Guide to Eco Hotels in Shanghai (2023 Updated)

An eco hotel, or a green hotel, is an environmentally sustainable hotel or accommodation that has made important environmental improvements to its structure in order to minimize its impact on the natural environment and eco friendly Shanghai Hotels are considered excellent place to hang out for a couple of nights in Shanghai.

Shanghai ranks eighth in Asia Pacific on the inaugural Sustainable Cities Index from Arcadis, the leading global natural and built asset design and consultancy firm.

Best Eco Tours in Shanghai

See all Eco Tours in Shanghai on Klook China.

1. URBN Boutique Shanghai 4* – Eco Friendly Shanghai Hotels

Overall impact Shanghai URBN hotel is the first sustainable hotel & Eco Friendly Shanghai Hotels in China. It has won “Sustainable Hotel of the Year in Asia Pacific” from The Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP).

Set in the heart of Shanghai with a variety of pubs, bars and cafés nearby, URBN is an environmental friendly hotel located a 6-minute walk from Jing’an Temple Metro Station and airport express shuttle bus. Featuring luxurious and modern accommodation completed by fine service, the hotel offers grand and design rooms with flat-screen TVs and free wired and wireless internet.

URBN Boutique Shanghai is only 2 blocks from Nanjing Road and an 8-minute drive from Hengshan Road Bar Street. Changping Road metro station is a 12-minute walk away. Jing’an Kerry Centre is a 13-minute walk away. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 40 minutes’ drive away, while Pudong International Airport is a 40-minute drive from the hotel.

Boasting Chinese-inspired modern designs, rooms at URBN Shanghai have fine beddings with natural mattress, large windows. Some of the rooms overlook the bamboo garden. Each room is equipped with a minibar and DVD player.

Set in the lively Jing’an District, this trendy, carbon-neutral hotel in a former warehouse is an 8-minute walk from Jing’an Temple, 5 km from the Shanghai Museum and 6 km from the lush Yu Garden.

Polished rooms and suites offer complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, safes and sitting areas, as well as mini fridges, terraces and in-room tubs.

Amenities include an industrial-chic seafood restaurant, a terrace and meeting space. Breakfast is available.

RBN Boutique Shanghai, the award-winning design-meets-sustainable boutique hotel, is ideally located in Shanghai’s bustling downtown. A former warehouse, the redesigned hotel is located on a quiet tree-lined street in Jing’an District with an abundance of independent bars and cafes in the surrounding streets and is only minutes away from the commercial shopping district and subway lines 2 and 7.

URBN Boutique Shanghai offers sleek rooms and suites over 4 floors with a blend of contemporary, minimalist aesthetics and modern day comforts such as the COCO-MAT Renewal Bed, free wifi, a DVD home theater unit, high-definition television, an in-room safe, a well-stocked mini bar and one-of-a-kind artwork. The hotel also features a 24-hour gym and an on-property sustainably-sourced seafood restaurant.

Booked this hotel as it is listed as the first carbon–neutral hotel in China. It is also wonderfully stylish, with old colonial suitcases lining the walls and other clever touches. However it doesn’t have an on-site restaurant so breakfast as per your order is brought to your room, but there isn’t really a table to sit at. Just a stylish wide couch area. And it was a bit cold by the time it was delivered.

URBN is a combination of nature, tradition and modern chic. The hotel is tucked away behind a double height wall into an interior courtyard. When I entered the hotel, I felt like I left the bustling city into a sanctuary. The use of natural materials like bamboo and the education of the carbon neutral design made a memorable impression on me. This is definitely the first hotel I would look into when I go back to visit Shanghai.

Such a wonderful hotel. Super stylish, China’s first “carbon neutral” hotel is mostly made from recycled materials. I stayed in one of the Studio rooms, not much of a view but a fabulous room: huge bed, sunken tub, big sitting area. It’s very comfortable and well-located, with a lot within walking distance, including one of the main subway lines. The Jing’an neighbourhood has a lot to recommend it, great restaurants, funky coffee shops, luxury high-end malls.

