The Grand Hyatt Shanghai stands as an undisputed icon of hospitality and a powerful symbol of the city’s rise on the global stage. Opened in 1999 within the landmark Jin Mao Tower, it debuted as the highest hotel in the world. Even though newer neighbouring skyscrapers have since surpassed it, the 548-room property remains remarkable, occupying the top 30 floors of the 421-metre tower and soaring more than 300 metres above the ground. It is also celebrated as one of Shanghai’s most striking modern architectural showcases, thanks in large part to its dramatic 33-storey barrel-vaulted atrium.

Booking Grand Hyatt Shanghai

As I mentioned earlier in my introduction, my stay at the Grand Hyatt came about by sheer luck. I had initially booked the hotel but later switched to the Portman Ritz-Carlton for its more convenient location in Jing’An. While the Hyatt’s striking architecture had always intrigued me, I set aside that enthusiasm in favour of a property better suited for a first-time visit to Shanghai. Yet, a few last-minute travel changes brought me to the city earlier than expected, altering my plans once again.

Fortunately, the Grand Hyatt still had availability – and at a rate far lower than my cancelled stay, to sweeten things further. I booked a reservation through Trip.com just two days before arrival, booking an entry-level Grand Room. For my two-night stay, I paid CNY 997 per night, equivalent to about USD 139 or GBP 108 – undoubtedly an incredible deal.

Location

The Grand Hyatt is located in Pudong, sitting across the Huangpu River on the modern side of Shanghai. It sits within walking distance of the International Financial Centre and the Lujiazui subway station. While Pudong may not be the city’s most traditional tourist area, it offers plenty to see, especially for those interested in contemporary architecture and modern attractions. Moreover, the Bund is just one subway stop away from Lujiazui, placing many of Shanghai’s most famous landmarks within easy reach.

Check-in

After checking out of the Shangri-La Hotel Yiwu, I caught an early morning train back to Shanghai Hongqiao Station before heading to the Grand Hyatt by DiDi. The drive took about 30 minutes, and upon arrival, we found the driveway of the Jin Mao Tower jam-packed with cars. At the porte-cochère, no one greeted us or offered to take my bags – not entirely surprising given how crowded it was. No matter, I was fine handling them myself. I headed straight inside and took the first set of lifts up to the lobby on Level 55.

There on Level 55, I was met with an equally busy scene. The lobby, beautiful though somewhat compact, buzzed with chatter as guests milled about. As I joined the relatively long but fast-moving queue for reception, I found myself distracted by the sweeping views of the Bund. Before long, however, my daydreaming was interrupted, as I reached the front of the queue. Soon, I was greeted by the friendly Dong Fang, who spoke excellent English.

After a quick passport scan and noting my credit card for incidentals, I was granted early check-in and handed a pair of room keys. Despite being this high up, I still did a double take when I saw that my room was on the 75th floor – not exactly a number you often see preceding your room door! Despite the hectic atmosphere, I appreciated how efficiently and tirelessly the reception staff worked to keep things moving smoothly.

Architecture

As I stepped out of the lifts on Level 75, I was immediately awestruck by a sight I had longed to see since I was growing up. The hotel’s phenomenal barrel-vaulted atrium stretched out before me – an almost psychedelic spectacle, if you ask me. One of the tallest and most iconic atriums in the world, it features 28 annular corridors spiraling upward, with six glass lifts rising through the center like a spine.

What unfolds is nothing less than a geometric symphony of circles, soaring more than 115 metres high, as if endlessly reaching toward the sky. It is a sight truly fitting for a hotel that bears the name ‘Grand Hyatt’. Conceived by architect Adrian Smith – who would later go on to design the Burj Khalifa – the hotel, and the Jin Mao Tower as a whole, was inspired by the tiered elegance of a traditional Chinese pagoda.

Grand Room River View

As I entered the room, I was met with a familiar sight – International Style hallmarks associated with Grand Hyatt. This was no coincidence, as the interiors were designed by Bilkey Llinas; this same firm behind hotels like Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, Fukuoka, and Hong Kong. Despite the hotel’s age, I found the design appealing and even charming, with a quality that felt almost timeless.

Although the style is described as Art Deco–inspired, the room’s International Style aesthetic transcends eras. The use of glass and metal, along with clean, simple lines, evokes the enduring elegance of the 1960s; whereas the golden calligraphy panel behind the headboard is a tasteful accent, adding a touch of local character to the space. At the same time, the overall lack of ornate or trendy decor allows the room to age gracefully, avoiding the dated feel that many contemporary trends eventually acquire.

The timelessness feels perfectly suited to the sweeping views of the Huangpu River and the ever-evolving cityscape outside. Seriously, though, what a sight to behold!

Bedroom

At 42 sqm (452 sqft), the room feels spacious and airy thanks to its clean and simple design. While the furniture is arranged in a way typical of an older hotel, the layout feels remarkably fresh. In particular, the twin beds stand out beneath a striking red wood wall, engraved with golden Chinese calligraphy. Furthermore, the mattress was firm but comfortable, with decent linens to match, though I found the pillows too small and flimsy.

Lighting is one of the room’s highlights. Rather than harsh ambient lamps, it uses soft spotlights that create a warm, inviting glow. At night, the effect feels cosy and almost theatrical, framing the city views outside. When needed, the blinds are electronically controlled from a bedside console, making it easy to achieve total darkness. Furthermore, universal power outlets placed all over, adding to the convenience of the design.

