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Ascott Raffles City Chongqing Hotel Review: The Best Family Stay in the City?

Chongqing is the newly famous CYBERPUNK CITY, I’ve been desperate to go since it went viral on social media so in March 2026 I finally did it. You can read my Chongqing itinerary HERE, I hope it helps. This blog post will be solely an Ascott Raffles City Chonqing Hotel Review.

I can’t recommend it highly enough! Basically, if you’re planning a trip to Chongqing and want somewhere central, spacious, and actually good value, this Ascott Raffles City Chongqing review will help you decide if it’s the right place to stay.

Chongqing isn’t the easiest city to base yourself in. It’s huge, chaotic, and built on layers of bridges, tunnels, and hills. Location matters more here than almost anywhere else in China. And that’s exactly why staying inside the iconic Raffles City complex is such a strong move.

We stayed here as a full family setup. 5 of us in total. My wife, our baby, my mum, and my in-laws — so this isn’t a quick overnight review. This is a proper test of whether the place actually works in real life.

Location: You Won’t Beat This in Chongqing

Let’s start with the biggest win in this Ascott Raffles City Chongqing review. The location. It’s LITERALLY INSIDE THE ICONIC RAFFLES BUILDING.

You’re staying inside one of the most recognisable buildings in the entire country. Raffles City is that huge futuristic structure spanning the river, and it’s not just for show. It’s genuinely one of the best places you can base yourself.

From here, you can walk to:

• Chaotianmen Square
• Riverfront viewpoints
• Restaurants and malls
• Transport links

And most importantly, you’re right in the middle of the action without needing to deal with long taxi rides across the city.

One unexpected highlight: the drone show happens right outside. No planning needed. You just walk out and you’re in the front row.

In a city where logistics can be painful, this makes everything easy. And that alone makes this Ascott Raffles City Chongqing review lean heavily positive from the start.

First Impressions: Feels More Like Apartments Than a Hotel

This isn’t a classic luxury hotel vibe. In fact I didn’t know what to call it. A service apartment or hotel? But it does have a proper 5* lobby. Concierge etc, so that felt like a hotel. But the rooms are full-on apartments. Kind of perfect really.

So, it’s more:

• Spacious
• Functional

Which, for families, is exactly what you want. Check-in was smooth, staff were helpful, and everything felt organised without being overly formal. No unnecessary fluff, just efficient and welcoming. And the staff spoke English, a rarity in Chongqing!

Rooms: The Real Reason to Stay Here

This is where the place really delivers, and a key part of this Ascott Raffles City Chongqing review.

We booked a 3-bedroom suite with 3 bathrooms, and it made the whole trip easier.

What stood out:

• Proper space — not just bigger rooms, but a real apartment feel
• Separation — everyone had their own area
• Multiple bathrooms — huge for group travel. We had one bathroom each.
• Living area — somewhere to relax that isn’t a bed. For thise nights with wine when my baby is sleeping!

This is an absolute PRIORITY when I travel with family. This matters more than people think. When you’re travelling with family, especially with a baby, space isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. I’d rather a 2* with communal areas, that separate 5* rooms. Luckily this is 5* rooms AND communal areas!

The views are also excellent, especially from the higher floors. When the sun sets, Chongqing’s skyline and river setup is pretty special.

They also provided a crib without any hassle, which sounds minor but is a good sign the hotel actually caters to families.

Other room types:

The rooms start at 1 beds, for $100. Then go all the way up to 3bed-3bath executive(which is what we had). If I was solo, the 1bed apartment for $100ish is INSANE value.

Breakfast: Reliable, Which Is What You Want

Breakfast in China can be hit or miss if you’re not fully into local cuisine first thing in the morning.

Here, it’s solid. You’ve got:

• Eggs, toast, pastries, bacon and sausages.
• Fruit and REAL coffee
• Chinese options like dumplings and noodles

Nothing over-the-top, but everything done well.

And that’s the key takeaway for this part of the Ascott Raffles City Chongqing review. It’s not trying to impress, it’s trying to work. And it does.

Facilities: Good Enough, With One Standout

Pool and Gym

Both are modern, clean, and perfectly usable. In fact, the gym is a LEGIT gym. The pool is heated and indoors.

Kids Room (this actually matters)

This is one of the best features of the hotel.

Travelling with a young child changes everything. Having a dedicated kids’ space means:

• They can play safely
• You get a bit of downtime
• Everyone’s less stressed

It’s simple, but it makes a big difference. And it’s something not every hotel gets right.

Living Inside Raffles City: Underrated Advantage

One thing that really stood out during this Ascott Raffles City Chongqing review is how useful the building itself is. It’s a giant mall. Home also to the Intercontinental Hotel (go to their rooftop for a cocktail and skip paying a ticket for the deck. The cocktail is the ticket!).

You’ve got:

• Restaurants
• Cafés
• Shops
• Supermarkets

All within the complex.

That means:

• Quick meals are easy
• Coffee runs are simple
• No need to leave the building constantly

In a city like Chongqing, that convenience adds up quickly.

Price: This Is Where It Becomes a No-Brainer

Let’s talk numbers.

• 1-bedroom units start around $100 USD
• Larger apartments still very reasonable for what you get

For:

• Prime location
• Huge space
• Full apartment setup

It’s excellent value.

This is a big reason why this Ascott Raffles City Chongqing review stands out. You’re getting something that feels premium without paying premium hotel prices.

Who This Is Perfect For

This place isn’t for everyone.

But it’s ideal if you are:

• Travelling as a family
• With a group
• Staying more than 1–2 nights
• Wanting space and convenience

If you’re a solo traveller chasing boutique vibes, maybe not.

But if you want a practical, comfortable, well-located base, this works very well.

Final Verdict: Would I Stay Again?

Yes, without hesitation. In fact I already told all my mates about it, and told them to book here!

This Ascott Raffles City Chongqing review comes down to one thing:

It makes Chongqing easy.

• Easy location
• Easy space
• Easy logistics (their Uber, Didi, comes right to the hotel lobby)
• Easy family travel

And in a city that can feel overwhelming, that’s incredibly valuable.

Bottom Line

If you want:

• Central location
• Big rooms
• Good value
• Family-friendly setup

Then Ascott inside Raffles City is one of the best choices in Chongqing.

And that’s the honest conclusion of this Ascott Raffles City Chongqing review.

FINAL TIPS FOR YOUR STAY IN CHONGQING

I wrote the proper tips in my Chongqing Itinerary article, but other tips:

1. Don’t skip the sunset boat tour. It’s 5 minutes walk from the hotel
2. The starbucks in Raffles has a bar, don’t get the coffee old fashioned, it was awful.
3. Go for a run (or walk) across the bridge, you can do a lovely loop for about 6km.