NICCOLO CHENGDU - Luxury Meets Sophistication

Location! Location and Location! It plays a big part especially in any urban hotel stay. For our second visit to the Niccolo Chengdu, its prestige locality in the heart of this bustling city offered endless experiences to explore its heritage and culture, luxury shopping and entertainment, not forgetting the endless choice of exotic and thematic restaurants, as well as the infamous local eats to discover, and there is always more to their story for a luxury staycation that meets sophistication. mlifestylenews writes.

Conveniently connected to the subway, Niccolo Chengdu has a pre-eminent position with close proximity to the dynamic and lively Chun Xi Road neighbourhood, overlooking the luxury shopping districts of Tai Koo Li which comprises the centennial old Daci Temple and tea houses that are also sitting adjacent to the local best luxury IFS shopping mall among many other esteemed international offices that have set foot in this prominent precinct as well as opulent residential apartments that have transmuted this area into a vibrant and most sought after urban lifestyle living.

So, for this stay we were delving into the experiences the hotel can offer without leaving the city block the hotel stands on! As always, the Niccolo brand connotes for its contemporary chic, fashion-inspired luxury and sky-high urban sanctuaries that their guests can enjoy in a discreet way, as they don’t stand on ceremony and want guests to feel relaxed and indulged from the moment you arrive until you check out.

Our last visit was the first experience for this brand and we left feeling like we had discovered a gem of a brand that offers so many memorable experiences, so our return was just as exciting, as the brand luxurious DNA that we loved from the beginning to end once again never failed to deliver.

The check-in formality this time with April was so warm and welcoming, friendly and effortless that made her a great ambassador for the brand with all the right approaches for a hassle free arrival experience done over the engaging front desk counter. Besides, we also received a warm welcome back from the Chief Concierge, Steven Li who instantly remembered us from our previous visit and his dedicated city insider team who are ever-ready to provide us the most insightful explorations and expeditions in this vivacious city and surrounds. So, it doesn’t get better than this.

The hotel lobby was also looking splendiferous yet again and we marvelled at something new and something old again, as the hotel always associate with talented young artists and continuously collaborate with them by bringing some new artwork to admire from an art or cultural perspective. There are a few new artworks were installed and displayed in the cathedral-high ceiling foyer that was vivid and quite eye-catching.

Particularly, the ceramic man-in-suit and lady-in-Qipao ceramic form sculptures in the lobby that are made up of Ming & Qing Dynasty chinaware fragments that are 1,400 years old. The arty sculptures look like body armour that can be worn as told, but are created to be truly admired as they are.

One of the two iconic “Beijing Girl” series

Not to mention the one of the two iconic “Beijing Girl” series oil painting by artist Zhang Xiang Ming that sets the scene for the hotel’s fashionable chic address, depicting urban life and the spirit of young women in contemporary society. Beijing Girl’s hypnotizing eyes, rosy cheeks, symmetrical face and hairstyle captivate any passers by and brighten up the entire hallway vividly contrasting another vibrant painting along the guest lift hallway that is equally attractive.

We checked into our spacious 45sqm N2 Grand Temple View Premium King on the 21st floor and the room interior design looked just as fresh as our previous stay with an elegant layout and monotone color scheme that gives a sense of calm and relaxation.

There is nothing quite like a thoughtful welcome amenities awaits our arrival.

The view overlooking Daci Temple and Tai Koo Li luxury shopping village is still spectacular day and night.

The bathroom amenities have been upgraded to Apotheke Brooklyn which has a more subtle fragrance that is more soothing and nourishing.

The swimming pool and the spacious techno gym on the 6th floor never fails to please. A long pool for lap swimming and spacious pool deck which is harmoniously designed and came with a waterfalls wall feature. The uncluttered and well equipped steam and sauna is also another bonus add-on to the facilities that is quite pleasing as they are larger than many other luxury hotels and the aspect is a winner.

The Gym

The hotel has a plethora of experiences to choose from, with personalized and customized services to inspire you to discover the best of every destination and this stay we were booked in for the Luxury Personal Shopping Experience, partnered up with the IFS Personal Shopping Concierge to introduce you to the participated brands that you wish to shop exclusively.  

As the hotel is part of the luxury IFS shopping mall footprint – you can walk from the hotel into the shopping mall directly without any concern of what the outside weather is like, all under one roof.

