The Langham Shanghai Xintiandi

Compared to the sci-fi skyline of Shanghai’s more hectic districts, Xintiandi is a low-slung village. In a place where restored Shikumen homes and cobbled alleys bump up against boutique shops and hip clubs, the mirrored-glass monolith of The Langham Shanghai Xintiandi might seem a bit ostentatious. You’re free to take this as further proof of the Chinese hospitality industry’s maximalist tendencies — but don’t let it dissuade you from sampling the tasteful interior or the myriad comforts of the Langham’s impeccable service.

The atrium’s three-story chandelier is anything but subtle, but rest assured that the 357 guest rooms dial the opulence down quite a bit — it’s refreshing to discover that ultra-modern updates on traditional Chinese styles can be so vibrant. While not exactly a riot of color, the rooms present plenty of tasteful riffs on dark wood and lacquered surfaces. Bigger multi-level suites are unflaggingly luxurious, but they also provide welcome variation and a healthy dose of wit, with mod furniture, sleek work spaces and eye-catching carpets.

If you’re accustomed to staying in hotels of this caliber in this part of the world, you’re probably familiar with the hotel-within-a-hotel concept, and Langham Xintiandi’s Club section involves five floors of personalized attention from round-the-clock butlers. If you prefer an even more peaceful haven (understandable in such a stimulating city) the Chuan Spa offers a slew of masterful treatments. Of course, all the chill-out lounges and tri-bathing rituals in the world are no substitute for a stroll through a fascinating neighborhood, and Langham is situated right next to the Huaihai Road, otherwise known as the “Champs Élysées of the East.”

Travel advisory: Passport and visa requirements differ from country to country. Please check with your local authority before booking.