Fodor's Expert Review The PuLi Hotel & Spa

The cutting-edge, glass-and-steel PuLi lives up to its billing as an urban resort: with spalike guest rooms—as well as an actual spa, a stunning indoor pool, a garden terrace, and a library replete with fireplaces—it's truly an oasis of calm in Shanghai's bustling center, just off Nanjing Xi Lu. The mellow lobby has low-slung seating, modern porcelain pieces, and windows overlooking adjacent Jing'an Park. The 105-foot Long Bar is a popular place to gather for drinks and afternoon tea. The rooms are true havens, with perks like automated blackout curtains and bathrooms with rain-forest showers. What's more the Wi-Fi, items from the well-stocked minibar, and loaner cell phones are all complimentary. The hotel's PHÉNIX eatery & bar, a popular lunch spot, gained a Michelin star for its menu of contemporary French dishes; UR Spa gets a thumbs-up for its serene atmosphere.