16 cool hotels in Singapore

16 cool hotels in Singapore

In 2014 I published my list of 15 cool hotels in Singapore. Time for an update, don’t you think?

Before I present you my 2016 list of 16 cool hotels in Singapore, let me explain how I made this selection.

What defines a cool hotel

Some people see a hotel as nothing more than a place to sleep; a bed. The cheaper the better.

While for others -like myself- it is much more than that. For that ‘extra’ or ‘WOW’ I’m willing to pay more. Up to a certain extent, that is, since I’m not rich.

For me, I go for the experience. Ofcourse I want the obvious, like a convenient location, a good bed, quality service and peace and quiet. That goes without saying. But I love it when a hotel offers more than that.

Keywords for that ‘extra'( -to me-) are:

• personal approach by a professional and friendly staff, making you feel like a person, not a number
• a unique experience thanks to e.g. a beautiful location, building or interior design
• comfort, luxury and pampering
• the devil is in the detail. I love discovering fun, pretty and surprising details all around me in a hotel.
• delicious F&B

Boutique Hotels often fit that bill. I love it when hotels offer that unique bit ‘more’. Like the free-to-use handphones at Hotel Vagabond. Or the delightful High Tea from a hanging birdcage at the W Hotel Sentosa Cove. Or the lobby filled with design and cool items to buy at the New Majestic.

I’m drawn to hotels that are arty and quirky and I love beautiful and unusual design. Wanderlust Hotel‘s rooms are all whimsically fun and different. Hotel Vagabond breathes a love for art and cinema all through the hotel. The W Hotel Sentosa Cove is playful, pretty and different from head to toe, as are all the W Hotels by the way.

The personal approach at Hotel Vagabond is unparalleled, W insiders can add so much to your hotel experience and how I was once helped by a staff member of New Majestic was just fantastic.

Good but not cool, cool but not good

There are plenty of hotels that deliver what they promise and that score high on TripAdvisor, yet they didn’t end up in this list. In those cases they miss the ‘cool’-factor, the WOW. For me, that is. Matter of personal preferences and taste.

Or they DO have a WOW, just not my kinda WOW. For example I don’t like formal, pompous, classic, traditional, dark interiors or an absence of humor and art.
I also try to avoid hotels that are popular amongst families with children. I want a peaceful, restful experience.

Then there are hotels that DO have the cool-factor, but that don’t deliver, translating in bad reviews on TripAdvisor. Although I love their looks and design, those hotels did not make it in this list, since doing a good job is fundamental, of course. You can make a room or hotel look fantastic, but if your customers are unhappy, then you’re out for me.

16 Cool hotels in Singapore in 2016

For the minimalists amongst us:

1. Lloyd’s Inn,
   -#52 (from 305 hotels in Singapore) on TripAdvisor
2. The Pod, Boutique Capsule Hostel,
   -#26 on Tripadvisor.
   -Was also in my 2014-list.
   -minimalistic, chic and affordable

For those who like whimsical, quirky, artsy, hipster:

3. New Majestic,
-#80 on TripAdvisor.
-Also in my 2014 list.
-design, art and heritage

4. Hotel Vagabond ,
-#3 on TripAdvisor.
-This new boutique hotel was not around yet, when I made my first hotel-list.
-Since it’s arrival, it scores super high on TripAdvisor. You can read my review here.
- art, personal touch, great service and client-friendliness

5. Wanderlust ,
-#76 on TripAdvisor.
-This hotel was in my 2014 list.
-It has been around since a while now and is still popular.
-fun decor

6. W Hotel Sentosa Cove ,
-#4 (from 13 hotels on Sentosa Island) on TripAdvisor.
-Also on the list in 2014.
-I wrote a series of posts about this hotel. Read more about this amazing hotel here, here, here, here, here, and here. And yes, I love this hotel that much! 😉

7. The South Beach ,
-#16 on TripAdvisor.
-I visited this brand-new hotel some months ago as part of a design tour. The hotel had just opened its doors at that moment, but was not quite finished yet.
-Although Philippe Starck, one of my favorite designers, had a big hand in the interior decorating in the hotel, and although it is filled with art and design, it somehow did not make my heart beat faster.
-It IS different and the guests appear to be enthusiastic, looking at the score on TripAdvisor, so I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and include it in this list.

For people with lots of money or who are looking for luxury and unique experiences:

8. Marina Bay Sands ,
-#33 on TripAdvisor.
-Was in my 2014 list.
-I don’t think it’s a very good hotel perse, from what I heard through the grapevine. But the architecture, the pool area and the views are crazy cool. So for those who really need to experience at least once that amazing pool picture and enjoy the views from the pool, by all means: book this hotel. What can I say; it sure is unique and impressive! You can read what I wrote about the hotel and the area around it here.

9. Resorts World Sentosa has an Ocean Suite and a TreeTop loft
-No Tripadvisor scores here, but the few that I read were not that positive about the Ocean Suite; hotel wise that is. Understandable , since it is ridiculously expensive (think 1500 to 2000 sgd per night) and for that price, only perfection is satisfactory. I get that. Anything less than perfect and your guests will complain. Hard.
-But a room with windows that look at -under water level, of course- a huge sea aquarium, wow, that must be amazing! As if you are living in the ocean!
-And luxury lofts at TreeTop level, butler service and all, that sounds spectacular too, doesn’t it?!

No. 6 on this list, W Hotel, would not be misplaced in this category, by the way.

For travellers that look for classic, historical buildings and heritage:

10. Raffles
- Classic, colonial and historical,
- #2 on TripAdvisor.
- Was in the 2014 list as well.
- It’s too posh and traditional for my taste, but I can’t deny that it looks gorgeous and that it’s filled with history. And hey, the famous cocktail Singapore Sling was invented here. That counts for something for sure!

11. Fullerton Hotel
-Classic and historical,
-#20 on Tripadvisor.
-On my previous list too.

-A bit similar to what I wrote about Raffles Hotel. This former post office turned mega hotel is undoubtedly a head turner.
-Way too chic and too much nouveau riche clientele for my taste, but it’s a beautiful hotel for sure.

12. Amoy by Far East Hospitality
- heritage,
- #1 on TripAdvisor!!!
- On my list in 2014 as well AND Singapore’s number one hotel (according to TripAdvisor).
-It seems that all hotels run by Far East Hospitality score very high with their guests.

New Majestic, no. 3 on this list, is housed in a heritage building too.

For wanderers that value green in, on or around the hotel or who are keen on eco-friendlyness:

13. Parkroyal on Pickering
-#18 on Tripadvisor.
-Yep, also in the 2014 list.
-The architecture and all the green on the facade are amazing.
-eco-friendly

14. Wangz,
-#14 on Tripadvisor,
and 15. The Forest by Wangz (serviced apartments)
-# 1 (from 218 specialty lodgings in Singapore) on TripAdvisor.
- Also in 2014 on the list.
Both get raving reviews from customers.

No. 7, South Beach, is eco-friendly too, by the way.

And one more:

16. The Quincy,
-#6 on TripAdvisor.
- Also in the 2014 list.
- Run by Far East Hospitality, like number 12 in this list.
- A good hotel with a gorgeous infinity pool with glass walls!

Which hotels appeal the most to you? Did you stay in any of the hotels of this list? How was your experience? Do you have any other cool hotels in Singapore to add to the list? What are your main criteria when choosing for a hotel?