Marriott International is adding a new address to its luxury lineup. The company has signed a deal with Shanghai SIIC North Bund New Landmark Construction and Development Co., Ltd. to bring the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve to Shanghai. The hotel is so far scheduled to open in 2030 and will mark the debut of what Marriott calls its “urban Reserve” concept, a version of the brand built specifically for big city settings rather than the remote resort locations Reserve properties are usually known for.
The signing ceremony brought together a fairly large group of executives from both sides. Marriott’s team included President and CEO Anthony Capuano and Chairman David Marriott, along with regional leaders overseeing Greater China. SIIC Group and its partner companies sent their own leadership, including representatives from Shanghai Chengtou Group and Shanghai Construction Group.
A New Kind of Reserve
Until now, Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties have leaned on isolation and scenery. This one flips that idea. Instead of escaping the city, guests will be dropped right into it, with the hotel positioned as a quieter retreat within Shanghai’s busier North Bund district. Marriott says the goal is privacy and a slower pace, even in a dense urban setting.
Tina Edmundson, Marriott’s President of Luxury, described the project as a new direction for the brand, one meant to fit Shanghai’s mix of history and modern energy. She said, “There is an intimacy to Reserve—an extraordinary level of personalization, 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.”
What the Building Will Include
The Ritz-Carlton Reserve will be located inside a much larger mixed-use development along the Huangpu River. The tower itself will be about 480 meters across 103 floors. The hotel will occupy a portion of that space, with the rest going toward offices, retail, residences, and an observation deck.
Inside the hotel, plans call for:
- 110 guest rooms and suites, including a Presidential Suite
- Several dining options, including a specialty restaurant and a bespoke bar
- An indoor pool, fitness center, and spa/wellness retreat
Many rooms are expected to face the Bund and the river. Once open, the hotel will make Shanghai the only city in the world with all eight of Marriott’s luxury brands present. That’s a really notable detail for a company that has been steadily expanding its luxury portfolio across Greater China in recent years.
Huang Haiping of SIIC Group said the project fits into the broader push to develop Shanghai’s North Bund into a major waterfront district. The hotel’s arrival is still years away, but the plans give an early look at how Marriott intends to compete for luxury travelers in one of Asia’s biggest markets.
