No. 12 Hengshan Road is a five-story building designed by renowned Italian architect Mario Botta, with interiors by the famous New York design firm Yabu Pushelberg. Overall, the hotel’s design is quite intriguing—a cylindrical structure that is square on the outside and round on the inside, featuring a central courtyard. Upon entering the hotel, you immediately leave behind the hustle and bustle of Hengshan Road, enjoying a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. The interior style blends Chinese and Western elements, making the hotel an interesting architectural piece to observe. However, due to its unique shape, the room layouts can be somewhat quirky. Additionally, because there are relatively few elevators, if you’re assigned a room far from one, it can be quite a long walk.
No. 12 Hengshan Road was originally a Luxury Collection property but transitioned to IHG’s HUALUXE brand last April. As mentioned before, the Luxury Collection has been scaling back in China, with many properties leaving the portfolio—there seem to be very few left now… But the hotel itself remains essentially the same; aside from the change in management, almost nothing else has changed.
The location is incredibly convenient. Right across the street is Yongjia Pavilion, and Wukang Road, Hunan Road, Anfu Road, and Taojiang Road are all within walking distance.
The rooms feature amenities expected of a high-end brand, including a capsule coffee machine, an electric toilet, and dual sinks. There’s also a terrace offering views of the internal courtyard.
The entire public area is very spacious and features numerous art installations.
Head over to The Bull next door & Claw for dinner. Located on Fenyang Road, it occupies a fairly large standalone building and is a quintessential Western restaurant. Since we made a last-minute reservation, our table wasn’t particularly spacious, but the chairs were very comfortable, and there was a wood-burning fireplace nearby. We arrived relatively early when it wasn’t too crowded, though it gradually filled up later. We opted for the Restaurant Week three-course dinner set.
Garden pea soup base paired with pan-seared scallops, French crème fraîche, and bread—the pea soup was delicious, and the seared scallops were of excellent quality.
Cream of mushroom soup served with artisanal bread was rich and deeply satisfying.
Steak and Lobster Platter (Ribeye Steak & ½ lobster). This ribeye was a delightful surprise—tender and juicy, with a well-crafted sauce. It ranks among the most pleasantly surprising steaks I’ve had in recent years. The lobster portion was just average, prepared simply to highlight its natural flavor. However, the accompanying fries were delicious.
Classic cheesecake served with fresh berries and raspberry sorbet—all absolutely delicious, and the sorbet provided a refreshing contrast to cut through the richness.
Chocolate lava cake was decadently indulgent, served with the classic pairing of vanilla ice cream~~
Overall, the flavors were highly satisfying with no disappointments. Both service and ambiance met expectations, making it well worth recommending.
To sum up, if you’re considering a trip to downtown Shanghai, this hotel would be an excellent choice. Its distinctive design stands out, and the rooms feel modern rather than dated. Getting around is exceptionally convenient—with a metro station right at the doorstep and key areas of the city center easily accessible on foot.
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