Far East Hospitality blends the retro and contemporary in a new look Rendezvous Hotel dedicated to art
Originally opened in 1997, Singapore’s Rendezvous Hotel is one of the city’s most representative hotels, located at the edge of the famed Orchard Road shopping street with an art-deco style façade atop colonial-esque architecture at the origin of Bras Basah Road.
Now with an art-inspired rejuvenation, the hotel boasts a boutique feel blends retro and contemporary, making it ideal for travellers and design enthusiasts.
The transformation of the property comes courtesy of Far East Hospitality, a group that continues to add to its portfolio of hotels in Singapore – including The Quincy Hotel, The Elizabeth Hotel, and Village Hotel Katong – but who have stayed clear of the downside that is repetition throughout multiple properties by ensuring each hotel is very much its own.
And for Rendezvous, that meant a new look that takes cues from the art and cultural area of Bras Basah.
Immediately upon walking in to the reception area, its clear the dedication to art is far from passive – statues and sculptures create atmosphere in the space, giving the lobby a feeling of human presence even when empty. This was achieved by the hotels aim to utilize a concept of art as A.R.T. – Attitude, Retro and Technology.
According to Mr Arthur Kiong, Chief Executive Officer of Far East Hospitality, “entrenched in the Museum Planning Area of Singapore, Rendezvous Hotel Singapore offers its guests convenient access to several popular art galleries and museums. The location made it an easy and natural decision to create a sensory experience that is in line with Singapore’s promotion of the arts and cultural precinct in the Civic District."
"Guests who are looking to experience creative stimulus will be thrilled to find that our hotel is dedicated to evoking the sense and sensibility of their inner artist.”
The library-cum-bar in the lobby area is perhaps the focal point of the renovation, a space that blends casual and funky with grace, its armchairs themselves curious works of art shaped as oversized human heads, backed by sheer curtains and mellow lighting that balance the plasma TV screens that present art in motion.
Rendezvous is planning to be active member of the local art scene too, with collaborations with new and established artists planned to build the venue into an “art hothouse.” Dedicated spaces in the lobby and level two for presentations by local art galleries are part of the new look hotels remit, with works for viewing and sale.
Other touches around the hotel that enhance the art-experience include a wall panel running floor-to-ceiling behind the reception desk which changes color tone throughout the say, working in sync with the entire reception area where the color palette changes from a daytime warmth of orange, purple and magenta, to a soothing evening feel of yellow, cyan and deep blue.
The hotel façade will itself be used to display “interactive anamorphic art,” so that pedestrians too can view the works of local artists. Guests will also get special entry rates to museums in the area, including The Asian Civilisation Museum and the Singapore Philatelic Museum.
The hotel has 298 rooms and a special club floor, and more information can be found here: Rendezvous Hotel Singapore
