Visitors to the houses – I’ve had the pleasure of staying at all of them except The Temple House – will recognise some slight similarities with The Opposite House in Beijing but each House is unique in its own way. The common thread is their low-key approach to luxury, both in the service and interiors.

Designed by Italian architect Piero Lissoni, The Middle House is filled with unexpected touches that are fun without being gimmicky. From a striking Murano-glass chandelier in the lobby to small gecko sculptures climbing up the backs of TV monitors in the rooms and Chinese artworks scattered throughout, the property is welcoming and cosy.

The hotel’s eateries, which include Café Gray Deluxe, a Western restaurant and cocktail lounge, and Frasca, a fun Italian trattoria, attract a stylish crowd while the Chinese restaurant, Sui Tang Li, is one of the hottest reservations in town.

An indoor swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, a spa and a hair salon round out the amenities, and cater to guests and well-to-do Shanghai residents who live and work in the area. (The Middle House Residences are located next to the hotel.)

The hotel sits above a relatively new mall, HKRI Taikoo Hui, which has a mix of upscale boutiques and accessible stores, and is Shanghai’s answer to Hong Kong’s Pacific Place.

With its unbeatable location, laid-back atmosphere, great service and chic vibe, The Middle House makes for a great spot for design-minded travellers. On my last day, I ran into the Paris-based CEO of a French leather-goods company who said that he has been staying at the hotel since the end of the coronavirus pandemic and sang its praises – a real-life endorsement from someone who clearly knows a thing or two about the finer things in life.