This is my third hotel in Chengdu and the best so far. For my last two nights in this amazing city, I will be staying at Niccolo Chengdu. It is in one of the best locations ever, right in the heart of Chengdu by Taikoo Li and Chunxi Road. It is also directly connected to IFS. You have everything that you need over here. There are numerous shops and restaurants in the area. The location is as good as it gets. This is one of the most posh areas of the city. The hotel is also part of GHA or Global Hotel Alliance. This will make it handy to enjoy your status and membership. With how easy GHA Titanium Status can be earned, the value is unbeatable with a two-tier upgrade. I have been wanting to try out Niccolo Hotels for a long time. The hotel has been around since 2015 but it doesn’t look like its age at all. Everything is in top condition and well-maintained. This is also the first Niccolo property. As you enter the glass jewel box entrance, you are greeted with the “Breeze Bird” installation by renowned artist Hirotoshi Sawada. This consists of 3800 metal birds suspended from the ceiling. With tons of natural light, it is very welcoming.
Booking Process & Pre Arrival
I will be staying here for two nights. Niccolo Chengdu is in one of the best locations in the city. It is directly connected to the IFS mall and office building. You also have easy access to the renowned Taikoo Li luxury mall and Chunxi Road. This makes the hotel perfect for both business and leisure travellers. Seeing The World In Steps stayed as a guest of Niccolo Chengdu. I am booked into their exclusive N2 Grand Temple View Premium Room. Niccolo Chengdu features 238 spacious, luxurious guestrooms and suites across 9 categories. The accommodation measures from 40 Sqm to 200 Sqm. All of the rooms here feature deep soaking tubs, separate shower stalls and views of the temple or panda. This is accompanied by 500 thread-count linen sheets and customised Italian-branded bathroom amenities. You can find the breakdown below.
| Rooms | Bathtub | Room Size | No. of Rooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| N1 Deluxe Temple View | Yes | 40 Sqm | 7 |
| N1 Deluxe Panda View | Yes | 45 Sqm | 57 |
| N2 Grand Temple View | Yes | 45 Sqm | 62 |
| N2 Grand Temple View Premium | Yes | 45 Sqm | 59 |
| N3 Grand Deluxe Temple View | Yes | 50 Sqm | 7 |
| N3 Grand Deluxe Temple View Premium | Yes | 60 Sqm | 35 |
| Tiara Suite | Yes | 85 Sqm | 1 |
| Explorer Suite | Yes | 110 Sqm | 9 |
| Niccolo Suite | Yes | 200 Sqm | 1 |
Checking In
There are a couple of entrances to the hotel. It is directly connected to the IFS mall on levels 1, 3 and 7. The main entrance and driveway are located on level 3. I got to the hotel at around 11am. It was an easy and affordable ride using Didi. The surroundings are full of shops and eateries. You will never run out of options. Didi is also super convenient to explore eateries outside the city. Upon arrival, the bell team came over to help us with our bags. They are excellent. We were always helped with our stuff, and the doors and even offered water while waiting for our ride. Special mention goes out to Austin.
The glass box-like entrance is filled with tons of natural light and it makes the place so welcoming. You can find the cafe right by the entrance. The check-in counters are headed slightly in. Above the reception area, you have these globes installed suspended from the ceiling. The “Ball Clouds” are meant to resemble clouds in the sky. Check-in was prompt and polished. I was offered all the information for my stay and a late check out which came in handy for my late departure from the train station. I love the porcelain installations by the side of the lobby. These displays are from Li Xiaofeng a renowned local artist.
N2 Grand Temple View Premium Room
This is a mid-tier room over here. They are located between levels 16 to 25. The room boosts a spacious 45 Sqm. This can easily be classified as a Junior Suite. Rooms here are definitely on the bigger side. It is just a short walk away from the elevators. Upon entering, the signature scent hits you and I love the cool tone finish of the place. The entrance to the bathroom is immediately to the left of the entranceway.
You are in for a treat when you see double doors. Check out how lovely the bathroom is. It comes with only a single sink but this is paired with the showers and toilets in separate rooms. You also have a gorgeous freestanding bathtub. All sorts of amenities and toiletries are provided. Specially customised Lorenzo Villoresi Italian-branded bathroom amenities can be found in individual tubs. A cosmetic mirror is also equipped here.
