A lot of thought has gone into this new Shanghai property—some 20 years worth, in fact. The blocks where the Jing An now stands have slowly been added to the Shangri-La portfolio since 1993, with the hotel finally opening its doors in June. It’s now being touted as the company’s flagship, and for good reason: there are more than four million pieces of crystal gleaming throughout, vast expanses of marble (on the walls, the floors, the pillars), and some 207 pieces of artwork commissioned from 50 international artists. Rooms and suites offer understated luxury, with carpets designed to resemble Chinese watercolor paintings, heated bathroom floors, and 3-D TVs. The signature Summer Palace restaurant, designed by Hong Kong’s André Fu, comes with “dining chambers” that present different styles of Chinese cuisine, while a Mediterranean dining room is set to open by the end of the year and will occupy an external glasshouse with a rooftop bar. From here you’ll be able to gaze over the former residence of Chairman Mao, a 1920s building meticulously restored by the hotel group and transformed into a petite museum.

Jing An Kerry Centre, 1218 Yan’anZhong Lu; 86-21/2203-8888; Jiang An Shangri-La website; doubles from US$286

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