Singapore’s new boutique
hotel in Chinatown, the 30-room New Majestic Hotel, has earned a place
on Condé Nast Traveller’s prestigious Hot List 2006 of the world’s most
hospitable hotels and resorts.The influential magazine ranked the new hotel alongside some of the
world’s most admired retreats, including the new Landmark Oriental Hong
Kong, South Africa’s Samara private game reserve, Browns Hotel in London
and Four Seasons Resort Langkawi.

Opened earlier this year by former lawyer Loh Lik Peng, recently voted
Singapore’s ‘Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year’, the New Majestic was the
only hotel in Singapore included in the Hot List.

 

Condé Nast Traveller selected its Top 60 from hotels or resorts that
“care for its guests as well as its looks”.

 

The influential magazine wrote of The New Majestic: “It isn’t too
far-fetched to say that if you want to learn about Singaporean art, you
should check into New Majestic Hotel.

 

“The conceptually ambitious hotel offers an insight into the cultural
heart of the city….filled with intriguing artifacts such as old
dentist’s chairs and theatre seats. Every idiosyncratic room tells a
different story, making use of Loh’s extensive vintage-chair collection,
age-old fans, antique, cast-iron bathtubs and works of emerging local
artists who make social statements with bold murals and cheeky
installations.”

 

The magazine added: “In-room amenities are top of the line….and five
‘design concept rooms’ are decorated by the city’s eminent creative
talents.”

 

These include film and theatre director Glen Goei’s ‘Wayang Room’,
inspired by Zhang Yimou’s Raise the Red Lantern, and fashion-show
producer Daniel Boey’s ‘*censored* Parlour’ featuring a French chandelier,
neon lights and mirrors.

 

Despite contemporary interiors by prominent local designers, The New
Majestic tastefully preserves its historic shop-house building, with
origins as a small hotel dating back to 1928.

 

The Majestic Restaurant, also singled out for praise by the magazine, is
an attraction in its own right, reviving a great Singapore institution
located in the same building that was a favourite dining spot decades
ago.

 

The restaurant is a joint venture with celebrated local chef Yong Bing
Ngen, formerly executive chef at the acclaimed Hai Tien Lo restaurant in
Singapore’s Pan Pacific Hotel and Chef De Cuisine of the Raffles Hotel
Singapore.

 

Among original artworks by emerging Singapore artists showcased at the
hotel are joyful pop art murals sumptuously mixing Eastern and Western
icons, a giant goldfish mural floating in a room that plays with
dimensions by situating the guest inside the tank, and nostalgia scenes
from bygone Singapore.

 

Said Mr Loh: “With a blend of heritage chic and modern design we set out
to create one of Asia’s most memorable and distinct design hotels. The
recognition by Condé Nast is our first international accolade and we
aspire to earn many more.”
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