Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai

The Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai, a distinguished Michelin Two-Keys property, consistently garners high praise for its exceptional blend of Italian luxury and Shanghainese elegance. This award signifies the hotel's outstanding design, service, amenities, and overall guest experience, placing it among the world's finest hotels.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus among guests is overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 9.5 out of 10 on Trip.com and 8.7 on Agoda. Reviewers frequently describe their stays as "fantastic," "outstanding," "luxurious," and "unforgettable." The hotel is often referred to as the "pinnacle of luxury hotels in Shanghai."

Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai for several standout features:

• Exceptional Service: The attentive and thoughtful service, often highlighted by personalized touches like custom luggage tags and anniversary arrangements, is a recurring theme in reviews.
• Stunning Design & Ambiance: The hotel beautifully marries Italian heritage with Chinese inspiration, featuring a blend of dark woods, neutral monochromes, Italian marble, and Chinese-style silk wall art. The meticulously restored Shanghai Chamber of Commerce building, alongside the modern tower, creates a unique atmosphere.
• Breathtaking Views: Many guests emphasize the incredible views of the Bund, the Huangpu River, and the Pudong skyline, especially at night. La Terrazza rooftop bar is particularly noted for its 360-degree vistas.
• World-Class Amenities: The luxurious spa, well-maintained gym, and a 25-meter indoor pool with resort-style cabanas are frequently praised. Complimentary yoga mats and MOMODESIGN carbon-fiber bikes are also available.

Room Quality

The 82 rooms and 19 suites are described as plush, comfortable, spacious, and bright, offering a "home-away-from-home" vibe. Key features include:

• Elegant Design: A palette of cream, amber, and velvety merlot, offset by teak wood and dark lacquer furniture, creates an elegant and artistic feel.
• Luxurious Comfort: Guests rave about the incredibly comfortable bedding and luxurious Italian linens.
• Spacious Bathrooms: Immense marble bathrooms feature dual vanities, Bvlgari toiletries, and Toto smart toilets.
• Modern Technology: Rooms are equipped with smart panels for controlling the environment, large flat screens, and multiple charging points.
• Thoughtful Touches: Welcome amenities, personalized luggage tags, and nightly "goodnight tea" are often mentioned as delightful details.

While generally well-maintained, one guest did note that a room appeared "a bit older" with a dark closet. Views vary, so booking a river-view room is recommended for the iconic Bund and Pudong skyline.

Dining Experience

The Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai offers a stellar culinary experience:

• Il Ristorante – Niko Romito: This Italian restaurant on the 47th floor is highly recommended and has held a Michelin star since 2018. Guests praise the haute Italian cuisine and attentive service.
• Bao Li Xuan: Located in the restored Chamber of Commerce building, this Cantonese fine-dining restaurant received a Michelin star in the 2020 guide for its art-on-a-plate dim sum and other specialties.
• Breakfast: The set menu breakfast, often enjoyed with an "unbeatable river view," is described as delightful and plentiful, offering both Shanghainese and Western options. Room service breakfast is also available.
• Other Outlets: The hotel also features Il Bar on the 47th floor for amazing vistas, The Whisky Bar for after-dinner drinks, The Lounge, and a Bvlgari chocolate shop. Afternoon tea with generous caviar is noted, although some found the champagne a bit "stingy."

Service & Staff

The service at Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai is consistently described as "absolutely fantastic," "truly excellent," and "exceptional." Guests frequently highlight the warmth, professionalism, attentiveness, and thoughtfulness of the staff. Specific examples of outstanding service include:

• Personalized assistance from concierges and butlers (e.g., Cecilia, Karl, Jack, Nancy, Wendy).
• Arranging anniversary setups.
• Proactive offers of towels, water, and assistance in the gym.
• Personalized room arrangements by room service staff who learn guest habits.
• Unpacking services and Berluti shoe shine services.
• Concierge available via WeChat.

Location & Accessibility

The hotel boasts an "excellent location" as part of the Suhe Creek riverside redevelopment project, situated alongside the Suzhou River and a few blocks from the Bund.

• Views: It offers some of the best locations in Shanghai for observing the city from above, with panoramic views of the Bund and Pudong skyline.
• Nearby Attractions: It is surrounded by art spaces, parks, and designer boutiques. The hotel is also conveniently located near metro stations (Tiantong Road, East Nanjing Road), making it easy to access popular attractions like the Pedestrian Street of East Nanjing Road, People's Square, and Yu Garden.
• Accessibility: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 15.9 km away. The hotel offers airport transfer services.

Value & Pricing

While the Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai commands a premium price, with an average room rate around $860 compared to Shanghai's average of $100, guests generally consider it "more than justified by the unparalleled level of sophistication, opulence, and world-class amenities." Reviewers often state it is "worth it" for the luxurious experience.

Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor criticisms have been noted:

• Champagne with Afternoon Tea: One guest found the champagne for afternoon tea to be "a bit stingy."
• Room Age/Dark Closet: A comment mentioned a room feeling "a bit older" with a closet that was "too dark."
• Bund View Expectation: One guest noted that their booked "Bund view" was slightly different from what they imagined, with the iconic skyscrapers visible but "off in the corner of the room."
• Gym Size/Equipment: The gym was described by one guest as "a bit small" with "not very comprehensive" equipment for strength training, though the trainer's attentiveness was appreciated.
• Restaurant Booking: Due to high demand, securing suitable times or tables at the hotel's popular dining venues can be challenging for in-house guests, suggesting booking in advance is advisable.

Sources

1. bulgarihotels.com
2. trip.com
3. agoda.com
4. trip.com
5. forbestravelguide.com
6. youtube.com
7. travelandleisureasia.com
8. booking.com
9. expedia.com