Thompson Shanghai Expo opens as the first Thompson Hotel in Asia | News

Hyatt Hotels Corporation today announced the opening of the Thompson Shanghai Expo, which marks the debut of the Thompson Hotels brand in the Asia Pacific region. Located in the dynamic World Expo area, Shanghai’s revitalized business, culture and events district, the Thompson Shanghai Expo serves as a home base for culture seekers, where worlds collide and the classics are celebrated.

At Thompson Shanghai Expo, the brand’s cultural authority meets Shanghai’s cosmopolitan energy, offering guests an immersive experience that reflects the city’s eclectic influences, dynamic creative scene and innovative spirit. The hotel features 254 stylish rooms and suites, striking event spaces and three distinctive culinary and entertainment concepts, including a rooftop club with panoramic views of the Huangpu River and the sweeping skyline of downtown Shanghai beyond.

Thompson Shanghai Expo is an integral part of Expo Place: part monumental commercial complex, part vibrant center of arts, shopping and leisure, located along the river with extensive urban connections. This prime location is steps away from former Expo sites that have been transformed into major venues for events, performances and art, including the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, the Mercedes-Benz Arena and the iconic China Art Museum. Moreover, the hotel is steps away from the Shanghai Expo Culture Park, luxury shopping centers and subway stations.

“The Thompson Hotels brand began in New York as a cultural home for people connected to the city. As it enters its 25th year, it’s great to see the brand taking root in other vibrant markets around the world,” said Amar Lalvani, president and creative director of the Lifestyle group at Hyatt. “Madrid was a perfect step into Europe, at a time when the city is vibrant like never before. Shanghai is just as vibrant, creative and incredibly dynamic. It feels like the right place, at the right time, for the first Thompson hotel in Asia.”

Pavilion-inspired design

The hotel’s architecture reflects the neighborhood’s evolution from industrial stage to creative center and is bold and elemental. The signature curved tower, designed by GP Architects New York, is enveloped in a dynamic glass facade that captures the glow of the Huangpu River, creating an ever-changing dialogue between nature and the city.

Inside, the interiors of SilverFox Studios (Singapore) are inspired by the pavilions of Expo 2010 Shanghai, evoking a ‘pavilion within a pavilion’ experience through a dynamic interplay of volumes, textures and stories. Exposed steel structures honor the site’s industrial heritage while providing a light, open framework for a bold yet harmonious combination of materials, a hallmark of the Thompson style. Steel contrasts with warm wood, concrete meets velvet, and vintage nods are interwoven with contemporary design – all carefully curated to create a unique sensory experience, balancing cool and sophisticated, classic and modern.

Sophisticated accommodations

The mix of classic design with a modern, industrial touch continues in the 254 rooms and suites, all featuring floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city or the Huangpu River. Hardwood floors with hand-tufted carpets, custom furnishings in warm tones against exposed metal and artwork inspired by the Expo Pavilion create oases of chic, residential comfort.

All rooms feature marble bathrooms equipped for spa-inspired relaxation, and thoughtful amenities such as fully stocked minibars, Dyson hairdryers and coffee machines. Guests can unwind at the end of a busy day with the hotel’s signature turndown service and an in-room playlist curated to create the perfect atmosphere for a restful night on the town.

Vibrant dining and clubbing destination

Thompson Shanghai Expo brings new excitement to Shanghai’s dining and social scene with three distinctive dining and entertainment venues. BAOBAO Lounge is an indoor-outdoor space overlooking a lively square and offers a relaxed, social atmosphere, with a menu of steamed delicacies, light bites, fresh beers and local drinks.

The all-day Fishermen’s Pavilion restaurant presents five regional dishes from the Yangtze River Delta, interpreted with a creative, contemporary twist by Shanghai-born and trained chefs. The menu of refined Chinese dishes focuses on seafood and freshwater fish, celebrating the region’s rich culinary heritage and aquaculture. Located on the 19th floor, the restaurant takes the dining experience to the next level with panoramic views of the river and Shanghai skyline, while four private dining rooms ensure intimate and exclusive gatherings.

Located on the 20th floor rooftop, TOTS is an evening and nightlife destination, setting the pace in three distinct zones: a bar, an outdoor dining area and cozy cabanas with table service. This social scene is the place to relax and gather, with an extensive selection of drinks and specialty cocktails, Italian and Asian tapas to share, DJ beats and live entertainment as the sun sets and the city reveals its dark energy.

Customized programming and local cooperation

In true Thompson fashion, Thompson Shanghai Expo innovates the guest experience with curated programming that makes this not only a stylish place to stay, but also a catalyst for social and cultural connections.

Guests can participate in innovative arts programs developed in collaboration with the local creative community. Those who like to combine fitness with exploration can take in iconic cultural and architectural sights on a scenic EXPO riverside run, with local running collectives. Clink & Connect is TOTS’ signature social experience, designed to break the ice and inspire connections among world travelers. Meanwhile, BAOBAO Lounge hosts Beats and Connect every Saturday, turning into a social hotspot for music-loving trendsetters to connect over playlists.

Events and celebrations

The hotel features eight versatile event venues, including Thompson Hall, one of the largest ballrooms in the Expo District. It covers an impressive 1,100 square meters with a 7.2 meter high ceiling and can accommodate up to 1,150 guests in a modern, sophisticated environment with architectural lines. For those who appreciate the unconventional, The Oval, an elliptical venue with a modern steel structure, is well suited for creative and fashionable gatherings. Along with elegant banquet and meeting rooms with natural light and state-of-the-art technology, Thompson Shanghai Expo offers an exceptional destination for any occasion whether large or intimate.

Be more rewarded

In celebration of the hotel’s opening, guests who book their stay through Hyatt.com and World of Hyatt APP between now and November 30, 2025 will have the opportunity to participate in programs specially curated to enhance their cultural experience, including a City Pulse Run with Dark Runner, a leading Shanghai-based running collective. During the first three months after opening, Thompson Shanghai Expo will also host an art exhibition in collaboration with CASETiFY TRAVEL, with the dining destinations serving as touchpoints for an immersive showcase of travel, culture and lifestyle inspired by iconic urban Thompson destinations.

For even more member rewards, World of Hyatt members can earn 500 bonus points for eligible nights at the Thompson Shanghai Expo from the hotel’s opening through January 31, 2026, part of World of Hyatt’s new hotel member offer. Other participating hotels, their stay periods and full offer conditions can be found at worldofhyatt.com/newhotelbonus. Registration is not required and members can earn on top of other offers.

For more information or to make a reservation for the Thompson Shanghai Expo, visit thompsonshanghaiexpo.com