Alila Shanghai — Attraction in Shanghai

Frankly speaking I didn't have high expectations for this property. There were a ton of negative reviews from last year when it first opened, and my stay at Park Hyatt Shenzhen left me with a less-than-favorable impression of Hyatt hotels in general. Needless to say, there were some concerns and doubts about the hotel before my stay, particularly so when the hotel didn't reach out to me for the pre-arrival checklist, despite reading multiple reviews claiming that the hotel does it. Although in hindsight, this was probably due to the fact that we booked this via Amex FHR, and the agent did not pass on our contact details to the hotel. ||There were a ton of guests on our check-in day, but the bellhop still enthusiastically greeted us, helped with our luggage and escorted us to the lobby above. We booked a Studio room and was pleasantly informed that we were upgraded to the City View Suite, despite Amex letting us know beforehand that this room type is not upgradable. The room wasn't ready when we arrived, but the front desk was incredibly helpful, constantly updating us on the latest status, and showed us around the property while we waited. They also informed us that since our room was just being prepared, welcome fruits and birthday decorations would be delivered to our room shortly, which couldn't have been different to the confusion during check-in at Park Hyatt Shenzhen. ||They went with a wabi-sabi inspired design in the guest rooms which I really enjoyed, and our room had a generous view of the Shikumen houses directly below and the skyscrapers in the distance. There was a sliding door that separated the bedroom and the living area, while simultaneously being connected through the washroom, and walk-in closet. Since both of our birthdays were nearby, they sent us not one, but two cakes on the house, and guests will also enjoy a daily restock of the complimentary minibar. We were also provided with two eye masks, earplugs, and pillow sprays at turndown, which was very thoughtful as most hotels will only provide one set of turndown gift despite the double occupancy. Light-blocking was excellent and we had a good night of sleep on our first night. We also didn't hear any noises from the renovation site directly below the hotel that other guests complained about. There were however, some problems on our second night: there was a water-dropping noise in the middle of the night that was super annoying, and I was woken up by the TV in the living room, which magically turned on by itself. ||Breakfast was extraordinary, offering a semi-buffet and à la carte menu with a wide selection of Shanghainese specialties. The pastries were also excellent in both variety and quality. A la carte items were served very quickly, which was very accommodating for someone with zero patience like me.||Our stay was short and we were mostly outside, so we didn't get to fully enjoy the hotel's facilities. The hotel had a cozy living room and library on the lobby floor, but they were infested with influencers taking photos, which wasn't to our liking and we prefer hotels that are more private. ||Alila Shanghai blew it out of the water and I really enjoyed being pleasantly surprised. I'll...

I wanted to thank the Alila Shanghai team for an amazing time when my family, friends and I stayed at the Alila earlier last week. Congratulations once again on your wonderful new property - it has already left a lasting imprint in our minds! I thought I'd call out a few highlights:||New properties come and go, and shiny new buildings become old again, but what remains in a hotel is the people and ethos that make up its soul, and in this, the Alila Shanghai is already shining bright. From my pre-arrival when Gracie took meticulous care of every detail. to my actual arrival when Sabrina personally welcomed us and followed with daily enquiries to see if we needed anything, we felt like we were hosted in a friend's (very luxurious) home. Everywhere we went we were met with cheerful and enthusiastic associates eager to assist. Great to see flawless hospitality in motion!||Compliments to the team running breakfast service. It was extremely busy throughout the time that we were in residence but the team was always able to accommodate our large party (no mean feat finding a table for 8 at peak breakfast time!). The food was consistently delicious - I especially enjoyed the Old Shanghai specialties.||I also enjoyed using the gym - great selection of fitness equipment and a very conducive environment to burn some of my breakfast favourites! ||Overall we had a very memorable experience and would not...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Alila Shanghai, and I can confidently say it’s one of the best hotels in the city. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the exceptional service and the beautifully renovated interiors that seamlessly blend luxury with comfort.

The attention to detail is truly exquisite — every corner of the hotel exudes sophistication, making you feel both at home and in a luxurious resort. The amenities are top-notch, with a stunning breakfast buffet and an à la carte menu that caters to all tastes, offering a delightful start to each day.

The rooms are outfitted with exclusive bedding that guarantees a restful night’s sleep, and the in-room amenities elevate the experience even further. The bar’s cocktails are expertly crafted and highly recommended for a relaxing evening drink.

As a seasonal traveler, I can honestly say that Alila Shanghai stands out as the best hotel in the city. Whether you’re here for business or leisure, this hotel promises a luxurious, comfortable, and memorable stay. Highly...