Friday, September 19, 2014

A Uniquely Singapore Staycation: Hotel Clover The Arts

Sponsored Review

The Mid Autumn Festival just passed us by and while we usually do not celebrate the festival in a big way, I thought it would be nice to soak ourselves in the whole joyous celebration and the best place to do that is of course Chinatown! It was so apt that we were invited to review Hotel Clover The Arts, which is near Chinatown area, so last week, we had our first staycation in Chinatown. We’ve stayed at many big luxurious hotels with huge lobbies, but it was our first time staying at a much smaller scale boutique hotel. It was a rather unique experience, I would say.

When you step into Hotel Clover The Arts, don’t expect anything too grand. The hotel’s focus (as its name suggests) is on the arts. Throughout the hotel interiors (and some parts of the exteriors), you will be able to spot one-of-a-kind spray art pieces created by independent professional artist, Ceno2, and many of which depict significant landmarks in Singapore. I imagine that if I am a tourist in Singapore and staying at the hotel, I would be very intrigued and drawn in by the whole uniquely-Singapore feel.

Let me bring you on a visual gastronomical experience round Hotel Clover The Arts!

The Lobby

The lobby is very small but that small space is splashed with so many colors and graphics. I totally love those patch fabric armchairs! I’m sure you would recognize the significant landmark of Singapore on the wall because that was the first thing my kids pointed out to me when we stepped in.

IMG_2313 IMG_2316  IMG_2385

Breakfast Area

Next to the lobby is the breakfast area, and it’s not an ordinary area. There are many interesting artwork on the walls and everywhere that really intrigued the kids when we went for breakfast the next morning and I had a hard time getting them to sit down to eat properly. Looking at these, can you blame them?? It was like having breakfast in a forest?

IMG_2379 
IMG_2381  IMG_2364

If you think this is a 3D butterfly, you are wrong! It’s just one of the many amazingly well-drawn 3D artworks by the artist.

IMG_2408

Breakfast was decent – There were 4 hot items, bread with butter/jam, fruits, cereals, salad and coffee/tea. Inline with the theme of the hotel, everything was colorful! In particular, the kids enjoyed the pasta very much.

IMG_2368 IMG_2369 IMG_2370 IMG_2371 IMG_2372 IMG_2373 IMG_2374

Back Facade

Stepping out of the breakfast area, a surprise awaits! This extremely huge artwork on the back facade of the hotel is a genuine masterpiece. I was told that the butterflies look 3D at certain times of the day when the sun shines on it. So pretty!

IMG_2406

The Rooms

Every room in Hotel Clover The Arts is different. Not only that, every room on Levels 2 and 3 are designed and completed by students who submitted their artwork in a competition! What a feat that is – To me, it’s the owner’s contribution to promoting the arts in Singapore, and giving our art students a platform to display their talents. Such a great idea!

On the door of every room, you would find the design of the room.

IMG_2404

Our room is a family room with a queen-sized bed and a single bed, and there are only a few rooms in the hotel of that size. The rest are all suitable for two pax because the hotel is marketed mainly as a hotel for couples.

IMG_2321

The room is basic with a standing shower area and a wash basin outside.

IMG_2324 IMG_2325

The Nescafe Gusto machine was a nice surprise. :)

IMG_2328

We went to check out the other rooms in the hotel because we wanted to see other pretty designs, and I must say I was so wowed by them!

IMG_2415 IMG_2420 IMG_2422

I imagine the students must be very proud to see their own designs translated into real interior designs with matching bedsheets & cushions.

IMG_2411

The Lift Landings

You must be thinking that it’s weird to see such a category and why it would be worth mentioning at all. Well, at least at Hotel Clover The Arts, there is a compelling reason to do so!

Drawings on the wall continue at the lift landings, so that every time you step out of the lift, you are welcomed by splashes of colors everywhere. I love how the artist made use of existing fixtures that cannot be removed, and incorporated them into his artwork. Plus, if you go up the different levels, you would see how the story of the cat unfold – The cat moves from inside the house, to outside the house and then somewhere else! This might be the only hotel that encourages guests to take lifts up and down to check out the artwork?! The kids had fun spotting the cat at every level though. :)

IMG_2419IMG_2414IMG_2412  IMG_2417 IMG_2418 

Under the Hotel Clover Group, there is also another hotel nearby called Hotel Clover 5 Hong Kong Street. We took a one-minute walk to the hotel and checked it out as well. This hotel is more business-like and targets travelling businessmen. The rooms are small but comfortable, and the designs are more contemporary and classy.

IMG_2428 IMG_2429 IMG_2430 IMG_2431 IMG_2432 IMG_2433 IMG_2434 

The Roof Top Pool

As there is no swimming pool at Hotel Clover The Arts, guests may utilize the swimming pool at Hotel Clover 5 Hong Kong Street. The kids had great fun at the pool because it’s only 1 metre deep! It must be the most kid-friendly pool I’ve seen at hotels. I love it because it’s on the roof-top and has a really pretty wall art. It was quite an experience swimming here while overlooking the old shophouses outside. This is unique at Chinatown hotels!

IMG_2390IMG_2388  IMG_2392

Don’t you love this lush greenery on the wall? So pretty – I love it!

IMG_2393

Finally a pool that Joey can have fun without worrying because she cannot swim.

 IMG_2395   IMG_2401

We had a fun weekend at Hotel Clover The Arts. Thank you for hosting us, and for letting us soak in the great vibrant atmosphere unique to this part of Singapore! :)

Hotel Clover The Arts
58 South Bridge Road Singapore 058689
Website: http://hotelcloverthearts.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hotel-Clover-The-Arts/245463962294474

Hotel Clover 5 Hong Kong Street
5 Hongkong Street Singapore 059648
Website:
http://www.hotelclover5hongkongstreet.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HotelClover5HongkongStreet