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I used to think a hotel should feel like a home away from home. Then I realized that this is actually not the point of a hotel, at least for me. The two concepts are vastly different by their nature. Things I love about my home, I don’t want in a hotel and vice versa.
That said, I have been to a few hotels where I could live, at least for a while or whenever I am in town. These don’t have to be the most luxurious of the bunch or even have a cat (though that helps), but they usually have a certain something. Some honorable mentions include the Modernist in Thessaloniki, the Bohemian in Bali, Ba Hao in Bangkok, and now the QT Hotel Singapore.
What makes it so special? Read on to find out why this will be my new base whenever I visit Singapore.
How to find a great hotel in Singapore?
I always joke that I only ever stay in Singapore for two nights because I cannot afford to stay longer. Only, it is not a joke. Singapore is notoriously expensive, and that goes for hotels more than anything else.
And in addition, a lot of budget hotels (whatever this means for Singapore) are quite badly rated. Badly enough that I don’t want to risk it and rather splurge a bit when I come to Singapore. QT Singapore is not a cheap hotel by any means, but it is also not outrageously expensive for this city – perfect for a splurge when you are in town for two nights.
Fortunately or unfortunately, there is no real high season or off-season in Singapore. I recommend that when looking at prices, you compare platforms like Booking.com and Agoda with the hotel’s website, and go for the cheapest option.
Keep in mind, though, that you will often find special offers on QT’s website if you are staying for a few nights and you get a discount when becoming a QT member. In general, hotels tend to be less when you confirm your booking and pay upfront. If you want more flexibility, you will usually have to budget a bit more.
That said, QT offers additional flexibility at the moment in case you are flying via the Middle East and your trip is impacted by the war.
Besides the price being right, what else makes QT a great choice if you are looking for a design hotel in Singapore? Let me show you…
QT’s Location: In the heart of Singapore
While there is no shortage of luxurious hotels in Singapore, I prefer to be in the thick of things – location is everything, and that is where QT Singapore really shines. It is the quintessential city hotel on Robinson Road. A 15-minute walk takes you to the Merlion, and it is about 10 minutes to most of the sights in Chinatown. To visit the other neighborhoods and sights in Singapore, there are plenty of subway stations in the vicinity to get you there.
Even better: one of the best hawker centers in Singapore, Lau Pa Sat, is right next to the hotel. If you are anything like me, you will get a Nasi Lemak there and eat it while soaking in your very big bathtub.
QT’s location is also convenient when it comes to getting there from the airport. If you are not in a hurry and don’t have a lot of luggage, you can take the subway. The EW will take you to Raffles Place, and from there it is a short walk to the hotel.
Alternatively, I have found taking a Grab is surprisingly inexpensive for a usually so very expensive city. If you don’t want to bother with waiting and searching for your Grab, you can always get a Welcome Pickup. They are my preferred transfer company anywhere I go. You book your transfer, and the driver will get your WhatsApp number and monitor your flight.
About QT
QT Hotels & Resorts is an Australian brand with a focus on art and design, with the motto of ‘playful luxury’. The majority of their resorts are in Australia and New Zealand. QT Hotel Singapore is, for now, the only property in Southeast Asia.
A Welcome Pickup from Changi to QT Hotel Singapore is about US$40.
Rooms at the QT Hotel Singapore
While QT is more of a boutique hotel in Singapore than a resort, they do have a total of 134 rooms and suites. And the interior immediately made me hear the soundtrack of White Lotus in my head. The design is a mix of old and new thanks to the restored neo-classical building (it is housed in the Eastern Extension Telegraph building from1927), tropical wallpapers, and modern yet lush furniture. It’s elegant and colorful without being gaudy, and to my delight, there are no throw pillows on the bed.
The QT King is the basic room category, followed by the QT Deluxe and a variety of suites. I stayed at the Corner Suite and a Balcony Suite before. I’d say unless you really need 75m2, the Corner Suite with 49m2 offers ample space and pretty much the same amenities. Yes, the QT Balcony Suite does have a balcony as the name implies, but to be honest, chances are you won’t be sitting outside in Singapore humidity just to have a back alley view. Rather save the price difference and spend it at the rooftop pool bar.
Don’t have the money to spend on a suite? Don’t worry! I honestly think the regular rooms at QT are lovely if only a bit smaller. They offer all of the great design features, a Dyson hair dryer, a well-stocked minibar, and, most importantly, are still really well-sized for Singapore standards. Best of all: you don’t need to double-check the fine print to see whether you are getting a window – you are!
Dining at QT Singapore
A huge feature at QT is their great culinary options. Cygnet is the in-house restaurant and bar that is also famous amongst Singaporeans. I recommend you make a reservation as soon as you book your room because they get busy.
It’s a classic grill in an Art Nouveau setting, and on the menu, a few worlds merge. Classics like a prawn cocktail meet a red prawn carpaccio with truffle pearls, and a Wagyu smash burger follows Chicken Milanese. And of course, there is a classic meat library if you are old school. Watch out for their unlimited steak frites deals!
What I particularly liked were the little Australian touches, like Vegemite butter and purple Tasmanian salt. Okay, to be honest, Vegemite is not for me, but I like the idea behind it.
Breakfast is also served at Cygnet and is à la carte. However, it is only available until 10 am, so not the best if you are keen to sleep in.
At the Cygnet Bar you can try some reinvented New York classic cocktails, or go for my favorite – a good old Negroni. Make sure to come for happy hour when you can get a cocktail for $15 or two for $26.
On the top floor by the pool, you will find the Rooftop at QT. At this pool bar, you can get tacos and oysters, and wash them down with some tequila-based concoctions. In between rounds, you can jump in the pool and swim off some calories, or simply lounge in the warm water surrounded by the Singapore skyline.
If you are not one for sneaking Nasi Lemak from the hawker center into your room, you can of course take full advantage of QT’s in-room dining menu. They have breakfast options, all-day and late-night dining, as well as a separate menu for dogs (which looks awesome, by the way!).
All treats are delivered in a chic black box, a cool alternative to a silver cloche. And needless to say, the minibar is well stocked; some might say a little too well. In addition to all the regulars, you will find full bottles of wine and fun premixed cocktail pouches for Negroni, Singapore Sling, and Old Fashioned – all you need to do is add ice.
- Read more: A Foodie’s Guide to Singapore
True hospitality
Things like overall good service, a great location, and comfy beds are the bare minimum for a hotel these days. I usually don’t note them unless they are lacking (looking at you, Bali hotel without a coffee maker in the room!).
However, what makes a hotel stand out and memorable are the little touches and staff that let you know and feel the true meaning of the word hospitality. That is where QT Hotel Singapore shines. I still remember the receptionist the first time I stayed, who was the kindest, and the lovely bartender at Rooftop at QT. They were covered in cool tattoos and wearing Doc Martens, and I loved the idea that a luxury hotel in Singapore allows their staff’s personality to shine.
I liked the bartender at Cygnet Bar, who enthusiastically told me all about their happy hour and never upselling more expensive cocktails, as well as the hostess from England who commiserated with me about the existence of Vegemite. And most of all, I liked whoever wrote my welcome note, promising me that the calories of my treats wouldn’t count during my stay. Thank you!
