Shanghai might not be the first city that comes to mind for a tennis holiday, but there are some interesting options if you want to keep playing while exploring one of China’s most exciting cities. Of course, it’s also a well known city for tennis fans due to the popular Shanghai Masters 1000 that is being played here every October.
From historic hotels with garden courts to properties with indoor tennis facilities and dedicated sports complexes, the best choice depends on what matters most: regular court time, location, comfort or value.
Indoor our outdoor?
For tennis players, the distinction between indoor and outdoor courts is always important. Shanghai’s summers are hot and humid, while spring and autumn generally offer more comfortable conditions for outdoor tennis. Rain can disrupt a planned session, too, so an indoor alternative is worth considering if playing regularly is a priority.
We’ve selected ten hotels across Shanghai and its outskirts, ranging from characterful city-centre properties to tennis-focused alternatives and resorts outside the urban core. We’ve tried to look at the overall appeal for tennis travellers, taking court access, location and the wider stay into account.
Before booking: Always confirm court availability, hourly fees, surface, equipment rental and reservation requirements directly with the hotel. Having a tennis court on the property doesn’t necessarily mean that it is included in the room rate or available whenever you want to play.
The rankings: which Shanghai tennis hotel should you choose?
- Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai — Best for atmosphere and sightseeing.
- Hengshan Garden Hotel — Best for indoor tennis in a central neighbourhood.
- Shanghai Clivia Junlan Hotel — An interesting option for indoor-court access.
- Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai — Best for luxury and a central Pudong location.
- Kerry Hotel Pudong Shanghai — Best for combining tennis with business or family travel.
- Chateau Star River Pudong Shanghai — A sports-oriented option in Pudong.
- Chateau Star River Minhang Shanghai — Worth investigating for indoor tennis in Minhang.
- Cypress Hotel Shanghai — Best for a quieter, garden-style stay near Hongqiao.
- The Longemont Shanghai — A full-service city hotel with tennis facilities.
- Crowne Plaza Shanghai Xiayang Lake — Best for a resort-style escape outside central Shanghai.
This is a practical shortlist rather than a definitive ranking of court quality. The order could change considerably depending on whether you want indoor training, a central location or the lowest overall cost.
1. Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai
Former French Concession area, central Shanghai
Best for: Tennis, history and exploring Shanghai on foot.
If you want to combine tennis with a memorable Shanghai experience, the Okura Garden Hotel is one of the most appealing choices on this list.
The hotel occupies the former grounds of the Cercle Sportif Français, a French club established in 1926. Its historic architecture and expansive gardens give it a character that is difficult to replicate in Shanghai’s newer high-rise hotels.
For tennis players, they offer two outdoor tennis courts alongside an indoor swimming pool and health club.
The location is another major advantage. Situated on Maoming South Road near Huaihai Road, the hotel puts you within reach of shops, restaurants, cafés and the leafy streets of the former French Concession. It’s a good base if you want to explore the city between tennis sessions.
2. Hengshan Garden Hotel
Hengshan Road, Xuhui District
Best for: Indoor tennis and longer stays.
Hengshan Garden Hotel, or Picardie Hengshan Garden Hotel, is one of the more interesting options for players who want to keep practising regardless of the weather.
They officially list two standard indoor tennis courts, available by reservation.
The sports club also includes a heated indoor swimming pool, fitness facilities, a squash court, table tennis and a sauna.
The hotel is on Hengshan Road in Xuhui, an attractive part of the former French Concession with tree-lined streets, cafés and restaurants. It is also connected to the Hengshan Road metro station area, making it practical for exploring the city.
Two indoor courts aren’t enough to guarantee availability at peak times, so book ahead if tennis is central to your stay.
The hotel also advertises coaching programmes and training programmes with certified coaches.
3. Clivia Junlan Hotel
Changning District, near Zhongshan Park
Best for: Travellers prioritising indoor court access.
Shanghai Clivia Junlan Hotel is less familiar to many international visitors than the city’s major luxury brands, but it deserves consideration if your priority is getting on court. Current accommodation listings advertise three indoor tennis courts.
