Nestled in the bustling Jinjiang District in Chengdu, China, the NI HAO Hotel is set to open as a boutique yet budget-minded alternative catering to a younger generation of international travelers attuned to contemporary design while prioritizing convenience. With its cinematic-styled decor, the hotel’s name says it all – the Mandarin greeting for “Hello” – setting the tone for a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that permeates throughout the interior. Covered in cultural symbols and colored by a distinct bold palette, the Vermilion Zhou Design Group crafted a hotel truly intended to welcome all.
From the moment you step inside, guests are greeted by a space embodying the nation’s own trajectory in its attempt to incorporate tradition with the developing contemporary ethos. The Vermilion Zhou Design Group uses color, typography, signage, and symbolism in a graphical pastiche of Chinese cultural heritage – an approach the hotel amusingly refers to as “Punk Wellness.”
The mood is less reflective of a formal hotel and closer to that of diner or cafeteria, albeit one with a higher degree of design details. Each room is elevated by chic choices in lighting, seating, signage, and tile work. Designed to minimize staff interaction while also catering to the limited manpower of budget hotels, they instead focus on offering guests amenities like meeting areas and work spaces, reflecting the hotel’s intended traveling-rather-than-vacationing clientele.
The hotel’s public areas and guest rooms are designed to foster both intentional and spontaneous interactions, making every “hello” feel personal and meaningful. An amusing note is the designer’s proclamation, “Whether you’re extroverted or introverted, returning to the fundamental lodging needs, you can find a comforting space to settle in.”
The NI HAO Hotel is set to open this summer, with prices and availability TBD.
What: NI HAO Hotel
Where: No. 28 Donghuazheng Street, Jinjiang District, Chengdu
How much: TBD
Highlights: A bold and graphic design language permeates the hotel’s common areas before taking on a more subdued simple atmosphere within guest rooms. The hotel’s breakfast area, restaurant, and bar especially glow with the retro aesthetic. Centrally located along Donghuazheng Street in Jinjiang District, the hotel’s proximity to shopping districts, like Taikoo Li mall, along with numerous parks, shopping districts, shrines, and traditional art museums, make NI HAO a great home base for exploring the city by foot.
Design draw: For more contemporary offerings, you’ll have to venture out to the outskirts of the city to visit the Museum of Contemporary Art Chengdu, Chengdu Tianfu Art Museum,and even further for hot pot under the most scenic of settings at Garden Hot Pot Restaurant. Chengdu Natural History Museum designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners and CSWADI opened last year to architectural acclaim, one of many international led projects quickly changing Chengdu’s skyline.
Book it: NI HAO Hotel (Coming soon)
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Photography by Jian Quan Wu, courtesy of v2com.