Shanghai
China


The Experience

Adjacent to Pudong's Lujiazui finance district, this narrow tobacco-leaf-shaped building stands apart from its glass and chrome neighbors. The circular lobby (note the tobacco-leaf-motif flooring and chandelier -- you can guess how the owner made his money) features a sweeping balcony, a café lounge and a piano player. The result is a rarefied atmosphere that blends classical European-style decor, high-tech savvy and a hint of Chinese opera.

The Rooms

The hotel's wafer-thin structure means all corridors are straight, with no confusing turns en route from elevator to room. Once there, even standard rooms are large, starting at more than 500 square feet, and all are done up in soothing rosewood and light gold. Clearly designed with the business traveler in mind, they all include the Aeron chair at the desk. But rain forest showers, flat-screen TVs and Bose sound systems are good for everyone. Suites ramp up the space even more, to at least 775 square feet, with the huge Mandarin Suite featuring a comfortable lounge and large walk-in closet. Three dedicated "ladies only" floors, aimed at single female travelers, offer Evian and Bulgari bathroom goodies.

The Service

The service is excellent, though exceptionally formal. St. Regis' signature butler service is available to all guests, and personal servers are emailable 24 hours a day.

The Highlights

All guests are invited to sip free nightly cocktails, champagne and wine in the executive lounge, where there's a crowd on weekdays, but less so during the weekend. Of course, this is largely a business hotel, so you'd expect a good gym, and the St. Regis doesn't disappoint -- it's open 24 hours a day; there's also an outdoor tennis court, indoor pool and spa. In the morning, choose from 300 newspapers, and at night, sit down at Danieli's, a warmly designed Italian hot spot that has become one of the better restaurants in Shanghai.

-- Gary Bowerman

Find Hotel Deals on Yahoo Travel»