Exploring Asia

China: Retreat by the River

Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund makes a wonderful haven in the heart of the lively and vivacious city, a perfect combination of sleek design, great facilities and unrivalled service.

Amidst one of the world’s busiest and most buzzing cities, Shanghai, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts group has opened a revitalising oasis by launching Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund. Proving successful in Bangkok, Seoul and Macau, the group decided to incorporate the urban resort concept in Shanghai, a city filled with unique culture, history and vibrant energy, providing a luxury destination.

Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund is part of the happening Above The Bund Urban Complex Project, which also comprises Plaza Above The Bund, Above The Bund, Bund Luxury Consumption and the Luxury Yacht Club. The resort’s prestigious location along the waterfront of the Huangpu River in the city’s popular Bund district allows guests to enjoy the panoramic cosmopolitan view from the comfort of their rooms – including the legendary promenades of the Bund and Lujiazui financial district’s striking skyscrapers. Add to that the luxurious accommodation, impeccable service, top-notch facilities and most importantly, the warm Asian hospitality, and it’s no surprise that the resort has become a popular urban destination in the dynamic city.

Spanning over 12 storeys, every one of the sophisticated 130 rooms – which include 24 suites – boasts a river view visible from the large French windows that can open out onto the broad Bund waterway. The rooms are spacious too, with the smallest starting from 60sq.m., and beautifully adorned to portray its natural surroundings, with classy neutral fabrics and lavish wood furnishing and interiors. The pièce de résistance of the room is the spa-inspired romantic dipping pool, an opulent relaxation spot blessed with a view of the Huangpu River.

Each room comes with Banyan Tree’s signature bath amenities, a state-of-the-art bathroom with a gorgeous soaking bath, marble-top double sink and a glass front that looks through the bedroom, high-speed wired and wireless internet access, multimedia operator panel, in-room movies, music selection, Nespresso coffee machine and tea-making facilities, among others. And in the true Banyan Tree fashion, guests can find six different pillows and therapeutic oils renewed daily in the room.

The suites are even more supreme, with the Riverside Suite spanning from 123 to 128sq.m., complete with an expansive living and dining area. The Grand Bund Suite has a large foyer and separate living and study areas, not to mention the 180-degree unobstructed view of the Bund. Meanwhile, The Banyan Suite beams elegance with its elevated location on level 12. Spanning over two storeys, this retreat includes one bedroom, living and dining rooms, and the exclusive 24-hour Banyan Tree Host service.

While Shanghai is an alluring city to explore, Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund will make you feel such comfort that it’s hard to leave the premises. On the dining front, the city resort has four restaurants and bars that can cater to your every gastronomic need. The all-day Oceans restaurant serves lavish breakfasts in the morning, and lavish set and à la carte menus for lunch, before transforming into a sophisticated fine-dining destination in the evening with dishes like shucked oysters and Champagne.

For authentic Cantonese fare, head to Ming Yuan and savour its innovative Chinese delicacies and more global specialities. Also blessed with scenic river views, the fine-dining destination offers private rooms with exclusive terraces to enhance your dining experience. Within the restaurant, diners can also find the sumptuous Tai Hei serving meticulously prepared Japanese sashimi and sushi.

The Banyan Lounge serves as an all-day dining joint, an intimate sanctuary to have a relaxing afternoon tea, and an atmospherically elegant bar serving tea-based and herb-based cocktails and other nightcaps. Meanwhile, TOPS rooftop bar takes pride in its impressive collection of home-distilled flavours, and vantage point for the Pudong and Puxi skyline.

Last but not least, the resort’s pride and joy, Banyan Tree Spa, is ready to pamper guests with a holistic sensory experience inspired by Asian healing traditions. Taking over three storeys of the resort, Banyan Tree Spa has 11 delicate treatment rooms, and hair and nail salons. The therapists are professionally trained at the Banyan Tree Spa Academy, which is famed for its top reputation around the world. Should you need to get your daily exercise fix, the resort’s 760sq.m. Health Club has a gym with state-of-the-art exercise machines, a yoga studio, an indoor swimming pool and three relaxation pools.