This is the best hotel in the world

Just across the majestic Huangpu River from the heart of downtown Shanghai lies its emerging eastern extension, Pudong, the commercial and financial epicenter of the city.

The only hotel in Pudong with integrated luxury office, residential and retail space, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, is near Shanghai International Expo Centre and enjoys a prime location overlooking The Bund.

It has been recently voted the best hotel in the world by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

Let's have a look at the stunning hotel.

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It is situated on the upper floors of an ultra-modern 58-storey tower in the heart of the city's Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone on Century Boulevard.

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Shanghai, Pudong, features 285 well-appointed guestrooms and suites and four exceptional restaurants and bars.

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It 1,700 square metres (18,299 square feet) of high-tech meeting space, a 1,500-square-metre (16,146-square-foot) spa and 24-hour fitness studio and easy access to the Shanghai International Expo Centre.

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This is what you see when you walk inside the the Ritz Carlton Shanghai.

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The hotel has 285 guestrooms, many of which overlook the Huangpu River.

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The Ritz Shanghai, Pudong, opened in June 2010 and occupies the top 18 floors of the Shanghai IFC South Tower.

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Located in Shanghai IFC, the prime real estate in Lujiazui financial trade zone, the hotel and development is the work of architect Cesar Pelli.

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The design and style of the hotel is contemporary, with hints of new interpretations of 1930's Shanghai Art Deco.

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This gives a great sense of place to the hotel as guest rooms and restaurants embrace magnificent sweeping views over The Bund - the most intact collection of Art Deco architecture anywhere in the world.

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With interior designs by Richard Farnell, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, guest rooms and suites range in size from 50 square metres (500 square feet) to 400 square metres (4,000 square feet), for the palatial Ritz-Carlton Suite and Chairman Suite.

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There are three floors of Club accommodation, and each club room enjoys access to the hotel's stunning Club Lounge on the 49th level, which will be open 24 hours a day.

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It offers a host of exquisite luxury restaurants and a bar with unrivalled views over The Bund and the Shanghai skyline.

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Restaurants include Aura Lounge and Jazz Bar, Jin Xuan, the fine dining Chinese Restaurant designed by Steve Leung; Scena Italian Restaurant and Flair Rooftop Restaurant and Bar, both designed by the world famous Super Potato.

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Flair is Shanghai's highest al fresco dining and wining venue and is the unique new social centre of Pudong and the city.

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Featuring more than 2,500 square metres (25,000 square feet) of meeting and conference space on the third level, including a 1,135-square-metre (11,350 square feet) Grand Ballroom, the second-largest ballroom among the city's luxury hotels, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, can accommodate large and small meetings and gatherings in sumptuous environment with world-class technology and facilities underscored by The Ritz-Carlton legendary service.

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All meeting space offers floor-to-ceiling windows and natural daylight.

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Located on the hotel's 55th floor, and occupying an area of more than 1,500 square metres ( 15,000 square feet), The Ritz-Carlton Spa by Espa features 10 treatment rooms, including nine multi-function treatment rooms and a Harmony Suite where two guests may relax and enjoy treatments together.

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The Ritz-Carlton Spa by Espa combines the essence of ancient and modern Chinese, Indian, European and Balinese spa cultures and uses luxury Espa products that harness the best of nature's essential oils, botanicals and marine supplements.

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The exquisite collection of treatments represents complete care, personalisation and the ultimate in luxury.

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A diamond-like facade glittering with the vibrancy of the city, Shanghai IFC mall also boasts opulent interiors framing the most stylish shopping environment and housing hundreds of world-renowned international branded retails.

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Guests of The Ritz Carlton will enjoy direct access to this world leading lifestyle landmark.

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"The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong is an integral feature of Shanghai ifc, developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties, one of Asia's leading property developers, with proven excellence in creating world-class mixed-use developments incorporating luxury retail, office, residential and hotels, as the company's IFC and ICC in Hong Kong have demonstrated, said Rainer Burkle, area vice-president and general manager of the hotel.

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It is a great honour for us to partner with Sun Hung Kai to build and develop this iconic hotel in Shanghai, he said.

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As Shanghai has been experiencing exponential growth and many multi-national companies have opened in Pudong, we find it strategically viable for The Ritz-Carlton to be located on both sides of Huangpu River, said Burkle.

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The history of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC, originates with The Ritz-Carlton, Boston. The standards of service, dining and facilities of this Boston landmark serve as a benchmark for all Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts worldwide.

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The legacy of The Ritz-Carlton, Boston begins with the celebrated hotelier Cesar Ritz, the "king of hoteliers and hotelier to kings".

His philosophy of service and innovations redefined the luxury hotel experience in Europe through his management of The Ritz Paris and The Carlton in London.

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Cesar Ritz died in 1918 but his wife Marie continued the expansion of hotels bearing his name. In the United States, The Ritz-Carlton Investing Company was established by Albert Keller who bought and franchised the name.

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In 1927, The Ritz-Carlton, Boston, opened and other hotels followed in New York (at Madison and 54th), Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Atlantic City and Boca Raton.

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However, by 1940 none of the hotels were operating except The Ritz-Carlton, Boston. The hotel embodies the vision of Cesar Ritz, Yankee ingenuity and Boston social sensibilities.

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NOTE: Photos courtesy of ritzcarlton.com