Choosing where to stay in shanghai for families is not just about finding a beautiful room. In Shanghai, the right hotel can save your family one hour of traffic, make nap time easier, help kids recover after a long flight, and turn a normal city stay into a smoother China travel experience. The best family hotels in shanghai are usually not the cheapest, but for parents traveling with children, location, room size, breakfast, swimming pool, airport transfer, and nearby attractions matter more than a small price difference.
Shanghai is large, busy, and full of contrasts: the Bund, Lujiazui skyline, Yu Garden, Wukang Road, Disneyland, museums, shopping streets, and river cruises can all fit into one trip. The problem is that they are not all in one place. That is why hotel choice matters.
Best Areas for Families
Which area to stay in Shanghai with kids? For most families, we usually recommend one of these four areas:
- The Bund / People’s Square: Best for first-time visitors. Close to the Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, museums, restaurants, and classic Shanghai views.
- Lujiazui / Pudong Riverside: Modern Shanghai, river views, larger hotels, malls, Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower, aquarium attractions. Useful travel guide for you: Lujiazui Shanghai Travel Guide.
- Jing’an / West Nanjing Road: Good for older children or teenagers; shopping malls, cafés, metro access, former French Concession nearby. Useful travel guide for you: Wukang Road Walking Guide.
- Shanghai Disney Resort Area: Clear choice if Disneyland is the main purpose. Consider staying nearby for one night only.
For a full family trip, FoyoChinaTrip can combine hotel selection, airport pickup, private transfer, English-speaking guide, food planning, attraction tickets, and child-friendly pacing into one smooth route. Start with custom China tours if you want a private itinerary built around your children’s ages and travel rhythm.
7 Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Shanghai
Below are seven high-end hotels we consider for families. They are not ranked only by luxury level but by practical convenience for families.
1. Shanghai Disneyland Hotel
- Best for: Disneyland-focused families, young children, character atmosphere
- Area: Shanghai Disney Resort, Pudong
- Address: Inside Shanghai Disney Resort, across Wishing Star Lake from Shanghai Disneyland
- Pool: Yes, indoor themed pool
- Breakfast: Yes
- Fitness room: Yes
- Recommended nearby attractions: Shanghai Disneyland, Disneytown, Wishing Star Park. Tour packages including Shanghai: Shanghai tours, 13-Day China Family Tour
2. Kerry Hotel Pudong
- Best for: Active kids, indoor play, families needing space
- Area: Pudong, near Century Park
- Address: 1388 Huamu Road, Pudong
- Pool: Yes, indoor pool
- Breakfast: Yes
- Fitness room: Yes
- Recommended nearby attractions: Century Park, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum area, Pudong skyline route. Useful travel guide for you: Shanghai Skyline Guide
3. Pudong Shangri-La Hotel
- Best for: Families wanting river views and Lujiazui access
- Area: Lujiazui, Pudong
- Address: 33 Fucheng Road, Pudong
- Pool: Yes
- Breakfast: Yes
- Fitness room: Yes
- Recommended nearby attractions: Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower, Huangpu River views. Useful travel guide: Shanghai Tower Observatory Guide
4. Mandarin Oriental Pudong
- Best for: Quiet luxury, riverfront walks
- Area: Pudong riverside
- Address: 111 Pudong Road South, Pudong
- Pool: Yes, indoor pool
- Breakfast: Yes
- Fitness room: Yes
- Recommended nearby attractions: Lujiazui riverside walk, Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower. Useful travel guide: Shanghai Subway Guide
5. The Peninsula Shanghai
- Best for: Classic Bund luxury, first-time visitors
- Area: The Bund
- Address: No. 32 The Bund, 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road
- Pool: Yes, 25-meter indoor pool
- Breakfast: Yes
- Fitness room: Yes
- Recommended nearby attractions: The Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden. Useful travel guides: Yu Yuan Shanghai Guide, Shanghai Xiaolongbao Guide
6. The Sukhothai Shanghai
- Best for: Stylish families, older kids
- Area: Jing’an / West Nanjing Road
- Address: No. 380 Weihai Road, Jing’an District
- Pool: Yes, heated indoor pool
- Breakfast: Yes
- Fitness room: Yes
- Recommended nearby attractions: West Nanjing Road shopping, People’s Square, Wukang Road walk. Useful travel guide: Wukang Road Walking Guide
7. W Shanghai – The Bund
- Best for: Families with teens, skyline photos
- Area: North Bund
- Address: No. 66 Lvshun Road, Shanghai
- Pool: Yes, indoor and outdoor pools
- Breakfast: Yes
- Fitness room: Yes
- Recommended nearby attractions: North Bund riverside, Lujiazui views. Useful travel guide: Shanghai Skyline Guide
How to Choose the Right Hotel
When parents ask us where to stay in shanghai for families, we consider three questions: children’s age, Disneyland inclusion, and sightseeing intensity. FoyoChinaTrip arranges private transfer, hotel-to-attraction routes, English guides, and child-friendly pacing. Some luxury hotels are difficult to book during holidays. We can help families select the best hotel and itinerary: contact us.
A Family-Friendly Shanghai Route
- Day 1: Arrival + light Bund evening
- Day 2: Yu Garden + local food + skyline. Useful travel guide: Shanghai Must-See Highlights Tour
- Day 3: Wukang Road or Disneyland
FAQ
Yes. Shanghai has international hotels, good restaurants, museums, malls, skyline attractions, Disneyland, and convenient transport. It works well as a first or last stop in a China itinerary.
3 to 4 nights is ideal. 2-3 nights downtown for classic attractions and 1 night near Disney if needed.
Puxi is better for classic sightseeing and food; Pudong is better for skyline, modern hotels, and family convenience. For first-time visitors, the Bund or Lujiazui is recommended.
Yes, private transfers save energy with children, luggage, strollers, or late flights.
Yes. We recommend hotels, design the route, arrange transfers, and coordinate a family-friendly Shanghai itinerary with an English-speaking guide. For tailor-made planning: contact us.
