Perched atop Duxton Hill on the edge of Singapore’s Chinatown, the newly opened Mondrian Singapore Duxton is a modern marvel. Designed by local DP Architects with interiors by the award-winning Los Angeles-based Studio Carter, the hotel boldly contrasts with the surrounding heritage-rich streets of restored shophouses. From its positioning in one of the Lion City’s most cherished and happening neighbourhoods, Mondrian Singapore guests enjoy easy access to the city’s attractions through its proximity to the efficient mass transit system.
The brand first launched in the heart of Los Angeles in 1996, with Mondrian hotels now in New York, South Miami Beach, Cannes, Ibiza, Doha, London, Mexico City and Seoul, South Korea. Taking inspiration from Dutch painter and art scholar Piet Mondrian, heralded by many as an icon of modernist art, Mondrian hotels are bold, brave, playful and perhaps even seductive and striking, offering something new and stimulating for locals and travellers alike.
Art is everywhere at Mondrian Singapore, curated by Artling, Asia’s premier art advisors and tastemakers. The multi-disciplinary collection showcases the cream of international and local talent. Artists include lauded British icon Tracey Emin along with Ian Davenport, best known for his ‘puddle’ paintings in major galleries around the world, US installation specialists SOFTlab, Spaniard Fares Micue, Australia’s Emma Anna, American Tyler Shields, and Singaporeans Dawn Ng and André Wee.
The pièce de résistance is the 6m tall, 4114kg bronze sculpture by acclaimed US artist KAWS (aka Brian Donnelly) titled “What Party.” The sculpture features the artist’s popular character, CHUM, an appropriated persona from popular culture, and it is one of KAWS’s most significant works in Asia. On permanent public display in front of the hotel, this statement piece is already becoming a Singapore landmark. Whispers suggest Mondrian Singapore will create an art map so guests can tour and learn about the diverse collection.
Having passed Duxton Hill’s streets and lanes abuzz with barista cafes, world-class eateries and bars, avant-garde galleries, and fashionista boutiques, your arrival at Mondrian Singapore can be confusing as no grand lobby awaits. Guests are quickly escorted past Christina’s cafe into a lift for a one-floor ride, landing in front of the hotel’s light and garden-filled signature restaurant. Mondrian’s reception desk is ‘hidden’ behind a floor-to-ceiling velvety drape to the restaurant’s left.
Most of Mondrian’s 302 rooms in the 12-story hotel tower are thoughtfully designed, delightfully appointed and a compact 22 sqm. Ensuite bathrooms feature a rainfall shower and the New York skincare brand MALIN+GOETZ bath amenities. A hospitably curated minibar, Lavazza coffee machine and Monogram tea sachets add to the rooms’ comforts. Five of the hotel’s suites are on the tower’s higher floors, and these Pinnacle Suites with sleek lines enjoy separate living, dining and bedroom areas and expansive city views.
The jewels in the Mondrian Duxton crown are the five Shophouse Suites, occupying the top floor of a row of five two-storey shophouse conversions. Situated in a separate wing, these expansive 50 sqm Shophouse Suites are accessible through a courtyard garden on the second (lobby level) floor. Each suite features vaulted ceilings, heritage arches and shutters, bespoke wooden furnishings, and soft woven rugs, all making for stylishly relaxed stays. These suites can also become intimate event venues for private gatherings and launches as the Murphy Beds fold and disappear into the wall.
Completing Mondrian Singapore are four food and drink establishments. Overlooking the terracotta-roofed shophouses of Duxton Hill and the CBD skyline, the rooftop and glitzy 1970s Hollywood-inspired Canyon Club is the place to be and be seen. Wind down in the lush poolside cabanas with a stellar cocktail in hand or a snack from the Californian-inspired and Raw Bar-leaning menu. A magnificent spot for sundowners and a decidedly Instagrammable rooftop pool.
On lobby level, the hotel’s signature restaurant, Bottega di Carna, is a casual modern Italian eatery that includes prime cuts of the finest meats in the world. Legendary butcher and Tuscan native Dario Cecchini from Netflix’s Chef’s Table and his own restaurant, Solociccia, is responsible for the concept. Day-to-day operations are overseen by Executive Chef Alastair Clayton and Chef de Cuisine Kenny Huang, who play to the theatre of the open kitchen. Two and three-course set-lunch menus feature Chef’s favourite Italian delights, while the Aperitivo hour is ideal for winding down after a busy day.
With its external entrance, Jungle Ballroom is a cocktail paradise and one of the few Singapore establishments with a 2 am closing. The acclaimed mixologist team take their cocktails and locally sourced ingredients seriously, using the jungle levels (from treetop to forest floor) to group their craft concoctions. The sculptural sunken lava stone bar, DJ-compiled beats, low lighting, and buzzy crowd add to a ‘place to be’ feel.
Christina’s on the ground floor is the first aspect of the Mondrian Singapore guests encounter. With its switched-on barista team offering locally roasted speciality coffee, breakfast, brunch bites, and beyond, this café-come-wine bar is a hive of activity and a great meeting place. By night, Christina’s transforms into a stylish sanctuary with a tapas-style menu and a hand-picked selection of craft beers, natural wines, and cocktails. Three other restaurants in the covered walkway immediately off Mondrian’s entrance offer Japanese, Mediterranean-North African, or Pacific South American.
With its choice of gathering spaces, Mondrian Singapore Duxton sees itself as a ‘hangout’ for everyone. Mondrian is part of Ennismore, one of the fastest-growing hospitality companies, curating and managing experiences and unique properties in some of the most exciting destinations worldwide. Established in 2021, Ennismore is a joint venture with French hospitality giant Accor.
For more details on the hotel, visit https://book.ennismore.com/hotels/mondrian/singapore-duxton
Michael Cullen