The Warehouse Hotel in Singapore may look brand new, but there’s a lot of history here. Yes, the hotel opened its doors earlier this year, but the heritage building – built in 1895 – has had several other purposes before it was turned into the modern design hotel it is today. It won’t surprise you that it was once a warehouse, but also a popular nightclub and a place for underground, illegal activities. Oh, if these walls could talk!
I’m spending my first night in Singapore at The Warehouse Hotel. On the way from the airport the taxi driver already fills me in on the interesting history of the building. He hasn’t seen the hotel yet, but being born and raised in Singapore he knows all about the transformations it has gone through over the years.
For me, I had no idea. I’d just seen some photos online and decided that if I would ever visit Singapore this boutique hotel would be the place to be. And I wasn’t wrong.
When I walk inside I immediately recognize the beautiful open space with its high ceilings that made me want to stay here. This is the lobby, the reception as well as the bar. The staircase takes you to the first floor with the guest rooms.
My room is beautiful and luxurious! The hotel has 37 rooms and I’m staying in one of the River View Rooms. Just like the open space downstairs, they did a great job making the room look warm and industrial at the same time. There are white bars in front of the windows, which I’m guessing are just how the building was originally designed. It may sound a bit prison-like, but it absolutely doesn’t feel like it. And it’s nice having a river view.
When I’m so happy with a hotel I kind of want to stay in all day. But I’m only staying in Singapore for a few days and there’s a lot I want to see. Plus my friend Sarah, who took her blog from London to Singapore is waiting to show me her new city.
The next morning I’m having breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant Pó. With its many windows the restaurant is brighter than the rest of the hotel, but it has the same modern and warm atmosphere. There’s plenty of bread, pastries and fresh fruit to take yourself and warm dishes to order from the menu. It looks and tastes wonderful.
Pó refers to the Mandarin word for grandmother popo. It’s a tribute to her traditional Singaporean cooking and flavors. Seeing the dinner menu I wish I had time to stay for dinner as well. Especially after reading her ‘Pearls of wisdom’ on the menu, such as: “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can eat today.” And “In life you are either a hamster or a gangster.”
It’s almost time to check out. I walk around the hotel one last time and wish I had time for a swim in the beautiful glass swimming pool outside. Overlooking the river and the city it would be so nice to spend some time here. Especially with the Singapore weather that I can’t really get used to.
I walk across the bridge to see the hotel from the other side of the river and to get an iced latte at Toby’s Estate. Now it’s really time to leave. Fortunately I still have a couple of days to explore Singapore, but I’m sad to leave this beautiful hotel. Next time I’m in Singapore I’ll make sure to check in again.
Disclaimer: I was a guest of The Warehouse Hotel for the purpose of this review
