PUBLISHED May 16th, 2017 06:00 pm | UPDATED July 25th, 2024 01:36 pm
Our history, however unsavoury, is still part of our heritage. And that’s exactly what makes staying at The Warehouse Hotel so enjoyable. About a hundred years ago, the Robertson Quay neighbourhood was pretty much controlled by Chinese secret societies where gambling, prostitution, alcohol distilleries, and opium were commonplace. The Warehouse Hotel was a warehouse (duh) owned by local businessman Lim Ho Puah and (we’re 99% sure) it was also a site of illicit activity in the day.
Now, the building remains in local ownership – in fact, it’s never been owned by a foreigner – and the Lo & Behold Group has restored the building, turning it into an elegant 37-room boutique hotel, complete with a rooftop infinity pool and Mod-Sin restaurant Po (see our review here).
It’s hard not to be impressed by the lobby, and we’re not just talking about the generosity of space dedicated to it. Under the peaked roof, award-winning design agency Asylum pays tribute to the building’s past with design elements like exposed brick and industrial-chic lighting. Check-in was a breeze, especially with an ice-cold glass of piña colada tea – think coconut, hibiscus, and honeybush – in hand. Even if there’s a line, we daresay it might not be a bad thing since you have an opportunity to enjoy lounging in the space to kickstart your unique staycay.
All their rooms on the second floor – such as the River View Loft and the River View Mezzanine – offer ample historic character in the building’s original beams and windows, as well as all the charming angles of the peaked ceiling. If you can’t afford to splurge (like us), the River View Room still allows you to look out over the Singapore River from your custom pillow top king-sized bed. The neutral-earthy tones of matt black metal, rattan, leather, and custom fabrics courtesy of Matter Prints in the furnishings made my 34 square metre (365 square feet) feel more spacious than it is, helped along by the natural sunlight streaming in from the window.
Besides modern facilities like complimentary high-speed wifi, Bang & Olufsen bluetooth, and convenient USB charging ports and electrical socket by the bed, other amenities in the room speak to locality and history. For instance, the selection of locally curated products in the minibar include the likes of Tao Kae Noi seaweed, Nong Shim cup noodles, salted egg yolk crisps, Marou chocolate, and A.muse tea bags. Those so inclined can also take advantage of the variety of sex toys – a throwback to the area’s bawdy yesteryears – in the room available for purchase.
Stocked with eco certified Ashley & Co. bath products, the shower area (with a satisfactory rain shower) was definitely big enough for two…if you catch my drift.
Breakfast at Po is a more than decent spread, given that the hotel and the restaurant are both on the small side. The buffet line yields al the brekkie quintessentials – cereal, pastries, cold cuts, cheeses, fruits, and more. On top of that, you have the option of a main course from a short menu of Bak Kut Teh, Congee, and English Breakfast. It was a toss-up between the first two, but I decided to go with the pork broth with pork ribs and jasmine rice for something for filling. Po’s version of the local dish was robustly flavoured and heavier on the herbs than pepper. The meat didn’t exactly fall off the bone, but it was easy enough to eat with chopsticks.
Cocktail hounds, your staycation at The Warehouse Hotel is not complete without a couple of hours chatting with Andrew (who’s been with the Lo & Behold Group since 2013) at the Lobby Bar that he helms. Inspired by the story of the hotel, the cocktail menu is a one-stop history lesson in itself and features housemade alcohol infusions and ingredients. Split into three sections that hat-tip to three different eras, we worked our way back in time by starting with the Kaya Lumpur ($19), which is mean to be a throwback to the building’s disco days in the 80s and the 90s. Familiar and refreshing, the cocktail combines rum, basil, lemon juice, soda, Glory Foods kaya, peychaud bitters, and angostura bitters for a kaya-forward yet well-balanced tipple.
The next cocktail, Kopi Cat ($19) maneuvered us into the shadier parts of history, when rumour has it that the building was a base for illegal distillation of alcohol. Basically an espresso martini on chocolate steroids – there’s half a Cadbury Crunchie bar alongside salted caramel, condensed milk, chocolate, and orgeat in the drink – this vodka-based cocktail for those who need a pick me up (be it from the caffeine or sugar). Spiced but not spicy, the Singapore Sazerac ($20) aptly champions the days when the building was a warehouse catering to Singapore’s booming spice trade. The brilliant green hue of the cocktail is complemented by a spirit forward recipe of house-infused raisin boubon, pandan bitters, and a demerara sugar syrup infused with star anise, clove, and cinnamon.
The bar snacks come from Po’s kitchen so if you haven’t dined there, this is a good chance to sample what they have to offer before committing yourself to lunch or dinner.
Heritage aside, The Warehouse Hotel ticks all the right boxes for our type of staycation: great aesthetic, a comfortable sleep, as well as good food and drink. And if the same goes for you, why wait?
The Warehouse Hotel is located at 320 Havelock Road, Singapore 169628, p. +65 6828 0000.
Top Image: Warehouse Sanctuary