W Shanghai – The Bund: Exploring Its Avant-Garde Spirit
In the heart of a perpetually vibrant Shanghai, W Shanghai – The Bund stands out as one of the city's most captivating addresses. With spectacular views over the Huangpu River, avant-garde design and an unmistakably urban energy, the hotel reinvents hospitality with a bold style that mirrors the modern soul of the North Bund. Here, every space tells a story about the metropolis: its cosmopolitan heritage, its futuristic aesthetic and its innate sense of spectacle. Staying at W Shanghai means immersing yourself in a creative, vibrant experience where luxury is expressed through personality and emotion above all else.
An Exceptional Location on the North Bund
Perched on the North Bund, the W Shanghai – The Bund enjoys a strategic location in one of Shanghai's most promising districts. Close to the famous Bund promenade yet slightly removed from its busiest area, the hotel sits where major avenues, Art Deco buildings and traditional Chinese houses intersect. Set between Suzhou Creek and the Huangpu River, it offers endless waterfront views and places guests at the heart of a cosmopolitan, futuristic city whose energy, nightlife and creativity perfectly resonate with the W brand's spirit. Opened in 2017, the hotel attracts travellers and locals alike seeking a modern, electrifying experience.
An Immersive and Avant-Garde Stage Design
Designed by G.A Design, W Shanghai – The Bund fully embodies the Hai Pai aesthetic, blending old and new, East and West. The hotel reveals a universe where bold design and fashion-infused accents intertwine with elegance, creating a constant dialogue between Shanghai's historical heritage and its futuristic energy. This approach results in a sequence of immersive spaces where contemporary daring and subtle opulence shape an instantly recognisable atmosphere.
From the moment they arrive, visitors step into a décor inspired by the city's traditional alleyways: the Living Room glows with neon installations reinterpreting the poetic chaos of the Lilong, where hanging laundry and fluorescent signs form an emblematic urban scene. The Welcome Desk continues this narrative with a kaleidoscopic light fixture evoking the perpetual movement of travellers. Through these carefully orchestrated details, the hotel becomes a multifaceted icon telling the story of Shanghai: its colonial glamour, its avant-garde creativity and its multifaceted identity. Each space captures the fascinating essence of a metropolis constantly reinventing itself.
Rooms Designed to Dazzle
W Shanghai – The Bund offers 374 elegant rooms and suites, each thoughtfully designed to reflect a blend of contemporary sophistication and reimagined Mandarin inspirations. Thanks to the building's curved façade, nearly every accommodation provides a spectacular view over the Huangpu River, revealing Pudong's iconic skyline at any hour of the day. Interiors combine flashy colours with modern lines. Each room features large adjustable-opacity windows, a Nespresso machine, and the brand's signature W bed, adorned with an ultra-fun xiaolongbao-shaped cushion and soft chopstick-shaped pillows — an irresistible nod to local culture.
Among these spaces, we stayed in a Spectacular Room, perfectly named for its breathtaking view. Ideally positioned, it offers a wide panorama of the city, captivating both by day and by night. True to W's playful and design-driven spirit, this room combines elegance with whimsical touches. It beautifully reflects the hotel's DNA: a place where style, comfort and unforgettable views come together to create a memorable experience.
Gastronomy
W Shanghai – The Bund offers a gastronomic scene as eclectic as it is sophisticated, spread across five restaurants and bars, each reflecting a distinct facet of the hotel's vibrant identity. The Kitchen Table, inspired by a modern New York bistro, provides a bright and welcoming atmosphere. Its open kitchen, a true culinary theatre, highlights comforting dishes revisited with local flair, celebrating the richness of Shanghai's produce. Here, guests enjoy seemingly simple recipes executed with contemporary precision, paying homage to the gastronomic heritage of a city shaped by international exchanges. It is also where breakfast is served, featuring both local specialties and international favourites.
The journey continues at LIQUID, an intimate speakeasy where the spirit of Shanghai's roaring twenties is reborn. This bar attracts with its cosy ambience, dim lighting and artisanal creations imagined by the “Cocktail Professor”. Guests discover complex cocktails inspired by the city's Golden Age, blending modern techniques with vintage flavours. As the evening progresses, the atmosphere becomes more vibrant at WOOBAR, W's iconic lounge. By day, it is an elegant, relaxing space; by night, it transforms into an electrifying bar animated by renowned DJs — perfect for meeting Shanghai's trendiest crowd and enjoying creative cocktails.
For more laid-back moments, WET® Bar completes the experience with a tropical, carefree atmosphere. Located near the outdoor pool and featuring its own food truck, it is the ideal place to enjoy finger food, fresh salads, reinvented snacks and frozen cocktails, all with panoramic skyline views.
Dinner at YEN: Tradition Reinvented
At the centre of this culinary constellation stands YEN, which embodies W's most accomplished gastronomic vision. The restaurant celebrates the cuisines of Jiangnan and Canton while reinventing them with a contemporary approach. Under the direction of Chef Alan Li, each dish becomes a meeting point between tradition and modernity: modern techniques, signature ingredients, sophisticated presentations and flavours deeply rooted in Chinese terroir.
