Wow Your Partner With A Low-Key Romantic Stay At This CBD Hotel
No roses or champagne. This hotel is for those who appreciate finer things like plush bedding, customised baths and Asian-European food.
By Michelle Lee SM -
Hopping on a plane with your SO and jetting off to some far-flung romantic destination sounds dreamy. But then comes the stress of planning. Which is when a staycay becomes a great choice for couples looking for a short fuss-free break — whether to reconnect, rekindle the romance, or even set the stage for growing your family.
Singapore isn't short on romantic hotels, but even staycays can get predictable after a while. For a foolproof way to impress (and surprise) your other half, consider The Clan Hotel Singapore in the Telok Ayer neighbourhood. I know, a hotel located smack in the middle of the CBD hardly sounds sexy, but stay with me.
Despite its CBD location, the hotel offers an intimate reprieve from the city's bustle. Behind its 30-storey bronze-clad facade are interiors that weave modern elegance with nostalgia, an appreciation for local heritage, and warm service with thoughtful, romantic touches.
The 324-room property, just steps away from Telok Ayer MRT, is also an ideal base to rediscover the vibrant Chinatown precinct — at least it was for my husband and me on a recent stay that was part of The Clan Hotel’s “An Epicurean Voyage” package. Crafted to woo those looking for a night of wining and dining, the package features a seven-course dinner and custom cocktails for two at the hotel’s Qin Restaurant.
Be greeted with a unique tea ceremony or opt for a hassle-free check-in (if you're introverted like me)
The hotel features collaborative pieces from local partners, including an installation by artist Grace Tan displayed above the reception counter. Credit: The Clan Hotel
Forget the typical reception area. Instead, you’ll find a discreet set of doors on the ground floor that lead to a dimly lit, almost mysterious lift lobby, instantly piquing our curiosity. Stepping out on the second floor, we were greeted by a light-filled reception and lounge with a soaring ceiling, handsome vintage details, and plush seats that beckoned us to linger.
Each guest gets to experience a welcome tea ceremony by a Tea Master, with a platter of its signature Nanyang Ritual tieguanyin and osmanthus tea, a tau sar piah, and a cold towelette. But if you’re not one for fanfare or prefer to avoid interacting with other humans, then head straight for the fuss-free digital check-in.
Rooms that set the mood
The draw of the Grand Premier Room is definitely that stunning vista. Credit: The Singapore Women's Weekly
If anything, rooms with a stellar view are an instant mood booster. The Master Series accommodations feature two options: The Premier and the Grand Premier Room. I stayed in the latter, a handsome and spacious 36 sq m room, with wraparound windows that afford 270-degree views of the cityscape. Its contemporary style with Chinoiserie touches is luxurious without feeling too fussy or pompous.
And more touches for a romantic ambience
No, we're not talking rose petals on the bed and champagne. Instead, it's the blend of details — a plush bed that cocoons you, thoughtfully curated services, and the charm of the room — that sets the backdrop for romance.
The sumptuous king-sized bed was both firm and comfy, complete with bedside lighting controls, and even ones for the motorised curtains. Other modern creature comforts: an automated Toto washlet (because warm toilet seats are a godsend), and a large wall-mounted TV with multiple channels and smart capabilities like Chromecast if you fancy a romantic movie night. The TV can be swivelled to face the bed so you can literally Netflix and ~iykyk~ in total comfort.
The bathroom is spacious, sleek, and equipped with all the essentials. Credit: The Clan Hotel
Equally stylish in marble and stone textures, the bathroom has a bathtub (for the Premier Grand Room only) and a separate shower area, perfect for unwinding together. You'll find a tray of thoughtful amenities, including artisanal handmade soap, two types of bubble bath soaps, and a handy zipper bag for your phone — just in case you want to capture those cosy moments without the risk of dropping it in the water. As part of the hotel's sustainability efforts, bottled water is replaced by a filtered water dispenser at the sink.
Speaking of the bathtub, you can elevate your romantic getaway by having a bath drawn by a Clan Keeper (the hotel’s personal concierge for Master Series guests) with a choice of a rejuvenating bubble bath, milk and oil blend, or aromatic salts, right down to an ideal 43 degrees Celsius.
You'll appreciate thoughtful details like a bath tray and a pillow menu. Credit: Michelle Lee/The Singapore Women's Weekly
To facilitate deep sleep after all the romancing, there's a pillow menu with options for your sleeping style. I went for the boomerang-shaped Side-Sleeper pillow that cradled my neck perfectly and convinced me to ditch my regular pillow at home for something similar. For those looking to hug something that's not your partner, pick the Comfort-U body pillow for full-body support. There's also a latex pillow and a hypoallergenic micro-gel pillow to choose from.
The soothing doesn't stop there. The hotel provides a nightly turndown service with a calming tisane brew and an essential oil roller to help you wind down. Of course, skip it if you've got other more sleep-inducing plans in the works.
Customise your own in-room refreshments with various snack options. There's also a welcome gift of tea and cookies from a local bakery. Credit: The Singapore Women's Weekly
Upon booking, you'll get to select five snacks and beverages, ranging from chips to cookies and lemonade that await you in your room (take it from me, go for the Crunchy BBQ Corn). The Master Series rooms also come with a complimentary minibar stocked with soft drinks and the hotel’s signature Orient Brew, a white chrysanthemum lager. You’ll even find a UV phone steriliser on the desk. Garment steaming and shoe shining services are available.
