Hyatt on the Bund Shanghai Review: Best Views
Planning a trip to Shanghai? Discover why Hyatt on the Bund is the ultimate affordable 5-star hotel, offering jaw-dropping skyline views without the crowds.
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Planning a trip to Shanghai? Discover why Hyatt on the Bund is the ultimate affordable 5-star hotel, offering jaw-dropping skyline views without the crowds.
The absolute hottest travel destination
right now: Shanghai, China!
When you start searching for hotels for your Shanghai trip,
you might worry that 5-star hotels are way too expensive.
It’s a super common concern!
But this is a spot I highly recommend, especially if it’s your first time in Shanghai
or if you’re looking for a hotel with a killer view!
Even for a 5-star hotel, it is surprisingly affordable,
starting around the early ~$130s per night.
It's incredibly cost-effective!
To put it in perspective, the hotels near East Nanjing Road
where most tourists choose to stay
currently run around ~$130 to ~$190 a night.
If you can pay the same price, I’d much rather recommend
the Hyatt on the Bund Shanghai, where you can soak in the gorgeous skyline
right from your room and the rooftop bar!
After staying here myself, I totally get why it has a reputation
as the ultimate view hotspot...👍
+ Check out my pro tips below!
Location
It's located in the North Bund.
You might wonder, "Where on earth is the North Bund?"
It is basically the edge of the classic Bund area where everyone goes to see the night views.
About 1 hour from Pudong Airport
A 15-minute walk from The Bund
It's the perfect location for anyone who dislikes overcrowded areas,
and it’s a great spot for family trips too!
Since taxi fares are relatively cheap in China, you'll probably end up taking them a lot.
Because this area isn't overly congested,
taxis are super easy to hail
and setting your drop-off/pickup location is a breeze.
Grand Hyatt vs. Hyatt on the Bund
There are two hotels that always get mentioned
as the best value-for-money 5-star hotels in Shanghai:
Grand Hyatt and Hyatt on the Bund.
Grand Hyatt is in Pudong, so your night view looks towards East Nanjing Road.
Hyatt on the Bund is in the North Bund,
so you get a direct view of Pudong and the Oriental Pearl Tower.
I seriously agonized over the view until the very last minute.
If you're torn between the two like I was,
and if the night skyline is your top priority and you prefer a more peaceful vibe,
Hyatt on the Bund is the perfect match.
Since Shanghai is so famous for its night views,
if you want a room with a view, this is definitely the place!
For the exact same dates, it was actually
about ~$32 cheaper per night (including tax) than the Grand Hyatt.
In my opinion, the quality of the view was pretty comparable,
so I decided to go with the more budget-friendly option
and chose the Hyatt on the Bund.
Honestly, there aren't many hotels in this price range
that are 5-star, newly renovated and super clean,
and offer such a stunning night view.
Prices can fluctuate quite a bit depending on the date,
so I highly recommend checking the rates for your dates first.
Check Hyatt on the Bund Rates Here <<
My Review of Hyatt on the Bund Shanghai
We took the Maglev train from Pudong Airport,
got off at Longyang Road Station, and took a taxi straight to the hotel.
Since Pudong Airport is quite a distance from downtown,
it probably would have taken ages if we had just taken a taxi.
But taking the Maglev (the high-speed magnetic levitation train) to the city center,
we ended up saving both time and money!
We were assigned a room on the 23rd floor.
When booking, I made a request in advance
asking for a high floor and a great view.
It's always better to leave a note than not,
so if you have any preferences, make sure to leave a request!
Just for reference, there are three main room views here: the standard River View,
and then the Bund View and Pearl View.
Tip.
If you absolutely must see the Oriental Pearl Tower from your room,
go for the Pearl View;
but if a standard river view is plenty for you,
you can just choose the great-value standard room.
First of all, let's look at this view...
We booked the basic Superior Room,
and even the most basic room has such an incredible, wide-open view like this.
If you are looking for a hotel with a stunning view,
I highly, highly recommend this place!!
To be honest, the reason we chose the basic Superior Room
was because the Pearl View was a bit expensive, and
I heard that if you get lucky, you might even be able to see
the Oriental Pearl Tower from the standard room...
Unfortunately, we couldn't see the Oriental Pearl Tower,
but we knew that might be the case when booking,
so I was still completely satisfied with this view!
The room was spacious and clean—
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,
and since it wasn't right in the noisy center, there was absolutely zero noise.
The toilet and the bathroom are separate,
and although I've stayed at quite a few hotels, I think this is the first time seeing a layout like this!
The closet and the toilet area are connected haha.
Oh, come to think of it, the Park Hyatt Seoul in Gangnam had a similar setup.
The bathroom is done in marble, and the amenities are from Balmain.
The water pressure was great and the hot water worked perfectly.
I brought my own Dyson hair dryer,
so I didn't actually use the hotel's hair dryer,
but keep in mind you might need an adapter for the bathroom outlet,
so feel free to ask the front desk if you need one.
The room also comes with an electric kettle, tea bags, coffee, and more,
and they replenish two bottles of complimentary water daily.
Rooftop VUE BAR
When you travel to Shanghai,
you'll definitely want to catch the city lights from a scenic rooftop bar,
but the cover charges can be quite pricey to begin with,
and snagging a good spot is no easy task either.
But the VUE Bar on the 32nd floor of Hyatt on the Bund
offers free entry to all hotel guests,
making it the absolute best place to enjoy the night views in total comfort!
Plus, you don't even need to book an expensive room to get in...
With a perk like this, you'd honestly be missing out if you didn't go.
We headed up thinking, "Let's just catch a quick glimpse of the city lights!"
but the view was so much more stunning than we expected.
While we fully soaked it all in with our eyes,
I actually regret not taking way more photos.
The night view lights shut off at 10 PM,
so I highly recommend heading up by 9 PM
to relax and take it all in!
If you want to grab a cocktail while you're there,
keep in mind they are around ~$13 a drink!
Rates & Booking
During the off-season, I actually booked
my stay in the early ~$130s per night.
Rates 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 tends to be the more budget-friendly option.
On weekends, bookings start
from the late ~$180s,
and the Pearl View rooms are in the ~$190s.
I recommend checking both Agoda and Trip.com,
which are my personal go-to booking sites.
Agoda offers plenty of free cancellation options,
while Trip.com sometimes has lower rates
but with stricter cancellation and refund policies.
If your dates are set in stone, go for the best price!
If your plans are still up in the air, definitely look for a free cancellation option!
Based on a September Weekend
Agoda | Trip.com |
From ~$186 | From ~$186 |
*Rates may vary depending on dates, room type, membership status, etc.
Other Amenities & Facilities
I didn't get to try the breakfast since I booked a room-only rate,
but it's a full buffet style and has pretty solid reviews.
The room service also gets great reviews!
Since there’s a nice table in the room,
it's the perfect setup to enjoy a meal with a view...!
As for us, we ended up having McDonald's as a late-night snack in front of this gorgeous view 🤣
While it’s slightly away from the bustling city center,
it’s delightfully quiet and super easy to hail a cab,
making it perfect for first-time Shanghai travelers or family trips!
If you want to experience an epic night view in Shanghai
at a 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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