Ever-changing Shanghai is like one big playground for architects, with each building trying to outdo each other in terms of whimsical design and height. For traditional Chinese architecture, head across the Huangpo River to the Bund, but Pudong, the financial and business center of Shanghai, is where all the action is taking place.

Standing high above the competition in Pudong is the Grand Hyatt Shanghai, which occupies the 53rd to 87th floors of the Jin Mao Tower. Opened in 1999, the 88 story tower on 88 Century Boulevard ””88 is a lucky number for the Chinese””is impossible to miss. Slender as a reed and sheathed in glass and stainless steel, the tower is the tallest building in Shanghai and the third tallest in the world. Its shape is modeled after a traditional pagoda, and interiors blend the old and the new.

The design of the tower has an Art Deco look, a nod to Shanghai of the 1920s and 1930s. The entire hotel feels like a mini city, with a patisserie, flower shop, and several banks all under one roof. Dow Jones, Lucent and Compaq all have office space in the tower, and that's not counting the dozen restaurants, nightclub, and karaoke bar that are also housed in the building. In the public spaces, the elevator banks are always crowded with a mix of business travelers, well-heeled tourists and locals wanting to settle into the top floor bar, Cloud Nine. This can be a plus or a minus depending on what kind of traveler you are.

The interiors combine Art Deco design with traditional Chinese touches, such as gold leaf, marble and lacquer. All of the rooms are built around an interior atrium and have sweeping views of the city, with floor to ceilings windows in many of the rooms. Our room was spacious and tastefully decorated in soothing neutral colors””a big plus after a hectic day in the city. The headboard was painted with Chinese calligraphy and the television and mini bar were hidden behind a Ming-style cabinet. Bathrooms have a contemporary look, with black and white marble and glass above-counter sinks. Some rooms have deep soaking tubs which offer spectacular views of the Huangpo River and the Bund.

The largest room is the Chairman's Suite, where former President Bill Clinton and China's minister of Foreign Trade, Shi Guangsheng, have stayed.

For dining, there's a mind boggling number of options inside the hotel. On the 86th floor there's Club Jin Mao, serving contemporary Shanghai cuisine. There's also a private dining room. Guests can also choose from Italian, Japanese and seafood restaurants . The most formal restaurant is Canton, serving (you guessed it) Cantonese cuisine. Night-owls will love the lobby level, 24-hour Grand Café, and those in a rush should head to Food Live, which offers nine self-service food kitchens, serving everything from congee and noodles to Hong Kong barbecue and steamed dumplings. There are also plenty of options for unwinding and de-stressing. Cloud Nine bar on the 87^th floor has 360 degree views of the city, as well as an extensive cocktail list. If you prefer a healthier way to wind down, there's also the Club Oasis fitness center, as well as a spa and a pool on the 57^th floor with panoramic views of the city. If you feel on top of the world when you're there, its because you really are.

Rates start at 2340 CNY ($289).

Images courtesy of Grand Hyatt Shanghai