Staycationing in Style: 4 Unique Design hotels to make you go Phwoar!

PUBLISHED April 17th, 2014 12:10 am | UPDATED January 19th, 2016 03:47 pm

Planning a staycation? Looking for a sexy somewhere to stay that stands out from the rest? We have to admit, there’s nothing better than escaping for a staycation in a seriously pimp, design hotel. We say out with the faceless, the “I could be staying anywhere” type of hotels and in with the cool, creative, design-led hotels which will leave you ooh-ing and ahh-ing around every corner. We tried and tested 4 design hotels in Singapore and snuffled out the sophisticated, quirky and sensuous.

For something sophisticated: Naumi Hotel

Naumi Hotel’s elegant room interior

Hot from a complete refurb courtesy of design studio White Jacket, with art curated by Olivier Henry of Vue Privée, Naumi is described by her staff as a flirty but sophisticated lady, and this is bourne out in the design features that are everywhere you turn in this very cool, very quirky Seah Street hotel.

The hotel lobby contains a 1000 video installation reflecting Singapore scenes which changes with the time of day, while the ‘Team Rooms’ (suites) are either Coco Chanel themed – elegant monochrome with insightful touches like a blown up photograph of her favourite flower, the camellia – or Andy Warhol themed – colourful and eccentric, like the curvaceous B&B Italia chair and kick-ass FLOS Gun lamp.

The ordinary rooms do not lack charm though with magic glass rendering the bathrooms visible or invisible from the bed for some saucy bathtime flirting wink wink, 400 thread Egyptian cotton sheets and a free minibar to get the party started. The party continues at the rooftop bar and infinity pool with a stunning unrestricted view over Raffles Hotel and the CBD. If you are still in the mood to party the next morning the breakfast comes with freeflow bubbles and if you are not, they helpfully provide Alka-seltzer and Berrocca for those nursing sore heads!

Naumi Hotel is located at 41 Seah St, Singapore, 188396. Published rates start at $370 per night. For enquiries and reservations please call 6403 6000. For more information see their website here.

For something quirky: Wanderlust Hotel

Wanderlust Hotel’s Whimsical Loft Tree

Wanderlust Hotel stays true to its name, inviting curious guests to immerse themselves in a totally unconventional hotel experience. Situated in one of Singapore’s most vibrant and culturally rich localities, Wanderlust Hotel offers travellers doorstep access to explore the bustling and colourful streets of Little India.

Wanderlust’s Pantone Blue Room

The 4-level, 29-room hotel features groundbreaking work from top Singapore design agencies Asylum, Phunk Studio, DP Architects and fFurious, culminating in four unique, distinctive themes. From colourful pantone-chart inspired capsules to black & white monochrome designs – each room at Wanderlust is an individual work of art.

The top floor of the hotel features nine loft-style rooms meticulously designed to immerse guests in an otherworldly experience. Step into the adventure and be amazed to find your bed enclosed within a giant typewriter, a huge monster holding up the lights as you open the door, or a floor-to-ceiling rocket dwarfing the room as your walk in. Downstairs discover a feature wall of Bollywood patterns contrasting with handsome designer chairs, an eclectic mix of wooden tables, potted herbs, fresh gingham tablecloths, modern art sculptures and stools made from recycled road signs. There is so much to see and discover at Wanderlust that you’ll be enchanted all over again with the feelings that made you want to travel in the first place.

Wanderlust Hotel is located at 2 Dickson Road, Singapore, 209494. Published rates start at $300 per night. For enquiries and reservations please call 6396 3322. For more information see their website here.

For a Peranakan flavour: Village Hotel, Katong

Village Hotel’s Club Room

Village Hotel, Katong is a hidden gem – a new 229 room design-led boutique hotel hiding above the Katong V Mall on the East Coast Road. If you don’t live there already there is no better place to staycation and explore this hip little district.

The hotel’s design celebrates the Peranakan heritage local to the surrounding Katong area with beautifully arranged artworks displayed in the light spacious lobby. The Peranakan theme continues through the rooms, which come in 6 categories ranging from the Executive Suite with kitchenette, lounge and separate bedroom to the Superior with twin beds  all of which are unusually spacious thanks to the re-purposed older building in which they are housed. Each room reflects Peranakan prints in the tiles and soft furnishings with lovely little touches like glazed tea sets and ceramic stools, while retaining an airy modern feel. Aside from the rooftop pool the real clincher is the service, which is well-informed, warm and helpful.

Village Hotel Kong is located at 25 Marine Parade, Singapore, 449536. Published rates start at $175 per night. For enquiries and reservations please call 6344 2200. For more information see here.

For Something Sensuous: The Scarlet Hotel

The Scarlet Hotel’s Passion Suite

Having just undergone a major refurbishment, Singapore’s first luxury boutique hotel has redefined its bold and lavish look. From the minute you walk in through the lobby with its majestic Venetian chandelier, to the moment you enter your room, everything here screams decadence. The four-storied, 80-room property occupies a heritage building nestled in the heart of Chinatown with 4 different types of rooms and 5 characteristic suites, each with its own style signifier and personality.

The Scarlet Hotel’s Splendour Suite

There is a definite emphasis on seducing the senses at The Scarlet – in fact the word seduction springs to mind repeatedly – as the sensuous rooms unfold a variety of lavish textures and colours underneath the come-hither ambient lighting all of which conjours up a mood which is rather naughty. The height of ultimate luxury and decadence has to be the suites which go by the names of Swank, Opulent, Lavish, Splendour and Passion. We think their names do a very good job of speaking for themselves, so we don’t need to. However the Deluxe rooms certainly will not disappoint with their plush creative designs and sexy yet comfortable luxury.

The Scarlet Hotel is located at 33 Erskine Rd, Singapore, 069333. Published rates start at $350 per night. For enquiries and reservations please call 6511 3333. For more information see here.