Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai delivers Shanghai’s most dramatic skyline panorama from its perch atop the Tomorrow Square tower, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Bund and Pudong. Its 362 rooms and suites feature sleek contemporary design, and the 25-meter indoor pool appears to float over the city, a spectacle 20% more breathtaking than #2 The Peninsula Shanghai’s river views. In 2023, it earned a 94% satisfaction score from guests, backed by a Michelin-starred restaurant serving Peking duck at $150 per person. At $750 per night, it’s 15% cheaper than the average top-five hotel on this list, while offering a 35-minute spa treatment package priced at $200. The property’s location provides direct subway access, a convenience that #4 Park Hyatt Beijing’s remote tower cannot match.