Chengdu’s Ni Hao Hotel is redefining budget accommodations by offering more than just the basics
Ni Hao Hotel in the Jinjiang District of Chengdu, the capital of China’s of Chengdu, the capital of China’s Sichuan province, offers a glimpse of what many cities need: budget- friendly accommodation that doesn’t skimp on design or convenience.
“We may be a budget hotel, but guests should feel they have come somewhere special, somewhere enjoyable, easy and welcoming,” says Ray Chou, founder of the Vermilion Zhou Design Group – the firm behind the boutique hotel.
For guests checking into Ni Hao, such sentiments are clear from the beginning. To start with, the name of the hotel, Ni Hao, translates as ‘hello’ in Mandarin. The feeling of being local persists beyond the name.
The street where the hotel is located is bustling, but it’s not a tourist hotspot – rather it is filled with residences and the views are of the unobstructed rhythms of daily Sichuan life. The hotel’s location was once a different brand’s budget hotel, but crossing the threshold here, one arrives in a space that is reflective of the neighbourhood and the dynamic city beyond it.
That means a space that speaks to both Chinese cultural tradition and its sense of modernity. The hotel announces itself along these lines in the lobby, where colour, signage, lights and graphics are all harnessed to create a striking first impression.
The lobby’s bright red tiled walls, neon Chinese characters and cultural symbols, vibrant drop-down pendant lights and a curved reception desk all command attention. “We had some fun along the way,” says Chou, referring to the design aesthetic. “We were trying to celebrate Chinese culture and modernity. But ultimately, we wanted to bring a smile to the faces of guests and passers-by.”
The attention to design detail is considerable by just about any hotel standard, let alone a budget one. For instance, all furniture and operational items – from light fixtures to napkins – feature the gourd motif. Resembling the figure eight, this symbol signifies good fortune and safety in Chinese culture. “It is a dance between conveying Chinese culture and aiming to resonate emotionally with our customers,” says Chou.
The hotel’s common areas include the lobby, cafeteria, meeting booths, nooks and work stations, which are designed to be light-hearted and convivial spaces. The cafeteria, serving breakfast, coffee and light meals, is a case in point. Its design is like the lobby – simple but bold – and in this case, it stands apart due to its eye-catching use of signage known as sloganeering.
This refers to the widespread use of short, catchy phrases or slogans that convey cultural messages. “It is us being light-hearted again,” says Chou. “The goal is for people to strike up a conversation with each other, to feel like they’re in a community,” he adds. “Of course, we also offer secluded areas and seating – we want to meet all needs – but the overall idea is to encourage a relaxed atmosphere.”
That friendly ambiance and the design’s attention to detail flow from the hotel’s common areas into the guest rooms themselves. While small, they are well-proportioned and full of beautiful lighting, colour, signage and tile work. “Across the hotel, the goal was to do things well, to keep it simple but beautiful,” says Chou.
Ni Hao Hotel, embodies each of those things, offering a lesson to other would-be budget hoteliers: an affordable option that thoughtfully integrates design and local culture can provide an experience that rivals that of a more luxurious hotel.
Images by Jian Quan Wu
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