I am planning a trip to Shanghai, China soon. I’ll be visiting several hotels, and I thought I’d do a detailed review of the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland (上海佘山世茂洲际酒店). This hotel is quite unique in its design and appearance, as it was constructed from a closed quarry, so instead of the usual building going up from the top, it goes down from the bottom. It’s one of the most unique hotels in the world, and I highly recommend staying at this hotel if you’re ever in Shanghai.
About InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland Hotel
The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland (上海佘山世茂洲际酒店) was built with a philosophy of respect for nature, taking full advantage of the cliff-side terrain of a closed quarry👍 Unlike other hotels, it was built down along the cliff instead of up. Unique, right?
[View the hotel’s official website]
The main building of the hotel consists of 15 floors, 2 above ground and 88 meters underground. It’s really unusual to have rooms down to the 15th floor, isn’t it? Usually you think that the higher the floor, the better the room, but this hotel says that the lower floors are better : )
At the very bottom of the hotel is the observation deck, which consists of three wooden bridges connecting the pool, cliffs, and room walkways. This is the closest you can get to the cliffs and nature👍.
The hotel hosts the JOURNEY TO THE HIDDEN (Cliff Light Show), which utilizes the closed quarry terrain. It’s a large-scale light show spread across 18,000 square meters of real cliffs, using natural cliffs as screens and cutting-edge technology such as water curtains, lasers, fog, and drones to create a fantastic oriental fantasy world. If you’re visiting the hotel, make sure you time it right to see it.
Also, one of the unique parts is the elevator called FLOWING LIGHTS (Sightseeing Elevator). It is a streamlined sightseeing elevator that descends from the second floor to below the water table and is designed with a “waterfall” motif. At night, it is illuminated to create a fantastic effect of glowing in the air.
At the entrance of the hotel is a stunning sculpture called CLOUDS SCUD ACROSS (Dragon-Shaped Sculpture). This work of art is based on the shape of a dragon and combines stainless steel with designs cut out in the shape of letters. At first glance, it looks like a dragon rising above the water, but upon closer inspection, it has a poetic atmosphere and painterly beauty👍.
The lobby of the hotel is designed around the theme of jishengqiu, or “adventure at the center of the earth”. The entire wall is finished in an antique bronze color, recreating the curving terrain and natural grain of the rock formations in the quarry. The black decorative materials blend seamlessly with the cliffs on which the hotel sits, and the subtle golden lighting makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into the heart of the rock formations. And in the center of the lobby, a curtain of constantly flowing water is a sight to behold.
The hotel’s wellness facilities include a fitness center and indoor pool. As a 5-star hotel, it has a children’s pool and heated facilities, so you can enjoy it all year round. There’s also a spa and a kids’ club for your needs : )
[View hotel’s official website]
InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland Hotel Rooms
The hotel has a total of 336 guest rooms and suites, all of which feature cliff views👍 And each room is designed to incorporate natural elements such as waterfalls and rock walls into the modern design. The InterContinental Hotel is part of the IHG luxury parent brand, a well-known global chain, so you can expect the facilities and services to match.
I was most impressed with the Underwater Rooms, which are located on the lowest floor and are actually in the water, giving you an aquarium-like view of the fish in the lake from your room. Although it is a bit pricey, I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a unique experience.
The Underwater duplex suites are located on the 14th and 15th floors and are perfect for families. The upper floor consists of children’s and adult bedrooms, with expansive lake and cliff views. Downstairs is the living room with an aquarium, where you can spend a dreamy time with the fish.
As a five-star hotel, you’ll also have access to the Flower of Hocance Club Lounge. You can access it if you have a Club Room or Suite, or you can use it as an annual lounge for IHG Milestone Rewards.
Restaurants at InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland Hotel
Perhaps the most striking of the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland Hotel’s restaurants is MR. FISHER (Underwater Restaurant), located on the 15th floor of the hotel’s basement, whose interior design is inspired by a crystal cave eroded by flowing water. It serves fine Chinese and fusion dining in a romantic underwater setting, and is said to be open for guests to visit at certain times even if they are not dining. It’s a truly unique space and I’m definitely looking forward to having a special dinner here 😊.
The Commune Restaurant is where you can enjoy breakfast and dinner buffets and more, serving a variety of cuisines including Chinese, Western, and Asian dishes in a casual and spacious setting. With an extensive international menu and live kitchen, it’s perfect for families, couples, and business guests alike.
The Quarry Bar is quite a bit more unusual, with red lighting and an original interior made up of glass, steel pipes, and wine barrel-shaped racks. It’s an industrial-style bar inspired by the magma layer at the center of the earth. Here you can enjoy a wide range of drinks and alcoholic beverages, including fine cocktails, whiskey, wine, and more : )
[View the hotel’s official website]
Total Reviews
The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland is quite a unique and exotic hotel that you won’t find anywhere else👍 It’s most notable for the fact that it was built underground using a closed quarry, and it’s interesting to see how they’ve incorporated so much design and architecture into it. It’s located under a lake, so there’s a lot to see and do, including restaurants and rooms with aquarium views and a large light show. I’m a member of IHG Hotels and have been interested in this hotel for a while now, so I’m personally excited to visit it on my upcoming trip to Shanghai. I’ll be back with a more detailed review when I get there : )
