Inside The Singapore Edition: A Design-Led Hotel With Personality
Every corner invites a snapshot without feeling overly composed.
Walking into The Singapore Edition feels like entering a contemporary art gallery—except here, instead of hushed reverence, you’re encouraged to touch, linger, and play.
Guests step into a gold-leafed domed lobby, where a white sculptural spiral staircase sweeps downward, echoing the iconic form of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Spherical preserved ferns are suspended from the ceiling, and a subtle, custom black tea and bergamot scent by Le Labo lingers in the air. Within its walls, one might encounter a tapestry painting by Christian Furr depicting historic Chinese ‘junk’ boats—a nod to the country’s 19th-century trade history—or photographs of the Li Jiang River at Dawn in the suites by prominent Singaporean photographer Russel Wong.
The first property in Southeast Asia by Edition Hotels was also the last in their portfolio to be designed by one of the world’s most legendary hoteliers, Ian Schrager, in collaboration with Marriott International. Through Edition Hotels globally, the co-inventor of the boutique hotel redefines the notion of a boutique experience—not as a matter of size, but through extensive personalisation tailored to each city. Here, the greenery indoors is lush, layered, and thoughtfully integrated into the architecture, as a nod to Singapore’s ‘City in a Garden’ concept. Vines spill over railings and ledges, forming a continuous green curtain that surrounds a secret garden of sorts, hidden within a timber-decked courtyard. Usually, I keep my curtains tightly closed in the mornings but, with such a view, I hit the open button for the motorised curtains during my stay.
The Edition Penthouse
There are 204 guestrooms and suites, including the expansive 200 sq m penthouse, complete with an outdoor terrace and jacuzzi, as well as a living room. The rooms are designed to evoke a sense of zen as white oak plank floors are complemented by hand-sewn damask throws that drape elegantly over the beds. Luxurious touches complete the room, including 300-thread-count Frette linen, feather and down pillows, Le Labo toiletries in the aforementioned scent, La Bottega bathrobes, and Axor bath fittings.
Sophisticated Spaces
The hotel is located at the quieter edge of upper Orchard Road, offering easy access to all the wonders that the Lion City has to offer—but experiences within its walls are not to be missed. In contrast to the rooms, the dining and entertainment establishments are defined by playful yet tasteful pops of colour. The first is Fysh at Edition, which specialises in head-to-tail fish cooking. Personally, I’m not usually a fan of fish, but the Murray Cod in Nyonya Curry and the Fish Head Curry Croquette rank among the best dishes I’ve had in recent memory. The delectable menu is complemented by stunning décor that influencers flock to the hotel for, featuring intimate banquettes and booths dressed in jade velvet, bringing to mind the iconic green dress worn by Vivien Leigh in Gone With The Wind.
Whether you relish the vibrancy of a lively soirée or simply enjoy a quiet cocktail, The Edition Singapore offers something for every mood—and they take their drinks very seriously here. The centrepiece of the Lobby Bar is a pink backlit bar, where Lalique-inspired crystal decanters glimmer. Like all Edition hotels, the space features a bespoke pool table—this one of pink velvet and Calacatta marble, which I had fun trying to play. The menu took around nine months to create and beautifully illustrates the types of clientele who would enjoy a cocktail there, such as Lipstick Spritz (Botanist Gin, beeswax, champagne) for the modern woman who wears red lipstick like armour.
Downstairs, the Punch Room is bathed in Yves Klein blue, which looks so otherworldly it almost feels AI-generated. Next door, the Wonder Room, a micro club draped in rich red curtains, is where the creative crowd from the art, music, and fashion scenes gathers, yet remains inclusive.
Tranquillity in the City
After a day traipsing through the shopping centres in the vicinity, have a dip in the 43m long pool and gaze at surreal views of the garden courtyard below through a transparent acrylic oculus. For further relaxation, head to The Spa, which features carefully selected brands such as Le Labo, Cellcosmet, Omorovicza, and Hydrafacial. Indulge in the Edition Signature Massage, which uses Swedish techniques, or the Platinum Hydrafacial, which employs LED light therapy to reduce the visible signs of ageing. If spa treatments are fully booked—as they were on my visit—guests can still enjoy the luxurious facilities, including saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools, a serene indoor vitality pool, and an experience shower with energising body jets.
In a city that rarely slows down, The Singapore Edition offers an oasis amid the city’s rhythm, while demonstrating that style isn’t just for show. Long after checkout, what lingers isn’t just the scent of bergamot or the memory of impeccable service, but the sense of having experienced Singapore through a lens that is at once intimate, artful, and entirely unforgettable.
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