Down to Details: Unique Hotel Features For A Staycation Unlike Any Other

With so many cool places to stay right here in Singapore, why spend time and money travelling to another country when you can have a great time right at your doorstep?

Singapore’s accommodation scene is getting trendier and better, with a great array of quirky places to enjoy and hotels with unusual features. From novel bathtubs and your own personal cocktail-making facilities to striking artwork and robotic staff members, check into one of these fabulously different accommodations in Singapore for a great staycation.

1. Goodwood Park Hotel – Victorian elegance and splendour

Image credit: Goodwood Park Hotel

A beautiful piece of architecture, Goodwood Park Hotel is one of the finest heritage hotels in all of Singapore. Dating back to the year 1900, the building was originally a clubhouse for a German expat group, the Teutonic Club. Later changed into a grand hotel, it was also the first hotel in the country to have its own swimming pool. Further leading the way in leisure, entertainment, and refinement, it was also the country’s first hotel to have a wine cellar with air conditioning. The exterior appearance transports you back to the times of Victorian splendour, with its intricate details,  castle-like turrets and its striking European-like tower. Restored, renovated, preserved, and conserved, the glorious building looks almost like it would have done in the past.

Image credit: Goodwood Park Hotel

Steeped in history and heritage, guests can, nonetheless, enjoy all modern amenities and facilities inside the hotel. The modern lobby provides the perfect welcome, and the two shimmering swimming pools, one with a Balinese vibe, are sure to cool you down on a hot and humid day. Unwind in the bars, rejuvenate in the spa, get active in the fitness centre, and stroll through the gardens.

Image credit: Goodwood Park Hotel

Feeling hungry? Check out the onsite restaurants, including one that has an acclaimed and prestigious Michelin Star. A variety of cuisine is available, from gastronomical marvels to basic comfort food. All are incredibly tasty and beautifully presented.  

The award-winning five-star heritage hotel is conveniently located right in the heart of the city, within walking distance from Singapore’s main shopping district, Orchard Road. The grounds, however, are peaceful and tranquil, providing a terrific respite from the hive of busy activity outside. You’ll never want to leave! It’s easy to fall under the spell of their colonial charm, with all mod-cons, and the air of sophistication.

The blend of heritage features and truly top-notch modern amenities combined with the outstanding dining options and leisure facilities make Goodwood Park Hotel really shine when it comes to being different to the norm.

2. Resorts World Sentosa – Unparalleled view of the aquarium from the room

Image credit: Resorts World Sentosa

The huge Resorts World Sentosa has a number of accommodation options, each with awesome details and interesting features. Perhaps the two most unusual and enticing options are the Ocean Suites and the TreeTop Lofts. All guests at the resort can enjoy the extensive onsite amenities, such as restaurants, pools, and spas, as well as being close to theme parks and an assortment of exciting activities.

Lie in bed and watch fish swimming right in front of your eyes in the Ocean Suites, with a large glass window looking into the biggest aquarium in the world. How cool is that?! Don’t worry; rooms are discreetly positioned so you don’t have to worry about people at the aquarium being able to peer in at you! The room lights dim automatically when you open the viewing window. The split-level rooms also have an outdoor terrace and a Jacuzzi.

Image credit: Resorts World Sentosa

Alternatively, get high—literally—with a stay in a cute wooden tree house. A dream come true for any nature lover, the secluded dwellings sit 12 metres up the trees, providing unrivalled views of the birds and other wildlife that live in the trees. Relax on the outdoor terrace, chill out in the living room, and enjoy all luxury touches. Oh, and you’ll also have your own personal butler too!

3. Wanderlust Hotel – Quirky & whimsical room designs

Image credit: Wanderlust Hotel

The Wanderlust Hotel is, as the name suggests, sure to inspire large doses of wanderlust. A boutique hotel in Little India, it was created with adventurous explorers in mind. The hotel has rooms with completely different designs, created by three leading design agencies. Enter the indie musical world of Pantone, complete with block colours and neon signs. Mono rooms are visually striking, with black and white contrasts. The different themes of the Whimsical loft rooms are sure to capture your attention. Rockets, gigantic typewriters, colourful tiling, barber-style chairs, and huge flowers are just a few things you may come across! For a stay unlike any other, be sure to check out Wanderlust Hotel.

4. Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Singapore – Robot staff member

Image credit: Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Singapore

Part of the global Shangri La group, Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Singapore is a gleaming angular building with lots of glass and metal. It’s not only the exterior appearance that makes this Singapore hotel seem rather futuristic, though …

Image credit: Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Singapore

Order room service and you’ll probably get a shock when you open the door; instead of a person standing there with your goodies, you’ll be greeted with the sight of a Relay bot, or, in common speak, a small robot! These high-tech gadgets were created to make service quicker and more convenient, and the two resident bots, Jen and Jena, work really hard. Donning bright outfits, the one-metre-tall bots are a delightfully cool sight.   

The choice of restaurants and bars, rooftop pool with awesome city views, stylish rooms, sunset yoga sessions, and array of massages all help to make this a fabulous place to stay!

5. Marina Bay Sands Hotel – Highest infinity pool in Singapore

Image credit: Marina Bay Sands Hotel

One of Singapore’s most iconic hotels, the list of exceptional features at the stunning Marina Bay Sands Hotel is extensive. From the famous infinity-edge pool that graces the rooftop and the ship-like design to the onsite casino and eateries, boutique stores, nightclubs, bars, theatre shows, and more, there can never be a dull moment staying at Marina Bay Sands.

