This New Shanghai Hotel Is Bound to Be a Hit! Adjacent to a Natural Ecological Park, with Stunning Indoor and Outdoor Pools.

In all my years working in Shanghai, I've been to Fengxian only rarely. My image of Fengxian used to be just Bihai Jinsha beach. But in recent years, major projects like Haiwan Forest Park, Shanghai Fish, and Nine Trees have gradually been completed. For hotel enthusiasts, more and more international brands have begun to settle in Fengxian, adding it to the destination list.

At the end of 2021, the Hilton Shanghai Fengxian Baoneng Hotel made a splendid debut, marking Hilton's southward expansion in Shanghai.

1. Natural Beauty

NATURAL BEAUTY

As you drive up to the hotel, you're flanked by lush pastoral scenery. This is Shenlong Ecological Park, a natural oxygen bar in southern Shanghai where the dustfall is only one-tenth that of the city center. The Hilton Shanghai Fengxian Baoneng is enveloped by this greenery. The 75,000-square-meter garden infuses the hotel with vibrant life—such a lavish ecological setting is rare among Shanghai hotels.

The car climbs a gentle slope to the drop-off area. Behind it, over a pool of water, rests a sculpture resembling a Möbius strip, symbolizing the endless cycle of nature—a fitting reflection of the hotel's location.

From above, the drop-off area forms the tail of the seagull-shaped hotel building.

Pass through the lobby and you arrive at my favorite spot: the outdoor terrace of the lobby bar. For a moment, I felt like I was at a seaside resort in Southeast Asia.

Sit in the sunken lounge area surrounded by a reflecting pool, with the inner lake and outdoor swimming pool framed by the hotel wings nearby, and the lush wedding lawn and vibrant ecological park beyond.

|Outdoor Pool|

At this moment, what could be more delightful than enjoying a 'Nest & You' afternoon tea, basking in the warm winter sun?

The wooden-colored decorative columns encircling the main building hint that guests can break free from the concrete jungle and soak in nature's gifts. I was especially captivated by the fiery sunset glow here.

During your stay, I highly recommend a stroll through the hotel's garden. With its crisscrossing waterways, occasional flocks of wild ducks gliding by, and the scent of fresh grass in the air, it's easy to see why I've fallen for this place.

Adjacent to the garden is the outdoor swimming pool I absolutely love. It's sure to be a sensation this summer!

Though it's too cold to swim now, just walking by the pool and imagining the warm days ahead is satisfying enough.

To make up for not being able to swim outdoors in winter, the hotel has built a heated indoor pool by the lake.

The pool is pleasantly warm, spacious, and inviting, with natural light and excellent views. It also features a children's pool, Jacuzzi, and other facilities.

The adjacent gym is equipped with a full range of Precor fitness equipment and a separate yoga room, meeting all your daily exercise needs.

2. Cultural Wonders

CULTURAL WONDER

Walking through the hotel, I strongly sense that this modern complex is infused with rich traditional Chinese cultural elements. The renowned Singapore-based design firm Blink Design Group (whose previous major Hilton project was Roku Kyoto, the first LXR Hotel in Asia Pacific) interprets the story of 'Ziyou's Lectures' in their own way.

Ziyou, also known as Yan Yan, was a distinguished disciple of Confucius, honored as 'Master of the South.' He ardently promoted rites and music. The place in China that venerates Ziyou the most is Shanghai's Fengxian District. The name 'Fengxian' means 'respecting the sages,' paying tribute to those who dedicated their lives to spreading learning and rituals. Legend has it that around 444 BC, Ziyou established a school by the East Sea, filling the coastal area with the sounds of rites and music. Today, this Hilton hotel in Fengxian draws inspiration from rites and music, bringing to life the cultural charm from over two thousand years ago.

|Many screen elements in guest rooms and public areas are derived from the strings and body of the guqin|

The most eye-catching design feature is the decorative sculpture at the heart of the lobby bar, 'Nest.' With hundreds of birds above and a nest below, it symbolizes that this is a home away from home for guests.

The patterns on the metal screens in the lobby bar are abstracted from the changing shapes of bird nests throughout the seasons, further reinforcing the concept of 'nest' and home.

The 401 guest rooms spread across two wings subtly weave details of 'Ziyou's Lectures' into a gentle, flowing design.

|A guest room corridor steeped in ancient charm|

Starting from 55 square meters, the rooms are generously spacious, with a restrained yet dynamic texture. A low-key palette of wood tones, grays, and light browns provides the base, while large-scale traditional Chinese landscape paintings and contrasting metal fixtures skillfully blend serene classical Chinese aesthetics with contemporary decorative art.

