The 270-room Fairmont Peace Hotel is a gem of a luxury property situated in a prime spot on the Bund overlooking the Huangpu River. It's close to shopping on Nanjing Road, and the metro is nearby, too. The hotel dates back to 1929 and still retains many of its gorgeous Art Deco features, but has been modernized with contemporary extras like a pool and spa. Rooms and suites are spacious and beautifully decorated, and some have outstanding city views. Butlers are available in higher-category rooms. Dining is exceptional at two fine-dining spots, and the famed Jazz Bar has been serving up cocktails and live music for decades. For a more modern luxurious experience in Shanghai, travelers could check out the Mandarin Oriental Pudong, which is housed in a 25-story glass high-rise.  

The luxury Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai is situated on the historic Bund and showcases epic views of the Pudong skyline. Decor throughout manages to be both minimalistic and warm, and its 168 rooms (which include 43 suites) feature parquet floors, high-end furnishings, and lots of amenities like bluetooth-connected speakers, minibars, espresso machines with Illy coffee, and rainfall showers. The hotel's restaurant, which feels more like a swanky living room, serves up lunch, dinner, and drinks, plus a free daily breakfast buffet with Eastern and Asian dishes. There's also a stylish 24-hour lounge with free coffee, tea, and snacks and a chic, spacious gym with modern cardio equipment and space for yoga. The Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund adds extras that this hotel lacks -- like a pool and parking -- but it tends to be pricier.

The 280-room Central Hotel Shanghai is a four-pearl option with an excellent location just off Nanjing Road. Guests can walk to numerous restaurants, shops, and bars, as well as major attractions such as the Bund, People's Square, and Shanghai Museum. Rooms are spacious and modern, and come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea kettles. Two restaurants serve Western and Chinese fare, including a breakfast buffet, and there's a bar in the lobby. Leisure options are surprisingly diverse here and include a fitness center, billiards, indoor mini-golf, karaoke, and massage and salon services. Seven meeting rooms accommodate business and leisure gatherings. Travelers who would prefer to be even closer to the Bund could check out the Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai, but rates are a little higher.