Conrad Chongqing: A Complete Review

As the first Conrad hotel in Chongqing, the 15th in China, and a milestone 700th hotel in Hilton Greater China, Conrad Chongqing has been highly anticipated since its signing. Conrad Chongqing is located in the Jiafa Center in the Nanping business district, forming a dual-hotel complex with Hilton Chongqing Jiafa. With a building height of 267m and an elevation of nearly 300m, the hotel reaches a total altitude of 567m, making it the highest hotel in the main urban area. The hotel offers stunning views of the mountain city, the Yangtze River, and the Yuzhong Peninsula. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Gongmao Station on Metro Line 3, which provides direct access to Chongqingbei Railway Station. A 10-minute drive takes you to Nanbin Road, which, in my opinion, is Chongqing's equivalent of Shanghai's Bund and the perfect spot for admiring the city's nightscape. Popular attractions such as Hongyadong and Chaotianmen are about 20 minutes away. The hotel is conveniently located approximately 25 km from Jiangbei International Airport. As a reference, I arrived in Chongqing around 9pm and reached the hotel in just 20 minutes. The hotel's design was helmed by Cheng Chung Design (CCD), a renowned Hong Kong-based firm. Last year was particularly fruitful for CCD, with notable projects including The Regent Shanghai, Shangri-La Shenzhen Nanshan, and the recently opened Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing, all of which are flagship properties for their respective brands. The hotel's drop-off area resembles a courtyard, with a metal artwork inspired by Chongqing's city flower, the camellia, at its center. Upon entering the main entrance, you are greeted by a classic three-section layout. Conrad Chongqing features a classic sky lobby design. The floor-to-ceiling windows behind the reception desk offer exceptional views of the Yangtze River. The sky lobby serves as a central hub, connecting the lobby lounge on the left, the all-day dining restaurant on the right, and the Chinese restaurant accessible via a spiral staircase. The hotel offers 275 guest rooms and suites across nine categories, located on floors 38 to 51. I stayed in a 270-degree view room, a corner room with four units per floor. The room is generously sized at 73㎡ and features CCD's signature style: wood finishes, muted colors, and marble accents. The highlight of the 270-degree view room is undoubtedly its stunning views, rivaling those of the suites. One side overlooks the cityscape, while the other offers panoramic river views. The circular bathtub also boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and exceptional views. A few other noteworthy details: The minibar is complimentary on the first round and well-stocked, including local Chongqing beer. Having been open for a few months, my room had no trace of renovation odors. The bathroom amenities are BYREDO's Mojave Ghost, and a Dyson hairdryer is provided. Moving on to the dining experience, the hotel offers three distinct restaurants: MIST, the lobby bar, and THE PEAK, the all-day dining restaurant, are located on the 52nd floor, while YU, the Chinese restaurant, is on the 53rd floor. The 55th floor houses the swimming pool and fitness center. The "suspended pool" concept is incorporated into this high-altitude space overlooking the Yuzhong Peninsula. The pool walls are semi-enclosed with transparent acrylic, and the pool bottom features a gradient from white to blue. The transparent pool edge blends seamlessly with the sky, creating a "suspended pool" within a "suspended city." The 24-hour fitness center is equipped with LifeFitness equipment. Conrad Chongqing has been a resounding success since its trial opening, and in my opinion, its overall performance has exceeded expectations.