There's just one little thing...
My room was stellar except for an intermittent electrical buzzing sound at night, though this could be an isolated incident.
Then, it started raining.
But instead of the gentle pitter-patter of raindrops that I thought would lull me to sleep, I was treated to a cacophony of rain hammering against a ledge or panel outside the window that kept me awake for at least an hour. I wonder if improved soundproofing could address this issue.
Next to me, my husband slept through it like a baby.
Go on a dreamy dinner date for two at Qin Restaurant
The restaurant's interiors blend luxe contemporary style with Asian touches. Credit: The Singapore Women's Weekly
Qin Restaurant, helmed by local restaurant group Tunglok, is the hotel's signature all-day modern Asian dining outfit. Full-height windows allow for a lovely vista of red-roofed heritage shophouses juxtaposed with towering skyscrapers. I like how the tables were spaced perfectly for a private date night. A bar on the mezzanine level offers a more intimate setting for drinks and chatter.
With the Epicurean Voyage package, you’ll enjoy a seven-course degustation dinner for two, alongside two cocktails.
Dive into dishes that meld European flair with Asian flavours. Clockwise from left: Hamachi toro tartlet, beef short ribs, and Hokkaido scallop tartare. Credit: Michelle Lee/The Singapore Women's Weekly
Executive chef Maksym Chukanov puts out plates that harmoniously bridge Asian and European elements, from perfectly crisp youtiao crowned with sweet creamy bafun uni and miso to a delicate hamachi toro tartlet. There's also Hokkaido scallop tartare that pops with citrusy zing and herbaceous notes from yuzu kosho and dill oil. For the main course, we enjoyed tender Beef Short Ribs accompanied by Szechuan pepper and the complex flavours of black garlic puree.
Dessert was a Hokkaido milk sorbet dressed with Japanese strawberry compote that's paired with Japanese shoyu for a sweet-savoury ending.
The meal left me pleasantly satiated, but my husband, who has a (much) larger appetite went on another foodie excursion. Good thing that there are plenty of late-night spots around the area.
The daily special of mee siam was the highlight of our breakfast. Credit: Michelle Lee/The Singapore Women's Weekly
Breakfast is also enjoyed at the Qin Restaurant. You can look forward to a buffet breakfast with a daily special that's cooked to order. Mine was a bowl of mee siam, generously topped with ingredients, and pretty delicious. Otherwise, expect an intercontinental spread. Think cold cuts, salads, cheese platters, bread, and other hot cooked food like sausages, scrambled eggs, bacon, sauteed mushrooms, and stews.
It’s not extensive and I'd have preferred more Asian items in line with the hotel's concept, but it's enough for a satisfying start to the day (and to get you out of bed).
Soak up the views and snap romantic selfies at the pool
The pool offers a gorgeous sunset view come evening. But it also means the pool gets pretty crowded. Credit: The Clan Hotel
With The Clan Hotel positioned as a business hotel, it doesn't boast a wide range of amenities. But it has a rooftop pool that offers unobstructed city and sunset views for a little romantic sunset-watching with your other half. There’s a small jacuzzi on the side. The 20m-long pool isn't large, so it's best to reserve your preferred time slot using the QR code on your room's TV or at the pool entrance. There are also a few semi-submerged lounge seats, but these get taken up pretty quickly.
Tip: Visit in the early morning or the afternoon — with sun protection of course. The pool was relatively empty when we visited on a weekday afternoon, and progressively got busier as evening rolled in. You could also plan for a sultry late-night dip, as the pool opens till 12am daily.
And as they say, couples who work out together...
The Sky Gym offers a stunning view and an impressive array of equipment, including a Wing Chun wooden dummy. Credit: The Clan Hotel.
For the gym-going couple, head to the capacious Sky Gym with full-height windows. If anything, the stupendous views are an incentive to hit the treadmills. There aren’t any personal trainers around but there’s the next best thing: a floor-to-ceiling screen with a comprehensive selection of on-demand virtual classes led by on-screen instructors. Think pilates, yoga, HIIT, boxing, and even meditation.
If the gym's not your thing, there's plenty to explore in the area. Wander down the shophouse-lined streets, visit historical buildings like Thian Hock Keng Temple and the Fuk Tak Chi Museum, or pop into one of the hip cafes in the area. My husband and I certainly did, taking an evening stroll through Chinatown, discovering many shophouses, eateries, and lively watering holes along the way.
Is it worth the stay?
The Clan Hotel may be a business hotel, but it certainly has its charm for couples. For one thing, its hospitality and elegant interiors made us feel right at home. Despite my sleep hiccup, we had a great time unwinding and reconnecting, while soaking up Singapore’s heritage. Whether we were out exploring the vibrant neighbourhood or enjoying quiet moments together, The Clan felt like our own sanctuary tucked away in the city. In fact, we're already thinking of our next stay.
The writer's stay was hosted. The opinions expressed are her own.
The Clan Uncovers: An Epicurean Voyage package starts from S$479 nett per night with the following inclusions (terms and conditions apply):
- Stay in a Master Series Premier Room or Grand Premier Room
- Choice of bespoke drink per person - Roederer Bliss Cocktail or Faux Paloma Mocktail
- 7-course Epicurean Voyage Dinner Menu per person at Qin Restaurant and Bar
- Daily breakfast at Qin Restaurant & Bar for two
The Clan Hotel is at 10 Cross St, Singapore 048417. Visit its website for more information.