The Peninsula Shanghai

On a bend in the river at the heart of the city, the Peninsula has far-reaching views along Shanghai's famous Bund and across to Pudong's 21st-century skyline. Surprisingly, The Peninsula Shanghai is the only new building on the Bund during the past 60 years, but you'd never know just by looking at it. Architect David Beer's contemporary take on classic art deco blends this hotel seamlessly into the rest of the riverfront promenade. Following in the footsteps of the original property in Hong Kong, The Peninsula Shanghai evokes a sense of early 20th-century glamor with everything from its palatial Lobby with art deco accents to its world-famous afternoon tea to its traditionally-dressed pageboys. Yet it embraces all of the comforts of contemporary living with a state-of-the-art health club and spa and a host of smart one-touch in-room technology. As if all of that weren't opulent enough, the hotel has a fleet of its own four signature Peninsula green Rolls-Royces and six BMW 7-series that, for a price, you can avail yourself of for transportation to and from the airport.

Room rates at The Peninsula start from CNY 2,150 and climb precipitously to CNY 145,000 for the lavish Peninsula Suite (all prices are tax excluded). Luxury doesn't come cheap.