Oasia Hotel Downtown, Singapore by Far East Hospitality

As a business hotel surrounded by skyscrapers, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Oasia Hotel Downtown was as bland as its corporate neighbors. However, the 27-story property has a bright red mosaic-style facade that's got plants and vines weaving in, out, and around the structure, creating a vertical garden of sorts in the urban jungle of Singapore's Central Business District. When you enter the hotel at street level, you'll see an area that looks like reception, but the signs (or staff) will direct you to level 12 for check-in, and the 21st floor if you've booked a Club-level room. The space on level 12 is enormous, with the front desk sharing the area with the hotel's lush grass patch and air-conditioned fitness room. The 21st floor is just as massive, but shares the area with the infinity pool and stylish Club Lounge instead. The two check-in areas feature plenty of greenery and high ceilings, plus lots of chairs and sofas to lounge around in are scattered all over. These spaces are not air-conditioned, but that's hardly noticeable with the cool breeze coming in through the large open sides of the building. The hotel's interiors are the brainchild of Spanish designer, Patricia Urquiola. Using elements like wood and granite and pairing them with pieces of contrasting hues, like copper lighting and yellow coffee tables, Urquiola has created beautiful, vibrant spaces throughout the property that are also homey and functional.

This hotel's location is hard to beat. The Tanjong Pagar MRT train station is less than a minute away on foot, and cultural precincts like Chinatown and Raffles Place -- the country's business and financial hub -- are within an easy walk as well. Both districts are no more than 20 minutes away on foot and are home to a slew of trendy dining spots and popular bars. Even if you were to stick to exploring only Tanjong Pagar, you'd be spoiled for choice with the many food and drink outlets (and not to mention shopping malls like 100 AM and Icon Village) in the hotel's vicinity. Other destinations, like Orchard Road or the arts and culture hot spot City Hall -- can be reached in 15 to 20 minutes by train. Changi Airport is 20 minutes away by car (or one hour via public transportation).

Like the rest of the hotel's interiors, the rooms are styled by Patricia Urquiola. Expect lots of teak and oak tones combined with neutral shades like gray and the occasional pop of red or orange. Urquiola's love for geometric patterns is seen around the room -- particularly in the wooden centerpiece that goes over and above the bed and the muted red-and-gray tiles in the showers -- giving these spaces a warm, earthy vibe. Four categories are split into two groups: Superior and Deluxe, and the higher-tier Club Rooms and Club Suites. The difference between the two is quite significant, not only when it comes to size, but also to amenities, views, and access to certain hotel features (more on that below). The Club-level rooms are located on higher floors compared to the Superior and Deluxe options, so city views are better. Also, Club-level guests receive extras like free coconut juice in the mini-fridge, a Nespresso coffee machine, an array of local premium TWG Tea (Superior and Deluxe Rooms feature only a limited selection). There has been feedback about the translucent sliding glass doors separating the bathrooms from the bedrooms becoming transparent, especially when the room lights are dimmed, but guests who don't mind that like the overall spaciousness of the Club-level rooms. Bathrooms in Club-level rooms also include bespoke toiletries and bathtubs.Standard amenities across all rooms include air-conditioning, safes, rainfall and handheld showers, hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, ironing facilities, as well as and tea- and coffee-making facilities. As for tech, there's free Wi-Fi, wall-mounted flat-screen smart TVs, and in-bathroom speakers that connect to the TV so you can listen to music via apps like Spotify.

There's plenty to do within the hotel given its wealth of features. Once you get used to how the elevators work (some service certain levels and a bit of walking -- and sometimes, a lot of waiting -- is required across the different floors), you can visit places like the bright and compact 24-hour gym, which has machines, free weights, and yoga mats along with bottled water and towels. Those who prefer classes can sign up for free sessions that take place every Sunday on the grass patch of the 12th floor. Some weeks it's yoga, and some weeks it's something entirely different, so check with the concierge before booking your spot. Business travelers that require a meeting room can book one of the two spaces, also on the 12th floor, which can be combined to form a main room that seats around 100. There are two outdoor lap pools on the rooftop of the hotel lined with chairs that put you ankle-deep in the water, though these two pools aren't as big as the infinity pool and don't offer views of the city. Travelers who book a Club Room or Suite get additional perks, like access to the infinity pool and Club Lounge. The sheltered T-shaped infinity pool looks out over the city and features cabanas and semi-submerged sunchairs. As for the stylish Club Lounge, a buffet breakfast is held here daily for all guests, but only Club-level guests get free, all-you-can-eat refreshments like pastries and coffee throughout the day, plus cocktails and canapes in the evening. Aside from the Club Lounge, guests can drop by the hotel's on-site restaurants. OSO Ristorante, situated on the 27th floor, is known for its Italian fare, while the Marmalade Pantry in the street-level lobby is best for its modern European creations that come with an Asian twist. Guests that find themselves craving creations by the latter in the wee hours can order from room service, which is available 24/7. Opposite The Marmalade Pantry is Cin Cin; the retro-glamour bar stocks over 100 gin labels and serves bar bites and sharing plates that are good for two to three people.