Where to Stay in Singapore - Singapore and Malaysia - page 78

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MODERATE
Berjaya Duxton Hotel Singapore The Duxton was one of S ingapore's first bou-
tique hotels, transforming shophouses into a small hotel that earned international
acclaim. Following a takeo ver by the M alaysian Berjaya Group, a 2008 r efurbishment
program has freshened up carpets and upholstery, and the garden suites are pleasant and
private, but the building's age means the Berjaya Duxton would really reap rewards from
a major investment program, which is not curr ently scheduled. The Victorian antique-
looking decor is pretty and a welcome change from the usual corporate chains, but there's
little sense of local Chinatown character in the rooms or the modern new Italian restau-
rant. However, the Duxton has character and a good location at a good price. The area
is great for bars and restaurants, though steer clear of some of the karaoke bars on Duxton
Road. Service is friendly and personal.
83 Duxton Rd., Singapore 089540. & 65/6227-7678. Fax [phone]. w ww.berjayaresorts.com. 50
units. S$210 (US$141/£95) double; S$380 (US$255/£171) suit e. AE, DC, MC, V. 5-min. walk t o Tanjong
Pagar MRT. Amenities: Restaurant; lobby bar; airport transfers; room service; babysitting. In room: A/C,
TV w/satellite programming and in-house movies, minibar, hair dryer.
The Inn at Temple Street They've done a lovely job with this modest boutique
hotel. In the heart of Chinatown's tourism hustle and bustle, step into the small lobby to
be greeted by pretty antiques and Chinese porcelain. To the side of the lobb y, a popular
cafe serves Western and local meals thr ee times a day . The friendly fr ont desk handles
everything from business center services to arranging laundry, tours, and postal ser vices,
but never seems frazzled. Naturally, there's no elevator and rooms can fairly be described
as tiny, but they are quite modern for this type of hotel, with keycard locks, in-room safe,
tea and coffee, minibar , TV, and r oom service. Decor is atmospheric, too, with car ved
wooden bedsteads and pretty fabrics. I like the black-and-white-tiled bathrooms, though
you'll need to opt for a delux e room if you want a bathtub rather than a sho wer. Attrac-
tive, affordable, and friendly.
36 Temple St., Singapor e 058581. & 65/6221-5333. Fax [phone]. w ww.theinn.com.sg. 42 units .
S$228 (US$153/£103) double; S$328 (US$220/£148) family. AE, DC, MC, V. 5-min. walk to Chinatown MRT.
Amenities: Restaurant; lounge; room service. In room: A/C, TV, minibar.

5

The Scarlet Glamour drips fr om ev ery chandelier onto the polished black marble
floors of this groovy little boutique hotel. Swirling patterns of gold and blood r ed velvet
compete for attention in the lobby and its equally stylish lounge. The location, in a row
of original shophouses, means that guest rooms are very small and skylights are the only
source of daylight in first-floor delux e rooms. Unless you're in a pr emium deluxe or a
suite, you'll have a shower rather than a bath, but rooms are well designed and comfort-
ably decorated in sophisticated muted color schemes and equipped with flatscr een TVs,
DVD, and br oadband. S uites ar e opulent, with swaths of silk draper y, funky lounge
areas, and ornate gilt frames. There's not much in the way of facilities (a J acuzzi and a
tiny gym, “Flaunt,” and a pleasant r ooftop bar and r estaurant), but Chinatown and the
fashionable haunts of Club Street are just around the corner.
33 Erskine Rd., Singapore 069333. & 65/6511-3333. Fax [phone]. w ww.thescarlethotel.com. 84
units. S$247 (US$165/[bp111) double; from S$485 (US$325/£218) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. 10-min. walk from
Chinatown MRT. Amenities: 2 r estaurants; lounge; health club; out door Jacuzzi; c oncierge; executive-
level rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/satellite programming, high speed Internet, minibar.