Ninety minutes’ drive from the sprawl of Shanghai lies the island of Chongming. Sparsely populated and dotted with rural farms, villages, protected parks, and wetlands, Chongming offers an escape from city life with fresh air and natural beauty. Hyatt Regency Chongming is situated beside the Dongtan Wetlands Park and a bird reserve. Opened last month, the hotel is the first international five-star hotel on the island. The property features 235 rooms and 21 suites done in a contemporary Chinese style, each with a spacious balcony. Twenty-five dog-friendly rooms are also available with private outdoor gardens and special canine amenities. Hyatt Regency Chongming houses five restaurants with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients from the island’s organic farms and river estuaries. For those wishing to explore the surrounds, the hotel maintains a fleet of mountain bikes, tandem bikes, and children’s bikes to see nearby temples and villages.

For more information, visit Hyatt Regency Chongming (Lane 799, Lan Hai Road; 86-21/6703-1234; doubles from US$160).