The Workation Guide Part 3: Singapore’s homegrown hotels designed for work-life balance

From cutting-edge business facilities and co-working lounges to world-class nightlife, personalised wellness services, luxury sleep packages, and curated cultural experiences, Singapore’s hospitality industry is evolving to meet the diverse needs of both locals and global travellers.

In this three-part series, senior features editor Chelsia Tan explores how nine hotels are enhancing their offerings across three key pillars: Work, Play, and Live.

Part Three turns the spotlight on Singapore brand hotels.

Deeply rooted in place, these locally grown names are introducing new wellness, dining and bar concepts – reflecting a distinctly Singaporean approach to hospitality that resonates with both locals and travellers.

21 Carpenter

21 Carpenter St, Singapore 059984

Located between Chinatown and Clarke Quay, the former Chye Hua Seng Wee Kee remittance house was founded in 1936 and once served as an important link between early Singaporean immigrants and their families overseas. Today, the conserved building has been restored by award-winning architects WOHA and reintroduced as 21 Carpenter.

Accessibility

Located opposite Central Mall and Clarke Quay MRT, the hotel is a 15-minute walk away from Chinatown.

Room with a view

I stayed in the Heritage Suite on the third floor, which was spacious but offered limited privacy as it faces the overhead bridge – so keeping the curtains drawn is advisable. 

Otherwise, the room is well soundproofed and thoughtfully furnished, with a comfortable living area and a cosy dining table that also worked well as a workstation. 

Service

Service is warm, professional and attentive throughout the stay – I really had no complaints.

Wine and dine

Breakfast at the hotel’s in-house restaurant and bar is complimentary for guests and features an elegant continental spread of pastries, a selection of French cheeses and classic eggs on toast. 

The standout is the coconut pancake, topped with coconut chantilly, fresh berries and gula melaka caramel. The chicken curry is another highlight – served with coconut rice or crispy roti prata, it makes for a satisfying savoury option.

For those who prefer to stay in for the evening, the dinner menu offers plenty of solid choices, including pepper-crusted ribeye steak frites and rigatoni alla vodka. The cocktail list is equally reliable, with highlights such as the nutmeg espresso martini.

Rest and relax

Guests enjoy complimentary access to the fully equipped Peak360 gym at The Central, which offers cardio and strength-training machines, as well as private spaces such as the Garden Terrace and the rooftop pool and lounge. 

Thoughtful touches include linen robes by Singapore fashion label In Good Company, along with a well-stocked bar featuring complimentary TWG tea and Bacha Coffee.

Good for b-leisure?

For travellers seeking a laid-back stay with easy access to the nightlife of Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, as well as the dining and bar scene in Tanjong Pagar, this hotel makes a convenient base. 

Guests staying seven nights or more in the Heritage Luxe and Heritage Suites enjoy a 30 per cent discount, along with inclusions such as daily breakfast at Kee’s, high-speed Wi-Fi and a daily laundry allowance of two pieces.

Oasia Hotel Novena

8 Sinaran Dr, Singapore 307470

Located in Novena, Oasia Hotel Novena is a four-star property by Far East Hospitality near Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, making it an ideal base for medical travellers and professionals. The hotel’s nature-led interiors were designed by Japanese firm Super Potato under the direction of Takashi Sugimoto.

Accessibility

The hotel is conveniently located next to Velocity and Novena Square, and is connected to Novena MRT Station via a sheltered underground walkway just two minutes away. Orchard Road is only two train stops from the station.

Room with a view

The Club Room comes with unblocked city views and is clearly geared towards business travellers. It’s cosy and thoughtfully set up, with the option to request an ergonomic chair or laptop stand for work, a curated pillow menu, and a selection of healthier snacks and drinks.

That said, the bathroom shows signs of wear, with ageing fixtures and chipped door edges. Given that the hotel dates back to 2011, a refresh would be timely.

Service

The hotel staff are cheerful and friendly, and I appreciated the thoughtful touches, such as the complimentary room and pillow mist service.

Rest and relax

Club Room guests enjoy complimentary workout sessions, including morning zumba and yoga by the pool on the 22nd floor, as well as the option to book a 30-minute massage between 5-7pm on weekdays. 

The lounge, which opens out to the swimming pool, doubles as a comfortable space to work or unwind, with healthy snacks served between breakfast and afternoon tea, followed by pre-dinner cocktails.

Good for b-leisure?

