Liquid at YEN and the ultra-hip cocktail stylings of in-house mixologist Dylan Lam in WOOBAR.

Rooms

This is where things get hot, each of 374 smoke-free rooms and suites has incredible views of Shanghai. Views are split between “City Views” and “The Bund View”. The City View rooms are okay but The Bund View rooms are extraordinary. Check out the “Cool Corner King Room with Bund View”, an ideal mid-range room with killer views even from the two-person bathtub. If you are looking to splurge the “WOW Suite, 1 Bedroom Suite, 1 King, The Bund view, Whirlpool” if perfect offers a ridiculous 192 sq meters of luxury and fun All of the rooms are spacious, with the smallest rooms starting from a lovely 46sqm and all decorated in true W style. Expect blasts of color throughout from soothing yellows and ostentatious reds. From high tech gadgets to huge beds, it’s got everything you would expect from a W flagship.

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