STEP BACK TO 1930S SHANGHAI
Re-live the glamour and romance of a bygone era
Traditional Shanghai and French architectural styles converge in the historically chic Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye
Li, located within the Xuhui cultural preservation zone, and in the last remaining cluster of shikumen (stone gate) townhouses. Each of the 55 one- to three-bedroom villas and 40 two- to four-bedroom residences retains the original townhouse structure with a charming courtyard entrance and is separated from each other by narrow alleyways, bringing guests back to the 1930s era where the abodes once housed well-heeled locals and expatriates. The Auriga Spa, clad in soothing neutral hues, brings the best of Eastern traditional remedies and Western technologies with organic skincare products to alleviate modern ailments: moxibustion treatment for congested airways, flotation tank therapy for stressed out executives; music and colour therapy in the sauna and steam room for frazzled nerves. Simple hearty French dishes take centre stage at the hotel’s sole dining venue le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire, helmed by threemichelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire’s protégé Romain Chapel. Tuck into crisp croissants or local fare at breakfast, chill out with a preprandial from the extensive wine and drinks list at the bar or have a relaxing afternoon tète-à-tete over delectable scones and mini Croque Monsieurs. capellahotels.com/shanghai