Rediscover Singapore at The Clan Hotel

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With life still in the throes of a pandemic, a hotel opening may be the furthest thought from anyone’s mind. But The Clan Hotel is glaring proof of why Singapore’s hospitality industry is still growing apace. The first of The Clan Hotel Brand under the Far East Hospitality empire towers above its vicinity and embodies the same spirit as Amoy Hotel, its sister property. Both bring to the fore the stories of the historied clans of the Far East, Amoy and Cross Street area. The Clan Hotel takes its cue from the district’s heritage. Mirroring how Singapore’s forefathers helped the Chinese settle into their new home, the hotel aims to replicate that spirit of hospitality for travellers and staycationers.

We felt this from the get-go when a limousine transfer service comfortably whisked us away to the first floor of the hotel, where a gong is sounded off as our royal welcome. On the second floor, the plush lobby instantly cocoons you with a surprising serenity as the sounds of the CBD and buzzy Telok Ayer were instantly muted. Take a second to decompress on the leather sofas and take in the sun-drenched lobby lounge’s interiors. Sip on the tea, served with a tau sar piah, brewed by the tea master. Marvel at the floor-to-ceiling dark wooden panelling and shelves decorated with artefacts and antique umbrellas, or “The Pact”, a floating geometric origami installation by Grace Tan that is inspired by the spirit of community that brought early migrants together. Tan is part of The Clan Collective, the hotel’s collaboration with artists and local craftsmen to offer guest touchpoints that highlight the district’s heritage and local culture. The staff uniforms (all of which differ for each individual), for instance, are made by local bespoke tailor Q Menswear.

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Breeze past the in-room check-in process with the help of The Clan Keeper (available with a booking of a Master Series room). Spending all day in-room? Replicate the lobby’s atmosphere of deep calm by brewing your own tea using your in-room teapot, and have it with the complimentary bak kut teh cookies on the side. Lie back on the lounge and take in the views before you.

The Master Series

324 rooms make up The Clan Hotel, and they are divided into three categories: Deluxe, Premier and Grand Premier. The latter two are from the Master Series, which promises unique and luxurious perks. Before our stay, we are given a pick of our snack hamper with a choice of five in-room refreshments which include smoked cheese crackers, triple chocolate biscuits and even The Orient Brew, a signature beer specially crafted for the hotel by The 1925 Brewing Co.

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The Master Series also includes a selection of a handmade fragrance soap to elevate bath times, and a thoughtful turndown service complete with a calming brew lavender essential oil roll-on to prepare you for deep sleep. For busy business travellers and those new to the city, The Clan Daily Special is a treat as the in-room dining menu comprises of all-star hawker fare such as Janggut Laksa and Ponggol Nasi Lemak. The most notable perk is the Clan Keeper service. Functioning as your personal assistant during your stay, he or her can cater to your whims and fancies ranging from arrangement of personal shopping or tailoring services to precinct tours.

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The room

The Premier Room, a 31 square-metre room is a spacious abode with winning panoramic views of both Raffles Place and Chinatown. Flanking the large windows are a reading nook and a sofa – ideal for lounging and those WFH (working from hotel, in this case). An adjustable wall-mounted 55-inch TV also makes staying in on rainy days ideal as you catch up on shows. Thoughtful touches are dotted around the room, including a Hyflux filtered water tap in the bathroom in place of bottled water, and a UV steriliser on the desk for your phone. A pillow menu also takes your sleep to the next level. Trust us and order the Comfort U body pillow as it offers full body support and relief for aching muscles.

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The facilities 

Two primary facilities are the highlights of our stay: The Sky Pool and gym. Both are located 30 floors from the ground and offer unparalleled views of the city. Have an evening swim or take a seat on one of the pool’s semi-submerged lounge chairs for a prime sunset viewing spot. The Sky Gym, on the other hand, offers a variety of options for workouts, with a squat rack, punching bag columns, a Wing Chun wooden dummy and even on-demand virtual classes for you to follow along. The luxurious lounge and shower suites let you cool down and freshen up before checking in or while waiting for a flight.

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Dining 

The Clan Hotel’s in-house restaurant and bar is Qin (meaning kinship in Chinese), a concept by Tung Lok. The breakfast spread ranges from pancakes and a meatless bagel burger, to hearty Chinese classics like a congee. Little wonder that it draws in crowds other than staycationers; its all-day menu features classic and contemporary Chinese dishes including a chilli crab crostini, and a Siphon Mushroom Tea served with a free-range egg custard.

The bar on the second floor offers an entirely different experience. The after-dark haunt offers cocktails and a selection of over 60 wines in a space inspired by a Chinese medicine hall. Soundtracked by laid-back beats, it’s the perfect space to plot your after-dark itinerary in Telok Ayer.

What to do 

Whether you’re a local or a tourist, The Clan Hotel offers a diverse range of activities for all. In your room, you’ll find the Inner Circle guide on your TV. This is a curated selection of recommended services, dining, nightlife and entertainment options by local insiders. Simply flash your room card at partnering merchants for exclusive perks. The Clan Hotel also offers a wealth of unique experiences for its guests. These include a brewery culture and tasting tour at  1925 Brewing Co., a bespoke sandal-making workshop and even a wet plate photography experience.

Our activity for our stay is the Discover Hainan culinary food tour by Let’s Go Tour. This began with a walking tour that started from the Esplanade to Raffles Hotel that detailed the adversities and well-known achievements of the Hainan community in Singapore. The day culminated in a Hainanese cooking class where we got our hands dirty and made Hainanese chicken rice, chicken chop and even the Kueh Yi Bua – a delicacy that we’re told is no longer easily found now. Timely news for all who wish to experience what we did: The hotel has just launched The Clan Uncovers: Craft and Cook package. This melds Let’s Go Tour’s Discover Hainan or Discover Hokkien package (alternatively, you may select a sandal-making workshop by Shoe Artistry) with a two night-stay in the Master Series Premier Room.

“The launch of the new experiential stay package comes as our commitment to guests that The Clan Hotel Singapore is the gateway for them to explore authentic experiences that will unveil the many stories of Singapore’s local culture,” says Arthur Kiong, Chief Executive Officer of Far East Hospitality Management. The booking period is from now until December 25 2021, with a stay period until the end of the year. We can’t think of a better (and more luxurious) way to rediscover Singapore.

All images are courtesy of The Clan Hotel 

The Clan Hotel, 10 Cross Street, Singapore 048417

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