I love that the bathroom comes with a little window panel on either side of the bathtub that allows you to get a view of the room and surroundings. The bathtub also comes equipped with a TV. This is handy when you are taking a leisurely soak.
The standing shower was very spacious with both a handheld shower head as well as a rainforest one. This is my favourite kind of combo. The water pressure and temperature are excellent and I had a great shower.
There is a large spacious wardrobe right next to the full-length mirror. The wardrobe comes with everything you might require for the stay from laundry kits to bath slippers and bathrobes. There are plenty of hangers and an additional laundry basket for use.
The main space of the room is in a squarish layout. Right in the corner, you have the minibar chest which is fully equipped with all sorts of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It comes with both a kettle and a Nespresso coffee machine. I appreciate having a proper coffee machine in the room. Capsules and packaged tea are provided alongside bottled water. These are replenished during daily housekeeping and turndown service.
Next to it is a luggage space in which the portable racks from the wardrobe fit this place nicely and you can fully open up a 25-inch suitcase. Additional racks are available upon request.
The working desk is right next to it. It is the perfect size for a great working set-up with the table lamp. You also have all sorts of ports and plugs. The Wi-Fi connection in the room is stable. Do note that the firewall exists and you will not be able to access your usual applications. The chair provides great back support for working.
The centrepiece of the room is the plush king-size bed. The mattress had a nice balance between firm and plush. I had a great rest in those 500-thread-count linen sheets. They were so smooth. The pillows were lovely. There is also a pillow menu that you can use to customize your sleep experience. I got a lavender pillow and a contour pillow. On both sides of the bed, you can find nightstands. Power outlets and lighting controls are within reach. The blinds and sheers are also electronically controlled.
This room can be classified as a little junior suite it comes with a spacious sitting area surrounding a coffee table that is good for 3 to 4 people. It is a cosy spot for a movie night or even hosting some friends over. You can enjoy some takeaway food here. Room service is also available 24 hours. Check out the menu here. It’s always nice to have a separate sitting area in the room.
The television is mounted on the wall by the sitting area at an angle. You can pivot the TV towards the bed area which makes it perfect when viewed from the bed as well. It comes with a good number of both local and international cable TV channels including the sports channel.
The room had a lovely view of the surrounding area and the famed Taikoo Li Shopping neighbourhood. It is great in the day and the evening when it lights up.
Turn-down service was automatically offered in the evening with the room refreshed. There were also little gifts every night. On the first night, we got some eye masks and on the second night, we had some Chinese tea. Very lovely! I also got the opportunity to check out some of the other room types in the hotel.
Niccolo Presidential Suite
Explorer Suite
Fitness Centre
The gym is open 24 hours. It is a very nice and welcoming space with plenty of natural light. The facility also boosts a view of the surrounding area and the Da Ci Temple. It comes with multiple sets of equipment and they are well maintained. Towels and drinking water are also provided. The round-the-clock opening hours will be handy for both leisure and business travellers.
Pool
The pool is open from 6am to 11pm. The hotel comes with an indoor heated pool which allows it to be used throughout the year across seasons. It is on the smaller side but the regular shape allows for laps to be done. This is more of a pool to work out rather than lazing in one. I love the lighting feature that they have on the wall. It brightens up the mood of the entire place with a classy touch. The staff here are polished and readily on hand to offer assistance and to provide drinking water too.
Conservatory
The hotel also comes with a little garden and events area with a conservatory. This is located on the 8th-floor roof area. This will be handy for hosting outdoor weddings or cocktail parties. It comes with a very gorgeous lawn area too that overlooks the signature panda and IFS mall. Perfect for occasions!
The RoofTop
This is another relatively new dining facility in the hotel. It is an outdoor space with a good view of the IFM mall, Taikoo Li and the panda. This is a popular spot for some drinks or even hotpot when the weather is good. You can also enjoy some light snacks over here. It is a one-stop destination for Yue Hin Hot Pot, The Rooftop Bar and Afternoon Tea. The perfect option for the evenings.
Niccolo Kitchen
This is their main signature restaurant. It offers both Asian and Western selections. It is open daily from 6.30am to 10pm. This is also where breakfast is served. I will share more about this later on. You can check out their menu over here. Prices are very fair, especially for a 5-star hotel do also take note that if you have a Titanium membership you get a 15% off. They are running a Hotpot special at 248 CNY for a buffet set. You can choose your choice of soup and the rest is all you can eat. It is great value for your money. Check out the menu below.