The hotel is in Changning District, at Huichuan Road, close to the Zhongshan Park area. This offers access to shops, restaurants and public transport without placing you in the busiest tourist district.
Clivia Junlan is a more practical, business-oriented option than a grand luxury hotel. That may suit players who want a comfortable base and access to indoor tennis without paying primarily for prestige or extensive dining facilities.
4. Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai
Lujiazui, Pudong
Best for: Luxury, business travel and sightseeing in modern Shanghai.
Pudong Shangri-La is a well-established luxury hotel in the Lujiazui financial district, with views across the Huangpu River towards the Bund. The location is convenient for the Oriental Pearl Tower, IFC Mall and the district’s striking collection of skyscrapers.
A game of tennis is available here, including daytime and nighttime play (see image on top). An outdoor court is listed in hotel information, although you should confirm the current court setup, fees and reservation process directly with the property.
For travellers who want a luxury stay with tennis as one part of the experience, the hotel makes sense. There are extensive dining and wellness facilities, and the location works well for business meetings as well as sightseeing.
5. Kerry Hotel Pudong Shanghai
Pudong, beside Century Park
Best for: Business travellers, families and guests who want a broad sports offering.
Kerry Hotel Pudong is part of the Kerry Parkside complex, opposite Century Park and directly connected to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. This makes it particularly convenient for exhibitions, conferences and business trips in Pudong.
There’s an outdoor tennis court within Kerry Sports, a large sports and wellness complex that also includes a fitness centre, studios, an indoor swimming pool and a basketball court.
The location is quieter than the central Bund area, but the metro connection makes it practical for getting around Shanghai. It is especially useful if you have business at the exhibition centre.
As it’s only one outdoor court, during hot, humid or rainy weather, an indoor option elsewhere may be more dependable.
6. Chateau Star River Pudong Shanghai
Pudong, near the Shanghai New International Expo Centre
Best for: Sports facilities and a hotel stay away from the busiest tourist areas.
Chateau Star River Pudong is a large hotel with an emphasis on leisure and sports facilities. Its official website lists an indoor tennis court, alongside swimming pools, badminton facilities and other fitness amenities.
The hotel is located on Jinxiu Road in Pudong, rather than in the heart of the Lujiazui financial district.
For a tennis traveller, the indoor court is a useful feature, particularly during Shanghai’s hot summer months or when the weather is unsettled.
7. Chateau Star River Minhang Shanghai
Minhang District, southwest Shanghai
Best for: Players who want to investigate indoor tennis outside the central tourist area.
The Minhang Chateau Star River is a separate property from its sister hotel in Pudong. It sits further southwest, so the location is less convenient for visitors who want to spend most of their time around the Bund, People’s Square or the former French Concession.
This hotel offer 4 indoor tennis courts which are part of the hotel’s extensive sports and leisure facility setup.
8. Cypress Hotel Shanghai
Changning District, near Hongqiao
Best for: A quieter hotel with garden surroundings.
Cypress Hotel Shanghai, also known as Longbai Hotel, offers a different atmosphere from Shanghai’s large modern towers. The property is set in landscaped grounds and has a European-style garden-hotel feel.
They offer several outdoor tennis courts for bookings, an indoor swimming pool and fitness facilities.
The property is in Changning District, close to Hongqiao’s transport and business hub. This makes it useful for travellers arriving via Hongqiao Airport or attending events in the western part of the city.
The trade-off is its distance from some of Shanghai’s main tourist attractions. It is better suited to a Hongqiao-focused trip or a traveller who doesn’t mind using taxis and public transport to reach central Shanghai.
A good alternative for travellers who prefer a greener, quieter setting and want outdoor tennis as part of their stay.
9. The Longemont Shanghai
Changning District, western central Shanghai
Best for: A full-service hotel with tennis and convenient city access.
The Longemont Shanghai is a large hotel in Changning District, with access to the western side of central Shanghai and transport connections towards other parts of the city.
