OCATED in the heart of buzzing Shanghai, The PuLi Hotel and Spa is an essay in tranquillity – from the candle-lit corridors and ornate glowing lamps to the glistening ponds and towering bamboo. It is a hotel so peaceful and leafy, it’s almost impossible to believe that bustling Nanjing West Road is just around the corner. It is equally welcoming of business travellers and holidaymakers who can instantly unwind as they exit the thrum of Jing’an district and step into a serene urban resort that blends old world charm and contemporary design with considerable understatement and flair.

In a city where multi-hued lights bathe show-off architecture on steroids, there’s nothing loud about this construct, from the quiet, grey exterior to its hushed, minimalist interiors with clean straight lines and dark pastel tones. This will endear it to many. There is much timber underfoot and stone, glass and wood add texture everywhere. Staff are welcoming and attentive. All in, this is one of the top Shanghai luxury hotels around.

The PuLi serves up 193 rooms and 36 suites, each living quarter equipped with 32-inch LCD TV, Bose wave music system with iPod docking station, Nespresso coffee machine, and rain shower. Also expect historic touches such as beautiful Chinese vases and old-fashioned lavaboes in the bathrooms. The pulsing Shanghai skyline sweeps in through the huge windows of any 45sq m Deluxe room while greener views over Jing’an Park can be had from a Grand room. High-floor Club rooms ratchet up the service with guest service teams and boardrooms.

After a hard day’s work – or night – guests may retire to the UR Spa with a wellness menu spanning express treatments to results-oriented programmes. Also available to those working off calories, are an infinity pool, gym, sauna, steam room and whirlpool. The 32-metre Long Bar is one of the hotel’s most distinctive features and is an ideal spot to chill out with a good book, a laptop or a special someone while the PHÉNIX eatery & bar offers lip-smacking Michelin star delights on its menu.