A new luxury hotel opened in Shanghai this past fall on the site of a former estate built in the 1930s in the city’s French Concession neighborhood.

The Capella Shanghai is an all-villa hotel boasting a slew of historic and original features including narrow alleyways, inner courtyards, stone archways and wrought-iron gates. The villas are laid out in 22 rows of lanes in the traditional Shanghai shikumen style.

The focal point of the hotel is the Water Tower, offering a bird’s-eye view of the iconic heritage district.

Villa sizes range 1,194–2,701 square feet, each featuring a private courtyard, sitting room, upper-level living/media room, master bathroom, bedroom and roof deck. All rooms come equipped with a Bose audio system, WiFi and minibar with complimentary snacks and soft drinks.

The Capella Library offers visitors a look into the region’s history, art, fashion and architecture, and Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire restaurant offers a chic venue in which to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. Le Bar offers cocktails and premium whiskey and, at street level, La Boulangerie serves up homemade baked goods and coffee.

The hotel’s Auriga Spa boasts a full fitness centre, herbal baths, a sauna, steam room, salt-wall lounge and wellness studio.

Located only 35 minutes from Shanghai’s Hongqiao International Airport and an hour from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the new hotel is the perfect spot from which to explore the destination. Nightly rates begin at $680.