Rendezvous Hotel Singapore by Far East Hospitality

The Rendezvous Hotel's off-colonial exterior might suggest woefully dated interiors, but much of the hotel's public space has a sharp, ultra-modern atmosphere and style. The lobby incorporates whimsical and futuristic design elements, with a huge glowing column in the middle of the space and a pair of mod purple chairs off to the side that give the impression of sitting inside of a tulip. There is vivid modern art all around that lends the hotel an avant-garde vibe that continues in The Library, a lounge with funky seating that's surrounded by a sheer black curtain -- it's a sleek place for a cocktail. In the center of the hotel is a large courtyard with tables and cushioned chairs where guests -- a mix of business and leisure travelers -- can enjoy snacks and high tea. Straits Cafe, the hotel's buffet restaurant, is a bit more bland, with a cafeteria-like vibe, speaking to the somewhat uneven quality of the spaces throughout the hotel (rooms vary from soft, contemporary minimalist styles to more dated looks). The Rendezvous Gallery shares the building, which features restaurants, clubs, and bars, and makes an already large hotel feel even larger.

Rendezvous Hotel is in the center of Singapore, within a short walk to plenty of dining options including the local vendors at Bras Basah Complex, which is a 10-minute walk away. The Bras Basa.Bugis area is considered a historical district, with many colonial buildings and plenty of artsy venues. The hotel is less than a five-minute walk to the Singapore Art Museum, and the historic Raffles Hotel and St. Andrew’s Cathedral are both around a 10 minutes from the hotel on foot. The Dhoby Ghaut Metro station is a five-minute walk from the hotel, making most of the city easily accessible (as an alternative, the Bras Basah Metro station is even closer, though offers less train lines). The shops on Orchard Road are around a 10- to 15-minute walk, and the Central Business District is 10 minutes away by car. It's a 20-minute drive to Changi International Airport depending on traffic, a trip that takes around 40 minutes on public transportation.

Decor varies from room to room, though compared to the hotel's mostly stylish common areas, they are a bit plain across the board. Some rooms, like the Deluxe Room and Junior Suite that we visited, embrace a soft minimalism, with dark wood furniture, dark leather headboards, white linens, and taupe walls and carpets. The look in these rooms is serene and subdued. Other rooms offer a busy mix of patterns, or feature details like graphic headboards that are a bit dated according to today's design trends. All rooms have flat-screen TVs (at least 32 inches), minibars, electric kettles for coffee or tea, Bluetooth entertainment centers, and free Wi-Fi. The standard bathrooms have walk-in showers, while suites are available with shower/tub combos or separate showers and soaking tubs. French Connection toiletries are provided. Club Rooms offer plenty of additional perks detailed below, and Executive Suites have separate bedrooms and living rooms. It's worth noting that beds are hard, even with extra padding added to them.  

The hotel has a lovely courtyard cafe where light bites, drinks, and cocktails are served plus a casual buffet restaurant. There’s also a stylish lobby lounge and a buffet restaurant that serves the hotel's breakfast along with lunch, dinner, and high tea, though breakfast is not included in room rates. Guests staying in Club Rooms have access to the Club Lounge, which offers a limited free breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening drinks and snacks. The hotel has a small outdoor pool and whirlpool surrounded by lounge chairs as well as a 24-hour fitness center with cardio and weight machines plus free weights. There’s an internet corner with an iPad and meeting rooms are available for private events. Free parking is available, and the hotel offers seasonal packages that include city tours and access to the airport lounge. Wi-Fi is free throughout.