OARING 60 storeys above downtown Puxi in the heart of Shanghai close to museums, theatres, and shops, is an iconic tower reminiscent of a giant needlepoint crystal. Tomorrow Square, as this architectural marvel is called, glints in the sun proffering unimpeded views in all directions and housing the award-winning JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai that set business suits aflutter when it arrived in late 2003. Service is quick, attentive and detailed.

With a fifth floor devoted to corporate meetings – the hotel’s function rooms and two ballrooms are here with 1,391sq m of press-the-flesh space – and the sixth floor serving up a gym and Mandara Spa, atop which stretches a sunny indoor and outdoor pool, this is not just a Muscle MICE address but a splendid blend of work and play that has distinguished it as one of the best Shanghai business hotels in the game. And now it is reinventing itself again.

The lobby is set in a vertiginous eyrie on the 38th floor with eye-popping views and the 342 rooms occupy the 41st to the 59th floors. The 49sq m Executive Rooms have cherry-wood walls, a work table by the window, flat-screen TV, laptop-friendly safe, iron and ironing board to keep those creases sharp, and a compact, functional bath with tub and hand shower for a quick morning’s in-and-out. Studio Suites stretch up to 62sq m while Executive Suites go up to 82sq m – more than enough for your Berlutis, briefcase, conference impedimenta, and a packet of chips. Lower down the building, the Marriott Executive Apartments cater for long stays.

There’s Cantonese at Wan Hao, steak at JW’s California Grill, and international fare at the café. Pick deli nibbles or drinks at the lounge. Later, stretch your legs for a wander across to People’s Park or the nightlife neon burble of Xin Tian Di. This is a hotel to fully exercise any 20-megapixel camera. Point it in any direction for a unique Shanghai snapshot.