Contrasting colors on pillows and carpets add a playful touch of life to the room. The room also features a complimentary minibar, a rarity among Hilton hotels. I was thrilled to find my childhood favorite Maltesers and a local craft brew, 'Wufang You Tao.'

Glass sliding doors and screens inspired by the guqin organically partition the bathroom area. The bedroom is separated by the bathtub, complemented by a fully independent toilet, adding romance while emphasizing functionality.

All rooms have spacious balconies with views, where you can gaze at the lake, the woods, or the distant sunset—simply sitting here idly is a comfort.

If you opt for a suite, you'll enjoy even more spacious interiors. A deep soaking tub placed at the center of the bathroom fills the space with a vacation vibe. The living room with a separate dining area also better suits families.

The most distinctive room type, however, is the one with an outdoor jet spa. This is a very rare offering among Shanghai hotels, and it's bound to be a hit once open! (Currently in final testing, expected to open after Chinese New Year.)

3. Culinary Delights

GOURMET ENJOYMENTS

The hotel has three restaurants and a lobby bar. I particularly love their names: when pronounced together in Chinese, they sound like 'stir-fried rice candy,' a local Shanghai snack that brings back fond childhood memories—perhaps a little surprise the hotel offers guests.

The lobby bar, 'Nest' (巢), has captivated me with its design. Whether it's the interior's striking lines and visual impact or the wonderful outdoor dining area with its great views, both give the hotel a strong resort feel. All-day coffee, tea, and snacks, along with the must-try 'Nest & You' afternoon tea, are reasons I'm smitten.

At night, it transforms into a characterful gin bar, offering over 60 types of gin from around the world and nearly 100 tonic waters, enabling endless gin and tonic combinations. Even more special is the hotel's signature 'Gin Classic Nest' cocktail menu, where the tonic water, soda, and garnishes can be tailored to each guest's preference. That means every guest can enjoy a custom gin and tonic—just pick your favorite from the menu and leave the rest to the bartender!

The all-day dining restaurant, 'Mi' (米), is airy and elegant, with column lamps and chandeliers inspired by vertical beams and curved ceilings from Confucian temple architecture, exuding a refined atmosphere.

It serves all-day Chinese and Western cuisine, with a dinner buffet on weekends. Breakfast is also served here; during the soft opening, it's à la carte on weekdays, and the quality is stunning. The authentic Shanghai-style noodles with pickled cabbage and yellow croaker is outstanding in both presentation and taste, surpassing many specialized noodle shops.

You can also try Shanghai's famous 'Four Heavenly Kings' breakfast items here. The chef's handmade fried dough sticks are fragrant and fluffy; dip them in the provided soy sauce for the most local experience. A long-lost treat, Shanghai-style rice cakes, also makes a surprise appearance, still retaining the flavors of childhood.

The Chinese restaurant, 'Tang' (唐), interprets Tang Dynasty style in a modern way, with maple leaf motifs everywhere subtly echoing the character '奉' from Fengxian (which means 'to offer').

Using local seasonal ingredients, classic Shanghainese cooking techniques are blended with the essence of Cantonese and Zhejiang cuisines, while incorporating Fengxian's local flavors, creating a distinctive style. For instance, this winter's star ingredient, lamb, is transformed into a Fengxian lamb and winter ginseng clay pot. Braised in Shanghainese red-style, it's deeply flavorful.

Other signature dishes include wine-soaked fish fillets, whelks in black vinegar spicy sauce, marinated shrimp and dried tofu stew, and an innovative braised duck with lemongrass. Even the ending ice-flower pan-fried pork dumplings leave a lasting impression.

The specialty restaurant, 'Le' (楽), feels like a late-night diner to me, with an inherent sense of intimacy. Gathering here with a few friends is pure joy.

I like sitting at the counter, where I can watch the chef prepare fresh ingredients right before my eyes. At this moment, whether it's a bowl of authentic tonkotsu ramen, a plate of fresh sashimi, or skewers of tender, flavorful yakitori, everything warms me. But the most unforgettable dish is the freshly grilled eel rice, which rivals many specialized eel shops—absolutely amazing!

We enjoyed our meal from daylight into the evening. As night fell, an artistic abstract installation in the courtyard next to the restaurant lit up, with beads of light circling endlessly, as if putting a perfect full stop to the delicious meal.

With features that are rare in Shanghai—outdoor jetted spa rooms, both an indoor heated pool and an outdoor scenic pool, a rich array of delicious dining options, and the relaxing natural environment of Shenlong Ecological Park—the Hilton Shanghai Fengxian Baoneng is truly attractive. Since we're all about staying in Shanghai these days, why not take a break, gather friends and family, and come here for a short stay to enjoy life?

So, when do you plan to check in at this new hotel?!