Opened in 2013, the 362-room Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai stands as the centrepiece of the Harbour City development in the emerging ‘East Bund’ area. Its debut marked Mandarin Oriental’s third venture into Mainland China, arriving in the same year as its sister property in Guangzhou. Conceived by Peruvian architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia, the hotel sets itself apart in Pudong with its residential-style design, offering the atmosphere of a serene retreat rather than a conventional business hotel.

Booking Mandarin Oriental Pudong

For my three-night stay, I paid CNY 1,433 per night, inclusive of taxes – roughly USD 200 or GBP 148; this booked me into an entry-level Deluxe Room with city views, which I thought was a great price. On this trip, I reserved the hotel through Agoda.com, though in hindsight I would recommend reserving directly with Mandarin Oriental. Guests who join the complimentary Fans of M.O. programme and book via MandarinOriental.com can receive a variety of added benefits, including daily breakfast and other valuable amenities.

Location

The Mandarin Oriental sits within the so-called ‘East Bund’ development, across the Huangpu River in modern Pudong. It forms part of the Lujiazui Harbour City complex, about 20 minutes from Lujiazui metro station. The surroundings are dominated by office towers, and there is little of interest within walking distance. Thankfully, the hotel’s shuttle service (more on that below) makes getting around easier.

Although Pudong may lack the old-world charm of Puxi, it offers a striking showcase of Shanghai’s modern face. Towering skyscrapers and bold contemporary architecture are all close at hand. With the Bund just one metro stop away, the hotel remains perfectly positioned to experience both Shanghai’s glittering skyline as well as its historical quarters.

Check-in

After checking out of the Grand Hyatt Shanghai, I hopped into a DiDi bound for the Mandarin Oriental in Lujiazui. The ride barely lasted ten minutes, leaving me at the hotel’s doors long before the 15:00 check-in time. Soon after we entered the Mandarin Oriental’s grand stone-covered driveway, a porter, polished and prompt, took care of my bags effortlessly and ushered me inside.

Inside, I was met with a lively lobby, brimming with activity. Guests hurried in and out, some laden with luggage as they arrived, while others were fresh from their rooms. Amid the bustle, one feature demanded attention – a towering mural stretching across the lobby wall consisting of 70,000 glass patches. Entitled Sound of Heaven, the mosaic depicts a dreamlike forest scene, the combined vision of artists Mao Tong and Makoto Nishikawa. Sitting in the background, the mural quietly provided a striking counterpoint to the lively crowd.

At the reception, I was assisted with check-in after a five-minute wait; however, given how busy the day was, my room was understandably not yet available. This was no inconvenience – I simply stepped out for lunch, as I had intended to do, joining Pudong’s office workers at the nearby Lujiazui Harbour City mall (when in Rome, right?).

When I returned just over an hour later, my room was ready, and I was personally escorted upstairs by the friendly, English-speaking agent. On this occasion, I was assigned a Deluxe Room on Level 11, occupying a corner space with a view of the Pudong cityscape.

Deluxe Room

At 50 sqm (538 sqft), the entry-level Deluxe Rooms are generously sized, especially by Shanghai’s space-constrained standards. The interiors lean on light, earthy tones – layers of cream and muted green said to be inspired by the city’s riverside locale. At first glance the design feels understated, but the details quickly reveal themselves. Whether the crystal bedside lamps etched with bamboo motifs, or a lacquered Chinese box neatly housing the stationery on the desk, each element feels designed with deliberation.

More than a decade since the hotel’s debut, the rooms have aged gracefully. The eclectic mix – part classical accents, part modern restraint – still feels harmonious today, pinned together by the large the room-divider-inspired headboard. The soft palette and timeless textures nod to Mandarin Oriental’s signature ‘neo-classical Oriental’ style, which here finds a natural home amid the gleaming towers of Pudong.

Bedroom

As expected from an entry-level room in an urban hotel, the space is anchored by two beds placed along one wall. Fitted with ploh linens, the plush bed is wonderfully comfortable, striking a perfect balance between firmness and softness. Across from them sits the television and minibar, the latter cleverly integrated with ample storage. Additional space is tucked between the window and the bed, where a rack sits beside an elegant window-side sofa.

Lighting is soft and soothing, controlled by an intuitive bedside console that also manages the blackout and sheer curtains. The design avoids any harsh glare, creating a calming atmosphere for weary travellers. A small welcome amenity of pineapple cake added a thoughtful touch, though it didn’t quite match the taste of the famous cakes at The Okura Prestige Taipei.

It is clear that the room was designed with its view in mind, with the window appearing like a theatrical frame to the busy panorama of Pudong. While the furniture doesn’t directly face the windows, every element merely complements the vista beautifully. Between the desk and the plush sofa by the window, the layout feels both serene and well considered.