The Niccolo Personalized Luxury Shopping Experience goes beyond tailored buying. This exclusive programme offers you unprecedented access to high-end, luxury products, brands and exclusive experiences. Once we had been introduced to the Concierge, we were personally escorted to two brands that we absolutely love and we were then handed over to each shop manager accordingly who exclusively looked after us on a one-on-one manner for further exploration, including some refreshment while we were given a more detailed understanding of each dedicated brand and then left to browse in our own leisure.

Each brand manager was very informative and was able to describe in more detail about the evolution of their brand and the brand’s exclusivity with some selective items brought out that were not on display and upon request prior to advance reservation. Moreover, should you wish to purchase but not pack in your suitcase, a follow-up service whereby items can be delivered to your address anywhere in the world for complete convenience and peace of mind that makes your shopping experience more enjoyable.

The IFS shopping mall is also a destination for panda lovers, with a giant climbing panda sculpture created by the late contemporary artist Lawrence Argent on the side of the building that draws tourists from far and wide for an instagrammable moment and memories to take home. The 50 feet tall, 13 metric ton weight, steel playful and curious panda scaling the commercial building and peeking over the rooftop has been installed since Jan 2014.

Niccolo Chengdu has also just rolled out a new Panda Tour Experience and no not the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding experience but this exclusive tour for their in-house staying guests to get a closer glimpse of this whimsical installation on the 7th floor IFS Sculpture Garden for a face-to-face with the panda’s smirking expression and snap your close-up shots.

This can be easily done by making a prior booking with the hotel concierge team and then followed up by a trip to the Niccolo Panda Shop in the hotel lobby, where you can shop for some exclusive and limited edition panda merchandise in various guises that are of the highest quality and beautifully packaged that is a must visit while staying in the hotel.

Naturally after all these experiences and sightseeing, a visit to The Bar on level 3 at the end of the day is good way to unwind and chill, whether for pre or post dinner drinks. The Bar features artisanal craft cocktails, including the regionally inspired Niccolo Journey menu as well as a selective wine list, sipping your favorite drinks while enlivening the evening with the live Latino duo for some entertainment performing some well-known covers.

The Bar

Dining experiences in Niccolo Chengdu are rather captivating especially in their reknown Sichuan-Cantonese inspired Yue Hin and the classy

Steak Frites

Breakfast in Niccolo Kitchen is another welcome repast. It is truly a cornucopia of delights which is split into a semi buffet spread covering more than just the basics of an international luxury hotel offering.

On top of that, you have the a-la-minute menu, which offers eggs cooked any style, healthy choices selection, gourmet side dishes with additional crafted options. Our favorite Chengdu specialties with various types of noodles and dumpling, from spicy to delicate subtle flvaours that excite our cravings everyday, not forgetting some elevated local street delights and Cantonese Dim Sum on offer.

On top of that, chef walking around with their plat du jour and ensure every table is attended to with this daily special for you to savour.

The incredible array of contrasting flavours, ingredients and plentiful choices would take you a long time to get through. This breakfast would rate as one of the best for variety and a lot of dishes were spot on, particularly the local specialties, the pastries and desserts selection. A much more premium coffee and tea selection could elevate for those that take their morning ritual seriously. Apart from that niggle, you would be hard pressed to find any disappointment among such a well curated breakfast spread. We might add that having a wonderful team of service personnel always makes a positive impression and this visit we were well looked after by Suri who had a delightful personality and the right service approach that we very much be pleased by.

Our second stay was just as enjoyable and memorable as the first and discovering some new experiences that made it even more captivating.The Niccolo Chengdu has nailed luxury on point and you can easily cocoon in this discreet luxury hospitality in so many personal touches.

The connection with the Niccolo hotel brand will go beyond just one location as other Niccolo hotels just as stunning a location as Niccolo Chengdu for an inspired staycation with luxurious and sublime experiences for your next journey of discovery.

Tried & Tested:
Location: 5/5
Design & Decor: 5/5
Housekeeping: 5/5
Food & Beverage: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Value For Money: 5/5
Experience: 5/5

Niccolo Chengdu
Tower 3, Chengdu IFS,

No.1 Section 3,

Hongxing Road, Jinjiang District

Chengdu, China

Tel: +86 28 8220 8888

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated. 

