Leave boring behind at Hotel Jen’s two Singaporean getaways
Hotel Jen Tanglin’s ideal location, spice garden, on-the-go cafes and playful decor se t it miles a p a r t f r o m S i n g a p o r e’s my r i a d hotels.
The minute guests step into its lobby, the y are immediately surrounded by an energetic, fun atmosphere. The reception counter is made from old-fashioned suitcases, behind which are reallife bicycles hung on a “trick-eye” wall, making them seem suspended in mid-air.
The hotel was previously known as Traders Hotel Singapore for some 20 years, before undergoing an extensive 45 million Singaporean dollar ($31.5 million) renovation in 2015 and re-branding as Hotel Jen.
Located on one end of Orchard Road, it is a mere 10-minute walk to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the island’s first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Spice Garden on the hotel’s fourth floor lives up to its name by adding a touch of spice to each guest’s stay. Once a bare and empty space, it is now home to a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and, of course, spices. The hotel uses the garden to educate its staff and the public about environmentally-friendly activities, such as composting and upcyc l i n g p l a s t i c b o tt l e s i n t o a u t o - matic watering kits.
Unlike some hotels, where you might be stuck with a standard buffet, Hotel Jen Tanglin offers a range of food and beverage venu e s . I t s t i m e - h o n o r e d A h Ho i ’s Kitchen still offers its signature chili crab that has been around for 20 years. Jen’s Kitchen Onthe-Go cafe in the first floor lobby uses beans from an artisan Singaporean coffee roaster.
The Orchardgateway
The four-star brand under the Shangri-La group made its debut with the launch of the newly built Hotel Jen Orchardgateway in 2014.
Different from the Tanglin property, Orchardgateway features a clean modern design, with natural light and neutral colors dominating its interiors.
The property sits in the middle of the Orchard Road shopping belt, with easy access to 25 shopping malls, hundreds of renowned brands and a wide selection of dining venues. It is directly connected to the Somerset MRT station.
Its rooftop swimming pool on the 19 th floor is simply a mustsee for everyone who stays at the hotel, offering panoramic views of the island.
“Both hotels cater to adventurous independent travelers who want to immerse themselves in Singapore,” said Angelina Hue, marketing communications director for the brand.
China focus
Being part of the Shangri-La group has helped to raise awareness of the Hotel Jen brand in the Chinese market, according to Hue.
The brand has made special efforts to attract more Chinese visitors and a new property will soon open in Beijing’s central business district, she said.
The number of Chinese tourists traveling to the Southeast Asian country is continually increasing. Between January and October 2016, Singapore welcomed 2.4 million visitors from China, a 37 percent increase from the same period in 2015, according to the Singapore Tourism Board.
“China is the top feeder market for the Hotel Jen brand as a whole,” Hue said. “Our website is available in simplified Chinese and the Hotel Jen brand is increasingly active on Weibo and WeChat to engage social media-savvy Chinese travelers.”
The hotels’ staff includes Mandarin-speakers.
In addition, guests can enjoy free and fast Wi-Fi and convenient public charging stations for mobile devices.
“For guests who are in a rush, Hotel Jen offers complementary takeaway breakfast boxes and coffee-to-go, as well as grab-and-go kiosks with quick bites to choose from,” Hue said.
Guests can also use the PressReader app with free access to 2,500 online publications.
“Most of our Chinese guests have left a five-star review of both Hotel Jen properties in Singapore on China’s biggest online travel agency Ctrip,” she added.
Hotel Jen is committed to helping guests to “leave boring behind” by meeting locals and exploring the city through native rituals, after-hours activities, food and art, Hue said.