Finally, I’ll add that by the entrance, a discreet valet box is built seamlessly into the wall. It’s a small but clever feature – easy to overlook, yet very convenient in practice. In fact, it might just be too discreet, as I could only imagine items delivered to the box while guests do not know of its very existence.

Bathroom

Because of the room’s corner layout, the bathroom unfolds in an L-shape, incorporating a walk-in closet in the process. Although the space feels a little narrow, as if the designers were working within constraints, it comes across as elegant and thoughtfully arranged; well, that is apart from the awkwardly sized built-in luggage rack.

Beyond the closet is a striking square-shaped toilet, tucked into its own room, followed by a pair of beautiful double vanities at the end of the corridor. Although the space has aged wonderfully, the one drawback is the absence of a bidet, which I feel is now standard in many luxury hotels.

At the far end lies the wet room, which combines the bathtub and shower in a single space. Alongside an expansive rain shower area (and handheld option), an oval bathtub sits beneath the window, offering incredible views of Pudong. As if that weren’t enough, there’s even a television built into the wall next to the tub.

The experience is made better by the excellent water pressure and consistent temperature, which I always appreciate. Furthermore, toiletries are supplied by Atelier Cologne, whose fresh-scented and high-quality products I found especially pleasant.

Temperature Issues

I had hoped the room would cool down as the night went on, but it never reached a comfortable temperature. After reporting the issue upon check-in, the hotel provided a portable air conditioner. Unfortunately, it did little to improve the situation. Strangely, maintenance found no problems with the system when checking with an infrared thermometer. Perhaps Shanghai’s record heat that day was to blame.

The next morning, I explained everything to the reception. They were sincerely apologetic and promptly reassigned us to another room. As a gesture of goodwill, we were upgraded to one with a river view. It was a slight disappointment, since I had enjoyed the city view. Still, the new room was much cooler, and I finally slept soundly.

Deluxe Riverview Room

The Deluxe Riverview Room mirrors the entry-level category at 50 sqm – again impressively spacious by Shanghai standards. While it carries the same neo-classical Oriental design language, certain details shift to accommodate its position along the spine of the building. The sofa and desk take on a different arrangement here, with more pronounced nods to traditional Chinese furniture.

Unlike the corner city-view room we had, the Deluxe Riverview Room is set up in a way more typical of a traditional hotel room. This unfortunately, meant no more baths with a view. In its place, however, is a pleasant river view, showcasing the bustling northern side of the Huangpu. Although I personally preferred the city view, I’ll admit that it was fun seeing the various container ships passing through the river.

Bedroom

Much like the previous room, the space is anchored by two plush beds dressed in fine linens from Ploh. They’re positioned to face the television directly, while still leaving enough room to appreciate the view towards the river. In addition, the curved structure of the building and the pared-back furniture arrangement give the room an airier, more open feel than the city-view counterpart.

Daylight floods the room, leaving the soft lighting of the room feel a lot less pronounced than its city view counterpart. Even so, the subdued colour palette continues to exude a calming atmosphere, with lighting and blinds once again controlled at the bedside panel – practical while also in keeping with fashionable design.

At the foot of the beds sits a desk paired with two chairs, one clearly inspired by a traditional Chinese dining chair. Together with the smaller grass-coloured sofa nearby, the setup makes the space as functional as it is stylish, doubling as both workspace and dining nook.

While the racks by the window are absent here, storage remains generous. There are storage wells neatly tucked beneath the television, along with open and concealed compartments around the minibar behind the desk. The latter is thoughtfully stocked with a L’Or Espresso coffee machine and a Chinese tea set – a small but elegant nod to both modern convenience and local tradition.

Bathroom

The bathroom stretches along the entryway, sharing its footprint with a generous walk-in closet that can be closed off from the rest of the room. Elegantly styled, I was very fond of the open-concept design, with sliding doors that can be left ajar so you can fully enjoy the river view straight from the tub.

As you’d expect from any Mandarin Oriental, the space is anchored by a large marble bathtub and a separate shower stall fitted with both a rain shower and a handheld one. As if the sweeping Pudong views weren’t enough, the tub also comes with a waterproof television discreetly set into the wall. Amenities are the same citrusy Atelier Cologne products as my previous room – high quality and pleasantly refreshing.

Across from the tub sits the double vanity, neatly stocked with the same amenities. While I personally would have traded the twin sinks for more counter space, the addition of drawers underneath helps with storage and keeps the area tidy.

Next to the shower, a slim toilet cubicle makes an appearance, again without a bidet – a slight miss at this level, though still perfectly fine for what it is.

