The Ascott Limited introduced its first The Crest Collection hotel in Asia Pacific last year with the opening of a 336-room Singapore hotel in October 2023.

Formerly the Riverside Hotel Robertson Quay, the hotel was rebranded as The Robertson House by The Crest Collection following a phased renovation from March 2023. A celebration of Singapore’s rich history, Robertson House has been conceptualised by an in-house design and technical services team, who crafted a narrative that remembers the past through a contemporary lens. As the first The Crest Collection property in the region, the property sets the benchmark for future hotels to come, according to General Manager, Norman Cross. “We started working on this brand about 18 months back, and we are excited to launch this brand in a lot more markets,” Cross told HM.

History remembered

Named in honour of Dr J. Murray Robertson, a prominent municipal councillor who inspired the name of the nearby Robertson Quay – the largest of the three quays on the Singapore River – the hotel envisions what his house would look like. Singapore’s colonial heritage is reflected in design details throughout the hotel. A large-scale black and white image of the famous quay serves as an eye-catching backdrop in each guestroom – which ranges from 24sqm to 48sqm – spanning a full wall behind the bed. In a nod to the Singapore River’s history as a trading port for goods such as spices and coffee, the hotel has incorporated distinctive scents throughout the property to shape the guest experience and partnered with local vendors to curate bespoke amenities such as tea, coffee and gin. Catering to both leisure and corporate guests, the property features a 25-metre outdoor pool and indoor and outdoor gym, three meeting rooms and a dedicated events space, as well as a poolside bar with alfresco dining that can accommodate up to 120 people standing. An exclusive Club Lounge known as the 1823 Reading Room, is home to a curated library of vintage books and titles that honour the ‘golden era’ of inclusive education in the 19^th century. With Singapore’s MICE market on the up and up, Cross expects the hotel’s signature meeting spaces will be popular with corporate travellers. “I am expecting 55% leisure, 45% corporate guests,” he said. On-site restaurant, Entrepôt, brings together Asian and European flavours and techniques to satisfy a wide range of travellers, while a small ‘secret’ bar, Chandu, is tucked away in a discreet location at the back of the property – a fitting place for Dr Robertson to host those closest to him. Meaning ‘opium’ in Malay, Chandu is a throwback to 19^th century opium dens – complete with its own opium pipe – and offers bespoke mixology with a market-to-table cocktail program for up to 16 seated guests. This article was originally published in the June edition of HM Magazine.