Designer interiors, artisanal restaurants, and a chance to live amid the creative class – all the reasons to make these recently opened hotels in Singapore your next staycation destination. Imran Jalal rounds up what to pack.
Perfect for: Creative types looking for a boho escape
Why: It’s the first hotel here to offer an artist-in-residency programme with writers, poets et al setting up home on site for a week to three months (those interested can write in). For those who simply enjoy art and design, the eclectic yet luxurious interiors – think rich red upholstery and gold accents aplenty – were designed by Jacques Garcia, the man behind Paris’ Hotel Costes. Meanwhile, the restaurant 5th Quarter is run by Drew Nocente. The protege of Gordon Ramsay and Jason Atherton is known for his cured meat dishes. From $300 a night. 39 Syed Alwi Road
1 Toga cotton-voile shirt, US$412 ($582), www.net-a-porter.com 2 Native Couture 1975 Rockstud leather sandals with metal studs, Valentino 3 Brass and enamelled porcelain necklace, $1,200, Celine 4 Smeraldo suede bucket hat, Dsquared2 5 Studio Sahara cotton jumper, $79.90, H&M 6 Calfskin peep-toe booties, Emporio Arman 7 Anton Heunis Open Eye 22K yellow gold-plated brass earrings with glass pearls and crystals, Laprendo 8 Calfskin clutch, $1,260, Calvin Klein Collection 9 Diorama calfskin shoulder bag, $5,800, Dior
10 Leather shoulder bag, Tory Burch 11 Michael Michael Kors Cooper stainless steel watch, $439, Michael Kors 12 Maiolica Decor jacquard ankle-strap d’Orsays with crystals, Dolce & Gabbana 13 Cotton tank top, $325, Bimba Y Lola 14 International Tegra-Lite luggage, $1,220, Tumi 15 Melissa Wanna Be Rio Melflex platform Oxfords, $235, Mdreams 16 Suede clutch, Proenza Schouler 17 GG Supreme Tian calfskin and canvas luggage, Gucci 18 Alice McCall crochet pencil skirt, US$300 ($423), www.avenue32.com
Perfect for: Design fiends
Why: Philippe Starck is behind the interiors of this 654-room establishment that opened three months ago. Every corner reflects the French design guru’s fun, modern and slightly irreverent eye – from the rooms that are decked out with his iconic furniture, to the pool deck’s fully mirrored ping-pong table, and elevator interiors that light up with whimsical sea creature designs when you go up or down. Quirkily-designed hotel bar LAUGH – its interior is full of clashing prints and polished steel and marble furnishings – is also set to open at the end of this month or in early March. From $450 a night. 30 Beach Road
1 Polyamide-blend maillot, $400, Vilebrequin 2 Michael Kors Collection cashmere top, Michael Kors 3 Sportmax Nunzio cotton dress, $979, Max Mara 4 Leather platform sandals, Paul Smith 5 Rick Owens cotton maxi dress, $375, www.mytheresa.com 6 Calfskin sandals with metal studs, $1,300, Fendi 7 Classic Fusion Cruz-Diez 18K King gold watch on rubber and alligator skin strap, Hublot 8 Polyester-blend miniskirt, Raoul 9 Atelier Swarovski by Fredrikson Stallard Armory metal necklace with crystals, $4,000, Swarovski 10 Leather and plastic slides, Balenciaga 11 Uvetta cotton top, $699, Max Mara 12 Maxi Strap leather tote, Marni
Perfect for: Those who want the best of modern and old-world luxury
Why: Opened last July after a nine-month-long revamp, this 20-room hotel is housed across three conservation buildings from the 1900s. The decor is a mix of mid-century modern (simple, organic-looking furniture) and hipster cool (whitewashed brick walls, and the odd Chinese stool or daybed). The walls are adorned with over 120 works by heavyweight artists such as David Hockney and Alexander Calder. From $280 a night. 28 Ann Siang Road
1 Bossa Nova luggage, $1,700, Rimowa 2 Artesia leather top-handle bag, $1,270, Furla 3 Arabella silk jumpsuit, $1,070, Diane von Furstenberg 4 Atlas leather a nd calfhair saddle bag, $539, Braun Buffel 5 Silk-satin top, Topshop Heures 6 Creatives Heure Discrete 18K white gold watch with diamonds and satin strap, $249,500, Vacheron Constantin 7 Cotton shirt dress, $585, Raoul 8 Dalvina leather sandals, $1,090, Bally 9 Metal sautoir necklace with glass pearls and natural stones, $9,730, Chanel 10 Canvas and leather clutch, Balenciaga 11 Tiffany Bow 18K rose gold earrings with diamonds, $10,100, Tiffany & Co. 12 Linen-blend culottes, Alice and Olivia. 13 Satin vest, Brunello Cucinelli Prices unavailable unless stated
An adapted version first appeared in Female’s February issue, out on newsstands now.
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