ARRYING a prestigious French Concession address with top notch service, the Regal International East Asia Hotel offers visitors a touch of real old world opulence. The five-star hotel features 330 guestrooms, a selection of enticing restaurants and some of the most extensive hotel recreational facilities in town, including seven outdoor and two indoor cushioned tennis courts, a 25m indoor swimming pool and a full spa. All this just an easy tree-lined stroll from the best of Shanghai’s shopping, dining and nightlife.

While public areas subscribe to a refined, classical luxury, guestrooms here are spacious and contemporary. Each is kitted out completely for the business traveller with user-friendly workspaces, satellite TV, high-speed Internet and fax machines on request. Luxury touches, such as down pillows add to the comfort of each stay at the Regal, one of the best Shanghai business hotels.

The business centre is on hand around the clock with a range of audio-visual equipment, computers and secretarial support services. As a top Shanghai conference hotel, the Regal weighs in with a 507sq m pillar-free ballroom and 12 function rooms offering a range of choice for small meetings or larger functions.

For leisure travellers there's the sprawling Shanghai International Tennis Centre Club. Take advantage of the sizeable pool, squash courts or health club with its top-of-the-range facilities before a relaxing stint in the sauna, or solarium. Play as much tennis as you like, enjoy the golf simulator, try billiards, and pop by the card room. When dinner rolls in, a selection of Californian, Cantonese and fine international cuisine awaits, along with a tempting patisserie.

With its prime location and endless recreational smorgasbord, it’s not hard to see why guests keep coming back. But it does beg the question – when on earth do they sleep?