"Set the scene.In Shanghai’s Jing'an District, the Middle House name references its central setting within the historic Dazhongli area. There’s lush bamboo landscaping outside, and the hotel comprises two tinted and curvy towers, linked by a vast subterranean realm. A stunning Venetian chandelier takes pride of place in the foyer, with low-slung sofas and artwork all around. What’s the story behind it?A majority shareholder in Cathay Pacific Airways, the Swire Group has gone all in of late with its quartet of luxurious House Collective hotels, all of them—from the Opposite House in Beijing to the Upper House in Hong Kong and the Temple House in Chengdu—committed to showcasing the best contemporary art that reflects Chinese traditions. The collective wisely turned to celebrated Milan architect and designer Piero Lissoni for managing to make a large hotel feel as intimate as a boutique property. What can we expect from our room?Floor-to-ceiling windows make even the smallest rooms feel larger. For all that brightness, dark wood floors keep the room atmospheric, while the espresso machine and spirits are hidden away to preserve the uncluttered ambiance. There’s a large walk-in closet and a fun tassel that hangs over the bed to switch off the lights. Middle House aesthetics owe a great deal to gorgeous works of photography, including images by William Furniss, whose shots of vases and other objects are cleverly hung just above the actual subject that adorns your room. How about the food and drink?From Sichuan to Shanghainese to Cantonese, the shared-plate food themes range far and wide in Sui Tang Li restaurant, set in the Residence tower. In the same tower, and also shared-plate, the Italian-inspired Frasca nails it with its fried calamari and wood-grilled wagyu beef. The talent behind its incredibly long bar never fails to impress either. Chef Gray Kunz from Hong Kong’s Upper House has brought his talents to the Middle House with the Café Gray Deluxe, whose breakfast menu is a proverbial mix of east and west and whose cocktail lounge is the drawing room you wish you had. To mingle with the pretty young crowd of Shanghai, head to the outdoor wraparound terrace. Anything to say about the service?The young, multilingual staff impress with their knowledge of foods and wine. And the concierge team are all well-versed in the artists represented in the hotel. They can quickly organize bike rides and walking tours through Shanghai’s historic areas, from the waterfront Bund to the French Concession. Who stays here?An even mix of visitors from Asia, Europe, and North America. Bring your sartorial A-game—you'll wonder which of the guests passing by are international business folk, film actors, or prominent architects. Discretion reigns for the most part in the public spaces, yet the dining and cocktail settings are welcome places to let loose. How does it fit into the neighborhood?Just below the Middle House, the HKRI Taikoo Hui mall is another Swire Properties venture, where you’ll stroll among all the luxe brands that you’d expect to find in the new China. The new Starbucks Reserve Roastery has people lining up outside and has become a big hit on the youth scene. For a glimpse at what’s left of Shanghai’s legendary libertine epoch of the 1920s and 1930s, the city’s famous French Concession is just minutes away. Is there anything you'd change?One would be hard pressed to find anything that needs changing in the Middle House. Anything we missed?You’d never guess that deep below the Middle House is a 33-meter-long pool. If a massage or beauty treatment isn’t enough for you at Mi Xun Spa, try jumping into one of the futuristic Hypoxi-Method fat-burning machines. With all of the House Collective properties being art galleries of a sort, the Middle House has hundreds of stunning modern artworks, many of which pay homage to Chinese traditions. In the lobby, Caroline Cheng's Prosperity consists of a black robe with thousands of white porcelain butterflies sewn into the fabric. In the Residence tower lobby, a six-foot-tall padlocked metal crate called Escape Attempt is filled with traditional ceramic vases. Its quirkiness is matched by its sheer beauty. Worth it—and why?In a city that has been going through as big a development explosion as any on earth, negotiating Shanghai can be daunting. The Middle House is the cure, and its secluded realm is a revelation to anyone who has spent time in one of the world’s biggest cities." - John Oseid
