Shanghai, China / Stay somewhere that suits you
Boutique hotels in Shanghai: two design-led stays in Jing'an
Compare The PuLi and Upper House Shanghai by neighbourhood, design approach and the kind of city stay you want.
Explore the hotel shortlist
- 2 hotel picks
- 2 areas
- Official sources
01 / Location comes first
Choose the right location
For a Shanghai stay built around design, start with Jing'an. Our boutique-style shortlist means hotels selected for distinctive interiors and a strong sense of place; it is an editorial description, not a star rating or a promise of a small room count. The PuLi suits a park-side retreat, while Upper House Shanghai places you in Dazhongli by West Nanjing Road.
| Area | Best suited to | The tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Jing'an Temple and park | A quieter hotel base within a busy district | A Jing'an address does not put the Bund outside your door. |
| Dazhongli and West Nanjing Road | Shopping and central neighbourhood walks | Prioritise the room position if street outlook and quiet matter to you. |
Jing'an Temple and park
A quieter hotel base within a busy district
Anchor the stay around the temple and park, then travel out for riverfront sightseeing.
The PuLi's directions identify Jing'an Temple metro station; check the exit for your hotel.
Dazhongli and West Nanjing Road
Shopping and central neighbourhood walks
A useful comparison for travellers who want their hotel close to West Nanjing Road's urban activity.
Upper House publishes a Shi Men Yi Road address just off West Nanjing Road.
02 / Get your bearings
See the areas on a map
Pins show approximate area centers, not individual hotel entrances. Check the property’s official map for the final approach.
03 / A shortlist, with reasons
Hotels worth comparing
Choose by location, room setup and the kind of trip you want. Check your dates, total price and cancellation terms on the hotel’s website.
2 hotels in this shortlist
The PuLi Shanghai
Travellers choosing the hotel as part of the experience
Its emphasis on natural materials and restrained interiors makes it a clear design-led comparison.
Compare the actual room category and outlook; boutique-style does not mean a small guesthouse.
Upper House Shanghai
Design-focused stays around West Nanjing Road
The hotel describes a residential approach in Dazhongli; its current name replaces The Middle House.
Older booking references may still use The Middle House. Match the address at 366 Shi Men Yi Road.
How we choose
These are editorial selections based on published property information and location fit. They are not guest-review scores or a claim of first-hand stays. We link to the sources so you can check the details that matter to you.
04 / Connect the rest of your trip
Arrival & onward travel
Shanghai Pudong Airport to central Shanghai: compare your transfer options
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to central Shanghai: compare your transfer options
Arriving at The PuLi
Use the hotel's own directions and Jing'an Temple station exit guidance. A district name alone is too broad for the final approach with bags.
Check the source (opens a new tab)Arriving at Upper House
Save the current name and 366 Shi Men Yi Road address before travelling. Ask the hotel to confirm a vehicle entrance if arranging a pickup.
Check the source (opens a new tab)05 / Before you book
Your stay, made simpler
Does boutique mean these are small independent hotels?
Here it means an editorial focus on distinctive design and a strong neighbourhood identity. This shortlist includes larger operated hotels, so check the room count and ownership separately if those are your deciding criteria.
Is Upper House Shanghai the same hotel as The Middle House?
The former Middle House official page now redirects to Upper House Shanghai. Use the current official page and the Shi Men Yi Road address when comparing listings.
Which area should I choose for a first design-focused visit?
Pick Jing'an Temple if a park-side hotel base appeals most; choose Dazhongli if West Nanjing Road is your main anchor. Plan separate journeys for the Bund and other parts of Shanghai.
Sources & review
Reviewed 11 November 2026. Facilities, room names and transport arrangements can change. Confirm your exact room, guest count and booking terms with the property.