In September 2024, I checked into the Heritage Balcony Suite at 21 Carpenter, Singapore (a Member of Design Hotels). Situated in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District at the intersection between the Chinatown ethnic enclave and the vibrant waterfront Clarke Quay area, the 48-room boutique property is conveniently located steps away from Clarke Quay MRT Station. Marina Bay Sands is a five minute drive away, while heading to Changi Airport takes about twenty minutes.
Nearby attractions include the popular RVLT wine bar and award-winning cocktail bar 28 Hong Kong Street, as well as Chinatown Point and Clarke Quay Central for dining and grocery options (the latter houses the popular Japanese discount store Don Don Donki).
Notable hotels in the neighbourhood include PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore, Paradox Singapore Merchant Court, The Westin Singapore, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The Fullerton Bay Hotel.
The UTW (“Under Ten Words”): Former remittance house turned heritage chic at Clarke Quay.
The must-dos (if any): Have breakfast (and drinks) at Kee’s, luxuriate in your room, spend time at the rooftop pool.
21 CARPENTER, SINGAPORE (A MEMBER OF DESIGN HOTELS)
Built in 1936, the former Chye Hua Seng Wee Kee remittance house along Carpenter Street has been reimagined as a luxury boutique hotel, with the transformation courtesy of architectural firm WOHA (who also designed Alila Villas Uluwatu Bali, Pan Pacific Orchard and PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore). The original four-storey shophouse (the “Heritage Wing”) has been lovingly preserved during the restoration process, retaining its original Shanghai plaster exteriors, historical Chinese inscriptions and original geometric windows, while a new contemporary annex (the “Urban Wing”) lends an additional five levels to the building structure. In tribute to the remittance house’s historical legacy, the Urban Wing’s metal facade showcases laser-cut excerpts from actual remittance letters.
Beautiful artworks from local artists adorn the walls of the property, courtesy of art and design consultancy The Artling. The one you would certainly not miss is Readers and Writers #1 by Heman Chong, a colourful tapestry in the lobby which pays tribute to the boundless world of books. Elsewhere, Time Flows Relentlessly Like Water, a hand-drawn charcoal mural depicting moody clouds over Clarke Quay, is on display at the Rooftop Lounge by Dawn Ang of Aeropalmics (who also contributed works to Artyzen Singapore), while artworks from Khairulddin Wahab grace the walls of the hotel’s key restaurant, Kee’s (a double pun on the remittance house’s name as well as the property’s location near two different quays).
In terms of wellness, a lush garden terrace on the third level caters to yoga and meditation purposes, while the rooftop level boasts an indoor lounge and infinity lap pool with glorious views of the Marina Bay skyline. While the hotel does not offer a fitness centre, guests currently enjoy complimentary access to Trapeze Rec. Club, an integrated wellness club in Tanjong Pagar which offers fitness and yoga classes as well as cold plunge and sauna facilities. (You have to book your classes through the hotel team. Pro tip: do confirm your reservation with the front desk prior to heading down.) Trapeze Rec. Club is almost 20 minutes away on foot, but your journey can be much faster on one of the hotel’s Linus bicycles (usage is complimentary).
Little known fact: certain rooms at the Urban Wing offer spectacular views of Marina Bay Sands. Keep this factoid in your back pocket for firework season. Also, for those who absolutely need a bathtub during their staycations, you may want to humbly request for one of the rare Heritage Suites fitted with one.
HERITAGE BALCONY SUITE
Offering a spacious balcony decked in lush greenery, the 52sqm Heritage Balcony Suite is a classy, residential affair. Decked in neutral shades of white, grey and cream, the contemporary suite offers separate bedroom and living room areas, with ceiling fans and French doors lending a sense of balmy heritage romance. (As with many shophouse properties, the rooms in the Heritage Wing may feel fairly warm even with air-conditioning, so the ceiling fans are very helpful).
The kitchenette is fitted with a sink and stocked with a variety of minibar snacks (think Ooh mala peanuts, Bears & Friends gummies and Irvin’s salted egg potato chips), Bacha Coffee, TWG tea as well as a selection of wines, bottled beers and spirits alongside non-alcoholic options such as Moon Juice kombucha. One should certainly enjoy a cup of tea using the ornate bespoke cups and saucer set, crafted by independent ceramic and woodworking concept Un Studio.
The beige pink-tiled bathroom offers an enclosed rainfall shower, with bathroom amenities courtesy of New Zealand brand Smith & Co.
DINING
Breakfast is a semi-buffet at Kee’s, the neo-bistro and bar on the ground level led by Michelin-starred Chef Andrew Walsh. The buffet line includes fresh fruits and pastries, while a la carte offerings include Smoked Salmon (capers, gherkin), Organic Japanese Egg (choice of poached, scrambled, fried egg, asparagus, bacon), Mushroom & Cheese Omelette (vine-ripened tomatoes), Avocado Toast (choice of poached or fried eggs), Chicken Curry (choice of crispy prata or coconut rice, ratte potatoes) and Coconut Pancake (coconut chantilly, fresh berries, gula melaka caramel).
During my stay, I also dined at Kee’s for dinner. I was most impressed by the Tuna Tartare (Vietnamese & coconut ceviche dressing, puffed quinoa), which evoked fond associations with fragrant nasi lemak; the crispy-skinned Mediterranean Sea Bream with the addictive green curry which went superbly with the accompanying coconut rice; as well as the dreamy Chocolate Millefeuille (chocolate mousse, puff pastry, pandan ice cream, hazelnut). Elsewhere, the Roast Veal (tuna anchovy sauce, sun-dried tomato, crisp capers) and Slow Braised Beef Cheek Rendang (coconut rice, snake bean achar) lended meaty heartiness to the proceedings.
The beautiful artworks, warm lighting and sidewalk-facing setting also make Kee’s ideal for an evening of drinks, and I enjoyed my refreshing Kee’s Exclusive Island Vibes 4.5% Blonde Ale (bottled specially for the property) and the spice-laden Chye Negroni (Widges gin, Hayman’s sloe gin, sweet vermouth, campari, clove, cinnamon, star anise).
CONCLUSION
What 21 Carpenter Singapore lacks in facilities, it makes up for with a very strategic location offering easy access to nightlife, heritage and limitless dining options. There is also high return value given that different room categories offer markedly different room experiences. I need to come back again….perhaps for that elusive bathtub suite?
21 Carpenter, Singapore (A Member of Design Hotels)
21 Carpenter Street
Singapore, 059984
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