Opened: August, 2010.
Overview: Wanderlust is the latest name to have joined the ranks of Singaporean hotelier Loh Lik Peng’s range of design-savvy boutique hotels, like 1929 and New Majestic Hotel.
The design: If you’ve never stayed in a hotel room with split levels (or even knew they existed), this brilliantly quirky hotel is the deal. Their space-themed Whimsical room features egg-shaped chairs, soft-toy aliens, walls aglow with LEDs and a king-sized bed accessed by ladder. If your inner child hasn’t already been spoiled rotten they throw in a bag of gourmet cookies from Cocotte. Wanderlust’s location between the bars of Dunlop Street, the Sungei Road Thieves Market and Serangoon Road is perfect for exploring a much ignored part of Singapore.
Food and drinks: Who wants to eat at a hotel when you’re right in the food bonanza of Little India? Do, however, take advantage of the complimentary buffet breakfast in the cutesy French-inspired restaurant Cocotte. There’s also a cool small bar connected to it if you feel like knocking back a few Tigers.
The good: At Wanderlust, you really do pay that extra bit for the design, which is well worth it if you’re staying here for the first time. We love the little touches like a passport-like booklet filled with the hotel’s info and the useful tips given to you upon check-in, the Kiehl’s toiletries, the espresso coffee machine and a complimentary minibar (sorry, folks, no booze or snacks though). There’s also an outdoor Jacuzzi on the second floor if you feel like a dip. The location is convenient, within walking-distance of the MRT and only 10 minutes from the main shopping drag on Orchard.
