Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
I’m escaping the relentless humidity by having a leisurely swim in the 25m rooftop infinity pool at Artyzen Singapore, 22 storeys above Cuscaden Road.
On a clear day, you can see 25km to Johor Bahru, the popular shopping and tourist destination that is Malaysia’s second-biggest city.
There’s a sign advising swimmers to leave the water if there is a storm. Singapore being Singapore, a loud clap of thunder is the sign for me to make a hasty departure.
Only later during a hotel tour do I realise part of the bottom of the cantilevered pool is made of glass. On my next swim, this scaredy-cat stays way down the solid end.
Nestled among an enclave of luxury residential apartments not far from the bustle of Orchard Road, this is the first hotel outside China for the Artyzen Hospitality Group. Since opening in 2023, it has proved popular with Australian visitors, and is part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
The Artyzen brand celebrates “the beauty of traditions, the heritage of the locations, and the people in the communities”.
In Singapore, this means the modern, biophilic design incorporates Peranakan elements, including bedroom walls and lift interiors boasting shophouse murals.
The 142-room Artyzen Singapore is on the site of what was once Villa Marie, a two-storey mansion owned by the family of Tan Hoon Siang, who helped establish Singapore’s orchid industry. He grew and named the award-winning hybrid Papilionanda Tan Chay Yan, and named it after his father, a rubber merchant and philanthropist.
Singapore Botanic Gardens, visible from the hotel’s higher floors, is home to Tan Hoon Siang Mist House, a showcase of rare orchids in the National Orchid Garden.
The villa sold for a record amount in 2016. Its legacy has been incorporated in some of the archways, tiling, and vivid colours throughout the hotel. Greenery grows up and tumbles down the distinct terracotta facade, while orchids are showcased in pots and vases, and subtly woven into the bathroom wallpaper design. Even the carpets have a Singapore floral theme.
The tropical garden feel continues in suspended planter columns in Cafe Quenino, the all-day restaurant that becomes a vibrant cocktail bar after dark.
Some of the trees helping cool the building were selected three years before opening, so they were mature when installed.
Given its residential location, Artyzen Singapore’s sweeping views should, in theory, never be built out.
Rooms have been designed to be like a home away from home, with deluxe balcony rooms starting at 42sqm-48sqm. Garden terrace suites are double that size and boast private gardens. If you win Lotto, the 448sqm penthouse has a sky garden, gym, kitchen, lounge room with a gold coin chandelier, and is popular for weddings and events at $15,000 a night.
There’s an impressive glass display cabinet of artworks in my room, and curated pieces around the hotel. I get a sense of deja vu, and it makes sense when I discover interior design studio Nic Graham & Associates, which created the recognisable QT brand, worked on Artyzen Singapore with architects Ong & Ong.
Singapore air-conditioning can be too cold at times, so it is a relief to have a ceiling fan. All rooms except twins have deep soaking baths. Herringbone tiles, high ceilings and frosted glass with an Art Deco style make it hard to leave the bathroom. Individual toiletries, a rarity these days, are by French brand Heeley and come in aluminium tubes.
To get some work done, I move the dressing table stool and drag over an armchair. But I would much rather be soaking in that bath, where you can slide open the door to watch TV or stream music on the portable Bang & Olufsen speaker.
In a room this comfortable, it is a struggle to drag myself away but there is much to explore nearby, with a courtesy car available to drop guests up to 1.5km away.
It’s a 10 to 15-minute walk to major shopping centres including ION Orchard and Wisma Atria, both with food courts perfect for a quick local feed. Along the way, I stop for a classic ice-cream sandwich from Uncle Chieng.
+ Sue Yeap was a guest of Artyzen Singapore and Singapore Airlines. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication.
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Rooms start from $430 a night twin share.
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