Unlike larger hotel chains or corporate hotels, boutique hotels can be defined by their efforts to create a distinctive personality with their theming or design. Uniquely, they are likely to have taken over a historical building, using innovative design to adapt its facilities to the charming architecture. Considered to be offbeat, trendy and modern, no two rooms are the same and they often provide bespoke services for their guests.
While no doubt snugger than a regular chain hotel, boutique hotels present an interesting and immersive experience for those itching to encounter something different from the familiar carpets and marble.
To satiate your wanderlust, here is a list of 5 boutique hotels – each with their own flair – to check in to.
Hotel Soloha
Tucked along the refurbished shophouses of Keong Saik road, is Hotel Soloha. It’s charming facade of deep blue shophouse windows and striped awnings evokes an image of a quaint European café, while its inside – with colourful neon lights and striking urban-jungle wall art – speaks to its name, a combination of the words “so”, a superlative, and “aloha” the Hawaiian greeting.
In line with its theme, social spaces are prevalent in their unique bar-reception, encouraging travelers – or in this case staycation goers – to mingle and get to know one another (in pandemic-less times of course). The vibrant jungle chic décor and art, designed by local artists Ethrisha Liaw and Danielle Tay, also adds to the lively and youthful vibe of the lobby cum bar.
The establishment has 45 rooms, ranging from standard, deluxe, loft to suite, all with smart 4K TVs and modern, space-efficient interior design. For lunch or dinner, next to reception is Takeshi Noodle Bar where guests can enjoy a bowl of ramen or two before they retreat to the comfort of their home for the night or enjoy the bustling night life of the hipster Keong Saik area.
Book a room here.
Llyod’s Inn
A minimalist haven, Llyod’s Inn is a step away from the busyness of orchard road yet offers a peaceful and private respite from the hustle and bustle – from both the city and from life. Interestingly, Llyod’s Inn is one hotel destination that is popular with not only tourists, but locals alike. Even before the pandemic, a good portion of their guests were staycation goers looking for a good self-pamper.
Although the minimalist aesthetic is nothing new, it does add a clean, no frills, even spa-like feeling to the overall atmosphere. There are 34 rooms in total, with eight variations including the standard room, reading room, garden room, business room, sky room, big garden room, big sky room, and patio – all rather spacious. Each room has a smart-TV and ensuite outdoor bathroom.
Nature is an infused portion of the stay with trees surrounding the vicinity, and potted plants decorating the outdoor bathrooms. Lounging areas also feature a plunge pool and outdoor seating by the pool, which is surrounded by a variety of foliage.
There is no in-house restaurant available, but Llyod’s Inn does have affiliations with two cafés within the neighborhood should breakfast be a priority for you.
Book a room here.
Wanderlust
Housed in a former school in the Jalan Besar area, this 1920s building was transformed into the charming old-world meets new-world boutique hotel it is now. Although, this is not the same Wanderlust hotel you may have heard of. The establishment recently underwent a revamp, opening in early 2020, and the new look is rather refreshing.
The new Wanderlust hotel has a sleek, yet cozy atmosphere, functioning as a little alcove away from the bustling city. The brown neutrals and whites of its aesthetic create a modern and relaxing feel. Combine this with the relatively quiet neighbourhood, and you may just be able to imagine that you’re off on a vacation somewhere (else) in the tropics.
In all 29-rooms, the design is both functional and refined, with Samsung smart TVs, rain showers and queen beds. They are relatively spacious, especially the studio, junior loft and loft rooms, although the junior studio and regular rooms would be comfortable for at least two people as well.
The lounge area functions as a good workspace, or mingling area, with comfortable furniture and a breezy vibe. If dinner is on the mind, the newly opened restaurant – Kotuwa – housed within the building serves traditional Sri Lankan delicacies, lovingly curated by Chef Rishi Naleendra.
Book a room here.
