Check-In: Jia

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Location: Right in the thick of it. JIA is nestled on a corner of shoppers' paradise, Nanjing Xi Lu. Centered between People's Square and its various museums to the West, and Jingan Temple to the East, it's a great location for a spot of sightseeing, as well as being conveniently close to the more leafy environs of the former French Concession.

Now Booking: With 47 rooms and suites, JIA offers a boutique experience, one of the first to do so in Shanghai. Tasteful, unique and fun, all are equipped with board games and, of course, always good for a dip, Mao's little red book. The most basic room, “Studio”, is a comfortable 35sqm and bookable for around the 1,400rmb mark, depending on availability. “Balcony” suites offer 84sqm of decadence (including a full-on bar, complete with cocktail shaker, martini glasses and other boozing accoutrements), and at the top end is “Penthouse” rooms. Any celebrity readers out there will be relieved to know that these 'Rock Star' suites boast a secret door leading to the hotel's side entrance, thoughtfully placed to dodge any waiting paparazzi...

Background: Opened in 2007, JIA followed hot on the footsteps of Singaporean founder Yenn Wong's Hong Kong property of the same name: achingly hip, it was designed by world-renowned French talent, Philippe Starck. The two boutique bastions of the JIA empire are flanked by similarly fabulous eateries in Hong Kong, Singapore and, of course, Shanghai's very own Issimo.

The Shanghai property is housed in a 1920s building, and, having given Starck full design freedom for the Hong Kong hotel, Yenn saw this one as a chance to experiment. The result is a beautifully curated and impeccably tasteful interior, featuring pieces by makers both established and emerging.

Adding to the exclusivity of it all, JIA's entrance lobby and lounge was shifted up to the third floor earlier this year, thus reducing the number of rooms from 55 to 47. The resulting space is more cozy than what stood before, and more private too -- an essential factor, to be sure, for the hotel's occasional celebrity guests.

Atmosphere: Tasteful, arty, but more importantly, fun, JIA Shanghai is exactly as the name suggests: meaning ‘home’ in Mandarin, it strives to be just that, albeit an impossibly chic one, possibly belonging to some glamourous socialite or recluse designer. The check-in desk and lounge have been elevated away from the ground-floor, feeling far removed from the cacophony -- and possibly riff-raff -- of Nanjing Xi Lu, all setting a tone of relaxation and personalized attention.

Designed by André Fu, the lounge is peppered with art both eye-grabbing and discrete. Hand embroidered silk wall coverings in rich brown and gold surround the space, quirky acrylic cuckoo clocks are a fun touch, whilst Liang Bin Bin's two oversized and studded bears add an almost humorous element to the otherwise elegant proceedings. Dotted throughout are Caroline Cheng's Mao-emblazoned ceramics, flanking furniture and fittings both bold and sleek. Reinforcing the 'home away from home' vibe, guests are invited to help themselves from an adjacent pantry, stocked with coffees, teas, cakes and, in the evenings, wines.

Rooms are a joint effort by BURO Architects and Hecker Phelan & Guthrie Interiors, and strike a similarly fresh note, reading like a who's who of contemporary design: lighting, for example, comes courtesy of Flos' gorgeous, otherworldly-shaped shades; beautiful mosaiced tiling by Bisazza and sumptuous furniture by the likes of Minotti, Moroso, et al. All rooms feature striking photographic murals by Singaporean photographer Russel Wong, tastefully and creatively referencing China -- from a dizzying mosaic of Shanghai cigarette packets through to Mao's little red book, they're bold and just the right amount of brash. Other unique touches come courtesy of mirrored insects dotted around, bird book ends and the occasional animal skin throw.

Food and Beverage: Sprawling the entirety of the second floor, award-winning Issimo offers “home-style Italian” fare, including some of Shanghai's more well-received pizzas. Inside, it's all rustic charm -- wooden floors, an exquisite olive wood bar traveling the length of a bustling open kitchen, as well as friendly, knowledgeable service. Tom Dixon lamps inject a contemporary vibe, whilst an adjacent private dining room caters to up to 30 guests. The space doubles as a breakfast area, with treats on offer including meats, cheeses and hot dishes -- nothing out of the ordinary, but all nicely done.

Amenities: What JIA lacks in more standard hotel facilities – spa, swimming pool and so on – it makes up for in some pretty unexpected ways, all in keeping with its homely atmosphere. There's a self-service laundry, for example, apparently well-used by longer-term guests, as well as fully equipped kitchenettes in each room. A small gym and stylish meeting rooms are both complimentary for residents, whilst an agreement with the Lancôme Institute a couple hundred meters down Nanjing Lu offers advantageously-priced facials at the cosmetic company's Shanghai quarters.

Who's staying? Well, apparently lots of hounded celebrities seeking sanctuary from marauding paparazzi and in need of a few home comforts... Other than that, though, this is a haven for design lovers: engaging, smart and genuinely refreshing, it's hard not to swoon at the sheer chic of the place. Tucked away and more or less anonymous from the outside, it feels very, very exclusive, but inviting nonetheless. Just leave the children at home -- yes, the place exudes fun, flair and humour, but take it from us: JIA is definitely, confidently and sexily a grown-up gem.