Hyatt on the Bund Shanghai Review 2026: Best Views
Planning a trip to Shanghai? Discover why Hyatt on the Bund is the ultimate 5-star hotel for stunning skyline views, great location, and budget luxury.
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Planning a trip to Shanghai? Discover why Hyatt on the Bund is the ultimate 5-star hotel for stunning skyline views, great location, and budget luxury.
Shanghai is easily one of the trendiest
travel destinations in China right now!
When you start looking for hotels for your Shanghai trip,
you might worry, "Aren't all 5-star hotels super expensive?"
It's a completely normal concern!
But today, I want to recommend a spot that is absolutely perfect if it's your first time in Shanghai,
or if you're looking for a hotel with a killer view!
This is a 5-star hotel, yet it's incredibly budget-friendly at in the low ~$130s range per night,
offering amazing value for money.
For comparison, even the popular hotels
around the East Nanjing Road area
currently run around ~$130 to ~$190 a night.
So if you can get it for the same price,
why not stay somewhere where you can enjoy Shanghai's stunning night views
right from your room and the rooftop bar? That's why I highly recommend Hyatt on the Bund!
After staying there myself, I completely understand why it's famous as a "view hotspot"...👍
+ Make sure to check out the insider tips below!
Location
It's located in the North Bund.
You might be wondering, "Where on earth is the North Bund?"
It's basically the end of the famous Bund where everyone goes to see the night view.
About 1 hour from Pudong Airport
A 15-minute walk from The Bund
It's a perfect location for those who dislike crowded spots,
and also a great choice for family trips!
Taxis are quite affordable in China, so you'll probably end up taking them a lot.
Since this area isn't overly congested,
getting a cab is super quick
and setting your pickup location is incredibly easy.
Grand Hyatt vs. Hyatt on the Bund
There are two highly recommended 5-star budget-friendly hotels in Shanghai
that constantly get compared:
namely Grand Hyatt and Hyatt on the Bund.
The Grand Hyatt is located in Pudong, offering views of the East Nanjing Road skyline.
On the other hand, Hyatt on the Bund is in the North Bund,
which gives you a direct, stunning view of Pudong—specifically the Oriental Pearl Tower!
I literally spent so much time agonizing over which view I wanted until the very last minute.
If you're torn between the two like I was,
and if your priority is a killer night view in a peaceful atmosphere,
Hyatt on the Bund is the perfect match for you.
Since Shanghai is so famous for its nightscapes,
if you're looking for a hotel with a view, this is definitely the place!
For the same dates, it was actually
about ~$32 cheaper per night (including tax) than the Grand Hyatt.
Personally, I felt the quality of the view was quite comparable,
so I decided to go with the more affordable option
and chose Hyatt on the Bund.
To be honest, it's hard to find another 5-star hotel in this price range
that is recently renovated, clean,
and delivers such a spectacular night view.
Rates can vary quite a bit depending on the dates,
so I recommend checking the prices for your travel dates first.
Check Hyatt on the Bund Prices <<
My Shanghai Hyatt on the Bund Review
We took the Maglev train from Pudong Airport,
got off at Longyang Road Station, and then took a taxi to the hotel.
Since Pudong Airport is quite far from downtown,
taking a taxi would have taken ages.
But taking the Maglev, the high-speed magnetic levitation train, into the city
ended up saving us both time and money!
We were assigned a room on the 23rd floor.
When booking, I had made a quick note requesting
a high floor with a great view.
It's always better to leave a note than not to,
so if you have a preference, definitely make a request!
Just so you know, they offer three main room views:
the standard River View, the Bund View, and the Pearl View.
Tip.
If seeing the Oriental Pearl Tower from your room is an absolute must, go for the Pearl View.
But if a general river view is perfectly fine,
you can save some budget and book the standard River View.
First, let's look at the view...
We booked the basic Superior Room,
and even the standard room has such a stunning, wide-open view.
If you're looking for a hotel with a spectacular view, I highly recommend this place!
Honestly, the reason we chose the basic Superior Room
was because the Pearl View was a bit pricey,
and I heard that if you get lucky,
you might still catch a glimpse of the Oriental Pearl Tower even from a standard room...
Unfortunately, we couldn't see the Oriental Pearl Tower from ours.
But since we knew that was a gamble,
I was still absolutely thrilled with this gorgeous view!
