Hotel Review: Ann Siang House – An Unexpectedly Hip Staycation

It has been a while since I’ve stayed in a boutique property. Most recently, I was invited to Ann Siang House, a boutique 20-room hotel right smack at one of my favorite places in Singapore, in Ann Siang Road near the tourist attractions of Singapore’s Chinatown. While most boutique hotels do not come with full-service F&B options, Ann Siang House boasts of not one but four bars and restaurants with each having a distinct proposition.

During the grand opening, I was able to try out the various wine and dine venues. Right by the lobby of the hotel is the former Mr and Mrs Maxwell, a casual dining venue by day and a speakeasy in the night. Upon check-in, I was served a welcome drink by the bartender – a refreshing lychee concoction that served to mark the beginning of my stay. A staff member then led me to my room.

The 20 rooms of the boutique hotel are actually just concentrated within two floors. My Club King room was at the 3rd. With boutique hotels, I’ve been used to seeing minuscule room sizes so I was pleasantly surprised to find that their most basic category room is already at around 28 square meters.

The slightly vintage and masculine interiors of the lobby blended perfectly into the hallways of the hotel floor and into my room. At first glace, it seemed like the typical hotel room. But a closer look revealed little nuances that were well thought out for the discerning or should I say, reflective guest. Instead of magazines I found short stories and novelettes placed neatly on the desk with some unique ornaments by the side.

As I arrived after turndown service, I also spotted some books on the bedside, themed around the night to ensure a peaceful slumber.

The bathroom carried on the art deco-ish interiors of the property. While it was not large enough to have a bathtub, it was tastefully filled with toiletries from England-based Bamford and marked the first time I had seen a hotel in Singapore carrying it.

A stay at The Club typically comes with breakfast which is served at the lobby. As the hotel has only 20 rooms, breakfast here is an intimate and cozy affair. I went for my morning meal at around 9 in the morning and found the buffet almost entirely to myself. As the property prides itself in its F&B proposition, I thought the duality of the hotel’s breakfast offerings was quite impressive. There’s a humble buffet station with cold cuts, cheeses, various types of bread as well as chilled juices.

Apart from this, guests could also choose from a menu. I naturally chose my favorite – pancakes!

During my stay at The Club which coincided with the grand opening, I also headed upstairs at a former rooftop bar cum Peruvian grill. While there, I managed to try a sampling of the menu, of which my favorite was undoubtedly the wagyu beef sticks. They also serve some decent ceviche up there.

Verdict

I never expected a boutique hotel to be so… extensive. Ann Siang House certainly did not waste any resources in letting its F&B outlets stand out and these are very much part of the property as is the intimate 20-room hotel. In this regard, Ann Siang House is a top choice if you’re looking for a well-appointed place to stay in a hip and happening part of town, sans the crowds. Its room limit ensures that you won’t have to compete for space with hundreds of people at any given time of day while its interiors make you just want to stay in for the entire day.

Ann Siang House
28 Ann Siang Rd, 069708
6808 2188