3 Fabulous New Hotels in Singapore

The South Beach, Singapore

The South Beach
A new addition to Beach Road, opposite the venerable Raffles Hotel, is this Norman Foster designed showstopper with interiors by Philippe Starck.

The hotel is actually comprised of a skyscraper plus historic colonial low rises at ground level. And while there are some 650 rooms and suites, the place is overwhelmingly boutique in feel.

Doing away with the traditional reception, you’ll be checked in at one of several freestanding desks – each one itself a work of art and overhung by a unique chandelier.

The South Beach, Singapore

Rooms are bright and contemporary (if you like chintz, don’t book here) and the minimalist bathrooms come with Japanese style loos.

Icing on the cake is the 18 floor sky garden with a wrap around view of Singapore’s skyline and contemporary rocking chairs from which to drink it all in. Speaking of which, there’s also a swimming pool, gym and bar with a view up here.

30 Beach Road; +65 6818 1888 http://www.thesouthbeach.com.sg

Hotel Vagabond
The newest kid on Singapore’s boutique block designed by Jacques Garcia of Hotel Costes, Paris fame. As such it’s a little bit of Paris in Singapore, or more specifically in Little India slash Kampong Glam.

Centre stage is the alluring ground floor public space, all dark lighting and red velvet drapes, comprising a bar segueing into a Salon and restaurant. At 5th Quarter restaurant, chef Drew Nocente, focuses on smoking, curing and pickling on his clever menu. [UPDATE: Drew has now left and opened his own restaurant, Salted and Hung.]

Hotel Vagabond, Singapore

Art is predominant here from the rhino check in desk and the elephant seemingly crashing through the lobby wall to the video installations in the loos and the lift.

Hotel Vagabond, Singapore

The 41 rooms are similarly maximalist but on the right side of taste: every space of wall crammed with pictures and richly hand painted screens.

39 Syed Alwi Road; +65 6291 6677 http://www.hotelvagabondsingapore.com

The Club, Singapore

The Club
Not brand new but fresh from a refurb, this handsome colonial building with white façade accented by bright red shutters is found on the corner of bar and restaurant mecca, Club Street.

The design mixes period features with on trend Mad Men-esque retro furnishings. Think jewel coloured velvets, 60s style chairs, and dark grey and navy painted panels – reminiscent of British stately homes like Downton Abbey.

The Club, Singapore

The hotel’s hub is Mr and Mrs Maxwell, a loungey restaurant space that serves as an old day diner and local hang out spot.

Up on the roof is Tiger’s Milk, the Lion City’s first Peruvian bar. Come for the Piscos, the cerviche and the skewers.

28 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069708 Tel: +65 6808 2188 http://www.theclub.com.sg