Previously Hotel Telegraph, and before that So Sofitel, that prime spot along Robinson Road and next to Lau Pa Sat is now fitfully occupied by QT, the hotel known for its signature brand of quirky luxury, and this outpost – the first expansion outside Australia and New Zealand – offers us something unique, unexpected and undeniably cool. For those unfamiliar with the brand’s flair for fun and sense of sideways charm (I’ve previously stayed in the one in Canberra), QT Singapore also exudes the same sense of visual wonder and sensory delight.

The lifts have backlit artworks to make your ride more energised.

Am really digging the electronica playing in the lobby and lifts.

First stop, Rooftop at QT.

And who doesn’t like an infinity pool? Rhetorical question. You get a view of Lau Pa Sat and Shenton Way at one end of the rooftop pool. In a way, one is in the middle of the city, surrounded by offices and apartments; the open-air atmosphere does dispel the claustrophobia, and palm trees and a beckoning bar help to bring a tropical vibe (cue beach house music).
The bar is at the other end of the pool, where we plopped ourselves and started on the cocktails. The menu up here is friendly, with a selection of Mezcal Margaritas and poolside twists of Paloma, Mojito and Michelada. The mezcal cocktails rock. Another cutie to eye:

Cafecito cocktail, Rooftop at QT.

The Cafecito is a welcome frothy fix after a few splashier drinks, with Planteral coconut rum, Mr Black coffee, espresso, agave, chocolate and coffee dust.

The bar has an extensive selection of agave (mezcal, tequila) and rum spirits by the glass as well. 

Graphic bolsters!

The rooms have unexpectedly high ceilings, which brings a visual contrast to the stoic neo-classical walls – now modernised with wallpaper and a sultry coat of paint (Prada green in my room). Clever graphic black streaks and onyx give the room a sexy elan. The luxurious bed was plush, and the pillows were fluffy. The de riguere bathtub is a treat, as are the Dyson hair dryer and rainforest shower. There are bottled cocktails and bottles of spirits to save you a trip to the grocer, but we already had plans for Cygnet Bar. All in all, it was a cosy night in – a night of cool comfort. 

Baked Scallop With Hollandaise ($17)

QT’s new bar and grill, Cygnet, brings a buzzing Manhattan steakhouse vibe to the sirloin city (see what we did there?), and it’s all overseen by the group’s award-winning Chef Sean Connolly, Creative Director of Food & Beverage. “Cygnet promises to enhance the already vibrant local food and beverage scene and perfectly complement the eclectic ambience that awaits guests at QT Singapore,” he tells us.

Though it was a Saturday night in the quiet financial district (nary a soul on the streets), the restaurant was still quite buzzy. The menu is elegant and simplicity itself: six appetisers, six mains and a ‘Steak Library’ section that’s pure bovine eden (for the punters, not the cows). We settled for the exquisite King Crab Linguini with Lemon, Chilli and Butter, and Cornish Cod en Croute with Leek and Oyster Chowder. Both were seasonal and fresh, balanced with the proper levels of piquancy and pizzazz.  

Cygnet Bar: Naked & Amazing (left, S$25) and Rusty Hammer (right, S$28), both excellent twists on the classics.

After a generous dinner, we headed to the Cygnet Bar, which has the feel of an Algonquin Round Table. It is no surprise that the design and drinks are inspired by Manhattan’s literary milieu and iconic writing showcased at the New York Public Library – classic and signature cocktails here are elevated by curated shelves of North American spirits. The look is undeniably New York-cool, and what’s more unusual is that – while most bars are secluded and secretive – here, a window seat affords you a view of the business district and the vibrancy of Lau Pa Sat in full flight –  a whirl within a world. 

•••

The style is effortless, the charm a little eccentric, and the location is unbeatable. The music is also good (from the lobby to the rooftop), making it a fun venue to step into. So QT, welcome to Singapore; I like what you’ve done with the place and hope you stay a long time.

QT Singapore, 35 Robinson Road.

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