Fairmont Peace Hotel On The Bund, Shanghai
The Fairmont Peace Hotel is an iconic Art Deco masterpiece located right on the Bund in Shanghai. Originally opened in 1929 as the Cathay Hotel, it was commissioned by the wealthy businessman Sir Victor Sassoon. With its distinctive green-copper pyramid roof, the building served as the glamorous playground for high society, famously hosting celebrities like Charlie Chaplin and writers like Noël Coward during the city’s 1930s golden era.
The hotel is celebrated for its opulent interior design, featuring an octagonal marble lobby, original Lalique decorative art, and intricate silver murals. A major three-year restoration completed in 2010 meticulously preserved these historic details while integrating modern luxury. Today, it houses its own museum, which offers guided tours to help guests explore its fascinating heritage and artifacts.
One of the hotel’s most legendary features is its Jazz Bar, home to a world-famous, long-standing senior jazz band that keeps the music of the 1930s alive nightly. Guests can also visit the “national suites,” which were once uniquely decorated to represent different countries, reflecting the global flair of the original Sassoon House.
Its location at the entrance of the bustling Nanjing Road pedestrian strip makes it perfectly placed for sightseeing. You are just steps away from the Huangpu River promenade, with easy access to cultural sites like the Shanghai Museum and the historic Yu Garden. It remains a quintessential symbol of Shanghai’s past and present grandeur.
Expert reviews
“One of the city’s most iconic hotels, the Fairmont Peace is cast in the warm, subdued tints of a bygone era. Expect all the luxuries of a top-class establishment, with rooms decked out in art deco elegance, from light fixtures down to coffee tables.”
“The landmark Fairmont Peace Hotel has a long history in Shanghai — Charlie Chaplin started a scandal when he visited with his unmarried female companion and Noël Coward wrote Private Lives here.”
“Shanghai’s Peace Hotel, the epicentre of the city’s Thirties hedonism, retains the swinging elegance of that era, but a sensitive £50m facelift has created a luxury hotel for the modern era: a calm and comfortable refuge from the lively Bund below. It is unique in a country not graced with historic properties.”
What guests liked
- Spacious rooms
- Friendly staff
- Historic hotel
- Great location
- Comfortable beds
Location
Recent guest reviews
16 March 2026
The one to pick for Shanghai sightseeing
This is the so-called number 1 hotel in China from the historical perspective so we decided to stay there when visiting Shanghai for F1 Grand Prix. It goes without saying the location is at the hub of Shanghai, right next to 外灘 and 南京路. The subway station is also 2 blocks away within walking distance. The servants and concierge staff are top-notched, very experienced, friendly, and enthusiastic in helping. The dinner at 龍鳳廳 is a must-have if you're into Shanghainese cuisine. There is a museum inside the hotel demonstrating the history of this hotel that accommodated many presidents and leaders from all over the world since the 1920s.
The interior has wear-and-tear here and there, though they manage to keep it pretty clean. The jazz band (recommended by the hotel) is overrated (a a bit overpriced for their performance).
16 March 2026
Great stay, would stay again.
Great central location, historical building, great service
view from room wasn't great, should have upgraded to a higher floor/ river view
1 February 2026
Excellent location by the river with great jazz entertainment
Location and staff
Nothing
26 January 2026
10/10 stay. Location is the best in Shanghai and has so much history and class
Amazing hotel, location and heritage.
Facilities could be a bit newer for price
18 January 2026
The best hotel I have ever stayed in my
Everything was wonderful: the reception, customer service, the room, and its cleanliness. All the staff were extremely helpful. I forgot my bag in a taxi, and the hotel staff did everything they could to recover it, and I did indeed get it back.
The elevators did not smell good. I kindly request installing air fresheners or scent diffusers.
9 January 2026
Excellent location and lovely hotel.
Lovely hotel, exactly what you would expect from one of the city's premium long established hotels. Staff were incredibly helpful and polite and rooms fantastic. Breakfast was also great.
Bar facilities for a hotel of this calibre were a little disappointing - could do with a larger facility in addition to the jazz bar - which was good, but not every evening.
5 January 2026
Great location, comfortable rooms, and professional service
The location is excellent, right on the Bund with great views.
The room was comfortable and clean, and the staff were professional and helpful throughout the stay.
The overall experience was very good, but the price feels a bit high compared to what is offered.
Some facilities could benefit from minor updates.
16 December 2025
Highly recommend the hotel for any one planing to visit Shanghai
Everything was perfect staff,services, location and high quality of customer
Only if diffuser be placed in the floor corridors to solve the kitchen smell
10 December 2025
Wonderful stay in a great location.
Service, helpful staff and location.
Nil.
21 November 2025
Lovely hotel in a great location
The hotel is in an excellent location, being very close to the Bund. Staff and facilities were very good. Breakfast very good. Bedroom very comfortable. Staff were very helpful.
The restaurant was very expensive and there wasn't another option, so we did in room dining.
22 October 2025
Have stayed in the Peace Hotel many times s since 1975. Latest upgrade preserved the unique features
Absolutely fabulous!
Nothing
19 October 2025
Terrific location and very comfortable beds
Bed super comfy and great spot close to all the action
11 October 2025
Comfortable and convenient.
The staff was friendly, polite, and extremely helpful in helping us navigate around Shanghai.
The bar had a minimum fee of $420CNY. I was unable to have just a drink, as I would in almost every hotel in the world.
