An important financial and trade center for Eastern China, Shanghai is the most popular destination for foreign business travellers looking to enter the China market. Blending luxurious comforts, business essentials and the unique glamour of the city, these top hotels are dedicated to making your intense business trips all the more enjoyable. By Crystal Leung

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai

Nestled in the heart of Pudong’s financial district, the 362-room Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai fuses contemporary design with Oriental touches, and features 14 elegant room types, all with large work desks, illy coffee machines, top-quality linens by Frette, and goose down pillows. Discerning business travellers should book an Executive Suite, which comes with a range of Club Lounge benefits, including a house car service and garment pressing. The hotel also boasts two ballrooms, five function rooms, three boardrooms, and an outdoor entertaining space that can play host to 2,000 guests. Don’t forget to sample regional Jiang Nan cuisine at Yong Yi Ting, and savour contemporary cocktails at Qi Bar after dusk. 111 Pudong Road (S), Pudong; +86 21 2082 9888; www.mandarinoriental.com/shanghai

Fairmont Peace Hotel

A mix of old world charm and 21st century luxury, Fairmont Peace Hotel is a legendary retreat situated on the famous Bund promenade, offering 270 distinctive guest rooms, including 39 luxurious suites. Blending Art Deco-inspired furnishings with modern amenities, all rooms feature Philips iPod docking stations, Blu-Ray DVD players, spacious walk-in closets, and marble bathrooms with Le Labo amenities. Business meetings can be arranged in the three state-of-the-art function rooms or in the private dining room at fine-dining Chinese restaurant Dragon Phoenix, while the 540sqm Peace Hall is a stunning venue for gala dinners and banquets. Make time for legendary jazz music at The Jazz Bar, and recharge with a Chinese Remedy massage at the Willow Stream Spa. 20 Nanjing Road East; + 86 21 6138 6888; www.fairmont.com/peace-hotel-shanghai

Swissôtel Grand Shanghai

A few steps away from the famous West Nanjing Road, the 467-room Swissôtel Grand Shanghai offers business travellers a choice of seven contemporary accommodation options, all with complimentary wifi, dual phone lines, large work desks with ergonomic chairs, and Pürovel bath amenities. Upgrade to a Swiss Executive Room for extra perks like two hours of complimentary meeting room use and two garments pressed per stay. For business events and meetings, look out for the pillar-free Zurich Ballroom and six well-equipped function rooms. After work, sate your carnivorous appetite at the award-winning Moon’s Steakhouse, or dine on traditional local dishes at Yuan Yuan Chinese restaurant. 1 Yu Yuan Road, Jing An District; +86 21 5355 9898; www.swissotel.com/hotels/shanghai

The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong

Overlooking the Bund from the top of the IFC complex, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong is right in the heart of the Lujiazui finance and trade zone, offering 285 rooms and suites in 14 categories. Deluxe Rooms offer Sealy mattresses, exclusive Asprey bath amenities and Bose Wave music systems; while the Club Bund View Rooms provide guests with free local calls, two-hour complimentary use of meeting rooms, and limousine services. The hotel also boasts a 1,135sqm grand ballroom, four multi-purpose function rooms, and two boardrooms for high-profile meetings and presentations. Even if you’re on a tight schedule, make sure you visit the 58th floor Flair Rooftop Restaurant & Bar – the highest al fresco dining venue in China – home to 40 types of vodka and small-distillery rums, and restore inner harmony with the Tui Na massage at the spa. Shanghai IFC, 8 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong; +86 21 2020 1888; www.ritzcarlton.com

The Peninsula Shanghai

Perched on Shanghai’s historic Bund, The Peninsula Shanghai, with 235 rooms and suites, whisks business travellers back to the glorious Art Deco era. Among its 15 room categories, the Deluxe River Rooms feature mood lighting, luxurious marble bathrooms, and three-in-one (fax/ printer/ photocopier) office automations. You can even call your home office for free thanks to the Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology. The Rose Ballroom and four meeting rooms are available for business events, all equipped with high-speed wifi and audio-visual capabilities; but if you prefer meetings over meals, try Sir Elly’s Restaurant, which offers modern European cuisine with a French twist, or Yi Long Court, serving Chinese timeless favourites. For relaxation, take a dip in the indoor heated swimming pool before enjoying a Naturally Peninsula meal on the adjacent outdoor terrace. No 32 The Bund, 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road; +86 21 2327 2888; http://shanghai.peninsula.com