INTERCONTINENTAL XI'AN HI-TECH ZONE - A Luxurious Sense of Sophistication

Most major cities in China are bigger than you think, and they are well spread out like an octopus in all directions, thanks to the developed infrastructure that takes you to your intended destination instantaneously. While everything is swiftly connected by metro from the train station, nothing beats a hotel luxury SUV that provides a sense of grandeur and comfort. In less than 4 hours high speed train ride from Chengdu, we arrived in Xi’ An North Station in high spirits as the InterContinental Hi-Tech Zone Xi’ An had arranged a meet and greet pick-up service and this really made for a hassle free arrival experience in order for us to enjoy the luxury sense and calm at once. mylifestylenews writes.

Our designated limousine drive Mr. Li was on time and awaited for our arrival at the waiting hall with a warm welcome and extended his hospitality with an extremely attentive and accommodating gesture. Mr. Li quickly relieved us of our luggage and led us to the Mercedes people mover where we quickly relaxed and enjoyed the trip to the hotel that took approximately 20 minutes, traffic permitting.

Just as we turned the last corner in the mixed commercial and residential localities, the imposing InterContinental Hi-Tech Zone came into view as it stood out from the surroundings in the neighbourhood. The entrance and exit driveways are separated by a marvelous black marble water feature with gracefully trimmed evergreen pine trees sitting atop symbolizing longevity, resilience, wisdom and peace.

The exterior of the hotel has a regal look about it due to the use of granite stone and harmonized by a roll of tall bamboo screening plants that offers an exclusivity and privacy to the lobby interior. 

Upon stepping out from the limo, the ever ready team greeted us with a brief self introduction and escorted us for the check-in formality by a short walk through the spacious and airy foyer. The arrival experience was rather welcoming with a warm touch of hospitality.

Passing through the stunning large, coppered metal sliding entrance doors and the first part of the lobby unveiled itself with quite an impressive first impression. A dedicated concierge team on the right with a long hallway leading to the guest lifts and the COMMUNE All Day Dining Restaurant onto the right.

The hotel was re-branded as an InterContinental in 2023 after some sophisticated renovation and new design touches.

The whole lobby and public areas are uncluttered and the design focus is to create open spaces that are laid out by establishing an eye-catching focus, whether it is the wide corridor to the guest lifts with a stunning pot of orchid display at the end, or to the lobby lounge at the opposite end to the entrance, where the plentiful sectionized seating area adjacent to The Lab Bar is framed by a window looking out to a reflecting pool with stunning pine trees inspired by the classical Suzhou Garden, with artfully compressed vast natural landscapes into limited spaces to create living poetry installations of a private sanctuary, emphasizing harmony between nature and humanity. Simply mesmerizing!

From that moment forward we kept observing impressive detail after detail, the more we explored, the more detail we saw and when you turn a corner in the lobby lounge you see another large-framed window at the far end with greenery outside to create a calm and serene atmosphere.

The lobby lounge is one of the most impressive we have seen with private alcoves and private tea ooms, all of which have beautiful cabinetry and objet d’art with views looking out to greenery.

This frame design is replicated in a number of areas in different scales and we were quite taken with all the thought that has gone into creating spaces that guests will marvel at.

The entire lobby colour scheme is anchored in dark wood and marble with accents of beige fabrics.

The extremely high ceiling height was rather impressive, adorned with floor to ceiling lacquered panels that resembled majestic palace/temple gate doors but re-imagined as lobby decoration that defined spaces and is a memorable touch, opening to another lounge area as that separates the intimate front desk reception.

As you can guess we were so taken with the design that we took a while to get to the actual check-in, but when we did, we were quickly checked-in without any delay while the charming and warm front desk staff had it all ready.

Once the formality was completed we were opening the door to our Classic Twin Room on the 14th floor. With 45sqm of space in a sensible open plan design, the separate guest toilet and intimate bathroom with a large bath tub are first on your right, and the bathroom can be fully open or enclosed by sliding the floor to ceiling glass opaque panels and we loved this thoughtful feature.

