Anouska Hempel, the uncrowned queen of boutique hotel design, has helped revamp one of Singapore's prettiest heritage buildings.
Singapore, the utopistic city where 89% of the people don't own cars, and rapid transportation takes them at lightning speed to their destination, has a highly respected architectural heritage that keeps improving.
The city-state is famed for its futuristic architecture, like the Marina Bay Sands or the world's highest-rated Changi Airport, where the world's largest indoor waterfall flows next to hyper-modern trains that zoom past the Forest Valley with 2,000 trees. But Singapore has much to offer from its past, too.
Singapore's largest heritage precinct is Chinatown, with historic buildings and rich cultural life. The district's oldest area, Telok Ayer, was developed in the 1820s, while the hotel's neighborhood known for its street art, Tanjong Pagar, was in the 1920s.
In the heart of this lively place, Duxton Reserve Singapore sits a couple of blocks from the impressive Buddha Tooth Relic Temple—one of the numerous architectural gems of Chinatown.
The hotel stands out with its unique charcoal facade and traditional window blinds painted in black. When the night lights turn on in the evening, the building starts to look like a vampire estate.
The interiors were the work of London-based Anouska Hempel (a former Bond girl who turned into a world-class designer), who was also responsible for the world's first boutique hotel.
The striking black and gold colored floors and walls are decorated with Oriental screens.
The intimate boutique hotel has only one bar and restaurant - Yellow Pot, serving new gen Chinese food, but knowing Singapore's fantastic gastro culture, you will spend a lot of time eating out.
The hotel's bar has a beautiful stained glass ceiling, and it's named after its designer, Anouska.
Stophouse Room
The 49 rooms and suites are uniquely designed, so if you return, you can have a different-looking place each time.
Opium Suite
Some follow a minimalist two-tone (black&white) color theme, and some have calligraphy wallpapers decorating the walls.
Skylight Suite
Pearl Suite
Duxton Duplex Suite
Many of the beautiful neighboring buildings with colorful Venetian blinds are now home to hip restaurants and cool bars.
83 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089540