The Warehouse Hotel
This riverside establishment near the Robertson Quay area, is not only award-winning, but also historically significant, and the hotel does well to reference the building’s history as a notorious past. Branding itself a “Singapore’s Premier Heritage Hotel”, this 5-star hotel’s building was erected in 1895 during the colonial era. Seeing as it was located in the red-light district at the time, the former spice warehouse, oil mill then discotheque was also at one point a prostitution and gambling den. However exciting that may be, since then, it has been all cleaned up and made into a swanky accommodation with an industrial style to reference its storied past.
The 37-room hotel features six room types – Warehouse Sanctuary, Warehouse Loft, River view Room, River view Loft, River view Mezzanine as well as River view Suite – many of which face the river, and all of which feature a king-sized bed, en suite bathroom, and luxurious modern design with an industrial reference.
In the spacious lobby the industrial design is most obvious, with its high ceilings, brick walls and ceiling beams, giving the space a rustic yet sleek feel. With the sensual lighting especially at night, the lobby bar is an especially good place to spend the evening. Either that or you can head over to the transparently paneled pool at level 2, or Po, the in-house restaurant featuring luxed-up takes on local culinary delights.
Another call to the past that is noteworthy, is the in-room “minibar of vices” menu. Where guests can order in a variety of items that reference the building’s raunchy past. Some of which include Gentlemen’s vibrating rings, peacock feathers and paddles.
Book a room here.
The Warehouse Hotel
This riverside establishment near the Robertson Quay area, is not only award-winning, but also historically significant, and the hotel does well to reference the building’s history as a notorious past. Branding itself a “Singapore’s Premier Heritage Hotel”, this 5-star hotel’s building was erected in 1895 during the colonial era. Seeing as it was located in the red-light district at the time, the former spice warehouse, oil mill then discotheque was also at one point a prostitution and gambling den. However exciting that may be, since then, it has been all cleaned up and made into a swanky accommodation with an industrial style to reference its storied past.
The 37-room hotel features six room types – Warehouse Sanctuary, Warehouse Loft, River view Room, River view Loft, River view Mezzanine as well as River view Suite – many of which face the river, and all of which feature a king-sized bed, en suite bathroom, and luxurious modern design with an industrial reference.
In the spacious lobby the industrial design is most obvious, with its high ceilings, brick walls and ceiling beams, giving the space a rustic yet sleek feel. With the sensual lighting especially at night, the lobby bar is an especially good place to spend the evening. Either that or you can head over to the transparently paneled pool at level 2, or Po, the in-house restaurant featuring luxed-up takes on local culinary delights.
Another call to the past that is noteworthy, is the in-room “minibar of vices” menu. Where guests can order in a variety of items that reference the building’s raunchy past. Some of which include Gentlemen’s vibrating rings, peacock feathers and paddles.
Book a room here.
The Vagabond Club
In with the theme of historical buildings, the Vagabond Club houses itself in a 1950’s Art Deco building located within the Central Heritage District. It used to function as a bicycle shop, illegal workers’ dormitory and unsurprisingly, given the area, a brothel – akin to another pick on this list – which is a detail subtly relevant to the façade of the building given its red-painted shophouse windows, pointing to the sensuality of the design within.
Even beyond the already striking entrance, the interior is as mentioned, a sensual experience. The décor in the lobby itself has been described as film noir-esque, with its bright red curtains and furniture, big gold animal statues and spotlight lighting. Certainly, a feast for the eyes.
With 41 rooms, this boutique hotel is the largest on this list, and the rooms are considered to be pretty spacious as well. There are six options available, ranging from classic room, courtyard executive club room, deluxe execute club room, junior executive club suite, art executive club suite to vagabond executive club suite. Each room has its own personal charm, most notably having framed art and photography dotting the walls which depict unique scenes of the world, living up to the hotel’s namesake.
The ground floor offers a host of services and amenities including a tour of the artwork in the hotel, a relaxing day in the executive club lounge, winding down with art and music at the Whiskey Library, and enjoying a meal at the in-house restaurant, the Yellow Pot and drink at the Vagabond bar.
Needless to say, the Vagabond Club holds a whole host of activities and stories within its walls that you would just have to experience to find out more about.
Book a room here.
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