The Middle House – Intimate Luxury in the Heart of Shanghai

The Middle House is an urban sanctuary in bustling Shanghai. Opened in 2018, The Middle House is the latest addition to Swire Hotels’ renowned The House Collective, a group of acclaimed and distinctive individual hotels. The Middle House is located in the heart of Shanghai’s commercial district, a stone’s throw away from the historic neighbourhood of Dazhongli. The building, tall and modern, is tucked away behind a wall covered in lush bamboo, creating a barrier between the bustle of Nanjing Road. The locations provides total escapism, all the while coffee shops, upscale restaurants, and lively shops are only minutes away. This is an incredibly central and convenient area to stay – in fact, the hotel has one of the best-rated locations in Shanghai.

The Middle House is a design hotel through and through. The property embraces Italian design blended with a sense of ancient style and modern aesthetic. From the moment entered the hotel, I was basked in an Chinese sense of luxury. The lobby is utterly glamorous – darkly neutral hues contrast against the forest-green bamboo wall tiles and accents in jewel-like tones. The centrepiece – a levitating black table and a gigantic beaded chandelier, is truly sumptuous.

Studio, Rooms, and Suite

Having done my research on the House Collective, I had high expectations prior to my arrival, and knew that The Middle House was the type of hotel I usually sway towards; intimate luxury and impeccable service. Little did I know I would be staying in a Studio 90 – one of their best rooms.

The Studio 90, which offers 971 square feet (90 sqm) of space – was incredibly spacious for a hotel in Shanghai. It featured a plush king size bed, a separate living area, a complimentary maxi-bar, and a gorgeous spa-inspired bathroom. The hotel’s interior theme transcended all the way through and through. Immaculately designed, my studio was western in style and elegantly subdued with neutral colors, luxurious textures and elegant artwork. Expansive floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows allowed me to take in fabulous views of the city both daytime and at night.

The complimentary bar was the size of a normal sized fridge, and stocked with a variety of beverages and snacks – items could even be personalised to suit specific dietary needs! The bathroom, separated by glass walls, featured a spa-inspired oval bathtub and Artisanal bath & body products by British luxury brand, Bamford.

Upon entering my studio I was met with the kindest welcome gifts – a beautiful engraved luggage tag and a matching chic handbag. There were also fresh berries beautifully arranged on the living room table and a handwritten welcome note. These are small personal touches that define luxury and that never go unnoticed.

MI XUN Spa

Amenities and facilities include a day spa, MI XUN. Spread through 2.600 sqm, the day spa offers an array of features, including a 33-metre heated pool, 24-hour gymnasium, juice bar, group yoga sessions, and sauna and steam rooms, and has all the ingredients to restore your body and soul.

The Middle House takes pampering to a new level of luxury with their indulgent spa offerings –
focusing on skincare treatments using combined techniques of traditional Chinese medicine to re-harmonise energy flows and detoxify the skin.

After a long day strolling around the myriad streets, shops and star attractions of Shanghai, a bit of relaxation was in order. On the evening of my check-in, I had the opportunity to try one of MI XUN’s lavish treatments – the 60 minutes Cha Ling signature skincare and body treatment. Treatments starts at RMB 1280* (approx. US$190) and are curated to cater to guests’ personal skin care needs.

Food & Beverage Venues

The Middle House also has multiple food and beverage venues. On my first day at the hotel, I dined at Frasca. The restaurant offers a curated selection contemporary Italian classics, as well as a variety of fine wines and Italian vintages. The menu is all about quality not quantity – all ingredients are sourced fresh from local farms or from elite appellations in Italy. On my second day in Shanghai, I opted to stay in my studio and enjoy the vast in-room dining options. Culinary specialities and sumptuous cuisine of the esteemed Café Gray Deluxe were expertly served in my Studio 90.

As for breakfast, it is served at Café Gray Deluxe, the sister restaurant to the iconic Café Gray Deluxe at The Upper House in Hong Kong. The a la carte menu offered a variety of delectable hot & cold breakfast options and the food is presented in a delightful way. The venue, which can be described as a part lounge, part open kitchen, part terrace, also serves lunch and dinner.

Final Thoughts

The Middle House is successful in combining wellness, impeccable service, and intimate luxury. The staff were attentive and genuinely polite. My studio was immaculately designed and personal touches such as the welcome gifts and service truly made my stay memorable. There are plenty of F&B venues and every taste is catered for. The hotel offered everything I could ever want for my stay in Shanghai, and I only wish I could of stayed longer and explored everything the Middle House had to offer.

The Middle House at a Glance

China, Shanghai Shi, Jingan Qu, No. 366 Shi Men Yi Road 邮政编码: 200041  (view location).