The walk-in shower was incredibly spacious in a dark stone tone that came with a built-in seat and high-tech push buttons to operate either the handheld shower or rain shower or both at the same time, sensibly a design feature for a relaxing shower experience. Byredo Blanche bathroom amenities were much enjoyed and gave that luxurious touch for the InterContinental hotel brand with every touchpoint you would expect in a bathroom. The roomy bedroom and living area is also well spaced out, with a hanging unit and drawers first on your left, embellished with a floor to ceiling open shelving unit breaking up the entrance from the rest of the room which is also the location for the in-room safe. The sizable mini-bar cabinet next to the wall mounted TV in the right place for once with a floating shelf underneath which segues into a bench seat and dining/working table with one oriental chair and a plush leather window seat that covers the full length of the end of the room beneath the large windows.

Lastly, two king single beds with three bedside tables and drawers giving more than enough space to lay out your personal belongings. The incredibly soft and high-quality cotton bed linen covers the medium-hard to firm mattresses offers great support for a heavenly good night sleep, anchored by a large blue design rug with flora motif that was very eye-catching. We were very impressed with the contemporary and comfort room design as there was plenty of room to spread ourselves out. The luxurious space and coziness of the room couldn’t be faulted with any design detail, as everything worked to perfection and was in the right place with design-led intent and the materials used in every corner of the room exuded luxury and hardly showed any wear and tear. Even our room was directly behind the guest lifts, it was incredibly quiet and we were super happy guests.

Being an InterContinental hotel brand means that certain amenities need to be part of the hotel design and this hotel was not short of them. Level 4 is the wellness area, which encompasses a large indoor 25m swimming pool that is perfect for laps, with floor to plentiful windows allowing natural light to flood in and there is also an outdoor terrace for relaxation in good weather or to get some fresh air.

The capacious Technogym is very impressive, full of state-of the-art equipment and broken up into sections: a spinning studio, a Pilates studio, a section for weights, a section for cardio, a large area at one end for fitness balls and a punching bag and then some.

It is incredibly well laid out and looking out afar through the border-less windows and has one of the largest selections of equipment we have experienced.

Our room came with access to the InterContinental Club Lounge on level 19. The intended residential design is uncluttered and has more space than you would expect.

When you first step into the spacious main desk and seating area, you are not actually in the lounge proper. It has an enormous open layout concept design broken up into various sections with furniture well-spaced out creating a more luxurious ambience.

Elegant furniture in leather as well as plush lounge sofas are thoughtfully allocated to create a minimalist approach while sectionized a few private semi close door areas for privacy and small meetings.

High ceiling features also allow you look out further afar to enjoy the city vista in this Hi-Tech Zone neighbourhood elegantly decorated with sleek designer lighting features. From the entrance the main food and beverage area is sensibly at the far end so the entrance remains uncluttered.

While the Club Lounge only serves afternoon tea and cocktail/happy hour, refreshments are offered throughout the day. The afternoon tea was a fine repast of cakes and pastries: coconut sponge and multiple jars of biscuits as well as a few savories such as deep-fried spring rolls for your enjoyment.

Happy hour is the highlight of each day and did not disappoint. The selection was more a nod to the Chinese clientele that comes with a live noodle station with daily Chef’s specialties and selection.

 A mini buffet spread was to be expected, in fact a demi-buffet that covers the hot and cold hors d’oeuvre, salad and fruit bar to multiple choices of Chinese local delights and delicacies including, steamed dim sum, daily heart-warming soups (two selection per day), a-la-minute noodle station and a not to be missed delectable desserts section that is different from those at afternoon tea.

All in all, quite a spread and definitely a dinner style buffet that was well put together and our appetites were completely sated with the selection on offer. The wine list was limited to only one red, one white and one sparkling, all of which were more than good enough, and then a good selection of cocktails, beers and non-alcoholic beverages. We could be niggly and question why there wasn’t a selection of cheeses or dips and neither sparkling mineral water. Besides, there wasn’t much of a proper dress code attire adhere as a few guests came in with the in-room slipper and brought-in a few out-called food deliveries which doesn’t seem appropriate to a luxury hotel standard.

There are a total of three dining options in the entire hotel: The sophisticated Lab Bar at the  lobby lounge has a wonderful selection of cakes and pastries and all the beverages you could want and is a space to be enjoyed for all its serene atmosphere and elegant design touches. 

The delectable Sichuan-Cantonese inspired Cai Feng Luo on level 2 is a must-go-to for a flavoursome meal as well as the COMMUNUE All Day Dining Restaurant for breakfast with its Chinese section that features a grand affair of Xi’an delicacies not to be missed.

