The Warehouse Hotel: Hotel Staycation Review

As its name suggests, the hotel lobby does remind one of a large warehouse (also known in Asia as a ‘godown’) except it now hosts a bar, concierge and an in-house restaurant. The industrial design style of the hotel interiors was spearheaded by homegrown interior design agency, Asylum, which integrated industrial-inspired textures while retaining a modern and luxurious feel. 

The hotel’s signature restaurant and bar also showcase décor and furnishings reminiscent of the past. Exposed brick walls line both sides of the entrance as an appreciation of the building’s heritage. Asylum also designed custom lights inspired by the pulleys found in godowns and these lights line the double-volume ceilings, taking centre stage and defining the ambience of the lobby lounge.

Amidst the lobby area is a medley of plush seats from renowned brands such as Jess Design, Stellar Works, Prostoria from Croatia and Heerenhuis. The flight of stairs by the corner of the lobby leads guests up to the second floor where more guest rooms are located; but a fun way to head upstairs is by taking the elevator that is sheathed with metal grilles, a feature that is reminiscent of Singapore’s developing days.

Read more: 5 Design Details You Should See At The Warehouse Hotel

We stayed in the River View Suite for a night, which is, at 57 sqm, the property's largest, open-plan room designed in a modern loft-style while retaining historic conservation details including original beams and a tall peaked ceiling. Just like the other lofts within the hotel, this suite is located on the top floor of the building and overlooks the Singapore River. The suite is fitted with a super king-sized bed (which is extremely plush and comfortable) and also an ensuite bathroom with a standalone bathtub—quite a romantic (and cheeky) element in the room for couples.  

Besides the River View Suite, there are 21 other lofts within the hotel, including the Warehouse Lofts, the River View Lofts and the River View Mezzanine. All the lofts feature high ceilings and historic conservation detailings but different views. The Warehouse Lofts look out on the neighbourhood and surroundings, with some offering skylights only, while the River View Lofts come with ample natural light and a view of the Singapore River. 

The River View Mezzanine is also a unique room that is worth a stay as it features two levels, has a reading library, and boasts a view of the Singapore River. 

Read more: 9 Best Boutique Hotels In Singapore To Check Into

With comfort in mind, each room is fitted with custom pillow-top king mattresses. As for bath amenities, the hotel offers a range of products by homegrown eco-friendly label Ashley & Co. The mini bar is also fully stocked with local snacks and a selection of locally sourced coffee and artisanal teas by A.muse Project.

It's clear that a lot of thought was put into curating the overall presentation of the room so that guests would immediately feel at home—a particularly meaningful way of ensuring that every guest would leave the property with nothing but positive vibes. 

Also worth a mention is how clean the entire loft was. For a room as big as the River View Suite, it would be easy for dust to settle into little corners (especially amid Covid-19 restrictions that caused a decrease in the number of travellers in town, thus more vacant guest rooms) but we are happy to report that guests can look forward to spotless and pristine rooms. 

During the day, pop by the lobby lounge for an afternoon drink and a snack or two. The bar even has a cocktail programme that boasts alcohol infusions and essences that are all made in-house. My drink of choice was the Lady Luck, a thirst-quenching concoction that includes citrus vodka, roselle gin, honeybush, pineapple shrub, ginger, coconut, lemon oleo saccharum. I will admit that I chose the drink solely based on what the drink was served in: a mug that resembles a woman's head. How apt and fun is that? Besides cocktails, there is also a large selection of Asian craft beers, spirits and wines.

While seated at the hotel bar, I was also told that the area just by the main entrance of the hotel is a highly popular and coveted spot for #OOTD shots on the 'gram. It's true. I was able to witness different groups of young adults hamming it up for the camera.

For dinner, head down to the hotel's in-house restaurant, Po (which is a tribute to popo, the Mandarin word for grandmother), to indulge in modern-day local flavours that were put together by homegrown chef and mod-sin pioneer Willin Low. The 52-seat restaurant is fitted with a juxtaposition of furniture materials used such as rattan chairs, green calacatta marbled tabletops and terrazzo flooring to bring back the nostalgia of the ‘kampong’ spirit and communal dining. 

Signature dishes include charcoal-grilled iberico satay, spicy tamarind barramundi, and the classic popiah platter—which is probably the most requested item on the menu, and rightfully so. From finding the perfect thickness for the hand-cut vegetables to the four-hour-long braising process to ensure the filling attains the right balance of savoury-sweetness, the popiah here is made to reflect culinary traditions while elevating a quintessential local dish. 

While I enjoyed the dinner, I had a better experience during breakfast at Po even though the choices were more limited. It could be due to the quieter atmosphere that allowed me to relish my first meal of the day. On the menu were the usual western options such as pastries and eggs as well as local delights such as chee cheong fan and prata with chicken curry. The fresh coconut juice was also a nice addition to the menu—especially because it is not a fairly common sight at hotel breakfasts in Singapore. 

Tatler Tip

Take some time out of your morning to unwind by the rooftop infinity pool and perhaps even have your breakfast or have a drink up there. While the pool is too small to swim proper laps, it is worth a dip on a hot day. 

At night, go on a post-dinner stroll along the riverbank under the moonlight before calling it a day. Or if you much prefer to, why not pop by the lobby lounge for a late-night drink—the bar area remains lively in the evening as both hotel guests and other patrons drop in for post-dinner tipples. 

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