Rujin Hotel Taiyuan Villa

Hotel Description

The Ruijin Hotel's Taiyuan Villa (Shanghai Ruijin Binguan Taiyuan Bieshu) is a boutique hotel set in a gorgeous, Concession-era villa on charming Taiyuan Road in Shanghai's Xuhui District. Its location puts it in the heart of the Former French Concession and within easy access of Huaihai Road. Metro Lines 1, 7, 9 and 10 are all within a 15-minute walk and the neighborhood is home to a number of lively bars and restaurants. Built in 1928, Taiyuan Villa features many of the French architectural styles that were popular in the days before Shanghai's dramatic modernization with its Mansard roof, French windows, and eclectic interior with a recurring fleur de lys motif. The well-appointed guest rooms have been painstakingly maintained to preserve their old-school charm.A colorful history makes this one of the most interesting buildings in Shanghai. Requisitioned by the Japanese Imperial Army from 1941-45 it was later used as a government guesthouse during the first three decades of the People's Republic. Countless New China luminaries have stayed here with Jiang Qing ("Madam Mao") a big fan of the locale.