. The staff were very friendly and chatted with us at the bar in the evening. The bartenders made some of the best drinks we’d had in Shanghai. The breakfast buffet is fantastic & has a great selection.

Every element of the hotel is thoughtfully designed, from the hallways to the bathtubs. Most of the design elements are repurposed and eco-friendly hotels Shanghai as well, and there are little plaques around explaining where the repurposed materials came from. Very cool.

Close to the French Concession, we were able to walk to a rad little restaurant. And it was a quick and easy taxi to the airport.

An eco-friendly boutique hotel made with wood and stone recommissioned by houses that were torn down in the French Concession (30’s-40’s), it is as elegant and as lovely as any of the reviews claim.
But what makes the Urbn special for me is the level of the service. The front desk staff as is warm and welcoming as any I’ve encountered in my 20+ years of travelling for work – which is just what you need when you’ve come off a long-haul flight and desperate for a shower and a nap 🙂

I would recommend this hotel to anyone who wants something a bit different that the standard 5* experience in large hotels. The location is perfect and I have no doubt that you will feel like an honoured guest rather than a “paying client.

The rooms are designed in a classic eco-chic style, but are not in balance with the very dark lobby and the semi-modern Beer Garden cafe and restaurant. A garden view room indicates a view at a semi-permanent plastic extension of the Beer Garden. We would prefer a real garden or a glasshouse with a luxurious/ plant life. The rooms have a split level ( mind the steps in the night ) and we had a bath in our room.

As a property, the hotel is situated in the Jing ‘An District and is super easy to get to from the #2 line in Shanghai. It has an intimate feel to it and the interior courtyard is a great oasis from the craziness of the city. The rooms are well designed with multi-levels (sunken living room area, raised sleeping area) – just a heads up if you stumble around in the middle of the night though – you could trip if not careful. I personally like the way the rooms are laid out and the use of reclaimed wood and their eco-conscious approach to the material construction is nice. I stayed in the Studio room.

How much does a room costs at URBN Boutique Shanghai ?

Prices start 156$/night for Standard Studio. The Penthouse Suite is 482$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for couples.

This spacious double room features a sofa.

Where to book online – URBN Boutique Shanghai – Eco Friendly Shanghai Hotels – you can find the best hotels deals in Shanghai during Yuyuan New Year Folk Customs and Lantern Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Shanghai on Booking.com or Hotelscombined.com or Trip.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

2. InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland 5* – Green Hotels Shanghai

InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland has a restaurant, fitness centre, a bar and garden in Songjiang. Boasting a kids’ club, this property also provides guests with a children’s playground. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange for guests.

All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. Featuring a private bathroom with a bath and free toiletries, rooms at the resort also feature a lake view. All units feature a wardrobe.

Continental and buffet breakfast options are available every morning at InterContinental Wonderland.

Built into the sidewall of a decommissioned quarry, this striking high-rise luxury hotel is 35 km from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and 5.6 km from the Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden.

Luxe, airy rooms have high ceilings and elegant decor, and feature flat-screen TVs, soaking tubs, Nespresso machines and free Wi-Fi. Club-level rooms offer access to an executive lounge with free breakfast and evening cocktails. Suites add separate living areas and butler service.

A lobby lounge with industrial decor serves coffee and small plates, and there’s a chic cocktail bar with views over the quarry. Other amenities include an outdoor pool with sun loungers, a spa and a health club offering rock climbing. There’s also a business center and laundry services. Breakfast is available for a fee.

InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland located in Songjiang, the root of Shanghai, nearby Shanghai’s Hongqiao area, 40 minutes from the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center. Sits the landmark of China, at 88 meters closer to the heart of earth.

The hotel is an epitome of innovations in architecture and design with breakthroughs in engineering, an awe-inspiring destination bringing together affluent travellers to experience the glamour of InterContinental life in business, leisure and adventure travel. Here, guests from all over the world will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a true man-made miracle.

Its indeed a great experience to stay in this hotel. The hotel development is sunk into a disused quarry which I believe is one of its kind. The architecture and structure of the hotel is very unique and truly an experience to sight.

