Capella Shanghai Jian Ye Li

An urban sanctuary in one of Xuhui District’s last remaining clusters of Shikumen townhouses, Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li is an all villa luxury hotel that’s committed to protecting the city’s cultural legacy. Throughout, designer Jaya Ibrahim has brought a fresh update on 1930s French-Chinoiserie with tall ceilings, traditional redwood-framed windows and inviting courtyards. Located in the tree-lined former French Concession, the Shikumen was originally built to house traders and ex-pats working in the city, later becoming a residential area for local Shanghainese who overflowed onto the lively winding streets. Now reworked into 55 private residences and 40 villas, they have stone entrances, secret gardens and flowering vines. Each villa has a lounge and entertainment room, the bedrooms are decorated in soothing shades of green and dark wood with spacious marble-clad bathrooms and a rooftop terrace.

The Auriga Spa at Jian Ye Li has seven treatment suites offering a tailored approach to health with a vitality pool, sauna, steam room, wellness studio and fitness centre. The Living Room is ideal for those seeking a quiet escape and has an extensive collection of Chinese and European books to get lost in. Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire is Capella’s restaurant by three Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire. His first restaurant in China, serves unfussy French food accompanied by an impressive wine list. The lounge-style le Bar is ideal for a showycocktail, and la Boulangerie bakery serves buttery French pastries, Prosecco and local dim sum.