Grand Hyatt Shanghai

Stay on top of the world in one of the 548 lavishly-appointed rooms of Grand Hyatt Shanghai, which occupies 58th to 85th floors of Jin Mao Tower in Pudong’s business district. Business travellers should pick a Grand Deluxe room, which blends classical Chinese style with contemporary flair, and features floor-to-ceiling windows, an ample seating area with a coffee table, a king-sized bed with feather down duvets, and enhanced work desk lighting. The Grand Ballroom, which accommodates up to 1,200 people, is ideal for gala dinners, while the 11 function rooms provide the latest technology for conferences and meetings. After a day of hard work, reward yourself with a Shanghainese feast at Club Jin Mao, before indulging in an oasis stone massage at Club Oasis Spa. Jin Mao Tower, 88 Century Avenue, Pudong; +86 21 5049 1234; http://shanghai.grand.hyatt.com

Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai

Situated in the heart of the city, the baroque-style 478-room Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai is a home away from home for corporate travellers. Among eight different room categories, select a soothing, earth-toned Executive room, which offers a grand size bed with soft bed linens, as well as a range of business essentials including high speed internet access, two-hour complimentary use of the Executive Conference Room, late check-out until 4pm, and pressing of one suit per stay. The hotel also boasts ten function rooms of various sizes and styles and a team of professional meeting executives to provide detailed and personalized services. Alternatively, discuss business in one of the private rooms offered by traditional Japanese restaurant Yamazato, or over delicious cocktails at Ye Lai Xiang bar. 58 Maoming Road (S.); +86 21 6415 1111; www.gardenhotelshanghai.com

Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai

Situated in an upcoming business district in the city, the 508-room Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai offers an luxurious respite for business associates. With full-size executive work desks, international direct dial telephones and complimentary wifi, the spacious Deluxe Rooms – one of the six room categories – can easily transform to simple offices. They also offer luxuries like plush beddings and marble bathrooms with floor heating and L’occitane toiletries. For board meetings and conferences, check out the six functions rooms, fitted with simultaneous translation systems and multi-microphone systems with recording services. Leave time for a modern Mediterranean dining experience at Calypso, or a classic Japanese Kaiseki delight at TSURU. To fight jet-lag and insomnia, head over to the CHI Spa for a CHI Balance massage, or swim a few laps in the indoor sky-dome pool. 1218 Middle Yan’an Road, Jing An Kerry Centre, West Nanjing Road; +86 21 2203 8888; www.shangri-la.com/shanghai/jinganshangrila

Dorsett Shanghai

Located in the heart of the dynamic Pudong new district, the 264-room Dorsett Shanghai is adjacent to the Century Park metro station, making cross-town meetings a breeze. Among the seven different room types, the Deluxe Studios are superbly spacious, featuring private balconies, king-sized beds, oversized bathrooms with deep soak tubs and separate rainforest showers, and IDD phones with voice mails. The newly refurbished Peony Ballroom is ideal for business conferences for up to 120 delegates, while the Bauhinia Room is made for small to medium functions. Tease your taste bud with famous Shanghai hairy crabs at Xin Guang Chinese Restaurant, in which individual dining rooms are available if you seek more privacy; and relax with refreshing cocktails at Feng Shui Bar, which features seductive Chinese opium bed-style seating. No. 800 Hua Mu Road, Pudong New Area; +86 21 3852 2222; www.dorsetthotels.com/shanghai

Grand Millennium Shanghai HongQiao

Only a 15-minute drive from Hongqiao Airport, Grand Millennium Shanghai HongQiao is a cosmopolitan five-star hotel that promises high standard services. The Executive Club rooms, one of the five room categories, are well-suited to corporate warriors. They feature high-speed wifi, late check-out until 4pm, Molton Brown amenities, and two-hour free use of the Executive Club meeting rooms. A pillarless ballroom, a multi-function hall, a garden ballroom and nine function rooms are available for business events for six to 1,000 people. A power lunch at the award-wining Spectrum Chinese Restaurant can elevate your chance to win over your clients, while the O’Deli Bar & Terrance offers premier take-away sandwiches and coffees for business guests on the run. No. 2588 Yan An West Road, Changning District; +86 21 6208 5888; www.millenniumhotels.com.cn