The Heart of La-Di-Da Shanghai

Shanghai can be utterly toxic. The secondhand smoke of a thousand cigarettes. The heart-stopping cholesterol of braised pork belly. The ear-splitting chainsaw buzz of piledrivers at all hours. Champagne hangovers. What's an urban nomad to do? The Answer? The PuLi Hotel in Shanghai. In calling itself Shanghai's first luxury urban retreat, this oasis offers a crash pad and cure-all in one. Newly opened, the hotel declares itself, the first luxury hotel of its kind in Shanghai. A new Urban Resort Concept that blends the immediacy and convenience of being in Shanghai's most central location with the quiet, emotional indulgences of a peaceful, luxurious resort," according to it's media materials. And we would have to say, we heartily agree. This is a world apart. Coming home from the busy city felt like coming into an embrace.

The PuLi creates the atmosphere and aesthetics of an exclusive Shanghai club. The kind of place where a visiting rock star might be found sipping scotch in between performances. The wine cellar, is an extravagant wood and glass box bathed in Veuve Clicquot-label orange light. If you want to experience a clublike atmosphere in Shanghai, find someone who belongs to a one and charm them into submission. The next best thing might be a couple of nights at The PuLi.

The hotel overlooks the parks and is in walking distance of a half-dozen interesting boutiques; it's hard to imagine a nicer setting. Rooms on floor 12 and higher, from both inside and outside, boast a dynamic view energy as far as the eye can see. The Wi-Fi worked flawlessly (as it did throughout the hotel). Turndown services included artisanal chocolate and a bottle of wine. Divine.

Lighting is Everything

My large room a deluxe studio thanks to an unrequested upgrade was big. I could confidently cartwheel from one end to the other without hitting the walls. The decor is done in a tranquil palette of gray, beige and dark wood. Double-paned windows, true pitch black out blinds, a plush built in sofa shut out the clamor of Shanghai. Instead of traditional lamps, the designers cleverly employed illuminated panels and indirect sources notably cool curved sconces in the bathroom to conjure a soft, uniform light. The effect is serene and lovely. The lighting is one of the best parts of the room. The bed, laundered with gorgeous white sheets, was exceptionally comfortable, thanks to an integrity mattress and a heavy duvet. We love the open concept of the room and bathroom, with the tub by the window open space the layout creates.

Chic Common Spaces

On the ground level we quickly fell in love with the Library, pictured above. Fabulous selecting for the bibliophile on the road. The steam and sauna rooms are absolutely stunning. Stretch aching limbs in our lap infinity pool with views over JingAn Park. The chic contemporary spaces show a careful dedication to soundproofing, lighting and comfort. Cheerful service adds to the cozy vibe. When it's time to re-tox, you can hit the attractive Long Bar in the lobby. With glowing projections and minimalist slate, it's very fashionable place for a cozy tete a tete. A forward thinking apsect of The PuLi is that the breakfast and minibar are included in your stay. And in the nickle-and-dime local hotel culture in Asia, this is refreshing to say the least.

THE BEST PART

The best part of The PuLi may be the Anantara Spa. The PuLi Hotel spa and wellness area exudes the same sense of luxury that pervades the entire hotel and entices you inside its home for a complete experience of indulgence and pampering. A superbly equipped state of the art gymnasium and the hotel's Spa, operated by award-winning Anantara Spa Group, is available to all hotel residents. We enjoyed a seventh heaven facial and floated for hours after the Signature Massage.

Of course, detox services aren't hard-core or obligatory a blessing or a cop-out depending on your perspective but the spa remains a hidden gem. True to the hotel's commitment to maintaining a sense of place in its product, the spa's treatment range retains a strong sense of culture and context to the destination. Five treatment suites, fully equipped with steam and shower rooms are available for individuals or couples.

The PuLi Hotel and Spa
1 ChangDe Road,
JingAn District
Shanghai 200040 China
T +86 21 3203 9999
F +86 21 3251 8989

By Si Si Penaloza, Editorial Director, WOMAN.ca

Si Si Penaloza
		About the author:
		Si Si has cultivated strong ties with editors, producers and publishers at all major Canadian media outlets. She is a seasoned print, radio and broadcast specialist. Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Bowdoin College in Maine, Si Si moved to Manhattan to study Film at New York University. Her strengths lie in contextualizing relevant content for a broad audience. She's driven to stay competitive and at the top of the market - commissioning exclusive features and launching bold initiatives.
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