With so many choices of accommodation to pick from in Shanghai, you want to stay in one that’s chic, close to the city’s top spots, pampers you with amenities and service, and puts you at ease. Kenny Santana finds out how JIA Shanghai supplies it all.

While most boutique hotels usually have well hidden and tucked-in-a-corner addresses, we were pleasantly surprised to find that JIA Shanghai was located right in the heart of the city amid the hustle and bustle. Located on West Nanjing road, there’s no better base to start exploring the city. It’s one of the busiest streets in Shanghai and runs for 10 kilometres heading to the Bund and offers visitors a wide array of stores, temples, and eating options.

At first sight, we were enamored by the hotel’s original 1920 art deco façade. Upon entering, the lobby itself is a delightfully eclectic mishmash of antique birdcages and one-of-a-kind showpieces from award-winning interior designer, André Fu. The front desk staff are friendly and will gladly assist your needs during your stay. Ask them where the best xiao long bao vendor is around the hotel and they’ll give you directions without blinking – it’s just next door, by the way.

The bedrooms are as stylish as the lobby, adorned with Russel Wong’s pop-art photography and the use of numerous colours to accentuate the furniture. Settling in our bed, the 42-inch flat-screen TVs, WiFi and surround sound system kept us well entertained.

The room also has a simple kitchenette and shower time is a luxe affair with soothing ginseng and jasmine custom-made toiletries. Outside the room, however, there are plenty of activities to keep you pleasantly occupied in the vicinity.

For one, we loved the idea that the hotel provides complimentary cakes and beverages, with wine in the evenings, in the hotel’s lounge. Going for a walk outside the hotel? You can stock up with bottled waters in your backpack before setting off. And although they don’t have a swimming pool, you can exercise in their small gym. Right next to it, there are two washing and drying machines for guests to utilize. Very convenient for a longer stay.

JIA is also famous for its dining. For breakfast, we were handed a small á la carte menu and glad to see local favorites like wonton noodles, porridge, and Chinese breadsticks with soymilk. And of course, there’s also the standard eggs-and-bacon option too if you feel like it. Fresh juices and home-made pastries are also included in this complimentary morning fare.

During the night, the same location was crowded with Shanghai’s beautiful people who had come looking for great food. Issimo serves authentic home-style Italian fare in a timber-themed casual interior with hip Tom Dixon lighting that wouldn’t look out of place in Milan. We had quite a feast with a five-course dinner that started with a creamy mushroom soup with truffles followed by pumpkin tortelli with butter, sage sauce and black summer truffle, with a side of potato dumplings sautéed with duck ragu sauce and mint. Do not miss their wood-fired thin-crust Neapolitan pizza, enough to go around a table of four as a starter. For the main course, we ordered grilled Australian veal sirloin with mushroom ragu and rosemary potatoes and grilled white cod fillet. Everything on our plates was excellent and service couldn’t have been more prompt.

The dinner turns out not to be the last good impression we got from the accommodation. When our cab arrived to take us back to the airport, the same staff member that greeted us on the first day was present to say goodbye to us. “Hope you had a great time with us,” she chirped as she gave a final wave. Come to think of it, we had a blast.

JIA Shanghai
931 West Nanjing Road
Shanghai, China
Tel: +86 21 6217 9000
www.jiashanghai.com

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