Andaz Shanghai ITC: A Modern Lifestyle in the Heart of Xujiahui

Shanghai is a city that constantly reinvents itself. Across the Huangpu River, architecture from different eras stands face to face, while a short walk from streets bearing traces of a century ago reveals skyscrapers soaring into the sky. From historic Western-style mansions and Art Deco buildings to traditional residences lining narrow alleyways and futuristic high-rises, Shanghai's appeal lies in its diversity, a city that cannot be defined by a single landscape.

For many travelers, the Bund and Pudong skyline still represent the essence of Shanghai. The dazzling night views across the Huangpu River, historic architecture, and refined service offered by world-renowned hotel brands have become defining experiences of the city. Yet for those seeking to discover Shanghai from a different perspective, it is worth turning their attention toward the heart of the city.

Among its many neighborhoods, Xujiahui (徐家汇) is particularly intriguing. Historically a meeting point of Eastern and Western cultures, and today one of Shanghai's major commercial centers, the district is a place where memories of the old city coexist naturally with contemporary lifestyles. Rather than focusing on spectacular tourist attractions, it offers a glimpse into another side of Shanghai, where local residents live, work, and enjoy the city's cultural life.

Opened on February 3, 2026, Andaz Shanghai ITC sits at the very heart of Xujiahui. Part of Andaz, Hyatt's luxury lifestyle brand, the hotel occupies a cutting-edge mixed-use development, yet its design draws inspiration from the everyday life and residential culture of historic Shanghai.

Sophisticated interiors, modern amenities, sweeping city views from the upper floors, and spaces that subtly incorporate the district's cultural identity all contribute to its appeal. Above all, the hotel achieves a balance between the comfort urban travelers seek and the distinctive experiences they desire. For those looking to discover a new side of Shanghai's contemporary lifestyle, Andaz Shanghai ITC is certainly a compelling choice.

Xujiahui: Another Face of Shanghai

What kind of neighborhood is Xujiahui, where Andaz Shanghai ITC is located? Today, it is one of Shanghai's leading commercial districts, with major shopping malls, international corporate offices, and transportation facilities concentrated in the area. Its roots, however, extend much further back in history. Xu Guangqi (徐光啓), a scholar and scientist of the Ming Dynasty who lived from the late 16th to the early 17th century, made significant contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and agriculture, and played an important role in introducing Western scientific knowledge to China. As his descendants settled in the area, the name Xujiahui gradually emerged. The district subsequently developed into an important center for the exchange of Chinese and Western knowledge, education, religion, and architecture. During the 19th and 20th centuries in particular, Western-style schools, religious institutions, and libraries were established here, leaving a historical legacy that continues to shape the neighborhood's cultural identity today.

Among its most representative landmarks are St. Ignatius Cathedral, commonly known as Xujiahui Cathedral, and the Zikawei Library. Along the surrounding historic streets, visitors can encounter Shanghai's distinctive atmosphere, where European-influenced architecture blends with traditional Chinese ways of life. The district reflects the openness and practicality of Haipai (海派) culture, which has long embraced outside influences while reinterpreting them in a distinctly Shanghainese way. The design of Andaz Shanghai ITC similarly brings the atmosphere and memories of everyday life in old Shanghai into a contemporary hotel, creating a distinctive sense of modernity.

ITC: A New Urban Landmark

ITC Xujiahui, the development housing the hotel, is a large-scale mixed-use project encompassing premium offices, commercial facilities, and hotels, with a total development area of approximately 700,000 square meters. Completed in multiple phases, the project is establishing itself as a new landmark that further strengthens Xujiahui's position within Shanghai's urban landscape. One of its most notable advantages is its connection to the metro network. The ITC development is linked to Xujiahui Station, where Shanghai Metro Lines 1, 9, and 11 intersect. In a district densely concentrated with commercial and business facilities, this excellent access to public transportation offers practical convenience for travelers.

Andaz Shanghai ITC enjoys an attractive location from the perspective of what travelers expect from an urban hotel: efficient transportation, a diverse surrounding commercial district, and the atmosphere of streets that can be explored on foot. Guests can discover Xujiahui's cultural attractions and shopping facilities directly from the hotel, while public transportation and taxis provide convenient access to other parts of Shanghai.

Reimagining Historic Alleyways as a Vertical Neighborhood

The central design concept of Andaz Shanghai ITC is the "Vertical Neighbourhood." It reinterprets architectural characteristics found in traditional Shanghai streets and alleyways, mansions, and communal residential spaces within the setting of a contemporary high-rise hotel. One of the most important elements in understanding Shanghai's historic residential architecture is Shikumen (石库门). Developed from the mid-19th century onward, Shikumen is a distinctive housing style combining elements of traditional Chinese residences and Western architecture. It is closely associated with Lilong (里弄) residential culture, in which multiple households shared narrow lanes and communal spaces. Stone-framed entrances, brick buildings, courtyards, and narrow alleyways where the daily lives of neighbors naturally intersected have long shaped Shanghai's urban lifestyle.

The interiors were designed by HBA Hong Kong, the Hong Kong studio of the internationally renowned hospitality design firm HBA. Light Directions, HBA's specialist lighting design studio, also participated in the project. HBA interpreted these characteristics of historic residential culture as a way of organizing the hotel's spaces. Each floor was conceived as a small neighborhood, with corridors leading to guestrooms and communal areas designed to connect naturally. Partner Mathew Lui explains that the design draws inspiration from the alleyways and living spaces of old Shanghai neighborhoods, with each hotel floor intended to feel like a different part of a street. What makes the approach particularly interesting is how these traditional architectural concepts have been reimagined through contemporary materials, lighting, furniture, and artworks to create an entirely new and sophisticated environment.

