Shanghai's first boutique hotel is still tops

Word to the wise: 88 Xintiandi is managed by Langham, and hotel guests can take advantage of the neighbouring Langham Xintiandi's spa services.

Like Andaz and Langham Xintiandi, 88 Xintiandi sits in the heart of the neighbourhood that bears its name. Surrounding the hotel are leafy plane trees, a small park and lake, and the restored stone houses of Xintiandi proper, each one housing an upscale boutique or F&B outlet.

There are 53 rooms here, 12 of which are suites and, thanks to the hotel's former life as a serviced apartment building, all spacious and well appointed. Rooms overlook either Taipingqiao Lake or the stone houses of Xintiandi.

Service is warm and personalised, as evident in the hotel's 70 percent return rate.