21 Carpenter

Opened in 1936 as a remittance house, the landmark structure at 21 Carpenter, near Chinatown and Clarke Quay, was where the first generation of Singaporean immigrants sent money home, often accompanied by personal messages — and some of those nostalgic words and phrases have been lifted from the historical record and laser-cut into the metal facade that adorns the hotel’s modern annex. It’s just one example of the impressive attention to detail and reverence for the past that WOHA Architects brought to the table while transforming the building into a boutique hotel.

Thanks to strict rules around historical restoration, much of the hotel’s main structure remains as it was, including the original Shanghai plaster exterior. However, the designers have smartly repurposed materials, using the original 1930s Chengal wood to line the lobby floors and incorporating antique elements into the otherwise minimalist interiors.

About half of the hotel’s rooms and suites are located in the original four-story shophouse, and the other half are housed in the contemporary extension on the top five floors. The Heritage rooms have the most character, lined in the same reclaimed wood as the lobby and featuring the building’s original geometric windows, but the upper-level rooms have their charm, too; unrestricted by restoration codes, they have floor-to-ceiling windows for optimal natural light. All are calm and cheerfully decorated with bespoke furnishings, decorative screens, floral arrangements, and Art Deco touches, and luxurious amenities like Bang & Olufsen speakers and Dyson hairdryers come standard.

A highlight is the rooftop infinity pool with views of the city skyline, a particularly appealing venue at sunset, while a shaded garden terrace is a good spot to relax during the hottest part of the day. A stylish street-level bar and restaurant is the place to plan the day before pedaling off on one of the hotel’s complimentary Linus bicycles.