Hey guys! This week, it’ll be a Singapore-centric post once again as I’ll be talking about my staycation experience at The Warehouse Hotel! With its high-ceilings, loft offerings, and central location, I’ve had my sights on the hotel since it opened late last year.

While this hotel’s pretty young, the property that houses it has been in existence since 1895! Singapore was founded in 1819, so this is probably one of oldest buildings in Singapore right now. With a long history comes many stories, and indeed, this warehouse has gone through many changes within its walls –  starting out as a warehouse for the spice trade, then as a gambling/drug den; the “vices era”, if you will, followed by an underground disco, before it was left dormant for several years till the Lo and Behold Group stepped in and created this modern day, contemporary industrial marvel we know as The Warehouse Hotel presently.  If the walls could talk…

Entering the hotel, you’ll be wowed by its high ceilings and abundance of space. It also features a lobby lounge, with sin-centric cocktails. This reminded me of Modern Family actually – you know, Phil and Claire’s yearly valentine routine? This would be the perfect hotel to indulge in some Modern Family-esque roleplaying (Clive Bixby and Julianna, anyone?)

Besides the unique warehouse design and structures, what further sets this hotel apart from many of its contemporaries in my opinion, is its conscious efforts to integrate local Singaporean culture in as many aspects as possible. There are quite a number of local collaborations, including sheet designs by Matter, tea by A.muse Projects and tea cups/plates by Mud Rock Ceramics.

Also, instead of the usual tourist souvenirs offered in high-end hotels, The Warehouse Hotel differentiates itself in yet another innovative way!  Together with a local gallery, Supermama, they create inspired relics from the past, taking inspiration from tools used in the “vices era”. Interesting conversation pieces and keepsakes, whether for utility or display purposes, don’t you think? I actually thought it was a mini-museum at first!

Ps. they have lounge area as well that overlooks the Singapore River. Unfortunately, during our time there it was undergoing maintenance so we weren’t able to explore – but that’s something you’ll be able to look forward to – drinking cocktails and having intimate meetings with a river view.

The Rooms

One of the wonderful perks of staying in The Warehouse Hotel has to be the fact that you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the different layout each room offers. Why? To maintain integrity of the structure, each room is carved out differently, following the ability of the layout to accommodate, so it’s like a new experience every single time!

We stayed in a Warehouse Loft room with bathtub (always essential on a staycation for me):

Entering the room, I was struck by the earthy, cozy, sophisticated vibes. Its grey walls and warm lighting gave it an overall intimate feel, and I just wanted to spend the whole time in the bed, binging on TV and take-out. It definitely sets the mood. The loft ceilings are sure to be appreciated by those who’ve grown up in HDBs/apartments all their life.

Room Amenities

There’s also a “rack of vices” – food, sex toys and lotions/skincare. Yup, sex toys, or “playthings” for adults. I wasn’t expecting that, and it made me laugh out loud, and again, I realized its connection – the warehouse used to be a hotbed of underground activities, and this perfectly plays on its history. This was the moment I knew The Warehouse hotel wasn’t exactly the most kid-friendly place (I guess the cocktail bar at the lounge should have hinted me enough!).

The Pool

The pool is a lovely space that’s formed as an extension of the hotel – not part of the original property, and overlooks the city and river, a tranquil setting against the hubbub of the city. Be warend though –  it can get blistering hot between 12-4pm when the sun’s rays are at its strongest, so I’d recommend visiting the pool after 4pm, just before dinner.

Food Options

Food options are aplenty here – there’s their flagship restaurant, Po, offering a selection of Singapore-inspired dishes; both classic and with a twist. Looking for something different? Robertson Quay’s right at your doorstep, with over 30 different restaurants and cafes – you’ll be spoilt for choice! As usual, we just wanted to stay in our room and fully enjoy the vacation, so we opted to do a food delivery. We were not disappointed! I’d highly recommend Once Upon a Thyme (pastas) and Wine Connection (their meat and cheese platter- oh emm gee!) if you’re looking for take-out!

We had breakfast the next day over at Po, and it was the best breakfast we’d had at a hotel’s restaurant here in Singapore! I’d highly encourage you to go for it- or if you’re not a breakfast person, just eat at Po, at least once. I had Po’s Signature Bak Kut Teh while P had the Hearty English Breakfast.

I never thought of Bak Kut Teh as a premium/gourmet food type of experience, and boy was I impressed by Po. Premium US pork ribs, with tender, fall-off-the bones consistency. The soup was pretty thick with just the right amount of herbal and pepper kick, just the way I like it! The full bowl of you tiaos made me very happy! I’ll admit I’m sometimes the kind of person who would go “ehh, how much better can a traditional hawker dish be at a restaurant at 2-3 times the price?” But after trying this Bak Kut Teh, I’m a changed person thanks to Po. and I’m already planning to head back soon to try their famous Popiah! By the way, by itself, the restaurant is already well-known, judging by Po’s Tripadvisor reviews. 

The perfect english breakfast. My only regret? Not asking for more bacon! Singapore’s bacon usually isn’t great – soggy and limp. But here at Po, it was thin and oh-so-crisp, fried to perfection! I wish they’d break their bacon strips into little chip-sized pieces, package them in a bag, and sell them. I would TOTALLY buy them!

Their buffet breakfast spread serves some of the most generous varieties of fruits I’ve seen at a local buffet. I’ve never seen cherries, plums and peaches. I couldn’t get enough of the dried, preserved fruit bits as well!

My impression of a hotel immediately goes up 1000 points when they’re happy to serve hot chocolate instead of coffee/tea even when that’s not written in the options!

 

I am so in love with Mud Rock Ceramics, and I’m definitely looking to add them to my home collection!

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a different boutique experience, The Warehouse Hotel‘s definitely worth checking out. It has all the ideal setups for a couples staycation – a room you wouldn’t want to leave,  a total of 37 rooms so it never feels crowded, a convenient cocktail bar at the lobby, and delicious food options be it inside or just a stone’s throw away! Plus, as a little bonus – you’ll be supporting local, and learn a little about the rich history all at the same time. After all, how often can you tell people you’ve stayed in a hotel that once was a hotbed of illicit activities – gambling, drugs, you name it! Definitely looking forward to my next stay 🙂