Formerly the Duxton, this was one of the first accommodations in Singapore to experiment with the boutique hotel concept, transforming its shophouse structure into a small hotel and doing it with an elegance that earned it great international acclaim. From the outside, the place has old-world charm equal to any lamplit European cobblestone street, but step inside and there are very few details to remind you that you are in a quaint old shophouse — or in the historic Chinese district, for that matter. It’s done entirely in turn-of-the-20th-century styling that includes reproduction Chippendale furniture, hand-painted wallpapers, and pen-and-ink Audubon-style drawings.
Unfortunately, in recent years the hotel has dropped in service quality and the place has grown frayed around the edges. Its recent takeover by the Malaysian four-star hotel chain Berjaya holds little promise: the company has no plans to undertake any refurbishments, which this place really needs. Each room is different (to fit the structure of the building), and some can be quite small with limited views. Garden suites feature a lovely little courtyard. Building regulations do not allow for a pool and space does not allow for a fitness center.