Hospitality group Marriott has announced to be bringing its Ritz-Carlton Reserve concept to Shanghai, in what will be the brand’s first urban location. The destination-led hotel, generally known for its personalised service and cultural immersion, is scheduled to open in 2030 along Shanghai’s North Bund.
Although the Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand has been around since 2009, at the time of writing, only nine properties around the globe carry the name. Some of the featured locations include Thailand’s Phulay Bay and Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, respectively, the first and the last Ritz-Carlton Reserves to have opened at the time of writing. All hotels are meant to be closely bound to their specific location, offering exclusive local experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. All Reserves were set in rural surroundings – until now.
On 21 August 2026, Marriott International officially announced the debut of the urban Ritz-Carlton Reserve concept. An agreement has been signed between the hospitality group and the Shanghai SIIC North Bund New Landmark Construction and Development Company to create the building, and the hotel is set to open in 2030.
“Ritz-Carlton Reserve has always been about creating rare, deeply personal experiences that could only exist in their destination. There is an intimacy to Reserve – an extraordinary level of personalisation, a deep connection to local culture, and a sense of discovery and wellbeing that allows guests to experience a place in an entirely different way. Bringing that philosophy to Shanghai for our first urban Reserve is an incredibly exciting evolution for the brand. Shanghai is a city unlike any other, where extraordinary heritage and culture exist alongside incredible creativity, energy and global influence,” said Tina Edmundson, president of luxury at Marriott International.
The announcement was accompanied by a first image of what the exterior of the hotel will look like – a tall, somewhat organically shaped skyscraper measuring 480 meters in height and counting 103 floors. With its location along Shanghai’s North Bund, the property is already set to be part of the city’s significant waterfront developments and to become part of its ever-changing skyline.
Within the hotel, guests can expect to find 110 rooms and suites, many of which will overlook the Bund and Huangpu River, including a collection of suites and a Presidential Suite. Moreover, dining, wellness, and cultural immersion will be at the heart of the guest journey, according to Marriott. The on-site options include a specialty restaurant, a bespoke bar, an indoor swimming pool, and a spa & wellness retreat.
“As North Bund continues to evolve into one of Shanghai’s most important waterfront districts, our vision is to create a landmark destination that contributes to the city’s emergence as a leading global center for culture, commerce, and tourism. Through this collaboration, we hope to create a world-class luxury property that reflects the unique character of Shanghai and delivers exceptional experiences for guests from around the world,” stated Huang Haiping, Vice President of SIIC Group and Chairman of Shanghai SIIC North Bund Landmark Construction and Development Co., Ltd.
Upon opening, the hotel is expected to make Shanghai the only city worldwide where all eight of Marriott International’s luxury brands are represented. According to the company, the move reflects its continued confidence in the long-term growth of Greater China and a growing consumer preference for wellness, personalisation, cultural immersion, and transformative experiences.
