Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund

Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund sits on the riverfront south of the main Bund promenade. Like other hotels in the Indigo brand, it is designed around its neighbourhood, and here the theme mixes old Shanghai character, the area's history as a dockside district and contemporary art. Vintage suitcases, nautical maps and other references to the port appear throughout the public spaces and rooms.

There are 184 rooms, including 21 with river views and two panoramic Bund suites. River-view rooms are worth the extra if you want to watch the boats on the Huangpu and the lights of Lujiazui from your window, so request one when booking. The hotel has an indoor infinity pool overlooking the Bund and a fitness centre.

Char Bar and Grill, on the 29th and 30th floors, is the hotel's best-known venue. It is described by the hotel as Michelin-recommended, and its rooftop terrace has views over Lujiazui, the Bund and Yu Garden. A second restaurant serves guests on site.

The hotel suits couples, design-minded travellers and anyone who wants a stylish base with river views. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out at noon, and guests must be at least 18 to check in.

CHAR Bar and Grill occupies the top floors and is a steakhouse with a focus on wagyu beef. It has been recommended by the Michelin Guide Shanghai for eight years in a row and serves dinner daily from 5.30pm to 10pm, with a casual dress code. The outdoor CHAR Bar terrace on the 30th floor opens from the afternoon and has 270-degree views over the Bund and Pudong. On the sixth floor, Quay is an all-day restaurant with a neighbourhood café feel, serving South-East Asian dishes with local touches as well as breakfast for hotel guests. Quay serves lunch daily from 11.30am to 2pm and dinner from Thursday to Sunday, so check the days if you plan to eat in.

The South Bund location is handy for Yu Garden and the Old City, which you can see from the rooftop, and for a stroll north along the river to the main Bund.