My favourite rooms are the Studio 90 with floor-to-ceiling windows facing three directions.
Since its opening in 2017, The Middle House has attracted an aesthetically-minded crowd, from the art world to the fashion industry, with its elegantly minimalist design—think floor-to-ceiling windows and a mix of traditional Chinese and contemporary Italian furnishings.
Travel + Leisure, July 2025The stage is set by the lobby, a towering, theatrical space in jade green, dominated by an ornate chandelier, while the rooms dial down the drama in favor of a tranquil, almost meditative calm.
Guide Michelin, April 2023All of The Middle House rooms are full of stunning art, such as Chui Pui Chee's ethereal print The Eight Victory Horses.
Forbes, September 2018The Middle House offers an in-the-thick-of-it location near Nanjing Road West, a clutch of top-notch restaurants, a splendid spa and 111 spacious, smoky-hued rooms and suites.
The Telegraph, January 2018Reader’s Choice Awards 2025
Readers of Conde Nast Traveller (UK & US editions) vote for their top hotels and resorts worldwide.
Conde Nast Traveller (UK/US)
World’s Best Awards, Top 100 2025
The 100 best hotels of 2025 across the globe, according to the Travel + Leisure readers.
48th place (tied)
Travel + Leisure
Readers’ Choice Awards 2024
Readers of Conde Nast Traveller (UK edition) vote for their top hotels and resorts worldwide.
Conde Nast Traveller (UK)
The Gold List 2021
Conde Nast Traveler
Hot List 2019
The hotels and cruises that land on this list are the absolute best of the best; the game-changing, boundary pushing, vacation-making openings that are so good, we’re already dreaming about going back.
Condé Nast Traveller (UK/US)
Wallpaper* Best Urban Hotels 2018
Wallpaper*
More info
Hotels Own Introduction
The Middle House: A Tribute to Modern Shanghai
Nestled in the heart of historic Dazhongli, The Upper House is a stunning homage to contemporary Shanghai. Designed by renowned Italian architect Piero Lissoni, the hotel effortlessly blends traditional Chinese materials—porcelain, ceramic, bamboo, and lacquer—with modern design elements. Behind a peaceful bamboo grove, this hidden gem offers an artistic simplicity that contrasts beautifully with its dynamic surroundings: historic meets modern, Italian meets Shanghainese, light meets dark, and bold meets neutral.
Culinary Adventures with Seasonal Flair
The Upper House’s restaurants and bars celebrate the beauty of seasonal ingredients, offering guests an imaginative culinary journey. Each dining experience here is a carefully crafted mix of sublime flavors and artistic presentation, making every meal an unforgettable adventure.
Urban Wellness Retreat
Escape the hustle of city life at The Upper House’s serene Mi Xun Spa, a tranquil underground sanctuary filled with curved bamboo corridors and glowing futuristic hallways. Guests can also rejuvenate at the 24-hour gym, yoga studio, and indoor swimming pool, offering the perfect balance of relaxation and revitalization. This is urban wellness redefined.