There is a new hotel on the block in the Lion City that is making waves across the globe and it is anything but standard. With the opening of the much anticipated The Standard, Singapore, this latest iteration of the iconic brand is a standout in a city that knows its hotels and expects only the best.

Centrally located on the delightfully named Orange Grove Road, The Standard, Singapore, sits between the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Orchard Road shopping district. As a destination, The Standard, Singapore, offers true Standard style with innovative and cutting-edge design. The interiors have been created by Ministry of Design (MOD) with architecture and landscaping by DP Architects, so it’s no wonder that this hotel is the place to be in the city.

The Standard, Singapore, is at once grand but also human-centric. Every space is unique, but extensive detailing and excellent resolution is the continuum throughout  that results in a refined and layered design. The interior has been artfully conceived and curated by Colin Seah, lead on the project and founder of MOD, who has captured a mid-century modern aesthetic and imbued contemporary and cultural nuances with simplicity and elegance.

The 5397-square-metre hotel is spread across eight levels, with public areas on the first two floors and guestrooms above. In all, there are 143 rooms and suites, three food and beverage venues – Café Standard, Kaya at the Standard, and The Pool Bar – and of course, a sensational pool and an abundance of lush tropical gardens.

Materiality is authentic, with white oak and walnut timber, terrazzo, marble and glass all used to great effect. The base colour palette consists of light wood hues that become the backdrop to vivid pops of colour in lighting, furnishings, fabrics, tiles and wallpapers which create warmth and interest in every space. This is a project that embraces quirky details and playful inclusions and adds an element of the unexpected at every opportunity.

At the entrance, the reception area makes a statement with a polished terrazzo floor and countertop and curved white oak walls. The reception counter sits atop a very large glass terrarium where an art installation by Eric Tobua presents beautiful plants and unusual small objects that vie for attention in this unusual setting.

To the left is the lift lobby, dramatic with cool strip lighting, and inside the lifts, red is the colour of choice that overtakes the senses during the rides up or down.

To the right is Café Standard, a casual cocktail lounge with an alfresco dining area that overlooks a courtyard garden. From here, there are views of the immense stepped gardens beyond and at night the ambience is mesmerising. The interior is urbane, with beautiful timber cabinetry, marble and terrazzo in shades of green. All chairs, tables, lights and objects are bespoke, as is everything in this hotel.

On the second floor is the pool and bar that has the wow factor in spades. Striped loungers line the perimeter of the enormous rectangular pool and it is just the place to be when the temperature soars in Singapore.

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Also on this level is Kaya at the Standard, a Japanese-inspired izakaya. This is the main all-day dining restaurant and is defined by greenery. There are outside gardens to be seen at every vista and inside, cascading plantings complement a striking floral wall mural, custom-designed with textural additions that make this a remarkable work of art.

Another striking inclusion is a long, tan leather S-shaped banquette that snakes across the floor. Designed in response to the architecture, it becomes a focal point in the room – along with the custom tables and chairs and the fluted coloured glass pendant lights that float overhead. An archway frames the kitchen and the space becomes a theatre as guests view the chefs at work.

Up in those fabulous elevators to the guestrooms and on each floor, corridors are fitted with vibrant blue custom carpet designed to replicate terrazzo. Signage for the rooms, also created by MOD, is discreet and modern.

Within the rooms and suites there is a consistent language through the furnishings, facilities and use of the colour lemon, with some minor changes depending on the size, type and position of the room. However, an integral feature is a timber canopy that rises from the wall to the ceiling and curves overhead to frame the bed. Set against white walls, this is such an impressive addition and creates a focal point that makes the design singular.

Furniture in the rooms is thoughtfully appointed, with bench seats at the end of beds and in between single beds in a twin room, an unobtrusive mini bar and hanging space in the corridor. Bathrooms are a joy, all lemon and white tiles with mirrors and every amenity included. Corner-situated rooms have wraparound glazing and, of course, the suites with double the area and height provide a generosity of space and wonderful views to the surrounding cityscape.

In all, the interior of The Standard, Singapore, is exemplary. Seah and his team have produced a design on brand but add that something extra. Working closely with The Standard team, MOD has achieved that elusive result where simplicity meets playfulness and personifies sophistication. It is a heady mix but perfectly encapsulates this Standard hotel.

Prepare to be delighted when you visit. The Standard, Singapore, is one in a million, and has raised the bar high for luxury hotel living in a city that knows great design. Expect an outstanding experience when you visit The Standard, Singapore; you’ll be impressed from beginning to end.

Ministry of Design
modonline.com

DP Architects
dpa.com.sg

Photography
Jovian Lim