Pros

  • Colorful, stylish rooms with memorable Chinese decor
  • Lots of free extras: welcome drinks, minibar items, and Wi-Fi
  • Free tuk-tuk service to major sights (at scheduled times)
  • Location in bustling Chinatown, near famous street food stalls
  • Quality restaurant plus a swanky jazz lounge
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Cons

  • No pool
  • Fee for breakfast
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Bottom Line

In a city where hotel rates are competitive and there are hundreds of options to choose from, this intimate, 76-room boutique hotel still manages to stand out. It's one of the best values for an upscale hotel in the city, thanks to its stylish, colorful, Chinese-inspired decor, tranquil vibe, and extensive freebies (welcome drinks, minibar items, scheduled tuk-tuk service to major sights, and Wi-Fi among them). The location in bustling Chinatown is ideal for those who want to experience Bangkok's famous street food, and there's a quality restaurant on-site as well as a swanky lounge for drinks and jazz. There is no pool, however. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

Shanghai Mansion Bangkok

Scene

An intimate boutique hotel with decor inspired by 1930s Shanghai

At the aptly named Shanghai Mansion, the memorable decor is one of the main draws. The style blends 1930s Shanghai with modern boutique hotel trends, and guests can expect plush, velvety seating in jewel colors, lots of wood carved with geometric Art Deco patterns, and framed posters of 1930s Shanghai women. There are Chinese objets d'art everywhere, from the vases displayed on glass shelves in the lobby to beautiful painted pottery hung on the wall in Cotton jazz lounge. Fish swim in an interior courtyard pond underneath colorful birdcage lanterns. 

The building itself has a storied history and has been used as a trading house, an opera house, a stock exchange, and a department store housing Chinese herbal medicine shops (behind the front desk is what looks like an antique Chinese medicine cabinet, perhaps a nod to this former incarnation). The many freebies here, from the welcome drinks to the scheduled tuk-tuk service, helps make this a true boutique experience. 

See More Scene

Location

In the heart of bustling Chinatown, home to some of Bangkok's best street food

There aren't many hotels located right in the heart of Chinatown, and Shanghai Mansion is the most convenient option for those hoping to sample Bangkok's famous street food in the evenings. Just walk carefully, as the streets here are far from pedestrian-friendly. It's also within a 10- to 15-minute drive to Bangkok's most popular temples, including Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew, and Wat Arun. Wat Traimit is even closer -- a three-minute drive (or five-minute walk for those brave enough). The hotel offers free tuk-tuk service to popular sights at scheduled times. 

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Rooms

Colorful, stylish rooms with nice extras

The beautiful chinoiserie of the common spaces carries over into the rooms, which are full of bold, colorful fabrics and sophisticated patterns. Many rooms have four-poster wood bed frames with beautiful, intricate carvings. The thoughtful extras make all the difference here, from the free minibar items to the quality toiletries to the beautiful painted teapots. The rooms are also surprisingly quiet for the busy location, but some lack natural light (those without a view may have colorful, rather than transparent, glass windows). For many, though, this just adds to the sultry, romantic vibe. Bathrooms have walk-in showers (and charming, quirky birdcages with fake birds); some suites have freestanding tubs. Slippers and robes are provided. The flat-screen TVs get a couple of English channels. Room service is available for those who want a romantic night in. Those staying in Ying Hua Deluxe Rooms and Mu Dan Suites get butler service, which includes luggage unpacking, personalized concierge service, turndown service, and customized minibars.

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Features

No pool, but an elegant restaurant and chic jazz lounge

Though the Shanghai Mansion lacks a pool, it does have some nice eating and drinking options. Red Rose restaurant offers a quality breakfast buffet (for a fee) and tasty Chinese-style dishes later in the day (for example, crispy whole duck) in an elegant space with black and white checkered tile floors and chandeliers. Cotton lounge serves Chinese fare for lunch and dinner, and offers cocktails and (often) live jazz in the evenings. There's also a casual outdoor terrace bar with a TV playing sports games. A ballroom is available for special events. Wi-Fi is free, as is tuk-tuk service to major sights. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Shanghai Mansion Bangkok

Scene

An intimate boutique hotel with decor inspired by 1930s Shanghai

At the aptly named Shanghai Mansion, the memorable decor is one of the main draws. The style blends 1930s Shanghai with modern boutique hotel trends, and guests can expect plush, velvety seating in jewel colors, lots of wood carved with geometric Art Deco patterns, and framed posters of 1930s Shanghai women. There are Chinese objets d'art everywhere, from the vases displayed on glass shelves in the lobby to beautiful painted pottery hung on the wall in Cotton jazz lounge. Fish swim in an interior courtyard pond underneath colorful birdcage lanterns. 

The building itself has a storied history and has been used as a trading house, an opera house, a stock exchange, and a department store housing Chinese herbal medicine shops (behind the front desk is what looks like an antique Chinese medicine cabinet, perhaps a nod to this former incarnation). The many freebies here, from the welcome drinks to the scheduled tuk-tuk service, helps make this a true boutique experience. 

See More Scene

Location

In the heart of bustling Chinatown, home to some of Bangkok's best street food

There aren't many hotels located right in the heart of Chinatown, and Shanghai Mansion is the most convenient option for those hoping to sample Bangkok's famous street food in the evenings. Just walk carefully, as the streets here are far from pedestrian-friendly. It's also within a 10- to 15-minute drive to Bangkok's most popular temples, including Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew, and Wat Arun. Wat Traimit is even closer -- a three-minute drive (or five-minute walk for those brave enough). The hotel offers free tuk-tuk service to popular sights at scheduled times. 

See More Location

Rooms

Colorful, stylish rooms with nice extras

The beautiful chinoiserie of the common spaces carries over into the rooms, which are full of bold, colorful fabrics and sophisticated patterns. Many rooms have four-poster wood bed frames with beautiful, intricate carvings. The thoughtful extras make all the difference here, from the free minibar items to the quality toiletries to the beautiful painted teapots. The rooms are also surprisingly quiet for the busy location, but some lack natural light (those without a view may have colorful, rather than transparent, glass windows). For many, though, this just adds to the sultry, romantic vibe. Bathrooms have walk-in showers (and charming, quirky birdcages with fake birds); some suites have freestanding tubs. Slippers and robes are provided. The flat-screen TVs get a couple of English channels. Room service is available for those who want a romantic night in. Those staying in Ying Hua Deluxe Rooms and Mu Dan Suites get butler service, which includes luggage unpacking, personalized concierge service, turndown service, and customized minibars.

See More Rooms

Features

No pool, but an elegant restaurant and chic jazz lounge

Though the Shanghai Mansion lacks a pool, it does have some nice eating and drinking options. Red Rose restaurant offers a quality breakfast buffet (for a fee) and tasty Chinese-style dishes later in the day (for example, crispy whole duck) in an elegant space with black and white checkered tile floors and chandeliers. Cotton lounge serves Chinese fare for lunch and dinner, and offers cocktails and (often) live jazz in the evenings. There's also a casual outdoor terrace bar with a TV playing sports games. A ballroom is available for special events. Wi-Fi is free, as is tuk-tuk service to major sights. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.