InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City Hotel

Following the success of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, the same architect, Moshe Safdie, together with Singapore’s CapitaLand, invited CL3 to join them in creating this iconic Landmark.

The historic backdrop of Chongqing laid the ground for the hotel design, while streamline features telling the experience of sailing the Yangtze River in perfect style. The hotel InterContinental Chongqing Raffles City sits on one of the most historically and geographically significant sites in China. Located at the junction of Yangtze River and Jialing River, this place is called Chaotianmen because this is where the emperor sent his fleet to meet his people. On this site, the new Raffles City Chongqing is a super mixed use development destined to be the new landmark for the city and modern China.

CL3 Architects Limited is the interior design team of the hotel’s main areas. Besides the hotel, CL3 together with Safdie Architects designed the residential lobby and common area for towers T1 Jialing Two, T2 Jialing One, T3N One Altitude, T5 Yangtze One, T6 Yangtze Two, as well as the residential clubhouse inside the crystal sky bridge on level 42.

The hotel has its grand reception at the crystal sky bridge on level 42, which is also where the lounge and specialty restaurant “Jing” are located. The hotel has 380 custom designed guestrooms and suites above the 250-m-high sky bridge. A contemporary concept for the hotel interior compliments the iconic architecture by extending the sail metaphor inside. Based on the nautical aesthetics, the streamline features are interwoven with touches of Chinese motifs and crafts, moving and flowing from the ground entrance to the crystal sky bridge.

The shape of a sailing vessel is employed in the reception area which is equipped with arc-shaped lighting devices. The shape design echoes the water reflection during sailing in the river. Under the natural light, the inside and outside scenery forms a connection.

This iconic, contemporary hotel takes a prime site location and maximizes views of the river, mountains, city and sky. These elements combine to create a hotel which is an integral part of any guest voyage, integrating the spirit of river travel, comfort and elegant luxury into a unique hotel experience.

Under the towering arc-shaped dome, green plants grow freely upwards in an array, combined with the round wooden seats under the tree, highlighting the lounge’s cozy style. Light, shadow and green plants create a “mountain” landscape in the sky, providing the perfect place for free strolling guests.

Design: CL3 Architects
Photography: Feng Shao