From luxury chic rooms to budget lofts, these stylish boutique hotels boast an one-of-a-kind experience
What happens when wanderlust hits but there isn’t time for another weekend getaway? You grab your overnight bag and head to one of Singapore’s many hotels for a swish staycay. It makes perfect sense; in between living it up in your plush room and maximising the hotel’s facilities and by that we mean lounging in the pool, there’s so much to do in the city – more than enough for your weekend to feel like a real holiday. But if you’re a) tired of the big hotel scene and b) looking for alternative stays (without sacrificing lush comforts, of course), you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for our guide to Singapore’s best boutique hotels, to suit everyone from modern minimalists to rendezvous-seeking couples.
Kesa House
Looking for a staycay or need temporary living space for a month? Imagine living in the heart of it all – with bars, restaurants and local eats including Pasta Bar, Olivia Restaurant & Lounge and The Old Man located just steps away. Ahh… sounds like heaven to us. You can have it all with Kesa House’s flexible-living concept. Choose between Sky, Studio, Entertain or Cozy for various staying options in the 60-room building. Communal spaces like the KesaLobby and the Affogato Lounge make up an integrated check-in space and lounge where guests are served decadent affogatos and micro-batch ice cream. At KesaKitchen you can sip on a cuppa from Sarnies and whip up a quick breakfast using the fully-equipped cooking stations and KesaTerrace is a social area with views of the Duxton Plain Park. Fancy a stay?
Kesa House, 55 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089158
Hotel Soloha
Hotel Soloha, a play on words of “so” and “aloha”, fits perfectly in the vibrant neighbourhood of Keong Saik, alongside award-winning restaurants and bars, with its tropical modern motifs and hip mural art. The 45-room hotel offers 5 types of room – the standard, superior, deluxe, loft and suite – which all offer a Smart Cable TV, a perfect opportunity to stay in and catch up on your favourite Netflix shows.
Hotel Soloha, 12 Teck Lim Rd, Singapore 088387
The Great Madras
Undoubtedly Singapore’s coolest hotel of the moment, The Great Madras is a millennial dream come true. Not only is it housed in one of Little India‘s most unique conserved buildings but it’s also decked out in every grammable design trend imaginable: neon letter lights (with an inspirational quote, no less), tropical printed wallpaper, retro furniture, rich shades of deep blue and green and retro furniture. The 34-room property boasts categories from deluxe hotels (no bunk beds, just king-sized ones) to The Great Suite, with en-suite spacious circular bathtub. The hotel’s lobby is where all the action’s at – the barber gets you a fresh cut and shave, while the buzzy resto serves up halal Catalunyan plates.
The Great Madras, 28 Madras Street, Singapore 208422
Ann Siang House
Taking the place of the former Club Hotel is Ann Siang House. The hot property is furnished to perfection – its electric blue facade and gold windows should serve as an indication. Rooms, as well as the common areas on every floor, are all about sumptuous leathers, gilded mirrors, and geometrical tables and stools. Only 20 rooms are found here, with each equipped with the Hypnos “Firenze” bed, said to be the comfiest bed in the world. We’d recommend the Executive room, as it comes with a massive tub and even a kitchenette, or the suite that opens up into a private balcony.
Ann Siang House, 28 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069708
Amoy
Don’t be fooled, this is no museum – Amoy is a heritage site-boutique hotel just along our fave Telok Ayer hood, which offers 37 intimate rooms and a stellar combination of heritage interiors and state-of-the-art amenities Located near the bustling CBD, Amoy has a wide array of options of restaurants and bars that guests can settle down in – perfect for visiting vacationers, we must say.
AMOY, 76 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 048464
Hotel G
Okay, so maybe we’re a little biased ’cause this hotel is home to Ginette: an affordable French resto we’ve repeatedly raved about. But food aside, the hotel deserves its own fanbase. Though rooms (sized between 11 to 27 sqm) are petite, their eclectic interiors are one-of-a-kind, with grey walls, wooden furnishings and bright accents. Bonus points for its in-house gym, and convenient location between Dhoby Ghaut and Bugis.
Hotel G, 200 Middle Road, Singapore 188980
Hotel Clover The Arts
Hotel Clover might have over five hotels around the city, but Hotel Clover The Arts has a spot on this list thanks to its artsy vibes and recognition of local talent. Located in the clubbing mecca that is Clarke Quay, the breathtaking mural on the hotel’s exterior is just a teaser of what you can expect inside. All 44 rooms are embellished with murals handpainted by local artists, featuring a range of styles including manga, street art and line art. We don’t know about you but the painting of the macaw in Superior Queen room is quite a visual treat.
