Review of JIA Shanghai, by Brent Hannon

JIA Shanghai remains a cut above the spate of sleek, chic luxury hotels that have popped up around urban China in recent years. Located in a 1920s building on centrally-located Nanjing Road, JIA Shanghai's period exterior hides the cool, up-to-the-minute modern design within.

Given the success of its sister hotel in Hong Kong, it's safe to say that JIA Shanghai has delivered a jolt of electricity to the local accommodation scene. But this edition of the growing JIA franchise marks a departure from the others, as owner Yenn Wong oversaw the design herself, including layout, decorations and furnishings. "She wanted it to be different from Jia Hong Kong," says sales manager Kiki Li.

JIA Shanghai has a fine location in the heart of Jing An district, a neighbourhood replete with offices, restaurants and shopping, and is close to key cultural attractions like the Shanghai Museum, Grand Theater, and, further down the famous Nanjing road, the Bund itself.

The facilities

JIA Shanghai's lobby is lean and sparse with an open, almost warehouse-style design, sprinkled with black and red modern eclectics - think wire-frame bicycles and paired panda bears. An unobtrusive check-in desk is tucked into a corner of this luxury hotel, while the calm, classy lobby lounge occupies the far end. The brushed wood floor, light brown with black highlights, is the key design feature.

The luxury hotel's Issimo restaurant serves up Salvatore Cuomo's excellent Italian menu, with typical unflustered service. Two lounge bars take care of the cocktails - Issimo's own bar and the 'eclectic China' themed lobby bar, which is decked out with black lacquer tables and bird cages suspended from the ceilings. Complimentary wine is served here every evening.

JIA Shanghai is a luxury hotel with small hotel sensibilities - so guests get the intimacy of a reduced number of rooms and strong interior design, without skipping any five-star facilities. A fitness centre and business centre help guests take care of work and play, and spa therapists are available to give in-room treatments.

The rooms

The 55 rooms and suites at JIA Shanghai are similarly distinctive - polished black counters, green ottomans, snow white beds - and share the same focus on space. The luxury hotel's rooms are big for the property and feature cozy kitchenettes with burners, granite countertops, a microwave and even pots and pans.

All rooms at JIA Shanghai have goodies like minibars with drinks mixed by a personal barman and fabulous Bisazza mosaics in outsized bathrooms. Fourth floor corner suites are great for Shanghai skyline views, while the Penthouse Plus studio is fit for an A-Lister with its DJ booth and personal butler.

This luxury hotel comes with all the comforts of home: after all, JIA does mean 'home' in Mandarin.