Experience Staying at Shanghai's Fairytale Castle, Mahler Villa

How can you miss Mahler Villa when you come to Shanghai? This fairy-tale-like building fulfills all my castle fantasies! Today, I’m sharing my Mahler Villa travel guide with you 📖

Preparation

🎫 How to visit: Mahler Villa is now a hotel. Non-guests need to book afternoon tea or a meal to enter. You can book directly through the official WeChat account or major platforms. If you’re staying overnight, you can check in directly~
🗺️ Learn the history: Before setting off, I searched online for the story of Mahler Villa. British Jewish businessman Mahler built this castle to fulfill his daughter’s dream. It took 9 years to complete, full of fatherly love. Knowing this story makes the visit feel completely different!
🚗 Transportation: Take Metro lines 2, 12, or 13 to Nanjing West Road Station, Exit 12. It’s about an 800-meter walk from there. You can also take a taxi and just set the destination to Mahler Villa. If driving, the hotel offers free parking 🅿

Experience Process

🏨 Check-in (if staying overnight): Check-in is available after 2 PM. The front desk staff are very friendly and will introduce the hotel facilities and services in detail. Guests also receive complimentary fruit snacks and minibar drinks~
🍰 Afternoon tea time: I booked afternoon tea in advance and enjoyed it in the sunroom next to the garden. The three-tiered dessert stand paired with English black tea ☕ was perfect. Tasting sweets while admiring the garden view was so relaxing!
🏰 Castle tour: There is a free guided tour every day at 10 AM. Staff explain the history and architectural features of Mahler Villa. You must join! You’ll learn many interesting little stories, like the small heart on the staircase designed by Mahler’s daughter, symbolizing her father’s love for her 💕
🌳 Garden stroll: The garden is full of various flowers, plants, and trees, with a small pond featuring a bronze horse in the center. Walking and taking photos here feels like stepping into a fairy tale world~
🍽️ Dinner experience: For dinner, I chose the hotel’s Chinese restaurant. The local dishes were authentic, with the braised pork belly rich but not greasy, and the eel in soy sauce fragrant. The service was also very attentive.

Experience Impressions

The moment I stepped into Mahler Villa, I was captivated by its unique Nordic-style architecture—spires, stained glass, dormer windows, every detail exquisitely crafted. Staying inside made me feel like a princess in a castle 🤴 When the lights come on at night, the whole castle looks even more magical, perfect for photos!

What to Bring

👗 Outfit: I recommend vintage or fresh, light styles for great photos. I wore a white dress paired with a beret, full of girly charm~
📷 Photography gear: Your phone is enough, but if you want professional shots, bring a camera and tripod. Every corner of the garden and castle is photogenic!

Notes

⚠️ Non-guests can only enter by booking afternoon tea or meals; casual visits are not allowed.
⚠️ The hotel has limited rooms, especially in the main building, so book early!
⚠️ It’s best to reserve afternoon tea and dinner in advance to avoid peak-time waits.
⚠️ Some areas inside the villa prohibit photography, so please watch for signs~

Mahler Villa is truly a super romantic and atmospheric place. Whether for travel or photo ops, it’s definitely worth a visit! Everyone, start planning your trip now 💕