The best boutique heritage hotels in Singapore

In Singapore, staycations have recently been surging in popularity. Locals are increasingly preferring a quick getaway or a convenient place to retreat and rest, turning to hotels in Singapore rather than in Japan or Europe to get their vacation quick fix. 

Amongst the diverse range of offerings available to tourists and locals alike, boutique hotels are quickly becoming more popular amongst those who wish for a smaller, quieter experience. The seven hotels below are unique in that they blend heritage buildings with modern luxury, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the cultural history of Singapore.

METT Singapore

Located in the lush, storied landscape of Fort Canning Park, the Singapore outpost of METT Hotel Group from Dubai provides a modern take on the island’s colonial legacy and cultural roots. Formerly Fort Canning Hotel, METT is housed in a landmark heritage building nestled within one of Singapore’s most historic buildings — a site that served as a seat for Malay kings and later as a strategic British military base.

With only 84 rooms and suites, METT Singapore blends period architecture with fresh, vibrant interiors and an energetic social scene, starting with its F&B offerings. Award-winning chef Daniele Sperindio leads the stellar dining options: the all-day dining Canning Bar & Lounge, L’Amo Bistro del Mare for coastal Italian fare, the fine-dining restaurant Art di Daniele Sperindio, and the Korean grill and omakase restaurant Hanu. 

Sharing the property with a private members-only club, Madison House (opening in Q4 2026), hotel guests will also have access to The Longevity Suite, a biohacking and anti-ageing clinic in the clubhouse, ranging from cryotherapy to aesthetic treatments. 

Additionally, METT’s own gym is equipped with a sauna, cold plunge pool, steam room, and Pilates Reformer machines.

11 Canning Walk

Hotel Waterloo Singapore

Situated in the heart of the Bras Basah-Bugis arts and heritage district, Hotel Waterloo Singapore draws its vibrant identity from its historic surroundings. As part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection, the hotel’s commitment to heritage is most evident in its curated Gem and Jewellery Heritage Trail.

This unique programme stems from the owner’s personal family legacy in Singapore’s jewellery trade, grounding the hotel in a narrative that feels far more intimate than a typical city stay. 

Its all-day dining restaurant, Antler & Ember, serves classic continental fare with a local twist, while the compact Emerald Bar shakes up cocktails inspired by, of course, gemstones. 

78 Waterloo Street

Varel Singapore

As part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, Varel Singapore takes over the former Selegie Centre and is a sleek addition to the Bras Basah district. Its moody modernist design by FDAT Architects helps it stand out in a mostly residential area of public housing blocks and shophouses. Its location also places it within easy reach of Little India, Bugis, and the Selegie Road arts district, with Tekka Centre just across the road.

The hotel’s 128 guestrooms have a distinctly boutique sensibility, with locally inspired design and Southeast Asian craftsmanship woven into contemporary spaces. Notably, around 90 per cent of the rooms have private balconies, giving the hotel a more residential character than many new-generation city properties. 

While there’s no lack of food options nearby, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant Hathaway Autograph is worth a visit for its contemporary take on Southeast Asian-inspired dishes, and cocktail lounge Saga Bar for a nightcap. On the ground floor, Vernacular Coffee is great for a cup o’ joe with eight varieties of single-origin beans roasted in-house, and turns into a bar by night.

189 Selegie Road

The Warehouse Hotel

Located on the banks of Robertson Quay, The Warehouse Hotel blends old-world charm with elegant modern finishes. As its name suggests, the hotel was renovated from a 1895 warehouse on the Straits of Malacca trade routes, situating it culturally in a time when secret societies, underground activity, and liquor sales were rampant.

Under the watchful eye of architectural firm Zarch Collectives and award-winning homegrown firm Asylum, the meticulous restoration and subsequent opening in 2017 transformed the warehouse into a sophisticated 37-room hotel. 

Offerings include Po, an in-house restaurant run by award-winning chef Willin Low, serving classic local dishes and craft cocktails in the lobby and reception area. For an authentic Singaporean experience, details from the mugs used in the restaurant to the bed throws in guests’ rooms are locally sourced and designed by Singaporean companies, uplifting and supporting homegrown makers in line with its heritage.

Guests will also enjoy a rooftop infinity pool on cantilevered stilts, offering an unparalleled riverside view and a calm refuge from the hustle and bustle of society.

320 Havelock Road

Mondrian Singapore Duxton

Though it may be only a handful of years old, Mondrian Singapore Duxton is no stranger to award-winning experiences. The hotel has just been crowned the No. 1 City Hotel in Singapore by Travel+Leisure World’s Best Awards in 2025, in addition to being named the Best of Best Winner in Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards 2025. 

Set within restored shophouses, Mondrian Singapore Duxton sits at the heart of the heritage district of Duxton Hill, surrounded by Chinatown’s vibrant culture and promising a dizzying blend of art, culture, and culinary flair for visitors. Each of Mondrian Singapore Duxton’s 302 rooms takes its inspiration from Singaporean architecture, designed around the concept of the “deconstructed shophouse”.

