Wanda Reign on the Bund: A glimpse inside Shanghai’s pioneering ‘seven-star’ hotel

Marketed as Shanghai’s first-ever ‘seven-star’ hotel, the Wanda Reign on the Bund certainly lives up to its prestigious reputation from the moment you arrive.

The hotel’s striking exterior features a stunning fusion of glass and steel, masterfully designed by the renowned British architectural teams of Foster + Partners and Heatherwick Studio.

Upon entering the grand lobby, guests are greeted by jade-inlaid Art Deco floors, leading to a vast abstract painting of Shanghai by celebrated Chinese artist Shi Qi. Towering marble columns rise to a 10-meter-high ceiling.

The hotel showcases an exclusive collection of artworks, combining modern pieces with vintage Shanghai aesthetics from the 1920s and ’30s. Intricate magnolia patterns, amber rhinestones, 3D mosaic murals, and ornate embroideries are set against lavish displays of crystal, jade, and marble.

A new landmark on the Bund

This is the 51st property of the Wanda Hotels & Resorts chain, part of the vast Dalian Wanda Group led by China’s wealthiest individual, Wang Jianlin.

In less than half a year, it has already established itself as the top destination for China’s high society.

On a recent Saturday morning, two young women, still sporting their makeup, black designer dresses, and gold-embroidered silk slippers, sluggishly make their way to the lavish breakfast spread.

Just ahead of them, a man in pajama shorts – also wearing slippers – loads his plate with dumplings and fried rice while loudly conversing on his iPhone 7 through a wireless headset.

The trio appears to be no older than 30 years of age.

Their youthful ages are significant, as they perfectly embody the type of clientele that Wanda Reign has become known for attracting, largely due to its connection with Wang Jianlin’s 28-year-old son, Wang Sicong, widely considered the mastermind behind the hotel.

For those unfamiliar, Wang Sicong has made headlines for his flashy displays of wealth and his effortlessly cool millennial persona.

For his 27th birthday, he rented out an entire island resort and made headlines by buying iPhone 7s and Apple Watches for his dog.

While some criticize the young man’s lavish lifestyle, others – particularly China’s second-generation wealthy, the offspring of tycoons – see him as a quintessential example of the new rich.

‘People are intrigued’

“A lot of our guests are relatively young,” says Christie Chen, marketing and communications director for Wanda Reign.

“They typically come on weekends to party and book one of our suites. Wang Sicong’s association with the hotel is definitely a pull, as is the ‘seven-star’ label. People are intrigued.”

Both the ‘seven-star’ rating and Wang Sicong’s name may be clever marketing strategies. No official global travel organization has awarded Wanda Reign a seven-star designation, as there’s no such worldwide standard.

While social media and Wang Sicong’s inner circle have amplified his role to stir excitement, it is his father, not him, who owns the property.

Nevertheless, the hotel has fully embraced its luxurious persona.

Tailored designer uniforms and Rolls-Royce chauffeur services

Take Club Reign on the second floor, an exclusive private club available to members of the Wanda Hotels and Resorts loyalty program.

It’s an entire world of its own, with stained glass windows lining the corridors and chandeliers suspended above plush leather armchairs and polished mahogany furniture.

A dedicated butler is available at all times, and the bar is stocked with premium bottles of Chateau Lafite and luxurious Louis XIV cigars.

The hotel features a three-room spa and a high-tech KTV room equipped with professional sound systems and soft mauve lighting, so guests can enjoy a nightclub experience without ever leaving the hotel.

Even the uniforms are designed with luxury in mind; Laurence Xu, the first Chinese designer to showcase at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, was commissioned to create bespoke liveries crafted from fine Chinese silk and featuring traditional motifs.

Chef Marc Meneau, formerly of the now-closed two-Michelin-star restaurant L’Espérance, oversees the kitchen at the French restaurant MARC. Meanwhile, at the Japanese eatery HE, every detail – from the ingredients to the tableware, the water, and even the Sprite – is imported directly from Japan.

Five-star luxury, but at seven-star prices?

Despite the lavish scale and widespread comforts, the Wanda Reign on the Bund struggles to fully justify its 'seven-star' claim.

The hotel offers exceptional quality, but when compared to other luxury hotels, it doesn't quite stand out as something entirely unmatched.

Even Chen acknowledges, “Internally, we consider it a five-star.”

However, it’s the hotel’s strong ties to China’s affluent twenty-somethings that give it its appeal – setting it apart from its competitors.

It’s unclear how long this will last, but for now, this grand and opulent property stands as the newest hotspot for China’s high-spending elite.