The Scarlet Singapore

The Scarlet Hotel is a lovely gray and white building with striking red plantation shutters over the entrance and charming details like potted topiaries and lantern lights. Inside, the lobby has an opulent feel with decorative jacquard furnishings, a sparkling chandelier, and scarlet curtains hanging behind the marble front desk. The building itself is historic, made up of 13 shophouses dating to the 19th century and an Art Deco building from 1924. On the rooftop is Aria, a Sicilian restaurant that opened in late 2015. Cushioned couches and chairs under large umbrellas offer places for guests to enjoy cocktails while taking in the views of the Financial District’s skyline. The atmosphere overall is swanky and upscale. 

The Scarlet Hotel stretches down Erskine Road. Below the hotel are several boutique shops as well as a 7-11. The neighborhood is vibrant with plenty of restaurants within a short walk including food hawkers at nearby Maxwell Food Center as well as nightlife on lively Club Street. It’s less than a 10-minute walk from the Chinatown MRT station which provides easy access to downtown. The Changi International Airport is within a 30-minute drive or hour ride on public transportation.

Rooms at the Scarlet Hotel are pretty with varying romantic decor including heavy floor-to-ceiling curtains, velvety headboards, and bedside lamps with scarlet shades. They're quite a bit more stylish after the 2013 renovations, and most have white bedding but bold pops of color in the pillows and chairs (some have orange accents, others yellow and gold, others blue and red). Much of the furniture, such as button chaise lounges and headboards, has Art Deco inspiration. All rooms have comfortable beds (pillow menus are available), stocked minibars, coffee/tea facilities, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Standard Rooms have modern bathrooms with walk-in showers and generous amenity kids including toothbrushes and shaving kits. Guests complain that some rooms are small, get street noise, and not all have windows. Larger, Premium Rooms and themed suites with separate whirlpool tubs are worthwhile upgrades; some Executive Rooms have balconies. 

The Scarlet Hotel has a swanky (but pricey) rooftop bar and restaurant with sweeping city views. There’s an outdoor hot tub on a small landing with a couple of lounge chairs for guests to relax in. The hotel has a fitness center and spa treatments are available. The hotel serves a free breakfast with hot and cold items. Wi-Fi is free throughout.