M SOCIAL, SINGAPORE

Posted in Projects on 6 September, 2016

World-renowned designer Philippe Starck unveils a new concept with imaginative interiors in the newly opened M Social Singapore. Hamish Kilburn writes…

Make way for the new lifestyle design hotel to take Singapore’s already buzzing social scene up a notch. M Social Singapore is situated along the historic and picturesque Singapore River, overlooking the vibrant Robertson Quay enclave. Famous for its eclectic mix of multi-cultural restaurants, fine-wine bars, art houses and classic condominiums, Robertson Quay is young, fresh and a happening neighbourhood in south Singapore. The opening of the hotel is part of a wider integrated development, which includes UP@Robertson Quay, a luxury apartment project developed by City Developments Limited.

Representing the first hotel for the new brand, M Social Singapore emphasises community experience in a contemporary, yet casual setting. The new hotel features 293 guestrooms, a restaurant and bar and rooftop pool.

The creative visionary behind M Social Singapore’s imaginative interiors, Philippe Starck, has used a ‘democratic design’ concept, where spaces around the hotel are devised to be accessible and flexible to guest needs, with an underlying theme of comfort running throughout. On the project, Starck comments: “M Social is a new and vibrant place in Singapore where elegance, creativity and technology meet to offer a unique experience to our global smart tribe.”

The hotel features a selection of open spaces where guests can socialise, all embellished by fully customised art and design elements. The entrance to the hotel is marked by sculptures of two bronze peanuts while patterned tiles create a sense of playfulness upon arrival. On paper it’s all wrong, but in reality it feels so right. The walls and ceilings are bare. Eyes are immediately drawn to the loud geometric flooring and the black board behind the reception lobby desk that spells ‘well (c) home’.

Further through and the hotel’s communal area reveals itself as the indoor playground of the building. The design of the interiors encourages guests to mingle. A large pool table sits at one end and large chandeliers that are sunken into the ceiling hang at the other.

The outdoor playground comes in the shape of a large rooftop pool, which is perched on top of the main hub of the hotel. Concealed by luscious green living walls on either side, guests can both relax and socialise in this area.

The design-led guestrooms span over 10 floors and are available in four different categories: The Nice Room, The Nicer Room, The Big Room and The Bigger Room. Kitted out with luxurious pashmina throws and deluxe carpets, each room provides a stylish sanctuary where guests can relax. The neutral hues are a contrast to the vibrant communal spaces downstairs. High ceilings characterise all rooms and it’s the irregularity of the V-shaped structure of the ceilings in the Nice and Nicer Rooms that adds charm, almost creating the idea of sleeping in cosy individual huts.

Further up the spectrum, The Nicer Room and duplex-style Bigger room include leafy terrace, while both the Big Room and the Bigger Rooms boast two levels, creating a residential feel with a modern twist.

M Social Singapore embraces technology more than most. In fact it is the first hotel in Singapore to offer a self-check-in kiosk in to ensure a quick, streamlined process, and located within each guestroom is a complimentary smartphone amenity that comes with unlimited data and calls both locally and internationally.

Located within M Social Singapore is Beast & Butterflies, a restaurant and bar with an open kitchen, big communal tables and striking artwork designed to stir conversation. A selection of tablets embrace M Socials desire for technology and form a large feature wall, while quirky black and white pillars separate areas keeping a sense of privacy between tables. The menu has influences from East and West, with dishes including Great Rack of Lamb, marinated in Sichuan spices; and the Beast Burger, grilled Wagyu beef accompanied by garlic cheese fries and a mesclun salad with sesame dressing. Overlooking the Singapore River, the bar offers a range of expertly mixed artisanal cocktails.

M Social Singapore thinks outside the box and has put together a committee of key opinion leaders, responsible for curating a digital guide to Robertson Quay and attractions around Singapore for millennial travellers. The Committee, made up of personalities such as Lim Sek, CEO of Music & Movement, Timothy Go, Founder of Tech360.TV and TV presenter and popular Singaporean band The Sam Willows, plays a hand in curating the I M Social Series, a programme that reinforces the hotel as a lively hub and host of activities such as tai-chi sessions and yoga on the pool deck.

Paul James, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Branding at Millennium Hotels & Resorts commented: “We’re delighted to be launching M Social in Singapore. It’s great for the millennial market and reflects our departure into lifestyle hotels. As the first hotel for the new brand and with plans to expand in Asia and beyond, it’s a really exciting time for us.”