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Shanghai isn't short on shiny new luxury hotels. Every few months another glass tower opens with soaring ceilings, designer furniture and a rooftop bar. But few manage to feel rooted in the city beneath them and that’s what surprises most about Andaz Shanghai ITC.
The newest addition to Hyatt's lifestyle brand could have easily leaned into polished international luxury. Instead, speaks to local nostalgia instead. The scent of osmanthus greets you at check-in, old Chinese childhood games appear during turndown, and the design constantly nods to the city's disappearing shikumen neighbourhoods.
Why stay at Andaz Shanghai ITC?
The arrival immediately sets the tone. While the reception ceilings are dramatically high with black-and-white marbled tiles, check-in happens at smaller tables dressed in electric blue leather instead of the usual imposing reception desk that stretches across the lobby. It’s a small design decision but makes the whole process feel friendlier and more relaxed.
A vibrant artwork of Shanghai in neon greets you by the lift lobby and like many new Andaz properties, there's a welcome informality to the public spaces. The hotel feels designed to be lived in rather than admired from afar. There are moments of whimsy everywhere, from the spectacular mosaic triathlon mural beside the swimming pool to the clever reinterpretation of Shanghai's iconic brickwork in different textures and materials throughout the building.
The hotel’s central idea, however, is nostalgia. Rather than recreating old Shanghai literally, it evokes childhood through scent, touch and play. Osmanthus tea is served on arrival, fragrant bottles invite guests to pause and inhale. The scent also makes its way into bathbombs in the room as well as a pillow mist that's placed by your bedside table during turndown service. It's subtle, sensory storytelling that feels considerably more thoughtful.
If there's one area that feels undercooked, it's the arrival experience downstairs. Surprisingly for a luxury property, there are very few communal seating areas either in the sky lobby or on the ground floor while waiting for your Didi, making departures feel slightly less comfortable than arrivals.
What are the rooms like at Andaz Shanghai ITC?
The hotel's 267 rooms and suites continue the residential aesthetic established in the public spaces and feel more like thoughtfully designed apartments than hotel rooms.
I stayed in the Two Twin Bed category, which was relatively modest in size by Shanghai hotel standards, but smart planning ensures they never feel cramped. Freestanding wardrobes subtly divide the room before leading into generous bathrooms, where enclosed shower-and-bath combinations create a spa-like atmosphere without wasting space. Double vanities provide enough room to spread out skincare, makeup and toiletries without the usual balancing act.
The interior’s contemporary furniture is paired with confident pops of colour, while tiles become something of an obsession throughout the property. Different textures, patterns and finishes appear from bathrooms to public spaces, giving each area its own personality.
The suites lean even further into the nostalgia theme. Vintage cameras that are taken apart and displayed as an art piece, hundreds of 35mm film canisters lined up in a row and black-and-white photography celebrate Shanghai through the lens of analogue photography. Combined with richer green tones and darker finishes, they feel distinctly more grown up than the standard rooms.
Which are the restaurants and bars like at Andaz Shanghai ITC?
Dining follows the same philosophy as the rest of the hotel: contemporary spaces layered with local references. Breakfast is served in the East Wing, an airy restaurant with soaring ceilings, abundant natural light and cleverly designed pockets of seating that make a large dining room still feel private. Instead of a traditional buffet, breakfast adopts a semi-buffet format. Guests help themselves to an extensive spread before supplementing it with freshly prepared à la carte dishes.
Alongside the expected eggs, you'll find thoughtful local additions including dumplings, warm soy milk and silky congee accompanied by an impressive selection of toppings that encourage multiple return visits to the buffet. Weekend mornings can get busy, however, and service slows noticeably once the restaurant fills.
The Rooftop Bar offers panoramic views alongside tea-inspired cocktails, while the West Wing functions as an elegant European-style deli and wine bar that's ideal for smaller plates or afternoon drinks.
One of the hotel's nicest inclusions is Andaz Hour, held daily from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Rather than leaving guests to fend for themselves at a buffet, staff serve wines, beers and soft drinks alongside unlimited rounds of savoury snacks and desserts delivered directly to your table.
What are the facilities like at Andaz Shanghai ITC?
The facilities are exactly what you'd expect from a newly built luxury hotel, but they're executed with polish. There's an impressive indoor swimming pool anchored by that striking mosaic artwork at the lift lobby, alongside a hot tub, spa and a decently equipped gym featuring both cardio equipment and free weights.
Everything still feels remarkably fresh without tipping into that slightly awkward 'new hotel' feeling where staff and spaces are still finding their rhythm.
What is the service like at Andaz Shanghai ITC?
Service is warm, polished and generally excellent. Valets greet guests immediately upon arrival and efficiently take care of luggage, while reception staff are friendly, albeit occasionally a touch scripted. Housekeeping also handles requests quickly, discreetly and with impressive consistency.
What's the neighbourhood like around Andaz Shanghai ITC?
Andaz Shanghai ITC sits within the enormous ITC development in Xujiahui, one of Shanghai's busiest commercial districts. The integrated complex combines luxury shopping, offices and transport connections, making it an excellent base for both business travellers and visitors wanting easy access to the rest of the city.
It’s also easy to get around by Didi. The hotel is a quick 15 minute drive to the French Concession and a quick half an hour drive to Hongqiao International Airport.
Should you book a stay at Andaz Shanghai ITC?
Andaz Shanghai ITC succeeds because it makes guests feel connected to the destination. Rather than decorating the hotel with obvious Chinese motifs, it recreates the feeling of growing up in Shanghai through scent, games, photography and subtle design references. Combined with gorgeous interiors and polished service, it stands out as one of the city's most compelling new luxury hotels.
For travellers who want a stay with genuine personality rather than another interchangeable five-star skyscraper, this is one of Shanghai's strongest new addresses.
Address: Andaz Shanghai ITC, 283 Hongqiao Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China
Price: Rooms from approximately RMB1,850 per night
Nearest transport: Xujiahui Metro Station (Lines 1, 9 and 11), around a five-minute walk