To top it all off, its interiors feature sculptural works from a wide range of interdisciplinary artists, including pieces by KAWS, Dawn Wee, and more. 

Offerings at Mondrian include a cinematic rooftop pool and a wide selection of 10 bars and restaurants spanning a diverse range of culinary specialities, allowing guests to choose from different cuisines each night. 

16A Duxton Hill

The Clan Hotel Singapore

Set within Telok Ayer's cultural heritage, the Clan Hotel Singapore brings a beautifully luxurious approach to its design. Part of Far East Hospitality’s portfolio of unique and diverse hotels, the Clan Hotel — as its name suggests — was built on the history of Chinatown’s clan associations. Guests receive an incredibly personalised welcome from the moment they step into the hotel’s dark modern interiors, with a welcome tea ceremony set against the backdrop of antique umbrellas and artefacts on display in its lobby gallery.

Quiet sophistication is the name of the game here, with the hotel’s services designed to anticipate each visitor’s needs and wants. 

In addition to the sky pool and sky gym, the Clan Hotel offers events such as local tours and frequent promotions.

10 Cross Street

The Sultan Heritage Hotel

In the heart of downtown Singapore, the Sultan Heritage Hotel comprises 10 heritage shophouses, each offering a look into the past. Guests stay in faithfully preserved and reconstructed rooms that harken back to the Late Shophouse and Second Transitional Shophouse-style architecture of the time, including features like tall columns and full-length French windows that make the experience unlike any other.

Its signature Puteri rooms even feature hand-carved bedframes and Indonesian furniture, giving interested visitors a full taste of the rustic shophouse experience. 

The hotel’s location on the perimeter of Kampong Glam means that some of Singapore’s most famous local shopping destinations are just a few minutes’ walk away, including Haji Lane, Arab Street, Little India and more, ensuring that guests will never run out of areas to explore during their stay there.

For those who prefer to stay in, the Sultan Heritage Hotel has an in-house restaurant, The White Label, which serves exciting blends of French and Malayan cuisine, thanks to its head chef, Nelson Chua.

101 Jalan Sultan, #01-01

The Barracks Hotel Sentosa

An island hideaway inspired by the golden age of travel, The Barracks Hotel Sentosa sits next to the Sentosa gateway, offering a bespoke luxury experience with convenient access to the mainland. Housed within two restored colonial-era buildings, this hotel once used to be a British military outpost in 1904.

Elements of its history remain in its surroundings, including the Old World charm of its colonial facade, the brass detailing and leather-accented furnishings in each guest’s room, and the leafy foliage around it, which ensures guests’ privacy and tranquillity.

Those interested in the area’s history can also enjoy a Heritage Tales and Tea session with army veterans who once stayed in these barracks, as well as a self-guided audio tour. 

Depending on the rooms booked, guests can enjoy access to a private patio, use of The Barracks pool, and a semi-private jacuzzi. The Oasia Spa helps visitors refuel and recharge with its extensive range of facials, massages, and more. In addition, as part of the Sentosa suite of hotels, guests can also access the gym, pool deck, and bar at the neighbouring Village Hotel Sentosa, broadening their range of activities.

2 Gunner Lane

21 Carpenter

For something a little closer to the city centre, 21 Carpenter offers a cosy stay, nestled between Clarke Quay and Chinatown. With the vibrant, throbbing nightlife of Singapore on one side and the fascinating historical district of Chinatown on the other, guests will be able to enjoy both the allure of modern life and the rich cultural heritage of the past.

As a remittance house, the building at 21 Carpenter Street used to be Singaporean immigrants’ only connection to their faraway homelands. Now, under the watchful eye of award-winning agency WOHA, the hotel boasts 48 exquisite rooms that blend both history and modernity. 

Offerings at 21 Carpenter include Kee’s Neo-Bistro and Bar, a vibrant eatery nestled in the building, as well as a garden terrace, rooftop infinity pool, and rooftop lounge. Guests can choose to savour Kee’s eclectic blend of European and Pan-Asian cuisine, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Andrew Walsh, or wander around the neighbourhood to explore the dynamic, ever-changing city at their doorstep.

21 Carpenter Street

The Singapore EDITION

Part of the EDITION Hotels group, The Singapore EDITION marks the group’s first foray into Singapore. Nestled in the heart of Orchard Road’s shopping district and a short walk away from Unesco-acclaimed Botanic Gardens, The Singapore EDITION offers a new, ultra-modern redefinition of luxury in Singapore that is decked out in lush greenery.

With 204 rooms, The Singapore EDITION boasts guest rooms that are decorated with minimalistic elegance and come with features like blackout curtains for maximal comfort, maintaining a soothing experience for visitors from all walks of life. Greenery is dotted throughout the hotel, with plants adorning the stairwells and restaurants inside at every turn, making for a calming yet rich experience.

38 Cuscaden Road

This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.