RM78mil facelift for Singapore Marriott Hotel

New hotel rooms at the Singapore Marriott will have Eames Desk Chairs as dictated by Tang Holdings chairman Tang Wee Kit.

Tang Holdings will invest RM78.4mil (S$32 million) in the refurbishment of Singapore Marriott Hotel on Orchard Road. It is the largest renovation project to date, in the luxury hotel’s 16-year history, and is already underway with Phase One nearing completion.

“The Singapore Marriott Hotel is the crown jewel of Tang Holdings and with every treasure, it is imperative we keep it at its prime,” said Tang Holdings chairman and managing director Tang Wee Kit, who has added a personal touch to the refurbishment exercise. “The hotel has undergone significant refurbishments in the past but we deemed it time to overhaul a number of the spaces to ensure we retain our competitive edge.”

Phase One of the property renovation includes the make-over of the hotel lobby, now called the Marriott Great Room and removes traditional architectural barriers dividing the lobby space into warm open-plan zones where guests can choose to work, relax, drink or dine. The front desk is set against a dramatic, oriental-inspired fretwork, reflecting an Asian influence which interior design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) will weave throughout the property, blending east with west.

The second phase of the renovation is currently in progress and consists of a major overhaul of the hotel’s popular Marriott Cafe, Crossroads Cafe and all guest rooms. The project will be completed by April next year.

Hotel general manager Antony Page said, “Our goal is to provide guests with a timeless experience during their stay with the Marriott. We want to create sophisticated and spacious rooms with all the amenities, a modern-day traveller would appreciate. For example, all 372 rooms will be smartly decorated with ergonomically optimised furniture and thoughtful state-of-the-art finishing, reflecting the key personalities of a savvy urban dweller – sophisticated, tasteful, and sleek.”

Rooms will take on a neutral colour palette with bold accent fabrics. Most notably bathrooms will be reconfigured to offer guests greater space with a large walk-in waterfall shower and resting bench as well as extended vanity area, while the newly-installed 46-inch Samsung Full-HD Smart TVs provide guests entertainment experiences. Two signature 1956 leather and enamelled Eames Desk Chairs will be a prominent feature in each new guest room, personally selected by Tang Wee Kit, who has worked closely with HBA to fulfill his desired new look.

A number of aesthetic changes will be made to Crossroads Cafe whilst Marriott Cafe will undergo a complete renovation.

The Singapore city centre hotel opened in 1995 and has been the recipient of a number of awards and accolades. The property recorded 39,243 guests in 2010 and will complete another successful year this month.

By The Star