There’s something oddly captivating about feeling nostalgia for a place you’ve never actually known. That’s how I feel about New Bahru, the creative cluster that now occupies what was once Nan Chiau High School. Classrooms have transformed into shops, and corridors into walkways between creative businesses. This made me wonder: how often do places get a second chance at reinventing themselves? Especially one that has shifted so dramatically, from school to mall—or perhaps even... a hotel?
I had the opportunity to stay at Alma House recently, a brand-new serviced apartment venture by hospitality collective Project X. My introduction to the space came through its paradoxical lobby on the third floor of New Bahru—a versatile area that resembles a living room, but doubles as an event space. When the space isn’t being rented, exclusive programmes are organised for the guests, which helps facilitate conversations and authentic connections.
An unassuming door beside the lobby leads to Alma House proper—83 rooms spanning an entire block. An ID was inspected, a keycard was given, and before I knew it, I was standing in a cosy shoebox room where clever design makes every square foot count. Wooden tiles and homely furniture create warmth, while a full complement of amenities— washer, dryer, kitchen with hood, hob, undercounter fridge, microwave, and all the necessary cookware—promises the comforts of home. Like any rational person facing a spotless new kitchen, I was tempted to cook something nice for dinner, especially with a Cold Storage just a few floors down. But even with the kitchen practically begging to be used, my culinary ambitions peaked at reheating a magnificent Beef Birria taco from Huevos that I had delivered as room service for lunch. No regrets, though.
A red partition cleverly separates the bed from the living space, creating a snug sleeping sanctuary that feels both private and protected. Morning arrived with gentle determination, natural light filtering through curtains with just enough intensity to energise. While the view outside wasn’t anything spectacular, watching cars gather in the parking lot below felt somehow symbolic of New Bahru’s gathering community.
The few minor qualms I had to feel almost too petty to mention: no complimentary toothbrush? Good on them for being environmentally conscious. The smart TV requires personal login credentials to use the streaming services offered but who doesn’t have a Netflix account nowadays? Still, it would’ve been nice to see what’s playing on other streaming services like Amazon Prime though.
Alma House It’s impossible to talk about Alma House without mentioning the brands surrounding it since they’re integral to the New Bahru experience. From its bathroom products and sleeping mist being provided by Omno—a body beauty brand just a level below Alma House—to complimentary breakfast bundles from PPP Coffee exclusive to guests, Alma House truly embodies the communal spirit New Bahru stands for. Their reach extends to over 15 local brands in the cluster, offering exclusive discounts and amenities to guests.
My visit included an invitation to Hideaway, a new massage and bathhouse facility. Immersed in work, I found myself panicking upon receiving a text reminder about my session. 3:03pm. I scrambled my way to the door, grabbing some clothes as I went. Before long, I found myself standing in a cosy, earthy enclave adorned with soft, warm lighting, brown walls, and Frank Ocean playing in the background. 3:05pm. It struck me then just how seamlessly everything at New Bahru is interconnected.
After a quick survey to customise my massage preferences, I was led to the bathhouse—a space straight out of my Pinterest board under “dream apartment.” Frosted windows, square glass-tiled dividers, sleek metal, and warm wood accents created a serene atmosphere. It is here where I baked myself in a private infrared sauna, followed immediately by a cold plunge. This hot and cold process not only boosts cardiovascular strength but also muscle recovery and mental rejuvenation.
The Classic full-body massage, with its Swedish-inspired strokes, was equally revitalising. The masseuse’s attention to detail was exceptional. One of my usual pet peeves—knee discomfort when lying face down—was avoided as she carefully tucked a towel under my feet without being prompted. Listening to a playlist curated by founder Grant Wee, which featured artists like Bon Iver and Cigarettes After Sex instead of the typical spa tunes added an oddly cathartic layer to the experience. By the end of the session, my neck and shoulders felt wonderfully loose.
With room service options from restaurants like One Fattened Calf, Huevos, and Dearborn, and a dedicated spa experience at Hideaway, Alma House feels like a deconstructed hotel. It’s as if someone took apart the traditional model, scattered its pieces throughout the creative cluster, and reassembled them in a way that makes more sense for modern living. The result is something that captures the spirit of a kampung, those traditional Singaporean villages where community wasn’t just an amenity but a way of life. When you stay at Alma House, you’re not just paying for accommodation—you’re buying into a vision of what communal living can be.
Plus, there’s something magical about adding your own chapter to a place that’s already layered with history, don’t you think?
Alma House is located at 46 Kim Yam Road, #03-03 Singapore 239351
The old man served us tea. He portioned the leaves, weighed them on a balance before steeping them in temperature-controlled hot water. The Nanyang tea, an oolong variety, was aromatic and smooth to the taste; to the lips, it was already cooled to a warmth.
This occurred at the reception room, where the room is outfitted with wood panels and peppered with Asian curios like ceramic vases, Chinese paintbrushes and even an old abacus. The air is subtly scented with a bespoke Scent by Six fragrance and mentally transports me to grand hotel lobbies like the ones in Bali or Bangkok.
This preparation of the welcome drink feels like a show but there's a purpose to the act—it pays homage to the Chinese settlers of yore, when rootless migrants found kinship with others from the Old Country as they bonded over tea.
The Clan Hotel is a peculiar sight. Or at least, where it’s situated at gives it that peculiarity. In the cluster of shophouses of the Telok Ayer district, the 30-storey building sticks out, obelisk-like, of Far East Square. As though as a pointed metaphor about the seemingly inevitable march of progress.