We had the pleasure of dining at YEN and chose the Taste From YEN menu, a true gastronomic symphony where each dish unfolds as a delicately orchestrated movement. The first composition presents four refined bites, conceived as an artistic introduction to the restaurant's culinary style. The perfectly smooth, glossy cube of foie gras leads the way with its rich creaminess, awakened by a touch of fruit popping candy — a playful, unexpected contrast. Next, the yellow croaker elevated with sturgeon roe seduces with its clean elegance. Its delicate flesh, accompanied by crisp, salty pearls, celebrates a signature ingredient of the region's fine dining. Then comes marinated chicken jelly with wine, a translucent amber medallion whose layered texture evokes traditional preparations revisited with modern finesse. Finally, the red wine pear bite with champagne jelly closes the sequence on a sweeter note, combining fruity softness, gentle acidity and effervescent aroma.
To complement the menu, we enjoyed an assortment of steamed buns, served in their traditional bamboo basket. Their varied colours hint at an even richer play of flavours: the wagyu xiaolongbao reveals a melting filling with an intensely marbled taste; the truffle version, dark and aromatic, releases a deep, earthy broth; the fermented tofu bun offers an audacious umami touch, while the pork version pays tribute to Shanghainese tradition with its savoury, perfectly seasoned juices. With each bite, the broth bursts, the dough remains tender and the craftsmanship becomes unmistakable.
The double-boiled chicken soup continues this ascent in elegance with a broth of remarkable clarity. Its golden hue hints at the aromatic depth achieved through slow, meticulous cooking. A thin slice of ham resting on top provides a lightly smoky note, while a bok choy leaf introduces vegetal freshness. At the bottom, a piece of tender chicken, a silky pigeon egg and a fragrant matsutake mushroom reveal their flavours.
The next dish showcases a beautifully presented king prawn. Perfectly cooked, the royal prawn maintains a pearly, firm texture. It rests on a velvety steamed egg base, while a lush green preparation, finely blended, surrounds the ensemble with subtle vegetal notes. A droplet of balsamic vinegar placed on top adds just the right touch of acidity to balance the dish's gentle sweetness.
A refined land-sea duo follows: the braised 5-head abalone, cooked to exceptional tenderness, offers a firm texture and iodized flavour enhanced by a glossy sauce with deep umami notes. Juicy, delicately smoked pigeon meat creates a surprising yet harmonious counterpoint to the abalone. A julienne of scallion adds fresh vegetal brightness, while a second piece of abalone served in its shell further intensifies the aromatic richness. This dish epitomises YEN's high standards: technical mastery, delicate balance and the selection of outstanding ingredients.
A small circular grill then reveals the honey-glazed Spanish barbecued pork, lacquered to perfection. The Spanish meat, tender and juicy, is wrapped in a fragrant honey glaze forming a shiny, aromatic coating. Caramelised pineapple adds gentle sweetness, while a small broccoli sprout brings colour and freshness. It is a luxurious reinterpretation of char siu — generous, refined and irresistible.
The fried rice that follows, humble in appearance, demonstrates how simplicity can reach great sophistication. Each grain is perfectly separated, infused with the deep aroma of black truffle. Tender, flavourful beef intertwines with finely diced vegetables, offering a precise and balanced ensemble. Warm, fragrant and exquisite, this fried rice beautifully concludes the savoury portion of the menu.
Finally, dessert brings a moment of wonder. The carp-shaped yoghurt pudding, delicately moulded into a koi fish, appears to float in a milky “water” of yoghurt pudding. The realism of the moulding, the touches of colour, the silky texture and the subtle acidity create a gentle, poetic finale.
Between Energy and Relaxation
W Shanghai – The Bund brings together everything needed for a complete well-being escape. The spacious, fully equipped FIT gym allows guests to work out at any time while enjoying inspiring city views. After exercise, the AWAY® Spa offers a calm, modern refuge for targeted treatments or pure relaxation. The aquatic complex includes an indoor WET® pool, perfect for peaceful laps, and an outdoor pool on the WET® Deck, which reveals a stunning panorama of the Pudong skyline. Whether to exercise, unwind or admire the view, every space creates a harmonious balance of energy, relaxation and design.
My Review
W Shanghai – The Bund unveils a singular vision of hospitality shaped by vibrant creativity and a contemporary interpretation of Shanghai's soul. Enhanced by exceptional views, immersive design that tells the city's story differently and an audacious culinary scene, the hotel offers an experience where every moment carries a distinct energy. Its unique blend of spectacle, sophistication and freedom is the true strength of W Shanghai.
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Practical Information
A big thank you to W Shanghai – The Bund, Shanghai, for the invitation to discover their property. Of course, I remain fully free in the opinions expressed in this article!
