Hyatt’s luxury Alila brand has just expanded to Shanghai as of this week, as the hotel has now welcomed its first guests.
In this post:
Basics of the new 186-room Alila Shanghai
The Alila Shanghai has opened as of September 25, 2024. The property is described as a “revitalizing urban retreat” in the Jing’an area, overlooking Zhangyuan, a complex of restored shikumen stone-gate townhouses that have been transformed into luxury retail spaces.
Entry level rooms at the Alila Shanghai are a respectable 39 square meters (~420 square feet), while entry level suites are 73 square meters (~786 square feet). The ratio of suites to standard rooms at this property is quite something. Over half of the accommodations are suites — of the 186 keys, there are 94 suites.
Alila Shanghai boasts Spa Alila, with five treatment rooms, a Turkish bath, and a relaxation space. There’s also a 24/7 gym with a yoga room.
The property has four bars and restaurants, helmed by Executive Chef Chuck Xing:
- 500 Weihai Road is the flagship Chinese restaurant, with plant-forward dishes from vegetables found in the hotel’s garden, as well as modern Shanghainese cuisine with a focus on seafood
- Garden Pavilion is the hotel’s all-day dining space, built around a Japanese maple tree; at breakfast, rather than a buffet, there are curated sets featuring Chinese, Japanese, Western, or “healthy” options
- Chayan @ 5th offers afternoon tea, showcasing Shanghai’s culinary heritage
- Secret Roof is a bar with open-air terraces, giving guests views over the historical Zhangyuan rooftops; during the day it serves organic coffee and light snacks, and in the evenings it serves cocktails
Below are some renderings of the hotel — this should be a real treat, as it’s both luxurious and has some personality.
The Alila Shanghai is a Category 5 World of Hyatt property, meaning that a free night award costs 17,000 to 23,000 points per night. Currently, cash rates start at well under 2,000 CNY (~$275) per night, so that’s not bad.
Shanghai has to be one of the most competitive hotel markets in the world, with almost every major luxury hotel brand either having a property there, or having plans to open one. Thanks to how competitive of a market it is, rates are typically quite good as well.
The Alila Shanghai is the former Four Seasons
Perhaps what I find most interesting about the new Alila Shanghai is how it’s one of the city’s two former Four Seasons properties. Neither of those properties are branded as Four Seasons anymore:
- The 187-room Four Seasons Shanghai Pudong opened in 2012, but Four Seasons stopped managing the hotel in 2020; this has rebranded as the Regent Shanghai Pudong, belonging to IHG
- The 420-room Four Seasons Shanghai Puxi opened in 2002, but Four Seasons stopped managing the property in 2022; this is now partly being rebranded as the Alila
In the meantime, Four Seasons has plans to return to the Shanghai market, though way down the road. The 160-room Four Seasons Shanghai is expected to open in 2027.
I can’t help but be curious what happened in the background here. Why did two property owners choose to leave the Four Seasons brand, and instead flag as other brands? Is the Chinese market just points obsessed, or…?
Usually when a property leaves Four Seasons and is flagged as a different brand, it’s because the owners aren’t willing to invest in a renovation and to maintain the strict brand standards that Four Seasons requires. In this case, the property left Four Seasons and then underwent a renovation.
I also find the Alila brand to be kind of puzzling for its city properties. I absolutely love some Alila resorts, like the Alila Ventana Big Sur and the Alila Napa Valley, but those are in destinations that are all about the outdoors. I’m not sure what we’re supposed to make of the brand’s city properties. For example, while I haven’t stayed there, I’ve heard the Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur is just okay.
So we’ll see how the Shanghai property is. Based on the pictures, it looks like it’ll be pretty great…
Bottom line
The Alila Shanghai has opened as of September 25, 2024. This is the former Four Seasons Shanghai, as the property has undergone an extensive renovation. The property looks gorgeous, and might just set a new standard for Alila city properties.
What do you make of the Alila Shanghai?
Alila Kuala Lumpor leaves A LOT to be desired. Slowest elevators on the planet, rooms large but bare of any furniture / character. Worn down. It became very obvious why rates are often sub $100 when I walked in. I’m shocked they are allowed to carry the Alila brand.
Shanghai is on the cheap now. A lot of 5 star hotels along the bund are under $200 per night.
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