The PuLi

It’s the city of the future, Shanghai — lucky, then, that its hotels, as a class, have quickly joined the ranks of the best in the world. For a little evidence supporting that proposition one need look no further than the PuLi Hotel and Spa. Where one might expect another outpost of the established big-luxury chains, we find the flagship of a new group, the prosaically named Urban Resort Concepts — they’re saving the poetry, it seems, for the product itself.

At least there’s no chance of missing the point of what kind of experience it’s meant to provide. The 26-story tower takes care of the urban part, and the sophisticated interiors of the guest rooms, with their clean lines and muted colors, point towards the PuLi’s city origins. Physical luxuries abound, and the rooms’ electronic amenities keep guests feeling as wired as can be.

Its resort credentials, however, aren’t really in question either — the hotel’s wellness center is as extensive as any full-service health club, and the spa is run by Anantara, an outfit with a fair bit of expertise in such matters. And even the views contribute, in their way; in the distance is the Shanghai skyline, but the more immediate vistas are of the green and leafy JingAn park.

How to get there:
The PuLi is approximately a 20-minute drive from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and a 45-minute drive from Shanghai Pudong International Airport.