We checked in to Singapore’s newest hotel three days after the official opening to explore the first urban interpretation from the Six Senses brand – right in the heart of Singapore.
About Six Senses
The brand currently operates 11 resorts and 30 spas spanning 20 countries – small fry in the SPG/Marriott and Hilton/IHG behemoth world we live in. Although grand plans lie ahead with seven new resorts and two spas opening between now and 2019 – they are certainly a fast-growing brand to watch out for.
Usually found on a pristine white sand beach – Six Senses hotels have up until now focused on ultra-lux, sustainable wellness resorts. Prime examples of this concept are the Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam (which looks fantastic – we’ll be reviewing later this year for another perspective on the Six Senses brand).
So – an inner city hotel, occupying colonial-era shophouses and situated in the bustling foodie hub of Chinatown in central Singapore is certainly a departure from the norm.
This is the first city hotel for the brand and represents the first half of the overall project, Six Senses Singapore, which later this year will include another building situated at nearby Maxwell Road.
The concept of the hotel is to celebrate local culture and history whilst playing on the stunning heritage aspects of the property.
“There is a diverse mix of Chinese, Malay and European elements in the buildings including neo-classical lion head motifs, Chinese porcelain-chip friezes co-existing with Malay timber fretwork, French windows, Portuguese shutters and Corinthian pilaster.”
Six Senses have partnered with the building owners Satinder Garcha and Harpreet Bedi of Garcha Hotels, experts in the boutique heritage property arena, to ensure the success of this project. The pair is responsible for The Vagabond Club, located only a stone’s throw away – another beautiful and award-winning property.
The question is, with the wealth of pain staking preserved culture and history at this new project – will they still be able to provide the 5-star luxury and serenity that Six Senses’ patrons crave?