On the far side, the bathroom opens into the walk-in closet, complete with a built-in luggage rack – this time sized properly to fit a full suitcase. Continuing with the room’s functional design, the closet features an abundance of enclosed storage, both in drawers and racks.

The Spa

On the lower ground floor lies The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, which also includes the fitness centre and swimming pool. After signing in at reception, guests are directed to the gender-segregated locker rooms. Inside, you’ll find showers, a sauna, a steam room, and thermal loungers with an ice fountain – all of which are complimentary for hotel guests.

The spa amenities are located at the far end of the locker room, just before the door leading to the pool. With calming music and spotless upkeep, this was easily the nicest health club facility I experienced in China. For one, I found the facility to be genuinely relaxing and exceptionally well-maintained, especially when compared to hotels such as the Grand Hyatt Shanghai.

Although I rarely visit spas, I found myself frequently relaxing here after my morning swims. The atmosphere was so immersive that it felt more like a tropical retreat in Phuket or Bali than urban Shanghai. In my view, this is something Mandarin Oriental Pudong excels at. I never experienced quite the same feeling during past stays at their Hong Kong or Singapore properties. Now if only I could figure out how to use the ice fountain…

Fitness Centre

Adjacent to the Spa, the hotel’s fitness centre is reached via a long corridor. Open 24 hours a day for hotel guests, it offers an extensive array of Technogym equipment; this ranged between all sorts of things, from treadmills and bikes to endurance machines and free weights. Definitely an impressive facility if you ask me!

I was pleased to find the equipment modern and well-maintained, as one would expect from what is self-proclaimed as the world’s most luxurious hotel group. 😉 That said, the fitness centre hasn’t aged quite as gracefully as other areas of the hotel. While the space is generous, the animated colourful ceiling lights create an odd atmosphere, reminiscent of a themed restaurant from the early 2000s.

Additionally, at the far end of the gym is a dedicated yoga and fitness studio. This space hosts the hotel’s weekly yoga sessions, which are held every Thursday. Or better yet, it’ll host your own yoga session any day of the week… 😉

Swimming Pool

Adjacent to the fitness centre lies the hotel’s serene underground swimming pool, accessed through a foot bath in keeping with local laws. Stretching 25 metres (82 feet), the heated indoor pool exudes tranquillity, enhanced by its soft lighting and elegant stone-clad surroundings.

The swimming pool is open daily from 07:00 to 23:00, though some eager guests somehow seem to slip in earlier. Given how popular swimming is in China, the pool remains busy with swimmers throughout the day, often until closing time. Fortunately, its generous size allows space for both serious swimmers and those, like me, who merely prefer a leisurely swim.

On one side, oversized loungers invite quiet relaxation, while the opposite side features a spa-like seating area that reinforces the sense of wellness and serenity.

In line with the hotel’s strong wellness focus, a vitality pool and jacuzzi sit at the far end of the pool area. Both operate on demand with the press of a button, adding an extra layer of relaxation to the space.

Shuttle Service

Because of its less convenient location in the Harbour City complex, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service. It covers destinations within a two-kilometre radius and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The service usually uses a Mercedes-Benz V-Class van, though other vehicles are occasionally outsourced during peak demand.

Service

As I’ve hinted throughout this review, the service at the hotel was truly exceptional. Guest-facing staff spoke English with remarkable consistency – perhaps the best I encountered on this trip. More importantly, they were unfailingly courteous and attentive, always intent on making sure guests were well looked after.

When I had to move rooms due to the temperature issues, the Assistant Director of Rooms, Lucas, personally escorted me and offered a sincere apology. He promised to make it right, and sure enough, a generous fruit platter, wine, and macarons appeared in the room. At checkout, the Front Office Manager, Steven, sought me out to ensure the rest of my stay had been seamless. Before I left, he even sent me off with a box of chocolates for the road – a thoughtful and touching gesture.

Plenty of hotels will apologise when something goes wrong, but Mandarin Oriental Pudong went further. Their approach felt genuinely service-oriented, leaving me with the impression that guest satisfaction truly mattered. As far as gestures of goodwill go, this was as nice as I’ve experienced from a major luxury brand outside Amanresorts. It left me deeply impressed and eager to return to Mandarin Oriental again.

Overall

More than a decade after its debut, the Mandarin Oriental continues to stand out as one of Pudong’s finest hotels – if not one of Shanghai’s best. The combination of beautifully designed rooms, superb wellness facilities, and genuinely impressive service leaves very little to fault. Even the minor issues I experienced only highlighted the hotel’s commitment to making things right, and in the end, they added to the sense of being well-cared for. So impressed was I, in fact, that I’ve already booked a stay at the Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou for my next trip (more on that soon!)

Read more from ‘A Summer in Shanghai’ here!