The exterior is even more fascinating with an extremely cool and relaxing surrounding. Its also great to stay on the Club Floor as the service at the Club Lounge is excellent. The swimming pool designed caters well for family members as well. The fountain laser show in the evening was fantastic and well orchestrated, watching in comfort from the room balcony.

I can say the stay was luxurious and I had the opportunity to meet up with the General Manager (Mr. Paul Hugentobler) and the Hotel Manager (Mr. Robert Gwynne). I felt very at home meeting up with them as they were indeed impressive in terms of customer interaction and accommodating. The way the hotel was so well maintained speaks well of their good management skills.

In terms of the hotel room, it was spacious and very high tech too. I would say the utilities within the room is robotics and the lighting effect was cool. The only comment I had was the television was placed on the side and not in front of the bed, which in a way a little inconvenient.

Overall, I would say the stay was luxurious and anticipating to stay at the hotel again in the near future.

There is a TV room with a movie about the Hotel and it’s construction as well as a model of the area.By Elevator we went downstairs to the viewing platform (Level 2) and stepped outside. Being on the water level one can see the size and smooth contraction of the building(s). What can be made in the natural hole it’s amazing. But for sure a individual with a vision and lots of phantasy is a prerequisite!
We also had a look at the relative small pool, which is in the round building easy to recognize from the top view.

On the reception Level (16th Level) is a cafe, no worries it’s not fully booked – as we were told at the gate, there is enough place to sit down. To make a piknic isn’t polit, but we have seen people doing so. For us the outside platform was what we were looking for. From outside the view to the hole it’s water and the waterfall are superb.

When leaving the Hotel, there is a little street to the right and there is a walkway to a viewing platform with a free view to the hotel complex, wwe thought our visit to the very special hotel (just for Sightseeing) was more than worth the time! It’s a great attraction.

How much does a room costs at InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland ?

Prices start 405$/night for Garnet King Room. The Premier Room with Underwater View
is 1179$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for couples.

This double room has a satellite TV, electric kettle and executive lounge access.

Where to book online – InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland – Environment Friendly Shanghai Hotels – you can find the best hotels deals in Shanghai during Yuyuan New Year Folk Customs and Lantern Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Shanghai on Booking.com or Hotelscombined.com or Trip.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

3. SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund 4* – Eco Friendly Shanghai Hotels

SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund is ideally located next to the Yu Garden and The Bund in the bustling Huangpu District. Yu Garden Subway Station on line 10 is a 2-minute walk away. Free Wi-Fi is available.

SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund is in close proximity to People’s Square, Xintiandi and Nanjing Road. Hongqiao Airport is a 30-minute drive from this property. Pudong International Airport is a 45-minute drive away. Shanghai Disneyland can be reached in 40 minutes by car.

All air-conditioned guest rooms come with free drinks from the minibar, coffee and tea facilities, an in-room safe and flat-screen cable TV. To ensure the sleep quality of guests, all rooms are equipped with a black-out curtain and branded mattresses.

The hotel lobby offers complimentary Italian coffee and tea. Chinese and English books are free to borrow from hotel’s library. On warm days, guests can enjoy their breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner on the outdoor patio with stunning skyline views.

On a bustling main road, this refined hotel in a high-rise building is a 5-minute walk from the closest metro station, a 12-minute walk from 16th-century Yu Garden and 2 km from The Bund, a buzzy waterside promenade.

Featuring city views, the polished rooms come with complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Upgraded rooms add sitting areas, while suites provide separate living rooms. Some quarters offer free-standing tubs.

A sophisticated restaurant features a terrace and city views. There’s also a coffee shop and a chic lobby lounge.

SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund is ideally located next to the Yu Garden and The Bund in the bustling Huangpu District. The nearest metro station ‘Yu Garden’, on line 10, is just a two-minute walk away, which gives you access to most major attractions in town.

Our hotel is in close proximity to People’s Square, Xintiandi and Nanjing Road and all within 5-10 minutes walking distance. It is located 30 minutes drive from Hongqiao Airport and 45 minutes drive from Pudong International Airport. SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund offers 165 guest rooms, including 17 city view rooms, 12 suites and 14 Family rooms.

