Singapore’s newest hotel stays

It looks like it’s boom town for the hotel scene here: Tourist arrivals increased by 8.5 per cent from 2012 in the last eight months according to data from the Singapore Tourism Board. There’s also our national penchant for escaping the drudgery of the daily grind in the form of staycations boosting occupancy rates. And with four new hotels opening recently — the latest being Westin Singapore just two days ago — it looks like there’s no better time to book a place to stay during the festive period.

For the Gordon Gekko in you: Westin Singapore

Remember that scene in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, where Shia LaBeouf’s character looks out of his pad to a fantastic view of the financial district? Fulfill that fantasy at the Westin, overlooking the gleaming offices in the Marina Bay area on one side and the sea on the other. After more than a decade away, the brand returns in a big way with a swanky space starting from the 32nd floor of Asia Square Tower 2. The lobby alone is impressive — 11 metres high with floor to ceiling windows all around — and the rooms start at a luxurious 42 square metres. Best of all, every room comes with a view. And wait till you lounge at Cook & Brew, Westin’s very first gastrobar, which sports a 90-inch TV screen; or dive into the infinity pool to swim among the clouds.

Book this: The Bay View rooms have undoubtedly the most photogenic vistas — you could even soak in a bathtub facing the sea. There are only seven of them, so reserve early.

Opening deal: Room rates start from S$345 (including buffet breakfast) for Deluxe room.

For the glutton in you: Village Hotel Katong

Everyone knows the historic Joo Chiat area has some of the best food around. And staying at the Village Hotel Katong means you can gorge all day — and night — on Katong laksa, Fei Fei wonton noodle and Peranakan food. Far East Organization’s latest baby took over the site of the former Paramount hotel last March, and officially opened on Nov 6 after a renovation that costs S$30 million. The management maintained the size of the rooms — the smallest Superior room is 29 square metres and all 229 rooms come with a balcony. In keeping with the heritage of the neighbourhood, rooms are done up with modern Peranakan accents.

Book this: The Family Room. Perfect for four, there are 16 of these rooms, all equipped with two queen-sized beds. Those with larger broods should opt for the one-room suite which can be connected to another Club room. Plus there’s a kitchenette and dining room to host your very own soiree. (For supplies, NTUC Finest is on the ground floor.)

Opening deal: Room rates start at S$178 on weekends and S$208 on weekdays. It includes complimentary breakfast and lobster laksa at Katong Kitchen for two, Wi-Fi access and one complimentary round of mini-bar refreshments. Also booking your stay online (www.stayfareast.com/holidaysavers) will get you two complimentary tickets for FunVee Open Top Bus Tours.

For the fashionista in you: Naumi

This boutique hotel has quickly gained a following for its understated stylish and sexy vibe ever since it opened in 2007. It’s back and looking better than ever, after a facelift which lasted a year. Even the staff at the entrance are decked out in designer gear from home-grown label Depression. The number of rooms has been bumped up from 40 to 73, by making clever use of the space including having hidden storage under the bed and a pull-out amenities cupboard. Naumi still exudes discreet glamour with cutting-edge features such as windows that frost up at a touch of a button, an alabaster vanity counter island and an Apple TV in every room. And, yes, that stunning infinity pool is still on level 10.

Book this: The Gabrielle and Camelia or the Eden and Nirwana suites, which are inspired by Coco Chanel and Andy Warhol, respectively. While the former are characterised by the fashion icon’s love for black and white, the two Warhol-esque suites are a tasteful mish-mash of avant-garde furniture and splashes of colour.

Opening deal: Rates at the hotel start from S$338 a night for the Habitat room. The suites are currently available for S$450 a night but they can only be booked in December upon completion.

For the bar hopper in you: Carlton City Hotel

Cool cats know the Tanjong Pagar district is where you want to be seen these days with new spots for bespoke cocktails such as Jekyll and Hyde at Tras Street, to izakayas like Koi at Club Street and fun small plates dining at Moosehead Kitchen Bar at Telok Ayer, just to name a few to savour. To be at the heart of it all, spend your nights at Carlton City Hotel on Gopeng Street. The sleek new property is part of the World Hotels group and boasts its very own Graffiti Sky Bar on the 29th floor where you can sip cocktails while shooting the night breeze and Instagramming the city skyline.

Book this: The Carlton Club rooms have access to the lounge-y Carlton Club where you can down all the pre-dinner evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres you want before beginning your pub crawl.

Opening deal: The hotel is currently offering its First Christmas Weekend Festive package with room rates starting from S$250 a night in a Deluxe room, which includes breakfast for two. Executive room rates start from S$288 with daily breakfast, two complimentary flutes of Chandon sparkling wine at Graffiti Sky Bar, a pair of movie tickets, complimentary mini-bar and late checkout up to 4pm thrown in. Correction: The original article stated that the room rates for Village Katong Hotel was S$178 on weekdays and S$208 on weekends. This is incorrect. They are S$178 on weekends and S$208 on weekdays. This article was edited at 5.14pm on Nov 14, 2013.