Both Malaysia and our neighbouring country Singapore are often inevitably compared against one another. Besides the evident difference in size and incontestable safety factor (ugh fine, Singapore wins on that note), the age-old debate over which nation has the better food and is a more superior place to reside in seems to know no end.
Regardless of our dissimilarities, Singapore clearly dominates the Southeast Asian economy front, and is frequently regarded as the most modern. Yet, as the country gets caught in the soaring wave of globalisation, the unfortunate dilution of culture and fading of heritage have been gaining prevalence, hitting Lion City fast and hard.
Perhaps this legacy can only be preserved and passed down if the younger generation continues to hold its priority, but sadly even that isn’t very likely. Consequently, it was a no-brainer for me to hop on board Far East Hospitality‘s recent press junket that was centred around savouring Singapore’s little idiosyncrasies and what is left of its bygone age.
It’s not to say that I’m at all new to the little red dot as it has long been a favoured leisure destination, but as Martin Buber once quoted, “All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” And in this minuscule island city, there are way more local hunts and hidden gems than you would have ever expected.
Synonymous with this notion, Far East Hospitality’s Village Hotels and Residences prides itself in accentuating the unique cultural eccentricities of each neighbourhood in which its properties are located. There are eight Village properties in total, but each one bears a distinct identity that is akin to its surroundings for a bona fide Singaporean experience.
Village Hotels and Residences further fuels new perspectives by encouraging guests to play, eat, live and explore like a local through various initiatives running inside and outside its vicinities, one being a very handy designated guide booklet for each property detailing must-sees, must-dos, and must-eats all a stone’s throw away.
Slapped right in the middle of Katong in the Joo Chiat district which is a lively Peranakan heritage hub, Village Hotel Katong was our temporary abode for the first night of our visit. While it is in fact a lesser-known region of sunny Singapore, Katong charmed us with its tasteful and historic amalgamation of Malay, European, Chinese, Indian and Arabic influences.
Housed in a peculiar-shaped and refurbished building is Katong V shopping mall on one end and the smoke-free 229-room Village Hotel Katong on the other. Though it doesn’t look it from the outside, the Peranakan, or Straits Chinese, aspects fused into the property becomes increasingly well-established as you step into the rooms where modernity meets tradition.
The elephant in the 41sqm Peranakan Club room had got to be the immense bathtub lodged beside the Queen bed. Vastly spacious, a living area flanked the other side of the room, on top of a 46″ LED television. Contemporary furnishings are also juxtaposed against classic Peranakan ware and tile inspired prints.
Despite the hotel’s mediocre sized swimming pool, the gymnasium is impressive and its in-house restaurant Katong Kitchen, which offers an array of sumptuous Peranakan fusion and fresh seafood, left us pleasantly surprised. Being a guest in the Peranakan Club room also entitled me access to the Peranakan Club lounge, where all-day refreshments are served.
Foodies eager to indulge in Singapore’s repertoire of culinary delights need not even leave this bustling as a dizzying selection of local and international grubs are within walking distance. No visit to Katong is complete without slurping on a fragrant bowl of The Original Katong Laksa with a spoon, or having a traditional Singaporean breakfast at Heavenly Wang.
Singapore’s famed Nyonya rice dumpling and snack specialist Kim Choo Kueh Chang, an eponymous mainstay with a legacy that has been passed down for generations with heirloom recipes, is equally close by. Aside from yummy delicacies, Kim Choo stands as one of the last few Peranakan kebaya makers in the country striving to keep the craft alive.
Another spot I personally relished in is the Eurasian Heritage Centre in Joo Chiat whereby we were taken on a guided tour to uncover the roots of the Eurasian descent in Singapore and learn about the Eurasians who defended the country during the oppressive Japanese occupation before having sugee cake at Quentin’s Eurasian Restaurant, one of Singapore’s finest.
Nestled amidst the ethnic precinct of Little India and the effervescent Bugis, known as one of Singapore’s key shopping havens, is Village Hotel Albert Court, the second Village property we called our humble resting place. Unlike Katong which radiates a more nonchalant atmosphere, this property is amidst Singapore’s heart of it all.
Bordering a central courtyard at the end of Albert Street is the low-rise, 220-room Village Hotel Albert Court. The old and new, too, intermingle, except this time around its overall design evokes nostalgia of the colonial era, on top of time-honoured Indian and Peranakan carvings and motifs injected throughout.
My 25sqm Club Room instantly left a dramatic impression with its dark furniture and elegant baroque motif splashed across the headboard. Besides the basic comforts, the room comes with a NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® coffee machine and its little capsules displayed in a line, which ideally could be an absolute joy for coffee lovers.
In spite of the absence of a full-blown swimming pool, Village Hotel Albert Court does boast two jacuzzi pools, one hot and the other cold, a well-equipped gymnasium with proper equipment, and two F&B options – the Lobby Lounge for mid-day drinks and light bites, and Albert Cafe for all-day dining.
Alternatively, several restaurants and bars as well as retail outlets are gladly situated in the confines of Village Hotel Albert Court, should anyone can’t be arsed about stepping out. On the contrary, urban explorers would be more than thrilled to find a plethora of both historical and up-to-the-minute attractions nearby, with many nooks and crannies to unearth.
Minutes away, you’ll find the glimmering lights of Little India where you can visit pretty temples enveloped in tiny religious statues or treat yourself to an unconventional shopping experience at the 24-hour Mustafa Centre, apart from simply taking in the sights and sounds of the multi-coloured community that is unlike any other.
On the other hand, Bugis is a glittering shopping and dining destination that is often dubbed as the place to be for budget-friendly establishments. Shop from quaint boutiques along Haji Lane, eat yourself silly on Arab Street or head to Chjmes, a former Catholic Convent turned commercial complex to wine and dine.
Thankfully, we also got to step foot into Sungei Road Thieves Market, Singapore’s oldest flea market, before its permanent relocation from July 10, notwithstanding the public’s strenuous yet unsuccessful efforts to salvage it. Each peddler is allotted a metre-by-metre space free of charge to sell used and indefinable goods like electronics and little knick knacks.
Boy was it an eye-opening journey. Armed with battered suitcases and perched on tattered mats, these peddlers relentlessly push their goods to passersby. We saw everything from ancient mobile phones, bottles of drinks or, possibly, potions that were possibly 40 years old, solitary shoes, and even spine-chilling mini coffins that are apparently used for rearing spirits.
We can’t possibly pick a favourite from the two Village properties, but reckon that there is bound to be a slightly varying market for both considering the contrasting profiles. With that said, it is undeniably easier to get around the city from Village Hotel Albert Court that is adjacent to two MRT stations, Rochor and Little India.
Although Village Hotel Albert Court trumps as far as accessibility is concerned, my adoration for Katong will never die, and if that means staying at Village Hotel Katong and having to commute via the buses to get to MRT stations when need be, so be it. It’s pretty much always efficient anyway.
PS: Did we mention that all Far East Hospitality Club Room guests are entitled to access into the airport lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 2? It’s a pretty damn enticing bonus, if you ask me!
Village Hotel Katong and Village Hotel Albert Court are both properties owned by Far East Hospitality.
30 East Coast Road,
Singapore 428751
Tel: +65-6344 2200
180 Albert Street,
Singapore 189971
Tel: +65-63393939