All air-conditioned guest rooms come with free WIFI access, complimentary drinks in the mini-bar, complimentary coffee/tea facilities, an in-room safe and flat-screen cable TV. To ensure the sleep quality of our guests, all guest rooms are equipped with a blackout curtain and comfortable‘King Koil’ mattresses. Comfy comfort awaits at our hotel lobby where guests can enjoy complimentary Italian coffee and tea in our hotel lobby and get free bottled water from our fridge.

Chinese and English books are free to borrow from our library. In order to ensure guests enjoy their stay at our hotel, all in-house guests may enjoy complimentary mid-night snack between 10PM and midnight.

he room was of high quality with good comfortable bed , flat screen tv although difficult to find English speaking channels. The room had fridge with bottled water , soft drinks and biscuits which are free of charge and tea/ coffee making facilities. Also safety deposit box.

The bathroom was modern with quality towels ,bathrobes, slippers , toiletries.

Large walk in shower ( little bit of mold in the corners ) , good power although occasionally the water temperature fluctuated.

WIFi was free but access to certain sites is restricted ( no Google ) and performance very erratic – sometimes fast responses for 15. -20 mins then suddenly just stops and can’t get response to any request. This seemed to be the pattern anywhere I tried to go online in Shanghai.

Breakfast was not included in my deal but it was available for 880 Yuan ( $13.50 , £ 9 ) buffet style Western and Asian , hot and continental and of good quality and I enjoyed it each morning.

The hotel doesn’t have a Bar as such and we never used the Restaurant in the evening.

There is an excellent Restaurant / Bar right next to the hotel called Terri & Jerry’s , they had a happy hour from 1700 hrs daily with 2 for 1 beers/cocktails and grill bar style food burgers , chicken ,seafood.

The entire hotel is decorated in a Balinese theme. It’s not a big hotel, always 2-3 front desk staff on duty all the time (They have a few Caucasian staff too). Beside the reception is a waiting lounge, small yet cozy. Check in was a breeze, we were also given WiFi password (which we didn’t use anyway, you can’t connect FB and Google with their local network, we had rented a Pocket WiFi from our country)

Our room was 8002. Standard Deluxe and not big but sufficient. It had hair dryer, mini fridge, safe, kettle and even a toaster! My favorite is that they had disposable bedroom slippers. The room wasn’t carpeted. Despite our booking was for a non smoking room, there were ashtray and matches and I could smell the lingering cigarette smell but that was just the first day. I believe the previous guest smoked in the room. Bathroom is very small! A plus point, there were plenty and really plenty of power sockets to charge all your smart gadgets and cameras. Lighting was bit dim in the room.

We got 2 bottles of mineral water every day, cookies, soft drinks and green tea in the fridge were complimentary too and replenish every day! Bed was firm, pillows were soft and duvet were warm. We had good sleep but by 7am, cars are honking from every corner (It’s a Shanghainese thing). If you’re light sleeper, you may want a room at very high floor and not facing the main road. Walls are not thick, we had one very noisy neighbor but the rest were ok. The hotel is located among the local residential area, so it’s pretty quiet at night and you see local walking their dogs around the area.

The building beside the Hotel had a Korean themed café restaurant that served waffles and coffee. Very interesting interior too with huge bookshelves, stain glass pendant lights, antique style leather chairs, etc. Also check out the remain of Old Shanghai City wall just right outside.

You probably already know the hotel is very near to Yu Garden, walking distance (1km) to the Bund. Only one station away to Nanjing road. Walking SW will bring you to Huaihai middle road where all the shopping are. Go West to Yun Nan road, there are plenty of local restaurants like Danguchun (Shanghai bun), Xian De Lai (noodles shop), also hot pot restaurants! It is the awarded food street / snack street. Go South to Shou Ning road where the entire street is lit up with neon signs of seafood restaurant selling crayfish and other type of shellfish. Seriously, you don’t have to go far for food here.

I’d definitely return if I were ever in Shanghai again.