While the hotel has limited on-site dining options – aside from The Marmalade Pantry at the lobby – it is conveniently located near two large malls, offering plenty of dining and shopping choices. The hotel also has a 24-hour gym, jacuzzi and sauna. For a change of pace, guests can easily hop on a train into town or take a bus to MacRitchie Reservoir for a dose of nature.

The Clan Hotel Singapore

10 Cross St, Singapore 048417

Located in Telok Ayer, The Clan Hotel Singapore opened in 2021 as a modern luxury property rooted in the area’s cultural heritage. Marking Far East Hospitality’s first launch under The Clan brand, the 30-storey hotel features 324 rooms and offers Singapore-inspired experiences alongside personalised services delivered by in-house advisors known as Clan Keepers.

Accessibility

Telok Ayer MRT station is located directly opposite the hotel, while the Central Business District is about a 10-minute walk away. Nearby attractions include Lau Pa Sat and the heritage district of Chinatown.

Room with a view

I spent a night in the Master Series Grand Premier Room ($780 per night). Set on the 29th floor, the room offers sweeping views of the CBD and Chinatown. It comes with thoughtful touches such as customised in-room refreshments – guests can choose five gourmet snacks, from chocolates and chips to nuts and fizzy drinks – along with personalised service from a dedicated Clan Keeper.

Service

The Clan leans into the idea of slowing down and savouring the small moments, welcoming guests with a mini tea ceremony featuring a custom oolong blend by Pryce Tea, paired with a local pastry, tau sar piah.

Wine and dine

Dinner at Qin Restaurant & Bar starts with a refreshing hamachi crudo dressed in creamy sambal coconut and lifted by the tartness of gooseberries.

The main course features grilled wagyu beef paired with buttery mashed potato, a green peppercorn sauce and crisp pickled radish. Dessert closes the meal on a bright note with Balinese chocolate and passion fruit, where rich flavours are balanced by a sharp, zesty finish.

Rest and relax

The hotel’s facilities are easy to enjoy, starting with the Sky Gym on Level 30, which is luxuriously fitted out and comes with a solid range of on-demand virtual classes – plus a view that makes workouts far more appealing. 

On the same floor, there are lounge and shower suites where travellers can freshen up or catch up on emails, while the sky pool is ideal for a quick lunchtime or post-work dip.

Good for b-leisure?

Centrally located near the CBD, The Clan Hotel Singapore offers quiet, well-designed rooms for focused work, alongside thoughtful details such as a residents’ lounge, tea rituals and wellness features that encourage downtime after hours. With dining, heritage neighbourhoods and nightlife within easy reach, it makes it easy to switch between meetings and catch-ups without changing locations.

Quincy House

5 Holland Village Way, Singapore 275752

One of Far East Hospitality’s newer properties, Quincy House is a serviced residence in the laid-back neighbourhood of Holland Village. Opened in 2024, the 19-storey property offers 255 stylish, pet-friendly units, ranging from Deluxe Rooms to spacious Two-Bedroom Apartments.

Accessibility

A sheltered walkway connects the residence to One Holland Village, an open-air mall with a wide range of dining options. A short walk further brings guests to the heart of the Holland Village strip, with Holland Village MRT station close by.

Room with a view

The team at Quincy generously assigned a Two-Bedroom Deluxe apartment on the 18th floor, which comes with two bathrooms, a spacious living room, a dining area and a kitchenette fully equipped with a microwave, refrigerator and electric stove. With so much space, it’s easy to stay in – even with a communal working area available near the main reception.

Monthly rentals range from about $7,800 to $9,800, while shorter stays are available, with daily rates for the Two-Bedroom Deluxe starting from around $763 per night.

Service

It feels like living in a five-star hotel, with reception staff who are always ready to assist with a smile – and who even remember your name. You can even request for additional toiletries at no extra cost.

Wine and dine

As a serviced apartment, there isn’t an in-house restaurant. Instead, guests have access to a fully stocked pantry at the communal work area, with pastries, fruit and sandwiches available in the morning, as well as coffee, tea and a selection of snacks throughout the day. Barbecue pits are also available for booking by the pool area.

Rest and relax

Quincy House has a fully equipped 24-hour gym on the first floor. Beyond that, there are plenty of yoga studios and cafes in the area, or guests can easily head to the Botanic Gardens for a stroll by train or bus.

Good for b-leisure?

Yes – especially for those working remotely in Singapore for a few months or in between apartments. The relaxed, village-like vibe of Holland Village makes it easy to settle in, while the apartment-style living offers the space and comfort needed for longer stays.