Singapore Staycation Spotlight: Hmlet Cantonment, A Co-Living Concept With Heritage Charm in Tanjong Pagar

PUBLISHED January 5th, 2021 06:00 am | UPDATED January 17th, 2021 01:51 am

We’re used to uber-sleek hotels and co-living concepts decked in flashy Insta-fodder, but Hmlet Cantonment has something rarer: an understated blend of comfort and charm that makes it feel like home. A 150-room offering from one of Singapore’s biggest co-living players Hmlet, this Tanjong Pagar property ticks our boxes for a weeklong staycay – or even a few months’ freedom for those leaving the family nest.

Location & Space

Built on the heritage site of the former Keppel Primary, Hmlet Cantonment is plumb in the heart of the city centre. Just across the road lies Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market & Food Centre for your grocery and hawker needs. Take a ten-minute stroll down Cantonment Road for a buffet of Keong Saik dining options, or tipple up at Duxton Hill a few streets away.

Once inside, though, you’d hardly know you were in the CBD – a green wall of trees fringes the three-storey property, blocking out the urban bustle. Entering the 76,000-sq-ft heritage building completes our sense of stepping into a different world. Conceptualized by Amelia Koo – Hmlet’s in-house interior designer – the space is a homely canvas of neutrals and warm wood tones, splashed with retro touches.

The original pebble wash staircases, complete with striking terrazzo banisters, have been preserved; it’s easy to imagine that students once raced up and down here. Batik prints by Onlewo, framed in bamboo embroidery hoops, add a dash of nostalgic chic, as do the old textbooks and photos of Keppel Primary lining the corridors. You’ll spot segments of the original brick walls peeking through in the communal areas. And as you make your way to your room, you’ll notice cheeky illustrations by Chris Chew that might stir up childhood memories – from muah chee to Toa Payoh’s iconic dragon playground.

Rooms

Co-living often means compact, so Hmlet’s room range stands out for its flexibility in size and type. Available for stays from a minimum of six nights, rooms for couples run from The Small – a basic 11-sqm space with private bathroom – to The Extra Large, a 26sqm option which fits a dining area, kitchen, and plenty of elbow room to spare. Meanwhile, four-pax families can spread out in the 2-Bedroom with private kitchen and bathroom.

With long windows opening onto lush gardens, our Extra Large room (from S$218 per night) on the first floor is bright and airy. The upside of so much greenery around is a complete absence of traffic noise despite being right beside the road; the downside is the minor ant infestation we had around the kitchen windows.

Our kitchenette packs in an impressive array of equipment, including an induction cooktop, microwave, and stylish monochrome utensils. The fridge and washing machine are neatly hidden away behind cupboard doors, enhancing the uncluttered look of the place. Once you’ve cooked up a storm, have your meal at a chic dining table that can double up as a work desk.

Though somewhat cramped, the bathroom is a stunner with dramatic matte black accents – towel rack, sink, even the tap – and a walk-in rain shower. One drawback for us, though, is the lack of a proper wardrobe despite the spaciousness of the room. A line of hooks and a short hanger rod might be sufficient for a week’s stay, but likely not for longer ones.

Facilities & Services

As a co-living space, Hmlet boasts plenty of cosy communal nooks for those ready to mingle. The first floor of Block B is where all the action is – here you’ll find a reception area which triples up as a hotdesking space and a canteen. Forest green walls and exposed brick give this co-working space a laidback calm, with grey couches for chilling out and long desks for the keyboard warriors. Members of the public can also snag a seat here with the Work from Canto Day Pass (S$25 per day, S$400 per month).

Out front, there’s a terrace strung with fairy lights for breezy evening hangouts; at the back of the building, you’ll find a well-shaded deck with a hammock and a plunge pool. Sweat away your stress with Warrior Studios’ yoga classes at the in-house wellness studio (classes are hosted at a temporary studio at South Bridge Road at the moment).

F&B

Having the midnight munchies? The Cantonment Canteen in the reception area is stocked with pantry basics like chips and cup noodles, plus a coffee machine. To keep the good times flowing, there’s also a rotating beer tap by The 1925 Brewing Co.

If your room type doesn’t include a kitchen, whip up your meals in the communal kitchen equipped with Miele ovens and a coffee machine. And for those lazy days when you don’t want to cook or dine out, the Staycation Package comes with a S$50 Deliveroo voucher for fuss-free feasting.

Hmlet Cantonment is located at 150 Cantonment Rd, Singapore 089762, p. +65 6951 8849. Rates start from S$145++ for The Small, for a minimum stay of six nights. 

All photos courtesy of Hmlet Cantonment