New Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan. Photo: © 2025 Hilton While 2026 is shaping up to be a global expansion year for Hilton, one of the brand’s most notable recent openings is already welcoming guests: Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan.
Waldorf Astoria Shanghia. Photo: © 2025 HiltonThe property sits on the Huangpu River in Pudong’s Qiantan District and blends classic Waldorf Astoria style with a quieter, more modern Shanghai aesthetic. The building leans into a nautical idea, shaped with soft curves and reflective surfaces that give the impression of movement along the waterfront. At night, the exterior glows against the river, turning the hotel into a bright landmark on the Qiantan skyline.
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai. Photo: © 2025 HiltonInside, Cheng Chung Design created calm, polished spaces in pearl tones with deeper greens, terracotta accents and warm wood. Marble, metal and tailored textiles bring a residential feel, while subtle Art Deco patterns reference the city’s history in a way that feels contemporary rather than nostalgic.
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai. Photo: © 2025 HiltonDining plays a central role. ARAME and Fu Cheng offer intimate, quietly elegant rooms shaped by CAP Atelier and lit by Tino Kwan. As Candice D’Cruz, vice president, Luxury Brands, Asia Pacific, Hilton said, “Every detail of Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan has been meticulously curated to embody the flowing rhythm of modern life, while honoring the timeless elegance and legacy of the Waldorf Astoria brand. This iconic hotel offers a refined experience that is both deeply rooted in the city’s rich heritage and inspired by its dynamic energy.”
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai. Photo: © 2025 HiltonTwo design ideas guide the hotel: the sail and the peacock. The sail shows up in curves carved into doorways, corridors and guest rooms, all mirroring the sweep of the building’s exterior. The peacock appears in layered textures, abstract feather patterns, embroidered chairbacks and a bold mural in Peacock Alley’s VIP room.
The hotel has 204 rooms and suites, many with balconies overlooking the river and the West Bund. It’s a quiet corner of the city where guests can slow down and still feel connected to Shanghai’s pace—an early example of the kind of thoughtful luxury Hilton is banking on as it expands across the globe in 2026.
Hilton is gearing up for a major year in 2026, with a mix of new country entries, new brands, and high-profile openings across the world. From long-awaited luxury projects in Europe and Asia to lifestyle hotels in U.S. ski towns and laid-back beach escapes in the Caribbean, the company is positioning next year as one of its most ambitious yet. And with Hilton Honors continuing to play a bigger role in how travelers plan and experience their trips, members will find even more places to redeem their points for something memorable.
Several brands will appear in new markets for the first time. Waldorf Astoria will launch in Malaysia, Conrad will add new hotels in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Greece, and NoMad will debut in Singapore. Curio Collection arrives in India, Canopy lands in Thailand and Italy, Home2 Suites enters Ireland, Hilton Garden Inn opens in Fiji and Spark expands into Saudi Arabia.
One of the biggest European moments will be the opening of Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, a property that has been talked about for years and will now anchor the brand’s position in central London.
Across the Americas, Hilton’s pipeline is just as active. Aruba will get The Westerly, a boutique-style tower connected to Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. In the U.S., new Tempo, Motto, Canopy, Curio Collection, and Signia properties are scheduled throughout 2026, including Nashville, Savannah, San Antonio, Hollywood, Deer Valley, Indianapolis, and multiple West Coast cities. For travelers who prefer long stays, Homewood Suites, Home2 Suites, and the growing LivSmart Studios brand will add more apartment-style options with kitchens, flexible layouts, and simple, home-like amenities. Spark, Hilton’s fast-expanding budget-friendly brand, will continue adding locations across North America.