Nondescript paints the entrance of The Clan Hotel; with the staff helping with the luggage of travellers betraying the building's true nature. As the front door slides open, you're greeted with the calming smell that reminds you of tea and faint sandalwood. This scent is called "Kindred Spirit" and was specifically created by local perfumery, Scent by SIX. In fact, a lot of the hotel amenities—from the umbrellas to the tea sets to the soaps—were created with local entities and are available for purchase.
Given its proximity with its neighbouring neighbouring structures, The Clan Hotel focuses on building upwards: ceilings are high, sacred spaces are utilised to their utmost. The rooms are a blend of understated luxury and refined heritage. You'll find rich wood tones and modern furnishings; the angled constructions softened by the décor integrated by Chinese motifs.
There are three tiers of rooms—the Deluxe, Grand Premier and Premier Master. Bolstered by tech-forward amenities, my father, a man of simple needs, prefers the complimentary snacks and beer (pre-selected before arrival) as he sits by the bay window looking out into the skyline.
If you’re from out of town, take advantage of the tour activities at The Clan Hotel. Registration is required and the tour lasts for about an hour, where a guide brings you to some of the heritage sites within the area. Prefer to explore on your own, there is plenty to experience within reasonable walking distances. One can throw a rock and it would hit a local place of interest like Maxwell Food Market, the Nagore Dargah Museum or the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
If you’re not keen on hawker fare, The Clan Hotel has its own F&B establishment, Qin Restaurant and Bar. And if you wanna work off the meal, there’s the Sky Gym (because the gym is on the top level, duh) and the rooftop infinity pool.
It can be easy to relegate a stay at The Clan Hotel as just that: a stay but it's a cultural immersion. Heritage and family is a prevailing theme throughout The Clan Hotel. There, the past isn’t a foreign country, it’s a cocoon. It’s a familiar embrace where your many needs are met.
A sojourn at the hotel means that the Clan Keepers (the name given to the concierge staff) will tend- nay, anticipate your needs. We didn’t think that we needed an umbrella when the first drops of rain dot the pavement (a mere misting, was my recollection) but a Clan Keeper appears, ready with an umbrella.
Like any family member, concern is freely given; even when you didn’t ask for it but as the “misting” turns into a shower, graciousness sets in as your fingers grip the umbrella handle, slightly warmed by another’s touch.
The Clan Hotel is located at 10 Cross St, Singapore 048417
Look, I work hard and I provide for the family; I do right by them but has anyone done right by me? It feels narcissistic to write this. I'm not the sort to make a hullabaloo about my birthday, let alone, Father's Day. But times are changing. Credit needs to be given to where credit's due. As a father, I suppose, it's okay to indulge a little.
So, colour me surprise when Pullman Singapore Orchard has a promo for the dads. After the hotel's "Pull-Mum" Singapore Orchard Getaway, Pullman Singapore Orchard decided to be an equal opportunity rewarder and do something for the daddies (I'm assuming the getaway applies to the "baby" and "sugar" variety). This Super Dad Father’s Day Getaway is a 28-hour experience that involves a stay, food, swimming and cocktails.
Every Super Dad Father’s Day Getaway lets you check in at 10am. That's right: 10 in the morning. And you can also have a late checkout at two in the afternoon. And the room that you check into is a Deluxe Premier Room—a 32 sqm space that has a king-sized bed and a smart en-suite bathroom with a bathtub and shower (our room faces Orchard Road; Mandarin Gallery, specifically). Step into the room and you’re greeted with a selection of macaroons and chilled, locally-brewed Trouble Brewing beers.
With SGD50, you can spend it at Eden Restaurant, PSO Beach Club or Atelier Lounge. If you're feeling peckish, head to Eden Restaurant that's fashioned to look like a glasshouse. With light streaming through louvres, it bathes the place in a natural and appealing hue. Currently, there's a special on lobster dishes. We had a Boston lobster that's cooked in a Shaoxing wine and comes with lala and mussels. Of course, you have a side of sourdough bread for the sopping up of the sauce. There's also a complimentary glass of Guinness or red wine.
You can relax at the pool at PSO Beach Club. Or, if you're like me, you can partake in the two-hour cocktail master class at Atelier Lounge. Situated next to PSO Beach Club, the bar is tended by Presh, showed us the finer points of drink mixing. She walked us through how to whip up a few specialty cocktails like the Eden's Affair (The Botanist gin; rinquinquin; lemon juice; basil leaves and Sprite) and a PSO Fig Sling (The Botanist Gin; Cointreau; Capano Antica Formula; pineapple juice; lime juice; orange bitters; a fig). There's nothing like shaking up the drink and sipping on your handiwork (and free-flow bubbles, cocktails, wines and mocktails) while watching a stately swan floatie gracefully glide across the window.
We haven't got to the best part yet.
In the morning, instead of dragging your feet down to the restaurant fro breakfast, you can opt for BREAKFAST IN BED. That's right. For the Super Dad Father’s Day Getaway, you can choose from a several breakfast items and have them delivered to your room. Sure, there's that risk of the child, accidentally spilling juice all over the duvet but BREAKFAST IN BED. It seems odd that we are easily excited about this but BREAKFAST IN BED is such a Westernise concept that we romanticised in our head to the power of seven that we couldn't pass up on.
If you want to upgrade the Super Dad Father’s Day Getaway package, you can get a car transfer at SGD85 per trip or add SGD70 for access to the Archive Club, which is kinda-like an executive lounge, where you get to nosh on specialised all-day offerings and free-flowing Maxime Blin Champagne. At 5pm, Archive Club will dole out a selection of 12 wines that you can choose.
The Super Dad Father’s Day Getaway at Pullman Singapore Orchard runs until 30 June, 2024.
