That Niccolo Chengdu is named after the father of Marco Polo gives a clear indication of whom this brand new hotel is being designed for.

Aimed at the savvy traveller, the development has been dubbed a “new urban luxury hotel” and is strategically located within the renowned International Finance Square shopping mall in the centre of town. It is also 25 minutes by car from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and mere minutes from the city’s subway network.

Design heavyweights lend gravitas to the project, including LWK Architects (the main architects), Kohn Pederson Fox Associates (architects for the façade), Remedios Design Studio (main interior designer), Hirsch Bedner Associates (designers of the kitchen, reception lounge, wedding boutique and conservatory), and Studio Sawada Design (art installations).

All 230 spacious and luxurious guestrooms and suites feature natural textiles and leathers in calming earth tones. Floor to ceiling windows also flood the spaces with natural light and offer uninterrupted views of the city.

A metal-shard installation titled “Breeze Bird” by Hirotoshi Sawada of Studio Sawada Design captures the interplay of Yin and Yang and draws one’s attention upwards upon entry into the hotel through an elegant glass cube.

As guests walk through the tea lounge, past the grand hallway towards the reception, they will see Sawada’s second installation, “Sway River Surface”. Finally, upon reaching the reception, they can enjoy the last of Sawada’s work – large globes called “Ball Clouds”, which are designed to resemble clouds in the sky and evoke a sense of tranquility.

Aside from a strong incorporation of artistic elements, Niccolo Chengdu’s other striking feature is an oval glass conservatory on the 8th floor. Surrounded by a lush Sculpture Garden, it’s a scenic space designed to accommodate a host of private events.

Niccolo Chengdu is scheduled to open in stages from 28 March.