Perhaps most famous across the wider world as the home of th
UNESCO World Heritage Terracotta Army site, Xi
’an today is a thriv
-
ing business and tech hub. It is both the historic and the 21st century
faces of the city that the design of the Ritz Carlton Xi’an, the
first of
the illustrious brand to open in this area of China, seeks to combine
.
The design by Hong Kong-based Remedios Studio is, as one would
expect, based on relaxing neutrals and comfort. Look closer, howev
-
er, and the history of the city which was home to 13 imperial Chines
e
dynasties is subtly present in geometric patterns designed by local
artisans, used on bed-head panels and screens. In the hotel’s five res-
taurant spaces these local motifs are much more visible, combinin
g
with nods to the proportions and glamour of Art Deco hotel design
,
to create an interior that genuinely captures the spirit of Xi’an, both
old and new.
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