The Robertson House by The Crest Collection, Singapore

BACKGROUND

The Robertson House opened in October 2023 following a sevenmonth refurbishment and rebranding of The Riverside Hotel Robertson Quay. It belongs to serviced apartment provider Ascott’s The Crest Collection, which launched in 2016 and comprises a portfolio of hotels and serviced apartments with heritage stories. The brand is undergoing significant expansion, with two other properties opening in Asia last year: The Grand Mansion Menteng in Jakarta and The George Penang.

WHERE IS IT?

The Robertson House is located by the Singapore River, a fourminute walk from Fort Canning MRT station and a ten-minute drive from the central business district. Local attractions include traditional shophouses, and the beautiful Fort Canning Park.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

The property harks back to Singapore’s colonial era and its importance as an entrepôt for the trade in spices and other commodities.

Its white façade is reminiscent of the renowned Raffles Hotel, while the lobby transports you to the city’s yesteryears, with old-fashioned suitcases, an old gramophone and chandeliers. Throughout the property are old maps of East India Company trade routes, tropical wallpaper, a black-and-white colour scheme and rattan furnishings.

Guests staying in the Club rooms can check in at the Club Lounge on the tenth floor.

The hotel has a strong focus on sustainability and collaborates with local suppliers for in-room amenities and the F&B services.

ROOMS

The property has 336 rooms, ranging from 24 sqm to 48 sqm – with suites including kitchenettes. All rooms have a black-and-white colour scheme, high ceilings and large windows, vintage photos of the area and framed botanical illustrations.

There are also modern touches for the contemporary era. The lift chooses your floor when you scan the key card, while in-room features include a large Chromecast-equipped TV, easy-to-operate

I loved the grilled tiger prawns served with mafaldine pasta

air conditioning, and a marble desk with plug sockets, USB slots and HDMI ports – plus stationery. All rooms also include complimentary wifi.

On the sustainability side, the rooms also have a water filter dispenser, providing water at 27 degrees or 100 degrees – you can use the machine to enjoy Taverns Tea, and don’t miss Dr Robertson’s Chai. There’s also an espresso machine for the recyclable coffee capsules from local roaster Pyroast.

Suites are located on the ninth and tenth floors and measure 48 sqm, with a separate lounge area complete with a kitchenette, two bathrooms (one with a bathtub and the other with a shower) and a bedroom with desk and king-sized bed. The kitchenette has crockery and a microwave, but little else for cooking and is a hotel room rather than an apartment.

FOOD AND DRINK

Entrepôt is the hotel’s ground-floor, all-day restaurant offering excellent Asian-meets-European cuisine. I loved the grilled tiger prawns served with mafaldine pasta in a wokroasted shellfish bisque (S$34/US$25). Unfortunately, the restaurant lacks atmosphere as it’s very quiet in the evenings, which is a shame considering the high quality of the food.

This contrasts with the buffet breakfast, which is crowded. There are various cold cuts, fruit and Western cooked breakfast – plus an outdoor egg cooking station.

Chandu is a speakeasy bar inspired by the secret world of opium dens. The location is a little strange, requiring guests to walk around the perimeter to reach it, and there’s no signage so it retains a clandestine feel. I’m not sure how well this concept works, as I would have been clueless without a tour, but the bar is a wonderful find nonetheless – hidden behind a nondescript black door with a golden moon handle and peephole. Mixologists concoct signature cocktails and create tailor-made tipples based on your taste-buds and seasonal market produce – opt for the market-to-glass menu.

MEETINGS

The hotel has a Club Lounge located on the 10th floor, titled the 1823 Reading Room – named for the year the first library was established in Singapore. Complimentary drinks and snacks are offered from 6.30-8.30pm.

The lounge has a private meeting room (exclusive to Club guests), while the second floor has four function rooms, ranging from 29 sqm to 101 sqm.

LEISURE

The hotel has a 25m outdoor swimming pool and a small 24-hour indooroutdoor gym – both on the second floor.

VERDICT

The Robertson House is full of character, with thoughtful design, bespoke amenities and welcoming staff. Locals and guests are missing a trick by not flocking to the restaurants and bars. Hannah Brandler