"The fourth in Swire’s House Collective (after Beijing, Hong Kong, and Chengdu) is a gorgeous gauge of Shanghai’s modern zeitgeist, arranged across two towers clad in dark aluminum blinds that add privacy and seductive shadow-play throughout the day. Rich textures and subtle cultural references are combined in the lobby, which is decorated with bamboo-sculpted emerald-porcelain walls and contemporary Chinese artworks in the glow of a 3,760-piece Venetian chandelier. Italian architect Piero Lissoni continues to weave his minimalist magic in the 111 bedrooms (there are also 102 long-stay residences). Here, moody, dark woods are contrasted with pops of blue and canary yellow. Walls of windows (on three sides in the Studio 90 rooms) create the illusion of floating in a swell of skyscrapers. The complimentary Maxi Bar and oversized tassel-cord by the bed that triggers the master switch are fun touches, but the glass-walled bathrooms might be a bit too revealing for the more prudish. In addition to a modern Chinese restaurant and rustic Italian kitchen, there’s also European comfort food at Café Gray Deluxe. The city’s high and mighty have been coming to try locally inspired cocktails such as the Six God, with jasmine-infused vodka, lily, cucumber bitters, and thyme, on the large garden terrace overlooking central Shanghai. FLASH POINT Connecting the two hotel towers is an incredible subterranean wellness center with a pool, 24-hour gym, Hypoxi fitness studio, and spa. +86 21-3216-8199; themiddlehousehotel.com; from about $430." - CNT Editors
