Quincy Hotel by Far East Hospitality

In an area of large and classic high-end hotels, The Quincy stands out for its hip and intimate approach. With 108 rooms, it’s boutique-sized by Singaporean standards. And that's impressive, as -- when viewed from the street -- the Tetris-like exterior gives the impression of a much larger hotel. The hotel is relatively tranquil for a city property, with water features, manicured lawns, and resin-wicker pod-style seating. Inside, funky egg-pods and bamboo-like walkways give a cool identity to otherwise bare spaces. There’s a fuss-free approach, with a nameless restaurant and room categories kept to a choice of two. To go along with the hotel’s boutique nature, there are some nice touches -- like the bowl of sweets that greets guests in the glass-fronted lobby, free drinks and snacks during the daily happy hour, and the free airport transfer on arrival for all guests. Sure, it’s not as super-luxe as some of its big-name neighbors, but this is a good upscale hotel with a distinct identity. It’s popular with tourist couples drawn to the cool design and quiet location on the fringe of the Orchard belt. 

The hotel is located on a quiet hill beside The Elizabeth Hotel and Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Its surroundings are largely residential, but it’s only a 10-minute walk to the restaurants and mega-malls of lively Orchard Road. The Paragon shopping center is the closest, just a five-minute walk from the hotel. Orchard MRT station can be reached in 10 minutes on foot, and journeys to many destinations are easy, including the Botanic Gardens (10 minutes), Gardens by the Bay (30 minutes), and Singapore Flyer ferris wheel (40 minutes). Marina Bay is best reached by car or taxi in around a 15-minute drive. The Quincy is a 25-minute drive from Singapore’s Changi Airport, depending on traffic, and the hotel provides a free airport transfer on arrival for all guests.

There’s a glossy, minimalist approach to the rooms here, with shiny tiled floors, large windows with window seats looking out to the city, and earthy splashes of color in the rugs and other soft furnishings. Amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. One of the more surprising perks are the free beer and soft drinks from the minibars. Fully-tiled modern monochrome bathrooms have a window to the sleeping area (with blinds for more modest travelers). All bathrooms have bathtubs and separate walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. Hairdryers and premium Molton Brown toiletries are provided. The choice of rooms is kept simple: Studio Rooms (280 square feet, or 26 square meters), or the 24-square-foot (32-square-meter) Deluxe Studios, which also come with Nespresso machines.

The features at The Quincy follow its fuss-free approach -- perhaps a little too much, which lets this hotel down just a touch. The nameless ground-floor lobby restaurant serves all-day light bites inside a smart dining area and out on the terrace, but guests looking for a proper restaurant and bar won’t find that here. Breakfast is included, though reviews are mixed for the buffet's quality and selection. Free snacks are available throughout the day, and there are free drinks during happy hour. The hotels' highlight is up on the 12th floor, where a half-undercover infinity pool looks out over the city (but not quite over the surrounding skyscraper rooftops). It’s surrounded by small pool deck with color-changing LED lights, a couple of loungers, and a separate seating area. Other features here include a modern fitness center with cardio machines and free weights, plus a sauna and steam room. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there are iMacs in the lobby. Parking is also free.