With a stunning rooftop pool, views overlooking iconic skyscrapers and a modern design, the Four Seasons at Pudong sets a new standard in luxury for Shanghai.
Surrounded by skyscrapers in Shanghai’s bustling financial district, the Four Seasons Shanghai at Pudong sits right in the center of China’s largest metropolis. The hotel’s sleek design is a pleasant departure from the classic luxury look you might expect to find at a Four Seasons franchise hotel and integrates perfectly into the surrounding neighborhood.
Business travelers will appreciate the Four Season’s proximity to the financial district and, while it may seem to be at a distance from the city’s main attractions for leisure travelers, they won’t mind a few extra minutes on a car once they set foot in this magnificent hotel, take a dip in it’s 41st floor infinity pool and start enjoying gorgeous views of the Lujiazui skyline from the comfort of their room.
As you approach the Four Seasons, suit clad concierge welcome you into the lobby, which is gleaming from the tone on tone marble and shimmers of carefully placed chandeliers and eccentric art pieces. Conceptual images of wildlife and portraits of celebrities hang throughout the hotel, and common areas have the feel of being in an upscale apartment, with coffee table books strewn around for your viewing pleasure.
Though the look may have not been classic Four Seasons, the service was definitely Four Seasons quality. Everyone from the staff was kind, knowledgeable and eager to give us a memorable stay. It felt genuine and never over-the-top with tiny details to personalize the experience. Since we were staying at one of their Club Rooms, we had access to a number of perks like complimentary shuttle service in the vicinity of the hotel, access to a concierge and all-day food and refreshments at the Club Lounge.
First of all, the views were fantastic! Floor to ceiling windows let in the panoramic vistas of the Lujiazui skyline and we could see the Oriental Pearl TV Tower right from our bed. Upon arrival, we were welcomed to our room with a luscious fruit tray, a jar of cookies and a handwritten note.
Clean lines and a muted palette with accents in deep red created a serene and relaxing atmosphere while carefully arranged furniture and seating areas made the small space feel much larger than it was. The marble bathroom was the perfect size for two, with double sinks, shower and a glorious soaking tub.
Staying in one of the Club Rooms granted us access to the hotel’s Executive Club Lounge on the 35th floor. During the day, a light breakfast, refreshments and afternoon tea are available for members and cocktails and canapés are served there in the evenings. The lounge is perfect for getting to know other guests and for business travelers in need of a quiet space for a meeting or for getting some work done. We visited almost every night for cocktails with a view during happy hour.
There are two restaurants at the Four Seasons Shanghai at Pudong: Camelia, an all-day Italian restaurant, and Shàng-Xí, where modern Chinese fare is served in an intimate setting. In addition, room service is available 24 hours and there are light bites available throughout the day at the hotel’s Executive Club Lounge.
For breakfast, Camelia is transformed into a large international-style buffet serving a combination of western favorites such as French Crepes with red fruit compote alongside eastern options like Shanghai-style hot noodle soup. In the afternoons and evenings, their menu is offers with a wide selection of refined Italian comfort foods such as pizzas, panzanella, squid ink linguini and spaghetti a la carbonara with pork belly. If you have the chance, try their truffle focaccia – it’s delicious! Also, if you happen to meet the chef, trust his judgment and let him put together a surprise dinner for you. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Shàng-Xí is upscale and elegant, yet their wonderful staff will make you feel comfortable and at ease. Their menu is impressively large and varied and features dishes that are well known in the western world and local delicacies that you may have never even heard of. A separate menu contains dim sum courses accompanied by more familiar rice and noodle dishes. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and, in order to maintain an intimate vibe, the space is limited to 22 seats in the main dining area and five private dining rooms. Chris and I enjoyed a tasting menu from which the steamed cod and the BBQ duck were my favorites.
The hotel’s FLARE spa offers a range of services and treatments and it’s the only place in China to offer exclusive spa products, treatments and cosmetics by Guerlain. We each had a 90-minute spa treatment that included a massage and customized facial treatments for each one of us. Mine was combined with products from Guerlain’s Orchidée Impériale line. FLARE Spa had a great mini gift shop with little treasures to take home – I’m still mad at myself for not getting one of their silk robes. Oh well, it’s at least a good reason to come back!
In case you’re worried about working off all that dim sum, the spa also offers 24-hour fitness club with separate women’s and men’s sauna, whirlpool and steam room plus state-of-the-art gym equipment. However, if there is one absolutely unforgettable detail about the Spa at the Four Seasons Pudong, it’s their 41st floor infinity pool. It’s so impressive even Mr. James Bond himself was show swimming a few laps in it in “Skyfall”. Just having the once-in-a-lifetime experience to take a dip in this spectacular pool is a good enough reason to stay at this hotel! It’s the perfect place end a day on a high note – whether it’s going for quick dip, recovering after a great workout or lounging poolside and cocktail in hand while contemplating the Shanghai skyline.
