‘NOTE* In late 2016, The South Beach underwent receivership and turned into the J.W Marriot. If you wish, have a read below of my recap of what was a brilliantly designed hotel’.
I was lucky enough to stay at The South Beach in February, 2016. The hotel recently opened its doors to the media and a select few members of the public for its soft launch in December 2015. The $3.5 billion ‘ultra-chic’ luxury and lifestyle complex has been meticulously designed to incorporate the four surrounding heritage buildings (three army blocks and the famous Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Club) located on Beach Road.
The team of Foster+Partners and global design firm Aedas’s have faultlessly blended the original historical charm with an exceptionally modern, breathtaking twist. The seamless integration of two new 34 & 45 storey tower blocks (The South Beach and luxury residences in the south tower and office space in the north tower) with the three restored army blocks that house a plethora of Food & Beverage concepts, bars & cocktail lounges, a ‘word-of-mouth’ nightclub and a grand ballroom along with the former NCO club that Singapore’s newest private membership club resides into a mega multi-use property.
As the gateway to Singapore’s City, The South Beach, opposite Raffles, is the footstep of the Civic district. There is an abundance of shopping centres, restaurants, museums and MRT stations right at your door.
Check’n In:
Upon entering the South Beach Hotel, the Philippe Starck designed interiors comes to life. A 7×7 metre video wall gleams with fluorescent lights and patterns as guests walk past. The constant rotation of South Korean artist Lee Lee Nam’s abstract artwork is spectacularly animated across the full entrance.
The Lobby or “Global Village” features seven individual wooden or marble tables. Each desk represents the different types of societies from around the world, (European, Peranakan, North American, South American, Indian, Chinese and Moorish). Check in is completely portable and paper free. The friendly staff come to where you feel most comfortable, tablets in hand and a smile on their face.
The edginess of Phillipe Starck doesn’t stop there either. The elevator itself is an alternating ‘underwater world’ with three distinctive murals that are intertwined and only when the light changes colour each painting is revealed. The elevators vibrant setting is directly contrasted by the monochromatic ‘zen-like’ corridor that you immediately step in to.
The Room:
The South Beach features 654 Philippe Starck-designed Showcase Guest Rooms and Suites. The guest rooms are luxurious and indulgent. We stayed in the ‘Showcase You’ room and there was no stone left unturned. Our room had floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the lion city’s iconic skyline and the attention to detail (high quality linen, his and hers slippers, the opulent Jo Malone amenities and the Philippe Starck’s individualised bathtubs) was of the upmost quality.
There is also a woman’s only level, where each room is fitted with hair straighteners, facial steamers, boyfriend shirts and little teddy motifs.
Food & Beverage:
There are so many options at The South Beach they are too long to list but during our stay we ate at ADHD (the hotel’s formidable restaurant). We had a delicious meal and if your interested you can read the full review here.
Pool & Gym:
There are ‘43 Imaginative Social Spaces’ designed to suit your every need in the hotel and on the 18th floor of The South Beach an amenities playground awaits.
Imaginative Spaces:
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Flow 18 of the hotel is a sky garden that will rival any other, boasting an infinity pool, games section, bar, lounge area and a state-of-the-art athletic centre, while offering a full 360 degree view of Singapore.
The Pool:
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Pros:
- Ultra Modern
- Edgy Elegant Decor
- Service
- Great Food
- Exceptionally Equipped Gym
- Outstanding Recreational Areas
- Beautiful views
Cons:
- Since the hotel was in its preliminary opening not everything was open and up and running
- There was construction happening in the above residences so you could hear the noise during in your room during the day
Overall:
The South Beach offers a faultless, luxury experience for guests, encapsulating what 5 star accommodation is all about. With the grand opening set for late 2016, In my opinion The South Beach will be become one of Singapore’s finest living, dining and nightlife destinations.