They are in these individual pots which is good for business meetings and more formal engagement. This is also a good introduction to hotpot meals for foreigners rather than going straight to a local chain. I went for the signature Mixed Mushrooms with Pork Soup. I love it. They also refill your pot with the original soup base rather than a general stock. This is very much appreciated as it won’t be diluted. The mala is very nice too.
We ordered an assortment of ingredients to enjoy with the most memorable ones being the fried pork, beef and the signature Qing Yuan Chicken. All the ingredients are so fresh and delicious. I also enjoy making my signature Sichuan dipping sauce. This ended up being my favourite hotspot in my life. I can’t get enough of the soup.
We also had some of the other dishes from Yue Hin. Those Sour Plum tomatoes are perfect for this time of the year. Don’t miss out on the barbecue pork bun and olive-fried rice.
The Tea Lounge
Chengdu is panda everything! How can you miss out on having a Panda-themed Afternoon Tea when here? It is not only a treat but a feast for your eyes too. That is the main point! Niccolo Chengdu’s signature Panda Afternoon Tea is served at The Tea Lounge by the main entrance. This is offered from 1pm to 6pm. The Tea Lounge boasts large panels of glass and tons of natural light. Having a leisurely tea time is perfect in the afternoon when the weather is scorching. Check out the menu over here. The afternoon tea set costs 398 CNY and is good for 2 pax. This comes with a choice of drink.
Check out how adorable these are! They are served in a tiered stand and scones on the side. I got some cold brew tea to go with it. It is perfect for an occasion and I am sure the younger ones will like them too.
The Bar
I also pop by for a pre-dinner drink during my stay on one of the nights. The Bar is located part of STEAK FRITES on the 3rd floor. They share the same space. The bar is open from noon till late with a live band performance from Wed to Sun, 8pm to 12am. Check out the menu over here. Prices are very good for a luxury hotel and I paid more for drinks at a bar outside. You still get another 15% for being an in-house guest or a GHA Titanium member.
The bar is very cosy and comfortable. We enjoyed the live performance. The vibes were great with the excellent singer. We got a beer, a cocktail and the Crispy Calamari. They have a lot of unique creations so don’t miss it. Perfect for a drink or so before dinner.
Breakfast at Niccolo Kitchen
Breakfast is currently served from 6.30 am to 10.30am and at Niccolo Kitchen. This is a rather new thing but GHA Titanium members now get complimentary breakfast at Niccolo hotels as part of their elite benefits. If it is not included in your rate or status, breakfast costs 198 CNY per person. Besides the buffet line, there is also an ala carte menu that you can order to supplement it. You can check out the menu here.
I was ushered into the table and hot drinks orders were taken with a choice of coffee or tea. I love that they are using a Nespresso business machine that can make barista drinks. That was pretty nice. In addition to this, there are also freshly squeezed juices and Yakult probiotic drinks.
Let me then share some pictures of the buffet line. There is a great selection of items from pastries, cheese, salads, fruits, continental options, Asian stir fries and Western dishes. I love the whole honeycomb. You can also find an egg station.
Here are some of the à la carte dishes I tried throughout my stay. They have quite a few choices so you can be rest assured to have variation throughout your stay.
Service is excellent here and the staff are proactively going around to clear tables and to offer more food and drink refills. Don’t miss breakfast.
Conclusion
One of the best luxury hotels here in Chengdu. It is worth the price premium for the location and offering. You are right in the heart of the city with two fantastic and luxurious malls. You can also easily walk to the surrounding area and further attractions are just an affordable ride away. Staying here is as convenient as it gets. Special mention goes out to the bell team, they are so polished and thoughtful. These are the little small aspects that make it a cut above the rest. I enjoyed the room and the dining outlets are excellent too. This is the choice of property for GHA Discovery members with the awesome elite benefits. You can plan to get a two-tier upgrade to this exact room type that I stayed in. GHA titanium is one of the easiest statuses to get especially in Singapore. For a property of this age, it is extremely well maintained. Niccolo is a brand that I am excited about and I am keen to explore a couple more of them out there in the future. Do remember to check out Niccolo Chengdu if you are heading there.
This was a hosted media stay, all views expressed are my own.
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