Hotel Clover The Arts, 58 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058689
Park 22 Little India
The black and white heritage building of Park 22 stands out starkly from the vibrant Little India neighbourhood, and we think it’s the perfect location for dipping your toes in this cultural mecca. Yes, the rooms are compact, but it’s a great stay for couples and backpackers alike. And should you need a tour ‘round the hood, the hotel would be happy to host a free walking trail for you.
Park 22 Little India, 60 Kerbau Road, Singapore
Porcelain Hotel
From awesome eateries to a cool indie bookshop, there are lots to do around Porcelain Hotel’s prime location in Chinatown. But first, let’s talk about this little hideaway. The interior and exterior of the hotel (which is housed in a series of adjoining shophouses) is clad in traditional Chinese porcelain and chinoiserie patterns from the Qing and Ming dynasty but with a contemporary twist. You’ll find the recurring porcelain patterns in all rooms but we’d pick the Theme Suite for its minimal-white aesthetic and not to mention, that bathtub in the en-suite bathroom.
Porcelain Hotel, 48 Mosque Street Singapore 059526
Six Senses Duxton and Maxwell
The Six Senses group has gone above and beyond in beautifully (and sustainably) restoring both Maxwell and Duxton locations – trust us, the pictures do not do justice to the attention to detail. Though just minutes apart, both hotels are far from alike. British designer Anouska Hempel blends Six Senses Duxton’s shophouse aesthetic with nuances of Chinese, Malay and European designs. So think oversized golden fans, Chinese screens and calligraphy wallpaper (from Anouska’s personal collection) against strong hues of black lacquer tables and yellow setters.
Over at Six Senses Maxwell, French designer Jacques Garcia has decorated all 138 guestrooms with custom furnishings and original artwork. Thinking of treating yourself a little? The swanky Terrace room comes with a European-style multi-fixture bathroom and an accessible private balcony to watch the world go by.
Six Senses Duxton, 83 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089540; Six Senses Maxwell, 2 Cook Street, Singapore, 078857
The Quincy Hotel
Sure, the award-winning Quincy Hotel may lack the themed rooms of its competitors. But what it does have in spades is affordable luxury coupled with a quirky boutique-hotel charm that’s a perfect romantic getaway spot for lovebirds. Quincy’s rooms bear all the hallmarks of trendy designer hotels – yup, we’re talking feather beddings, large bay windows and lush city views. Tempted yet?
The Quincy Hotel, 22 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228517
Warehouse Hotel
Formerly an iconic warehouse from 1895, the meticulously restored property boasts a sleek, modern design and rooms with double-high ceilings, peaked roofs and authentic industrial details. And don’t miss the rooftop infinity pool – it’s the perfect spot to people-watch and take in views of the riverbank.
Warehouse Hotel, 320 Havelock Road, Singapore 169628
Lloyd’s Inn
Sleek, airy and wonderfully minimalist, Lloyd’s Inn is one of the city’s most Instagrammed-to-death hotels to date, thanks to its unconventional design, central location and affordable rates. While the hotel’s facilities are rather limited, we can’t refuse its clean, mostly-white palette (which brilliantly juxtaposes the surrounding foliage), abundant sunlight and quiet residential locale. We recommend The Big Skyroom for its inviting loft-like vibes (and that precious adjoining open-air space for a million photo opps).
Lloyd’s Inn, 2 Lloyd Road, Singapore 239091, p. 6737 7847
Wanderlust Hotel
As one of the pioneering cutting-edge boutique hotels in Singapore, Wanderlust’s earned its stripes amongst alternative experience-seeking travellers. Proudly madcap and unconventional, the hotel boasts four floors with different themes like ‘Industrial Glam’ and ‘Is it just Black and White?’. Our personal fave lies within the top floor; nicknamed Creature Comforts, it houses nine loft rooms with five themes featuring giant typewriters, floor-to-ceiling rockets and surreal treehouses. But for something comfier and less kitschy, check into the paper-inspired Mono rooms on level three, which has interactive lighting systems for you to ‘paint’ your room.
Wanderlust Hotel, 2 Dickson Road, Singapore 209494
Naumi Hotel
Despite its central location, Naumi Hotel isn’t your run-of-the-mill business hotel with cookie-cutter layouts and decor. Its five room categories – spread across 73 rooms – are uniquely themed, with plush fittings and luxe designs. Fashion mavens are bound to have a soft spot for the Gabrielle and Camellia room. Inspired by Coco Chanel, the room is decked out in a monochrome colour palette and features artworks of the designer’s favourite flower. Couples on the hunt for indulgent city respites have the Eden and Nirwana suite as a stellar option – its large, round tub for two is perfect for romantic romps.