Most luxury hotels in China really know how to create an impressive and massive breakfast buffet, including western selections and tastes that live up to your expectations. COMMUNUE All Day Dining Restaurant sets the scene with an ambience of a roof-covered luxurious market place.

The moment you enter you realize the space is incredibly generous with double height ceilings and floor to ceiling windows along two sides of the restaurant that brighten up the interior in no time which also give guests a view of greenery to create a calm and serene start to the day.

Each section is well spaced out so there is never a queue or congestion. There is a mix of designer lighting, a feature glass panel ‘wall’ to your right as you walk in that breaks up that end area, a central large hanging high display shelf with art work of local markets, there is spaciously placed furniture so you are never too close to the table next to you as well as a mix of seating arrangements, including two communal tables.

The restaurant is thoughtfully designed and arranged space that is so attractive, well divided into all the various sections. The massive spread ticks all the expected boxes of cereals, salads, yoghurts, breads, pastries, coffee and tea facilities fresh juice bar, hot and cold savories and then some, all well presented and displayed neatly. You need to have a good stamina to walk all the way to the far end where most live cooking stations are held to have your favorites picked that can be delivered to your table.

A giant LED projection on the high brick wall features a sports channel that does not affect the guest experience in any way shape or form while enjoy watching the game. Yet, it is all about the food and the highlight is the noodle section. In fact, it is more like a little noodle restaurant set up on its own in a thematic ancient ornamental display where multiple choices of Xi’an noodles are in selection.

While Xi’an is known for “The City of Carbohydrate”, noodles is the daily affair and morning ritual to the locals. The assortment of various colourful condiments really opens your eyes, you simply just don’t know where to begin and a few recommendations are indeed needed to please your palate besides understanding the heritage and cultural aspect on how to enjoy a local noodle dish in full swing.

From hot and spicy to sweet and dark sauce savories, we simply lost count of how many there were. A few selections a day in small portion to testify your preferred choice can make greater miles by justifying this delightful local eats.

Besides, there are also some really standouts dishes to savour: Roujiamo - the local “meat in a bun Chinese burger” is a real Shaanxi province treat that is the flaky bun filled with shredded beef and seasoning which is a real-deal to experience the local delicacy; the butterly egg tart with incredibly crispy crust pastry filled with silky, lightly sweetened egg custard; steamed noodles known as “Golden Pagodas”; the steamed and hand rolled rice paper cheong fun with multiple choices of fillings; the deep-fried sugar cakes which are an alternative to hash browns and not as sweet as you think and so crispy and crunchy; the handheld Glutinous Rice balls that not only looked attractive but tasted so delicious; and the list goes on…..with so much joy to savour the difference that was truly beyond our expectations!

On top of the superb spread that had done the culinary team proud no doubt, the attentive service and English communication was easy. Kim Wang, the restaurant manager was prompt and precise with great observation by offering his passionate service to all guests that shone through with the rest of the team.

While Xi’ An is a city infamous for its Terracotta Warriors Mausoleum and this attraction brings tourists from far and wide, with a city as large as Xi’An location can be an ephemeral thing, yet being just 30-minutes away from the ancient city, the InterContinental Hi-Tech Zone Xi’An is the next best alternative to discover the historic city in an unexpected way by enjoying the luxury hospitality as well as “a tour of Xi’An” with a difference.

Ronaldo Gao, the passionate and dedicated concierge supervisor (among his steadfast team) is definitely the go to guy for any city attractions to non-touristy local eats. His knowledge of offering the city’s insights is something that you would appreciate and enjoy a tour with a difference in his good hands.

The InterContinental Hi-Tech Zone Xi’An is setting a high standard of amenities and service that is consistently excellent and strives to offer a graceful, luxury touch and sophisticated staycation to its guests in no time.

Tried & Tested:

Location: 5/5

Design & Decor: 5/5

Housekeeping: 5/5

Food & Beverage: 5/5

Service: 5/5

Value For Money: 5/5

Experience: 5/5

InterContinental Xi'An Hi-Tech Zone

11 Tuan Jie Nan Lu,

Gaoxin District, Xi'an, 

Shaanxi, China

Tel: +86 29 8812 3456

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.