If you still think that large international hotels with over thirty levels of rooms are the hottest places to be seen in, then you are definitely not in the loop. The new boutique hotels that are burgeoning in various parts of Singapore are all about being edgy and distinctive. From the eclectic furnishings to the quaint and exclusive limited number of rooms, these new age hotels are currently redefining what a designer hotel should be like.

Usually located in specific historical sites of Singapore , these spaces are carefully chosen to tailor to the kind of image the hotels wish to portray, and the patrons they hope to attract. With Chinatown being a hotspot for these trendy hotels, other places like Robertson Quay and Mohammed Sultan Road are also choice locations for these avant garde establishments.

Chinatown , in particular, Bukit Pasoh, is no longer just a graying landscape for the elderly, but increasingly being embraced as the heritage district of the nation that exudes timeless elegance. Also known as the “Street of Clans”, this area is bounded by New Bridge Road , Keong Siak Road , Kreta Ayer Road , Neil Road and Cantonment Road , with a dazzling array of reburbished two- and three-storey shophouses mainly of the Transitional, Late and Art Deco Styles. Positioned just minutes away from the bustling Shenton Way Business District, the new is juxtaposed against the old, with old shophouses and modern structures existing next to one another, and further complemented by the rich history of the area. This space is truly intriguing, and naturally becomes the perfect breeding ground for designer hotels like the chic New Majestic Hotel, Hotel 1929 and the Scarlet Hotel.

Looking at these hotels from the outside, it is easy to be impressed by the subtly dramatic exterior. More than just a fresh coat of paint, the architects behind the designs of these hotels worked hard at bringing out the best in these small spaces by retaining its distinctly Chinese cultural architecture and blending it in with nouveau chic design elements that are certainly impressionable. Surrounded by designer furniture hand picked by owner Loh Lik Peng and iconic art pieces from the likes of Verner Panton, Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Ray & Charles Eames, Louis Polsen and Gugilelmo Berchicci, Hotel 1929 is one such trendsetting hotel that exhibits what it means to be a hotel and so much more. Looking more like a hotel within an art gallery, this vintage-inspired hotel has rendered a great amount of attention since its official launch, which has been designated by many socialites, art-types and yoga-practitioners as THE place to be seen in. From the one of its kind sofas at the lobby to the 32 individually designed rooms, the funky character of this hotel just overwhelms you with awe.

Also joining this hotel on the hip list is their sister establishment, the New Majestic Hotel. If you could not get enough of the classy Hotel 1929, you will be further spoiled by the stylishly spruced up establishment that is located just a few doors down along Keong Siak Road .

Having attracted some extensive publicity last year for opening its doors to a competition for emerging local artists, all of their 30 rooms now exhibit the exquisite works by these talented designers. Some famous names in the designer list include Wykidd Song of Song & Kelly, Theseus Chan, the graphic designer of the award winning Comme des Garcon Guerilla store in Asia , Glen Goei who is the theatre and film director of Boeing Boeing and Forever Fever, as well as Daniel Boey who is the celebrated producer of the Asian Fashion Show. A quirky collection of different themes, each room had its own name and successfully reflected the many unique styles of their artists, giving the hotel an edgy feel that normal hotels now lack immensely. From the stiletto cladded silhouettes on deep violet walls to the narcissism inducing Mirror Room which was an art installation of mirrors all round, the rooms held its own mysteries locked within its four walls. How truly astonishing.

Singapore has come a long way to becoming as modern as we are, and many say that we are sanitized beyond recognition of its true kampong past. But it is apparent that all it takes is a deeper search into the crevices and corners of this part of Asia to uncover the gems that are within. These pioneer boutique hotels have redefined the tired cliché of east meeting the west, injecting it with refreshing styles that are more about featuring the timeless elegance of the shophouses with eclectic design elements and art pieces than just being a replica of the Western-inspired architecture that are abundant in our world today.