Naumi Hotel, 41 Seah Street, Singapore 188396
Studio M Hotel
A favoured and unofficial party hotel among the younger crowds, Studio M still ranks high on our list of relaxing boutique hotels. Its location in Robertson Quay offers the best of two worlds; it’s right smack in the middle of riverside cafes and quiet brunch spots, and is a mere walk away from Clarke Quay’s hottest clubs. But its key feature is its loft rooms; spread across four categories, all of them are decked out in minimalist designs, plush beddings and panoramic views of the city from large bay windows. Personally, we love the Executive Lofts as their corner locales offer maximum privacy, larger lounge areas and complete cosy, comfort for stay-in staycays.
Studio M Hotel, 3 Nanson Rd, Singapore 238910
The Vagabond Club
Three words: Parisian swank factor. The Vagabond Club is knocking the boutique hotel game out of the park. For starters, each of the 41 rooms is super swish, boudoir chic havens of tranquillity. To help you scratch your arty itch, regular pop up events – like macaron-making and crinoline classes by French designer Mireille Minier – are held.
The Vagabond Club, 39 Syed Alwi Rd, Singapore, 207630
The Sultan
Taking up 10 shophouses, The Sultan is a hip tribute to Singapore’s colourful heritage. Be sure to check into The Sultan Loft; it’s fit for royalty, with its double-storied set-up comprising a living area on the first floor and a bedroom on the second – jazzed up with timber roof beams, wide arcs, and full-length shuttered windows. You don’t even need to leave the hotel for a good time – the hotel houses Singjazz Club, a club with a music hall environment, and Fresh!, a laid-back club serving up tasty cocktails and old-school music from the ’90s and ’00s.
The Sultan Hotel, 101 Jalan Sultan, Singapore 199002
Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong
Hotel Indigo is no average boutique hotel. The charming hotel, housed in a former Joo Chiat Police station, pays homage to the neighbourhood’s Peranakan heritage. Its interiors boast everything from vintage-style tiles and artwork to antique furnishings, while its restaurant, Baba Chews and Eatery, serves up cuisine from The Straits of Malacca. Its Katong location is also a major plus in our books – we recommend taking a whole afternoon to explore the street art, pre-war shophouses and myriad of coffee shops and restaurants that have contributed to the neighbourhood’s thriving, historic culture.
Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong, 86 East Coast Road, Singapore 428788
Wangz Hotel
Got a soft spot for well-brewed coffee and hole-in-the-wall cafes? Book a weekend stay at Wangz Hotel, located smack dab in Tiong Bahru. Its 41 rooms run the gamut of features, including balconies, canopies, oversized tubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Spend your day either lounging around on your cosy bed or private terrace, before branching out into the trendy ‘hood, and top it off by dressing up for drinks at the hotel’s swish rooftop lounge, Halo, as you watch the world go by.
Wangz Hotel, 231 Outram Road, Singapore 169040
The Scarlet Singapore
Perhaps one of the oldest hotels on this list is The Scarlet Singapore, which first opened in 2004 to much fanfare. Sensual, intimate and dripping with opulence, the hotel’s rooms are decked in arresting hues of precious stones, and lavish decor (we’re talking leopard print, patent leather and python). To cap off your sexy staycay, don’t forget to swing by the rooftop for breezy cocktails and nibbles before you descend to your love nest’s private jacuzzi tub (only available in the Passion Suite) for a snuggle…and more.
The Scarlet Singapore, 33 Erskine Road, Singapore 069333
Hotel 1929
At this boutique hotel made up of five shophouses, guests will find that no two rooms are alike, with everything from furnishing and beds right down to the clear glass bathrooms being unique. Hotel 1929 also offers two specially-designed suites with outdoor baths set in tropical roof gardens, which overlook the bright lights and bustling streets of charming Chinatown. Hip and cosy, this stylish hotel is notches above your typical budget hotel.
Hotel 1929, 50 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089154
M Social
Geared towards the millennial globe-trotter, M Social is the new player on the Robertson Quay hotel circuit. Comfort is king at this hip hotel; its chic interiors are the brainchild of renowned designer Philippe Stark. You might never leave your room, as each is a calming enclave of warm colour tones, and lush textures of plush pashmina throw and soft carpeting. In line with its millennial theme, the hotel offers a good mix of communal spaces for mingling and high-tech amenities like self check-in kiosks. No need to suffer through the night in your heels for fab cocktails; simply head down to the hotel’s in-house resto, Beast & Butterflies where expert mixologists can easily shake up an artisanal one for you as you chat up other young travellers. Here’s our take of our stay at this swanky hotel.
M Social, 90 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238259