Arguably one of the best hotels in Singapore today, we reveal why this quiet city hotel is great for a staycation amongst millennials
You might have racked up a number of swish staycations at luxe name brand giants and charming boutique hotels. But if you’re a millennial who prizes personalised experiences and hyper connectivity, Hotel Jen Tanglin will still impress.
Located in the quiet Tanglin precinct, the newly-refurbished property is part of the latest breed of hotels which cater to the hashtag generation of millennial travellers. Defined as an experienced globetrotter between the ages of 18 to 34 years old, the millennial traveller is on the hunt for personalised, unique experiences – and Hotel Jen Tanglin definitely brought plenty of them to the table.
Tech-savvy
Technology-obsessed millennials (this writer included) will be hard-pressed to find fault with the hotel’s thoughtful use of technology. To help you catch up on work (or social media happenings), the entire hotel premises are decked out with free, high-speed Wi-Fi, universal sockets and USB charging outlets. Yep, you never have to worry about a depleting batt before your mandatory Insta posts. Rooms even take smart technology a step further, with interactive TVs equipped with multi-device-enabled streaming and nifty in-room check-out.
Full of (local) character
Instead of cookie-cutter offerings often found in generic hotels, Hotel Jen Tanglin offers plenty of local, personalised touches to reflect the city’s colourful character. Hotel Jen Tanglin’s main resto, J65, boasts the look and feel of a local farmer’s market; while its 24-hour café, Jen’s Kitchen On-the-go, offers locally-brewed coffee, fresh food made with artisanal produce and open lounge areas (in the spirit of the communal-minded, social millennial). The hotel also staunchly supports local talent – as part of its #nextJen movement, the hotel regularly hosts photography seminars, coffee-brewing workshops and fashion shows featuring homegrown brands. Fun fact: On our Sunday brunch at J65, we were serenaded by a talented young man, who (we were told) was scouted busking on Orchard road. #localftw
No skimping on luxury
While millennial hotels often cut back on luxury for high-technology, Hotel Jen Tanglin offers full-service facilities and affordable, comfy rooms of crisp linens, cloud-like mattresses and luxurious amenities. We stayed at the Club Room, which was a quirky mish-mash of colourful textures, cosy corners and thoughtful gestures (thanks for the special gift you left us in the fridge, Jen!). We were also given 24-hour access to the swanky Club Lounge which offers gourmet munchies and drinks over gorgeous views of neighbouring residences, and lush greenery over at Singapore Botanic Gardens.
A quiet locale in buzzy Orchard
Despite being near town, Hotel Jen Tanglin’s locale in a quiet precinct makes for a restful retreat and gave us the option of rediscovering the city’s most popular shopping district. We took a tranquil stroll through the adjoining Tanglin Mall (small boutiques galore) and MAAD Museum’s quirky galleries. Nearby, you’ll also find luxe restos housed in grand, colonial spaces – perfect for a quiet, offbeat brunch.
Would we recommend a stay at Hotel Jen Tanglin? Hell yes. The hotel’s got luxury and character in spades. We can’t quite forget our precious final hours over at our Club Room; we cradled steaming mugs of coffee and snuggled up on the couch while the rain pitter-pattered on our windows. The stormy weather might have slightly dampened our moods previously, but we’ll be sure as heck to hit the fab pool and book a day’s worth of pampering over at the spa on our next stopover at this millennial’s paradise.