When planning this trip to Chongqing, I agonized over choosing a hotel for ages, constantly torn between Regent, TFT, and Niccolo. Regent has always had a great reputation for service, and TFT was quite appealing too, but in the end, I decided I preferred the views at Niccolo, so I booked it. It turned out to be the right choice—I was quite satisfied with the overall experience.
Actually, having stayed at several Niccolo hotels before, my relationship with the brand is a bit of a love-hate one. The Suzhou Niccolo, in particular, was quite a disappointment. The service was fine—the staff were all very nice—but the interior design and materials used really didn't live up to the price tag. The guest room corridors, especially, gave me the impression of a budget hotel; the lighting and overall ambiance were quite oppressive, completely lacking the texture and feel you'd expect from a luxury hotel. The breakfast was also just so-so, leaving no memorable impression.
However, Niccolo Chongqing is a massive step up from Suzhou.
First of all, the views are genuinely fantastic. Chongqing's urban landscape is so unique with its skyscrapers, river views, and multi-layered architecture, which looks stunning from up high. A huge part of why I choose high-rise hotels like this is just to take in the scenery from the room, especially at night. Sitting back and watching the city lights outside is just so relaxing. So in terms of the view, it certainly didn't disappoint.
The service was solid overall; the staff were courteous and pleasant to communicate with. Of course, it wasn't completely flawless—there was a small hiccup during the stay, but the hotel handled it quite professionally, and I was fine with it. The more you stay at hotels, the more you realize that hiccups can happen anywhere. I'm not overly fussed about that; what I care more about is how the hotel handles issues when they arise. At least this time, Niccolo Chongqing gave me a good impression without any brush-offs or perfunctory attitudes.
The breakfast was also better than expected. Niccolo Chongqing offers a semi-buffet. The space isn't huge, and when I first walked in, I thought it looked a bit cramped and worried there wouldn't be much to eat. But I ended up being quite pleased. The selection was richer than I imagined, the food quality was good, and the Eggs Benedict were spot-on in both taste and quality. The freshly squeezed juices were also delicious. Personally, I've always felt that hotel breakfast doesn't need to blindly chase variety. Many hotels have massive breakfast areas piled high with food, but very few items actually taste good. Even though Niccolo Chongqing's space is small, it has all the essentials, and they're well-executed. I really liked that.
One more thing: after staying at so many Niccolos, I'm increasingly convinced that with this brand, you really need to book a suite. I've stayed in standard rooms and N3 rooms before, and honestly, the difference in experience is quite noticeable. Standard rooms aren't bad, but considering the price and the brand's positioning, they always feel like they're missing that certain something. Suites, on the other hand, instantly elevate the comfort level and give you that proper luxury hotel experience.
So my verdict on Niccolo is pretty simple: the service is mostly good, but the hardware really depends heavily on the specific property and room type. The Chongqing branch is one of the better ones I've stayed at; at least this time, the views, the breakfast, and the overall service left me thoroughly satisfied.
If I visit Chongqing again in the future, I'll likely consider Niccolo again, but I'll almost certainly go for a suite. Seriously, having tried the standard rooms, N3, and the suites, I can only say that suites are definitely the way to experience Niccolo properly.
Original TextTranslation provided by AI