1 October 2025
Beautiful hotel in perfect location on the bund
The breakfast was superb and delicious with a great choice. Room service meal was a little pricey but beautifully presented. We we’re disappointed we could not get into the chinese restaurant but had dinner in the peace hall with uncomfortable chairs and no ambiance.
29 September 2025
A great hotel, represent the city’s history and present beautifully.
The history of the hotel is rich. We live the renovation style, suits the property perfectly. The location is great. Staff are excellent.
27 September 2025
Very nice and feel good during our stay
Location is superb , staffs is very attentive
Restaurant difficult to book, food sold out and still take us in.
25 September 2025
Living Museum of Luxury on the Bund — Perfect Family Stay
A flawless 5-night family stay (18–23 September) at this living Art Deco museum, Fairmont Peace Hotel exceeded every expectation. Our Fairmont King Room felt like an elegant apartment at 49m², with a super-king bed, even larger than advertised, luxurious finishes, and immaculate twice-daily housekeeping. The hotel’s heritage tours made the history come alive (don’t miss them!), and there were charming nooks to discover everywhere. Location is unbeatable, directly opposite the Bund and moments from the main shopping strip yet the interiors are serenely quiet. We loved the Jazz Bar, and the gym and pool were top-notch, but it was the service that truly made our stay: every staff member was warm and proactive, and a special thank-you to Alexander, who checked in on us throughout our stay and even arranged a private tour. The team graciously accommodated a late checkout for our evening flight and made it effortless when we decided to add an extra night.
Everything was perfect, we only wish we’d stayed longer. Tip for future guests: book a longer stay; you won’t be disappointed!
22 September 2025
Will be back.
Historical hotel, location, classy rooms, excellent services, worthy of $$$$$
At pricy side.
22 September 2025
Loved every moment!
Wonderful stay !
Staying at the Fairmont Peace Hotel was like stepping into living history, with every detail reflecting Shanghai’s golden age of art deco elegance. The building itself is a masterpiece — beautifully preserved and filled with character, from its grand lobby to the iconic rooftop views over the Bund.
The staff were exceptional — warm, attentive, and consistently going above and beyond to ensure my stay was seamless. Every request was handled with both efficiency and genuine kindness, making me feel truly welcome.
Dining at the Dragon Phoenix Restaurant was another highlight. The atmosphere carries the spirit of 1930s Shanghai, and the food was both refined and deeply satisfying. The service was polished yet personable, adding to the sense of occasion.
The Peace Hotel isn’t just a place to stay; it’s an experience — where history, luxury, and heartfelt hospitality come together. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to not only enjoy comfort, but also to feel the cultural heartbeat of Shanghai.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved my stay !
18 September 2025
Too short we will be back
So much history wrapped up in so much luxury. Great food bars music snd staff
Outdoor pool area would top it off
17 September 2025
Pleasant. Will do it again
Excellent
The floor in the dressing room of the spa is very slippery
14 September 2025
Historic hotel that lived up to it’s name. The staff went out of their way to be helpful. Spacious room with the beat at
Fantastic location right on the Bund.
Nothing
10 September 2025
The staff was extremely helpful. Especially to consieege team Alfred and Rachel.
The property is clean and the location is fantastic and the history value of this hotel is nowhere to be compared. Peace hotel is one and only :)
Nothing about the hotel that i don’t like.
27 August 2025
If you want to step back in time then stay at this incredible hotel
The ambience, still kept its history and identity.
The restaurant staff
13 August 2025
We had great time stay in the hotel. Good location.
Great location. Friendly helpful staff.
4 August 2025
don’t book anywhere else in shanghai!
what is there not to like sir/ma’am, an iconic skyscraper on the bund.
the swimming pool could have been better
29 July 2025
Everything you could ask for in a hotel.
This is a classic historic hotel, beautifully furnished w excellent service. An English-speaking staff that are extremely helpful. In my case connecting to Alipay, the Chinese payment system. The room was large, well appointed, and comfortable. Breakfast is anything you could ask for from any nationality of food. The location is right on the Bund so your experience starts when you walk out the door of the hotel.
Nothing
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Snack bar
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Kids' meals (additional charge)
- - Fruits
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Car hire
- - Heating
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Shared lounge/TV area
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Business centre (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Currency exchange
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage
- - ATM/cash machine on site
- - Concierge service
- - Private check-in/check-out
- - Lockers
Activities
- - Sauna
- - Fitness centre
- - Spa & wellness centre (additional charge)
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Indoor pool
- - Indoor pool (all year)
- - Entertainment staff
- - Nightclub/DJ (additional charge)
- - Evening entertainment (additional charge)
- - Public bath
- - Beauty services
- - Facial treatments
- - Waxing services
- - Make-up services
- - Manicure
- - Pedicure
- - Body treatments
- - Body scrub
- - Body wrap
- - Spa facilities
- - Spa lounge/relaxation area
- - Spa/wellness packages
- - Fitness
- - Personal trainer
- - Fitness/spa locker rooms
- - Happy hour (additional charge)
- - Live music/performance (additional charge)
Outdoors
- - Terrace
- - Sun terrace
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Trouser press (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Parking
- - Parking garage
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Toilet with grab rails
- - Raised toilet
- - Lower bathroom sink
Pool and wellness
- - Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Access to health care professionals
- - Thermometers for guests provided by property
- - Face masks for guests available

More photos

17 March 2026
Overall, we had an enjoyable stay.