A Lifestyle Experience Shaped by Space

The arrival area on the third floor presents a composition somewhat different from that of a conventional hotel lobby. A soaring interior, glass bricks decorating the walls, and materials in stone and deep green tones offer a contemporary interpretation of the architectural textures found in Shanghai's historic alleyways. Particularly striking is the large illuminated glass-brick wall. By transforming the familiar material of traditional brick into a modern decorative element that allows light to pass through, it symbolically expresses the hotel's overall design direction.

Ascending to the check-in lobby on the 14th floor reveals another atmosphere. High ceilings, generous proportions, carefully arranged furniture, and contemporary lighting create an impression closer to that of a sophisticated urban lounge than a traditional hotel lobby.

The brickwork, lattice details, and textures of wood and stone associated with historic Shanghai take on a fresh character through contemporary furniture and colors. While the overall atmosphere remains calm, accents of blue and green, along with warm metallic materials, add subtle visual interest. Rather than relying on bold visual statements to capture attention, the design allows its finer details to reveal their beauty gradually as guests move through the spaces.

Patterns reminiscent of the silhouettes of plane trees lining Shanghai's historic streets appear along the guestroom corridors, bringing the atmosphere of the city into the hotel's interior. Guestroom doors also feature different colors, evoking the appearance of individual homes lining a shared residential space and creating a comfortable, domestic atmosphere. By moving away from the impression of a large hotel filled with repetitive, standardized rooms, the design gives each space a slightly different personality and a greater sense of vitality.

Throughout the interiors, furniture and artworks reflect the craftsmanship of local artisans and Shanghai's artistic sensibility. Decorative elements inspired by traditional materials coexist with contemporary furnishings, maintaining a refined sense of restraint. In particular, different guestroom categories are designed around the imagined personal living spaces of creators working in various disciplines. Drawing inspiration from the homes of people in creative professions, including fashion designers, artists, photographers, florists, and jewelry designers, each room type expresses a distinct artistic atmosphere.

The Comfort of a Newly Opened Hotel, with Rooms Designed for Everyday Living

Andaz Shanghai ITC features 267 guestrooms and suites, including 17 suites. Standard king and twin rooms measure 45 square meters, while some corner rooms start at approximately 40 square meters. The largest Executive Suite extends to 147 square meters.

As expected of a hotel that opened in 2026, the guestrooms feature modern amenities and a clean, thoughtfully organized layout. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows bring the surrounding cityscape into the rooms, while a calming color palette, soft-textured fabrics, and comfortable furnishings create a tranquil atmosphere that contrasts with the energy of the city outside. Small seating areas that can serve as living spaces, along with dedicated work areas, add further convenience.

Beds are fitted with Simmons mattresses, while guestrooms also feature 55-inch IPTV screens, Nespresso coffee machines, and Dyson hairdryers. Electric curtains, individual temperature controls, and equipment combining ironing and steaming functions are among the practical amenities designed to accommodate different types of stays, from short business trips to journeys lasting several days. Bathroom amenities feature the Eleventh Hour collection by Byredo, selected for Andaz. A minibar stocked with complimentary snacks and beverages also provides a small but welcome convenience when returning to the hotel after a busy day.

Bringing Shanghai's Culinary Culture to the Breakfast Table

One of the highlights of my stay was the breakfast service. Breakfast at Andaz Shanghai ITC combines a buffet with an à la carte menu, allowing guests either to select their preferred dishes quickly or to enjoy freshly prepared hot dishes served comfortably at the table.

Familiar Western breakfast options, such as Eggs Benedict, provide convenient choices for international travelers. More interesting, however, is the way the hotel naturally incorporates Shanghai's regional flavors into its breakfast offerings. One particularly memorable dish was crab roe noodles, one of Shanghai's signature noodle specialties.

In Shanghai and the surrounding Jiangnan region, noodle dishes featuring the rich flavors of crab meat and innards have long been popular. The opportunity to experience such regional specialties, which are rarely encountered at a typical hotel breakfast, offers travelers a small pleasure. Rather than having to seek out a famous local restaurant, guests can begin their day comfortably at the hotel while naturally discovering the region's culinary culture.

This approach is a fitting expression of the lifestyle hospitality that Andaz seeks to deliver. It preserves the convenience of an international hotel without sacrificing the individuality of the destination. The freedom to choose between familiar Western breakfast dishes and regional Chinese specialties according to personal preference, without the need for elaborate planning or travel, is another appealing aspect. Even if it is not an extraordinary or extravagant gastronomic experience, allowing guests to discover the character of a city through such everyday moments is precisely one of the important roles of a good lifestyle hotel.

Luxury That Prioritizes Personal Taste and Comfort

In Shanghai, where internationally renowned luxury hotel brands compete intensely, establishing a distinctive identity as a new hotel is no easy task. From classic grand hotels with long histories to spectacular high-rise luxury properties and boutique hotels that place art and design at the forefront, the city offers an extensive range of choices. Within this landscape, Andaz Shanghai ITC distinguishes itself through a lifestyle that places personal taste and comfort first.

For travelers who wish to actively explore Shanghai's streets, spend their days engaged in business or cultural activities, and return in the evening to a comfortable, beautifully designed space, the hotel's distinctive appeal becomes particularly apparent. The cleanliness and modern conveniences expected of a newly opened hotel, generously sized guestrooms, sophisticated design, and excellent transportation access come together naturally to meet the needs of contemporary urban travel. A journey that feels like living in present-day Shanghai—at the heart of Xujiahui, where the city's past and present intersect, a new address has emerged for experiencing Shanghai in its most contemporary form.