The Waterhouse at South Bund

The handiwork of the city’s star architects Neri and Hu, the Waterhouse – a gritty, concrete dockhouse that was formerly the 1930s headquarters for the Japanese army – is Shanghai’s most feted design hotel. Original architectural elements are offset with artworks by the likes of Tracy Emin and Arne Jacobsen; ‘rough luxe’ rooms, fitted out with pale wood, cutting-edge contemporary furniture, and glass-walled bathrooms, are like cosy, beautiful bunkers – many of them overlooking the Huangpu river and the famous Lujazui skyline. Admittedly, the hotel’s South Bunch location is relatively isolated, so unique design is very much its USP, although its excellent on-site restaurant Table No.1 is also a destination in itself.