Each five-star spacious room and suite offers spectacular views of the city’s gleaming skyscrapers, the harbour, or the lush Gardens by the Bay. All guests benefit from access to the rooftop pool, the high-tech gym, and the Sands SkyPark. All stylish rooms have elegant bathrooms, a mini-bar, cable TV, and other luxurious touches.  It’s the ultimate dream hotel to stay in while you explore Singapore.

6. Hotel Indigo Katong – Exquisite Peranakan decor

Image credit: Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

The old police station building is a great home for the modern comforts and beautiful designs now found inside. Harkening back to the Singapore of old,  Hotel Indigo Katong focuses on colourful and ornate Peranakan designs. See how wealthy Straits Chinese people lived in times gone by and be impressed by the vibrant tile work, splendid artwork that shows local life in the past, stunning furnishings, plush textiles, and numerous decorative items.

Image credit: Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong

This property isn’t just a pretty sight, though; it has a rooftop pool with great views over the surrounding area, a round-the-clock fitness centre, a business centre, and a café that serves tasty and traditional Peranakan dishes. Treat yourself to a cocktail too, and savour the sweet local flavours as you soak up the good life.  

7. SO Sofitel Singapore – Have your own private cocktail soirée

Image credit: SO Sofitel Singapore

Another luxury hotel in Singapore, SO Sofitel Singapore boasts modern amenities and striking designs in a splendid neo-classical building. Sink your teeth into delectable French-inspired dishes, made using local Singaporean ingredients. From the elegant lobby to the chic guestrooms, every inch of this hotel oozes sophistication and grace. Plenty of pop art adds splashes of colour and eye-catching details to the Parisian-style interiors.There’s a fitness centre and a pool, a business centre, Wi-Fi accessibility throughout, concierge who will show you the hottest spots in town, and babysitting services. Fancy being chauffer driven around the Little Red Dot in a limo for the day? You got it!

All rooms are bright and airy and you can control the air-conditioning, lights, and other features easily at the touch of an iPad button. If the rain showers and coffee machine aren’t enough to impress, the mini bar will—it’s stocked with everything you need for your own private cocktail soiree! Oh yes, you’ll find little bottles of liqueurs and a shaker,  complete with a  #35 cocktail recipe scribbled on the wooden door of your mini-bar. How cool is that!

8. Raffles Hotel Singapore – One of the few remaining 19th century hotels in the world

Image credit: Raffles Hotel Singapore

Perhaps one of the most well-known colonial buildings in Singapore, if not across Southeast Asia, the beautiful Raffles Hotel was a favourite haunt of prominent social figures and the literati in the past. Loved by people like Somerset Maugham, Charlie Chaplin, Rudyard Kipling, and Sir Stamford Raffles himself, the hotel has lived through some 130 years of the nation’s history. Founded in 1887, it was used as a Japanese hospital during the war, is reported to have been the place where the country’s last wild tiger was shot dead, and was where the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail was born.

Image credit: Raffles Hotel Singapore

After being renovated, guests will be able to enjoy modern touches in a grand old colonial favourite. Sip a drink in the atmospheric Long Bar and imagine colonial life in the Lion City. Treat yourself in the boutique shops, unwind in the spa, savour delicious food and drinks, and get the bragging rights for having stayed in one of the world’s most famous hotels!

9. Studio M – Lofty dreams and cozy rooms

Image credit: Studio M Hotel

Studio M Hotel is actually Singapore's first fully loft-inspired designer hotel! Bold colours, ambient lighting, sharp and angular lines, plumb betting, floor-to-ceiling windows, and terrific views are just a few things that make the concept hotel of Studio M stand out. Within easy reach of Singapore’s best shopping and nightlife spots, as well as close to the main business heart, this is a great choice for hip and trendy travellers.

The contemporary hotel was the brainchild of an Italian architect and, in addition to beautiful rooms that will lure you under their spell, the hotel has a large swimming pool, enchanting reflecting pools, a gym, restaurants, and business facilities. The overall appearance and vibe is that of an urban loft, providing a funky retreat in the city centre.

It’s easy to get the balance just right between work and pleasure here. All rooms have a separate space for working, whether it be tucked away under a mezzanine sleeping area or an almost separate room, for complete convenience. Productivity and sweet dreams are all but assured.

10. Hotel Clover The Arts Hotel – Artist-decorated rooms

Image credit: Hotel Clover The Arts

A top choice for creative souls, Hotel Clover The Arts boasts brilliant artistic designs. There are six types of rooms to choose between – each fresh, modern, comfortable, unique, and aesthetically appealing. All rooms were decorated by budding artists. Blending bright colours, urban concepts, traditional flashes, and natural elements, the hotel really appeals to the senses. Even the exterior of the building is adorned with fabulous scenes.

Image credit: Hotel Clover The Arts

Fall asleep beneath gigantic whales, colourful parrots, or cute pandas, relax amid scenes of cherry blossoms or rolling fields of tulips, admire pictures of Singapore’s attractions and people, enter the world of manga, enjoy a natural vibe, and more. You can also gaze around the local area from the roof terrace.

Singapore has so many cool spots to discover. Where will you be heading for your next staycation?