By the windows sits a red armchair and ottoman, paired with a side table. The placement is perfect for enjoying the river view or watching television, ideally with a cup of tea in hand. Next to it, a large glass desk with two chairs can double as a dining table. The layout is highly practical, something rarely seen in newer hotel designs. For real, they genuinely don’t make rooms like this anymore!

Finally, along the entryway are the built-in closet and minibar, both clad in matching red wood. Apart from the an ironing set, you’ll notice that the closet cleverly connects to the bathroom through sliding doors. In practice, though, I found the doors on the bathroom side stiff and awkward to use.

Bathroom

The timeless design extends from the bedroom into the bathroom, located just beside the beds. Bathed in warm yellow light, the marble and mirror-clad space feels elegant and has aged remarkably well. Despite the hotel’s age, the bathroom has been maintained so well that it could easily pass for a more recent design.

At its center, a large deep-soaking bathtub defines the room’s irregular shape; this is balanced by a semi-open shower framed in glass and equipped with body jets. Together, they create a composition that feels both functional and sculptural. While the layout impressed me, the water pressure and temperature were inconsistent, often fluctuating during use. This is perhaps unsurprising given the building’s age and the hotel’s lofty height.

As is standard at many Grand Hyatts, Balmain toiletries are provided, this time in small single-use bottles. The quality is reasonably good, though I personally never cared for its waxy, buttery fragrance. It reminds me somewhat of the Byredo Blanche amenities commonly found at InterContinental Hotels.

Finally, at the far end of the bathroom sits a small toilet room, complete with a wall-mounted phone. Unfortunately, little has been updated here, and you won’t find a bidet – let alone the excellent TOTO Neorest toilets featured at the Kempinski Hotel Hangzhou.

Health Club

Fitness Centre

The Grand Hyatt’s Health Club, which houses both the fitness centre and swimming pool, is located on Level 57 and shares a reception with the Yuan Spa. After signing in at the spa desk, I was directed to the facilities at the far end of the corridor on the left-hand side. As one would expect from a major international hotel, the fitness centre operates 24 hours a day – certainly an invaluable perk for jet-lagged travellers.

Now more than 25 years old, the facility does show its age, not least due to the dated patterned fabric lining its walls. Thankfully, the equipment itself remains modern and well-maintained. The space is equipped with a wide selection of cardio and strength machines from TechnoGym, along with free weights and a power rack in one corner. Most impressive were the treadmills, thoughtfully arranged to face the Pudong skyline, making a simple workout feel more special.

That said, I was surprised by how compact the gym felt. Even without the rows of machines, the space would seem small for a hotel of this scale; once the equipment is factored in, it borders on being cramped. During peak hours, I imagine the atmosphere could feel uncomfortably tight. By contrast, the gym at the Portman Ritz-Carlton is far more expansive and spread out, better matching the size of the property it serves.

Jacuzzi, Sauna, and Steam Room

The Health Club also features a jacuzzi, a sauna, and a steam room within the locker rooms, all available for hotel guests. I didn’t take photos of these areas for obvious privacy reasons, but while the jacuzzi was very pleasant, I found the sauna and steam room to smell damp and somewhat unpleasant. Adding to this, there was a subtle yet lingering odour of sewage in the shower area adjacent to these facilities.

Swimming Pool

Located just beyond the Health Club’s locker rooms is the swimming pool, which, as is common in China, is accessed through a small foot bath before entry. Measuring 16.8 meters (55 feet) in length, the heated indoor pool feels like a serence retreat in the heart of busy Pudong. The pool area is finished with marble walls and podiums, with a striking convex light fixture running the entire length of the ceiling – a modern nod to the grandeur of a Roman bath.

Perched on the 57th floor, the pool also commands sweeping views over Pudong and the Bund, which are especially spectacular after nightfall. The combination of design and views made the facility feel truly special, perhaps even comparable to the iconic pool at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, to name an example. Unsurprisingly, I made it a point to swim both before and after a full day of activities, just after and before the opening and closing times of 07.00 and 22.00. After all, how often do you get to swim in a pool this high up?

However, as with the fitness centre, the pool does feel rather small for a hotel of this scale. Swimming is something of a national sport in China, and the three-lane pool was crowded throughout the day, leaving little space to move freely. To make matters worse, and almost comically so, there are only four lounge chairs and two small sofas placed poolside; this meant that there is virtually no space to relax when the facility is busy.

Service

Service at the Grand Hyatt is friendly, but not especially personal – about what you’d expect from a hotel of this size. At guest-facing points like reception or the spa desk, staff were warm and courteous, though their responses often felt more reactive than proactive. This is understandable given how busy the hotel was during my stay, which clearly put pressure on the team. Even so, I noticed that staff rarely greeted guests or smiled unless approached. Perhaps this is due, at least in part, to a language barrier?

That said, I was impressed by how many staff members spoke decent English, at least in most guest-facing roles. In fact, their consistency in this regard was the strongest of any hotel I stayed at on this trip. This is perhaps unsurprising, given the reputation and legacy the Grand Hyatt has built in Shanghai as one of the city’s most international hotels.

Additionally, I’ll add that the WiFi connectivity in the hotel can be spotty at times, especially inside the room. This can certainly be annoying if you are trying to do some proper work.

Overall

Although this wasn’t the most luxurious hotel I stayed at during this trip, the Grand Hyatt was certainly the most memorable. Its dramatic setting and striking architecture give it a truly unique character. After all, how often do you get the chance to stay in a room perched more than 50 floors above the city? While the hotel still leaves much room for improvement, I would happily return for the sheer novelty of the experience – especially if the price were the same or lower.

Read more from ‘A Summer in Shanghai’ here!