Here you can find two outdoor tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool and a health club.
The Longemont is best understood as a general city hotel that offers tennis, rather than a property designed primarily around the sport. That can be a good fit for travellers who want comfortable accommodation, restaurants and fitness facilities alongside an occasional hit.
10. Crowne Plaza Shanghai Xiayang Lake by IHG
Qingpu District, western outskirts of Shanghai
Best for: A resort-style stay, families and a break from the city.
Crowne Plaza Shanghai Xiayang Lake is a different proposition from the city hotels in this guide. Located in Qingpu District, it offers a more relaxed setting around Xiayang Lake, away from Shanghai’s dense urban centre.
The resort property features a dedicated outdoor tennis court integrated into its parkland and lakeside setting in the Qingpu District.
The surrounding area offers a change of pace from central Shanghai, and the nearby water town of Zhujiajiao can make a good visit.
If you plan to visit central Shanghai every day, the extra travel time can become inconvenient though.
Practical tips for playing tennis in Shanghai
Indoor versus outdoor courts
Shanghai’s summer weather can be challenging for tennis. June through August is generally hot and humid, and afternoon sessions can be uncomfortable. Spring and autumn are often better for outdoor play, although rain can still interrupt your plans.
If you are specifically travelling to play tennis, prioritise a hotel with confirmed indoor courts or a reliable alternative nearby. Picardie Hengshan Garden and Clivia Junlan are worth contacting for that reason.
Court booking and fees
Do not assume that court access is included in the room rate. Some hotels charge separately for court time, equipment and coaching, and popular slots may need to be booked in advance.
Before confirming your stay, ask the hotel:
- Can hotel guests reserve courts, and how far in advance?
- What is the hourly court fee, including any evening or weekend surcharge?
- What is the court surface?
- Can non-guests use the courts?
- Are private lessons or hitting partners available?
If the hotel cannot answer these questions clearly, we recommend to consider choosing a property with more transparent tennis information.
Surface and court condition
Standard hard courts are the most common at most Shanghai hotel facilities, but don’t assume that every court at all hotels has exactly the same surfaces. The conditions of the courts are usually good and they are wall taken care of.
Where to stay for sightseeing
Shanghai is a large city, and the district name alone doesn’t tell you how convenient a hotel will be.
- For historic streets, restaurants and central sightseeing: Okura Garden and Picardie Hengshan Garden are strong starting points.
- For the Bund, Lujiazui and business meetings in Pudong: Pudong Shangri-La is particularly well placed.
- For exhibitions and business in eastern Pudong: Kerry Hotel Pudong and Chateau Star River Pudong are worth considering.
- For a quieter stay near Hongqiao: Cypress Hotel is a practical option.
- For a resort-style break: Crowne Plaza Shanghai Xiayang Lake is the out-of-town choice.
Can you play tennis without staying at a tennis hotel?
Yes, if you have already booked accommodation, it is worth investigating Shanghai’s dedicated tennis venues rather than changing hotels just to get court access.
Shanghai Xian Xia Tennis Center is one venue to investigate. Check its current reservation system, availability, pricing and payment requirements before travelling, particularly if you don’t have a local phone number or access to Chinese booking platforms.
For a longer stay, a nearby club may offer more suitable court times or coaching than a hotel facility. Always confirm access directly with the venue. A good idea is the check the area around your hotel for tennis courts in Google Maps.
What about the Shanghai Masters?
If you’re visiting during the Rolex Shanghai Masters, consider the tournament schedule when choosing your dates and accommodation. October is a popular time for tennis fans to visit the city, and transport and hotel demand can be different during major events. You can also expect the courts to be booked more during this period.
This is just a few of the options of hotels in Shanghai with tennis courts, if you do some searches in specific areas of the city you will find more to choose from. We recommend to always contact the hotel to confirm the details regarding the courts and how exactly you can book the court times.
Have you played tennis at any hotel in Shanghai? Let us know your experience in the comments below.
