Housewife and harlot, Madonna and whore, the Scarlet Hotel is all things to all people and she is as sultry as the day is long. Thomas Jones comes into his element in Singapore’s sexiest hotel.

For all of Singapore’s disapproving conservative views on all things deemed inappropriate, The Scarlet Hotel is deliberately aiming below the belt in attracting its customers through the door. It is both sultry and seductive as well as downright overt in its raw sensuality and encourages the act of love in all its myriad forms – from a simple kiss or touch, all the way up the chain (whips are optional) to staying the night and having breakfast with a brand new friend.

From a design point of view she’s not called Scarlet for nothing. Minimalism is not sexy, and so she ignores it. Ever see an Ikea dressing table or a futon in a 19th century bordello? Didn’t think so, and you certainly won’t here. Scarlet is draped in nothing but sexy, glorious fabrics and furnishings dripping with opulence, style and sensuality, where deep luscious reds envelope you as if moving in for a passionate wet kiss on a woman’s mouth. Hers is flamboyant eclecticism at its most unapologetic. From the oversized furniture in black leather and rose patterned upholstery, to the gold and red Italian Bisazza mosaics, Venetian gold and amber chandeliers, luscious Maharam gold wall coverings and piled carpets, all presided over by the grand black and white marble reception counter, guests are placed under her spell from the moment they walk through the door.

There is more to the hotel’s lifestyle than simply its night time persona of seduction and playfulness, however, and its practicalities are also equally as endowed. Covering a full city block of Chinese shop houses Scarlett is deceptively huge in its scope and this small street side strictly retains Singapore’s heritage while inside the hotel adds to the city’s hip 21st feel with its audacious concept.

Gratuitous suite shots to get the juices flowing: Passion.

“Scarlet is draped in nothing but sexy, glorious fabrics and furnishings dripping with opulence, style and sensuality.”

There are 80 rooms that helter skelter down long impressive hallways running parallel with the street and due to the limitations of the original Peranakan design, some of the rooms are a bit on the small side. The designers have turned these limitations of space and dimension to their advantage, however, and the results are surprisingly larger than the sum of their parts. That said, the pièce de résistance sleeping arrangements are definitely its five themed suites – Splendor, Swank, Opulent, Lavish and Passion, each featuring custom-designed over-the-top-unseen-in-other-hotels furniture partnered with lush curtains, wallpaper, mirrors and ornaments exclusively selected from all parts of the world and destined to impress the pants off anyone.

Visiting alone? Never mind. The hotel is located in the heart of all that is fun and fashion in Singapore and walking distance from the city’s liveliest and friendliest bars and restaurants centred around Club Street. If a stroll outdoors requires too much energy then duck into the newly renovated and revamped restaurant and bar, Our Korner. It’s cosy, it’s intimate, both indoor and outdoor, with alcoves and greenery providing a free side dish of discretion and privacy for groups or couples wanting to make all manner of indecent proposals.

The in-house bar, provocatively named Bold, with its black leather high back chairs, ostrich feather and velvet cushions, could be a place to find some company. No guarantees though – they provide the setting, the rest is up to how well you make your moves. For those who like it outdoors, Breeze does it Mediterranean style on the rooftop, but if you aren’t in the market or simply didn’t meet ‘Mr or Ms Right Now’ you can work off your frustrations in the gym – aptly named Flaunt – followed by a wind-down bubby soak in the outdoor jacuzzi – Soda.

To encourage couples to take advantage of the hotel’s allure Scarlet has designed a handful of romantically and clandestinely named packages for lovers of all kinds. Let’s Stay Together – Meet Me Here – Suite Attraction – Ever After – Come Away with Me, all cry out for attention. Hell, even their online booking site is called ‘Sleep With Me’! So, honeymoon, a weekend away from the kids, or a naughty afternoon interlude under the name Mr & Mrs, err, Smith, ahem… just try it – you won’t regret a thing.

The Scarlet
33 Erskine Road
Singapore
Tel +65 6511 3333
www.thescarlethotel.com

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