Named after the Chinese greeting for 'hello', the low budget Ni Hao Hotel in Chengdu, China, has been designed as a reflection of the spirit of friendliness, politeness and openness inherent in Chinese culture. Shanghai-based interior design firm Vermilion Zhou Design Group combined a playful design language of round forms and glimmering red hues with symbolic motifs inspired by the shape of the calabash, which in China is a symbol of blessings, fortune and safety for travellers. Blending modernity and tradition, the whimsical aesthetic is complemented with a bold configuration that subverts the traditional reception and lobby typology: all public areas have been fused into a single, boldly styled, immersive space open to the street. The resulting vibe is more of a sleek, modern-day coffee shop or fast casual restaurant rather than that of a budget hotel chain, creating an inviting and memorable environment for all who enter.

Functioning as a reception, lobby, café and breakfast area, the hotel’s open-plan public area is a welcoming space seamlessly connected to the tree-lined street thanks to a fully glazed entrance and full-height folding windows. Swathed in burgundy-red hues, the space calls out to passers-by to step inside in line with the hotel’s name – ni hao is used to warmly welcome someone or initiate a conversation. To enhance its appeal, the designers have applied a punchy, graphic design-informed aesthetic that combines rectilinear tiling patterns with a plethora of circular forms, ranging from the cylindrical reception counter, to the rounded corners of the walls, to the shape of the bespoke tables and chairs. A series of lightboxes with orange-hued typography demarcating the check-in desk, coffee station, juice bar and other amenities enhance the vibrant sense of community as do various sitting configurations.

Adding to the schemes’ geometric playfulness is a plethora of figure-eight shapes inspired by the silhouette of the calabash. Called húlu in Chinese, the calabash is regarded in Chinese culture as an auspicious object, traditionally used for containers, musical instruments and decorative items. A symbol of good blessings and prosperity, the voluptuous shape can be found throughout the hotel’s premises, including the guest rooms which have also been designed with the same whimsical sensibility. From pendant lights and pillows, to decorative patterns and wall prints, to signage, including a giant illuminated version gracing the façade, the húlu’s ubiquitousness imbues the hotel with a sense of cultural richness and auspicious charm.

In essence, the Ni Hao Hotel’s vibrant design, inspired by traditional symbols and modern aesthetics, creates an inviting and memorable environment for all who enter. This innovative approach, blending functionality with playful, culturally significant elements, ensures that every guest feels both welcomed and enchanted, standing as a vivid testament to the idea that even budget accommodations can offer a rich, immersive experience that celebrates local culture and contemporary design.