Shanghai Moller Villa Hotel

The Shanghai Hengshan Group Moller Villa Hotel (Shanghai Hengshan Male Bieshu Fandian) is a castle-like villa hotel located at the intersection of Shaanxi Road and Yan'an Road in Shanghai. It was founded in 1927, completed in 1936 and served as the residence for merchant Prince, Eric Moller.

Legend has it that Moller commissioned this unique northern European Norwegian style villa to be built after his daughter had a dream where she saw a castle like those in Hans Andersen fairy tales and sketched it. As it turns out, this is not true, Moller was a wealthy Sweedish British businessman who took over the family shipping business and built the house for his family of six and their pets.

After the Mollers left Shanghai in 1950, the villa was occupied by the Japanese, an espionage agency, was used as the site for a corruption investigation and on and off as a hotel. In 2009 it was re-opened again to guests.

This Shanghai hotel has 43 authentic European-style luxury rooms and suites that come well-equipped with satellite TVs, high-speed Internet access and mini bars.

The restaurant and bar offer excellent Western, Chinese and Japanese food and the coffee shop offers drinks and great views of the 2,000 sq m (2,392 sq yd) garden. Guests can find in the garden bronze statues of Moller's race horse, Blonic Hill (said to have made him a lot of money), and his dog.

The banquet hall and conference rooms have various services making them a sound choice for business receptions and meetings. A business center is also available, along with free parking and a ticket office.

When it comes time to relax, guests at this Shanghai hotel can use the fitness facilities, get a massage or venture to the nearby commercial centers, the Bund or other parts of the city via the convenient metro stations.