The Middle House Shanghai

If you’ve been to The Opposite House in Beijing or The Upper House in Hong Kong, then you’ll more or less know what to expect at The Middle House in Shanghai.

Name: The Middle House

Location: Shanghai

Address: China, Shanghai, Jing'An, No. 366 Shi Men Yi Road 邮政编码: 200041

Accommodates: 111 rooms in total, each have been divided based on square meter ranging from 50 to 90. They also have a Suite, Presidential Room and their Residences (serviced style apartments). We stayed in Studio 90.

Type: Studio

Best for: Design, great location, space, contemporary.

Kids activities: None

Visited: 2018

Located on Shanghai’s Hongqiao side of the city, The Middle House is well advantaged when it comes to proximity from the city centre whilst maintaining an air of discretion and calm. Not far from the main high way and directly in between the shopping malls, boutiques and the park within walking distance, The Middle House makes for a well-positioned luxury hotel in Shanghai.

You’ll notice discretion before setting foot into the hotel – with its dark panelled round aluminium louvers façade and an almost unnoticeable sign, it speaks luxury minimalism. The only striking contrast that exists at The Middle House is its truly stunning larger than life glass blown chandelier that hangs amongst the hotel’s green tiled walls. Art is apparent as it is showcased throughout the hotel – from a Chinese gown laden with handmade porcelain butterflies to what appears to be a painting but up close are actually burnt marks on paper – this hotel showcases a combination of the old and new Shanghai.

The Room

There are 111 rooms at The Middle House, each have been divided based on square meter ranging from 50 to 90 square meters. Each of the rooms are made up of similar layouts with the exception of varying sizes. On this occasion we experienced The Middle House's Studio 90.

Expansive room, hardwood flooring, separate walk in closet, floor to ceiling windows throughout, automatic shutters for a restful sleep, complimentary in-room maxi bar and luxury Bamford toiletries; this is sheer comfort. If we were to say what the best part of the room was it would most certainly have to be the interior design complimented by the space and floor to ceiling windows. There is a sense of wonderment when you’re able to view the city’s skyline from an interior setting offering aesthetic comfort and minimal tones, especially from a vantage point such as the plush bedding and high spec details. The room appeared clean, temperature controlled and refreshing – a way to further appreciate the room is to make use of its oval designed bathtub and Bamford bath products. You’ll soon be whisked off to a blissful calm with a spa designed bathroom in the comfort of your own room. With two separate sinks and an expansive rain shower, this vertical shaped bathroom is a little luxury in itself.

Amenities

We have to point out that the slippers provided were super comfy. We loved the complimentary maxi bar and the Bamford toiletries.

The Spa

The Middle House wouldn’t be complete without a visit to their in-hotel spa, Mi Xun. For the ultimate mood-lifter, head underground where you'll get a true sense of escapism in the form of spiritual zen. Concrete tones contrasted with bamboo details, sculptures dotted throughout and as if the lighting had a strategy of its own - this was bliss with minimal effort. In terms of spa treatments, we highly recommend Mi Xun's signature facial. It is the first spa in China that uses products by Cha Ling (a skincare brand developed by LVMH). The session takes up to an hour starting with a warm and refreshing cleanse before a light scrub and mask, completed by Cha Ling serums and a moisturizer to top it off. After our treatment we went for a leisurely swim in their 33-meter indoor heated pool. You’ll notice a sauna and steam room just opposite the pool, enclose in a dome-like structure. This was really something to admire. Whether on business or leisure, the spa is the ideal respite from a long day of busy.

The sauna is located in this LED dome that sits at the centre of the infinity pool

The Food

You’re not without options at The Middle House and not without mouth-watering flavours either. The hotel offers three different restaurants – Café Gray Deluxe for all day dining, Frasca for Italian cuisine and Sui Tang Li (perhaps our favourite) for a melange of Sichuan, Canton and Shanghainese flavours. If you’re craving for authentic Chinese cuisine with a twist, do try out Sui Tang Li and order the Pork Xiao Long Bao’s (soup dumplings) – they are even as delicious as the ones you get at famed Xiao Long Bao restaurant Din Tai Fung, we can promise you that. Also try their stir-fried angus beef as well as their caramelized prawns as they are cooked with that mild Sichuanese spice offering an altogether savoury experience. Apparently, the restaurant is rather difficult to book for outside guests, so consider yourself lucky to dine at this restaurant should you get the chance to.

Breakfast is served daily from 7:30 to 10:30 at their Café Gray Deluxe and the options range from English, American to Chinese breakfast. One can either order the entire menu from each of the categories or else go a la carte. Though the options seemed great we did feel that the breakfast slightly lacked in terms of not offering a children’s breakfast menu for example. We would rate the breakfast as reasonable - for anyone that prefers a light breakfast then you’ll be satisfied.

Conclusion

You’re in good hands when at The Middle House – a hotel that stands for subtle luxury lifestyle living with sustainability in mind. A hotel that is well-positioned but not smack in the centre amidst the hustle and bustle. One comes here either for business or leisure to find a small sense of Zen and recluse before entering the busy days ahead. That is its purpose in Shanghai, to be that home away from home with an incomparable touch of luxury to make one feel complete comfort, convenience and maybe inspired – a look at their artwork and objects throughout the hotel and in the rooms signifies the properties individuality and character. What sets The Middle House apart from its sister houses is that they also operate as a residential living space. Parallel to the Hotel, The Residence offers 102 well-appointed rooms and if you're wondering, yes the rooms are pretty much a carbon copy of the hotel rooms save for a living area, kitchenette and utensils. It is run as a service apartment therefore guests receive the same comfort in knowing that their rooms are taken care of.