Chic New Temple House Hotel: Now Chengdu Is More Than Just Pandas

Exterior view of The Temple House

Last week Guy and I were lucky enough to be invited by The Temple House Hotel to visit the vibrant city of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province and gateway to Western China. Most people think of pandas when they think of Chengdu and, indeed, this is the home of the adorable giant panda. With the opening of The Temple House, however, witnessing the rise of one of China’s most exciting cities will make the experience that much more enjoyable.

The Temple House is the third of Swire’s ultra-chic boutique “House” hotels, following The Upper House in Hong Kong and The Opposite House in Beijing. The name comes from the hotel’s location in the Daci Temple area, a development that includes the hotel, residences, shops and restaurants. In fact, the entrance to the hotel is cleverly designed so that guests walk through a Qing dynasty courtyard, dating from 1644–1911/12, in what used to be the study rooms of Confucian scholars. Some of the rooms have now been converted into a contemporary art gallery featuring Sichuanese artists. Guests are then led through to the beautifully designed lobby and the hotel high-rise beyond.

Studio 90 at The Temple House

Rooms start at a generous 60 square metres, or 646 square feet, in the Studio 60 category. Design is again foremost, but the style is warm and welcoming. Even the entry-level room has a sitting area, while the bathroom and dressing room are cleverly designed to make maximum use of space. The next level up from the studios is the Temple Suite, at 90 square metres, or 970 square feet, consisting of a sitting area and bedroom that can be closed off. The bedroom might feel a little cramped to some, so suite guests may prefer the Studio 90, which is equal in size but without the partition between the living room and bedroom.

There is a fantastic swimming pool and gym, both with natural light. Another fabulous space is the spa, which is again housed around a historic courtyard. While the spa lacks a steam and sauna area, it doesn’t get much better than sitting in an ancient courtyard with beautiful trees both before and after the treatment. The treatment rooms, of course, have every modern amenity and the massages, using organic products from Australia, were flawless.

Swimming pool at The Temple House

Then there are the restaurants. Breakfast is served in Temple Café, which offers a wide range of international cuisine. This is not a place just for hotel guests. In the afternoon and evening, it is crowded with Chengdu’s glamorous set, who stop in for high tea. Speaking of tea, the Teahouse is a dedicated tea house serving more than a hundred varieties of tea, with a menu that looks as though it took years to research and compile. It also serves light vegetarian food, tapas-style, perfect for those who don’t want a big lunch. Tivano is the hotel’s upscale Italian restaurant and, again, a place to be seen.

One can’t discuss The Temple House without mentioning the Taikoo Li development, a “bustling urban lifestyle hub” also owned by Swire. There are more than a dozen restaurants and bars, along with every luxury brand one could dream of. What’s most interesting is that the place is packed with Chengdu locals, dressed to the hilt, enjoying themselves eating, chatting and shopping. Don’t tell them there is an economic downturn in China.

Contact us to design a private, customised itinerary that includes Chengdu and a stay at The Temple House.