From opium den to hip digs: SG’s ‘sexiest’ hotel honors its wild past
Uninformed guests who check in at The Warehouse Hotel in Singapore might feel awkward, even shocked, to find a stack of items for lovemaking stashed in their room. But for those in the know, seeing the sexy set will consider it clever branding.
Located on the bank of Robertson Quay, the first locally designed boutique heritage property of Singapore hospitality firm The Lo & Behold used to be an iconic 1895 warehouse (as the name suggests). Also known as a “godown,” the building is situated along an infamous trade route that connected Asia and the Strait of Malacca. It became a venue for many controversial things, all of which add to its rich and colorful history.
Apart from being a storage space for spices, rice, and coffee, it also doubled as a hotbed of activity for secret societies and business deals, an opium den, an underground spirit distillery, a discotheque that could house 1,200 people, a stage for theater, and perhaps the most interesting of its many roles, a place for tea parties, which was a government initiative to increase the country’s population, says the hotel’s acting general manager Shue Sng.
As a nod to this bit of history, the hotel’s minibar has offerings that include locally made snacks, vanity items from homegrown brands, and adult toys.
This is just one of many things that make The Warehouse Hotel a place that celebrates and champions Singapore’s history. Another is the design. Deliciously done by award-winning homegrown agency Asylum, the meticulously restored space successfully marries industrial-like textures with modern luxe finishes. The lobby and reception are evidence of this. As guests enter, they’ll immediately notice the exposed brick walls that line the double-volume ceiling of the reception and bar areas, made dramatic with lights coming from installations inspired by pulleys found in godowns.
The establishment, located right next to the Singapore River, is equipped with 37 rooms in muted tones and a refreshing take on industrial design, made possible with the use of copper, green forest marble, black metal, and wood. No two rooms are exactly alike, whether it’s a loft or a suite with a river view.
Local details, cocktails
Continuing its aim to celebrate locality, knickknacks made by local talents adorn the rooms, including mugs made by a Singaporean ceramic studio, bed throws with ikat prints, and coffee from a local supplier.
Making its case as a premium destination for staycations, The Warehouse has an infinity swimming pool on the rooftop, lending an unobstructed of the city. Its tiles carry a salmon pink hue, tipping its hat to the heritage color of Singapore, which people can see typically splashed across hawker centers.
There’s also the day-to-night Lobby Bar that serves Asian craft beers, herbaceous concoctions, and spiced cocktails inspired by the illicit happenings (the area was the red light district of its time) at the Chi Long Lo, which was the former name of the road the hotel is located in. There’s the Tiki Katong, a pisco drink that has notes of the Singaporean Laksa, and the Rama-Rama, a mezcal-based beverage that takes its cue from a folk song.
Local food cravings are covered by the in-house restaurant Pó, a moniker from the word popo, which means grandmother in Mandarin. The menu of the 52-seater (where breakfast is also served) includes elevated takes on the flavors of yesteryear as imagined by notable chef Willin Low.
Among the crowd favorites are the charcoal-grilled Iberico jowl with Arabica coffee glaze, Nyonya prawn salad with plum sauce and calamansi juice, whole baked paper spring chicken, beef cheek rendang, and the popiah, similar to fresh lumpia that comes with an assortment of add-ons. It has a luxe version with handpicked flower crabmeat, as well as a more basic iteration with just vegetables.
It’s easy to forget history, but The Lo & Behold Group would rather commemorate the establishment’s rich and intriguing past than leave it behind. Starting operations in January 2017, The Warehouse Hotel has already amassed multiple international hospitality and design recognitions. But beyond the awards, it’s a champion in putting local culture and talent on their rightful pedestal.
The Warehouse Hotel is located at 320 Havelock Road, Singapore. Visit www.thewarehousehotel.com.
