This well-established five-star hotel has great river views and a superb top-floor bar/restaurant, though it has gone from being ultrahip to a touch tired. The name is a bit of a misnomer, as it's a 10-minute walk to the northern end of the Bund, but it's still easily accessible by taxi and subway on the better side of the river for the main action. Rooms are comfortable but fairly bland in beiges and browns and are already starting to feel old-fashioned. Upper-story river-view rooms have a spectacular vantage point, looking down the length of the Huangpu from the crook of the river. It pays to be in the West Tower for both the Bund views and the proximity of the restaurants. Staff are well drilled and helpful, and the hotel's restaurants are both excellent: Xindalu for exquisite Peking duck, and VUE for contemporary Western with a view. The attached VUE bar is true to its name in offering a brilliant lookout, as well as a top-floor outdoor whirlpool and surrounding daybeds. The ride up in the external glass elevator is an extra thirll.