The room itself is spacious and tidy.
Honestly, I've rarely seen a cramped hotel room in China.
It's more than spacious enough for two people!
The mattress was huge and super comfortable, so we slept like babies.
Plus, since it's slightly away from the hectic center, there was absolutely zero noise.
The bathroom and toilet are separate.
I've stayed in quite a few hotels, but I don't think I've ever seen a layout like this before.
The closet and the toilet are in the same space! haha.
Ah, now that I think about it, the Park Hyatt Seoul in Gangnam had a similar setup.
The bathroom is marble, and the amenities are by Balmain.
The water pressure was great, and the hot water came out instantly.
I brought my own Dyson,
so I didn't actually use their hairdryer.
Just a heads-up: you might need an adapter plug for the bathroom,
so feel free to request one from the front desk if needed!
The room is equipped with an electric kettle, tea bags, coffee, and more,
and they provide two complimentary bottles of water every day.
Rooftop VUE BAR
When you travel to Shanghai,
you'll definitely want to catch the city lights from a scenic rooftop bar.
But once you try to go, the cover charges can be a bit steep,
and securing a good spot isn't easy either.
However, the VUE Bar on the 32nd floor of Hyatt on the Bund
offers free admission for hotel guests!
If you want to enjoy the night view in comfort, there's truly no better place.
Plus, you don't even need to stay in an expensive room to get this perk...
With benefits like this, you'd be missing out if you didn't go!
We headed up just thinking, "Let's check out the night view quickly!"
But the view was so stunningly beautiful
that we just stood there soaking it all in.
I actually regret not taking more photos because of how gorgeous it was!
The night lights turn off at 10 PM,
so I highly recommend heading up by 9 PM
to take it all in at a relaxed pace!
If you want to grab a cocktail while you're there,
keep in mind they run around ~$13 each!
Pricing & Booking
I actually visited during the off-season
and booked my stay in the early ~$130s per night.
Prices have gone up a bit since my visit,
and there are even days when Hyatt on the Bund
is pricier than the Grand Hyatt.
But overall, Hyatt on the Bund is usually the more budget-friendly option.
On weekends,
rates start in the late ~$180s
while the Pearl View rooms are in the ~$190s.
I recommend comparing rates on Agoda and Trip.com,
which are my personal go-to booking platforms.
Agoda offers plenty of free cancellation options,
whereas Trip.com often has lower rates but
comes with stricter cancellation and refund policies.
If your dates are set in stone, prioritize the best price!
If your plans are still up in the air, definitely go for a free cancellation option!
Based on a September Weekend
Agoda | Trip.com |
~$186~ | ~$186~ |
*Prices may vary depending on dates, room type, membership status, etc.
Other Amenities
I booked a room-only rate so I didn't get to try the breakfast,
but it’s a full buffet and has pretty solid reviews.
The room service also gets great feedback.
Since there's a nice table in the room,
it's the perfect spot to enjoy some food with a view...!
We actually ended up having McDonald’s as a midnight snack with this view 🤣
While it's slightly removed from the bustling city center,
it's quiet and super easy to hail a taxi—
making it ideal for first-time Shanghai travelers or family trips!
If you want to experience a jaw-dropping night view in Shanghai
at a completely reasonable price,
I absolutely recommend Hyatt on the Bund!
We recommend taking the Maglev train from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road Station, and then taking a taxi to the hotel. This method saves time and money getting to the city center, and the total travel time is about 1 hour.
To guarantee a clear view of the Oriental Pearl Tower from your room, you must book a Pearl View room. Basic rooms like River View or Bund View might offer a glimpse if you're lucky, but generally, there is a high chance you won't be able to see the tower.
Guests staying at Hyatt on the Bund can enter the 32nd-floor VUE Bar for free, and cocktails cost around ~$13 per glass. Since Shanghai's night lights turn off at 10 PM, it's best to visit by 9 PM at the latest.
Grand Hyatt is located in Pudong, offering a night view towards Nanjing East Road. On the other hand, Hyatt on the Bund is located in the North Bund, allowing you to enjoy the night view towards Pudong and the Oriental Pearl Tower.
During the off-peak season, reservations can be made starting around ~$128. On weekends, basic rooms start from around ~$179. Pearl View rooms, which offer a view of the Oriental Pearl Tower, are priced around ~$192.
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