The Scarlet

A plush, sexy hotel created in a series of linked heritage shophouses that really puts the “ooh” in boutique

From the Baroque-meets-boudoir decor to the Romp-At-Noon lunch menu, everything at The Scarlet is laced with sexuality and laden with innuendo. But it's not just for dirty weekenders - anyone who appreciates out-of-the-box design, a lush bar setting and generous highlights of black, red and gold will love a stopover here. From the oversized Alice-In-Wonderland sofa, sitting beneath the glinting Venetian chandelier in the lobby, to the shoe-shine bags in the room imprinted with “Shine Me Up,” everything in this 80-room hotel - which manages at all turns to feel extraordinarily intimate - has been anointed with superb flair.

You can get pumped up at Flaunt, the onsite contemporary industrial-style gym; grab a drink at Bold, the velvet, marble and leather lobby bar; then head out into Chinatown to explore charming, cosy streets full of eateries, boutiques and shops galore. Return for a wind-down drink on the rooftop at Breeze, then soak away all that indulgence the next morning in Soda, the property’s tiny outdoor Jacuzzi. That’s if you can bear to leave your cushy, mod-Victorian room in the first place!

Highs

• Super-stylish design everywhere you look
• Outstanding location in financial districts, Chinatown, near shopping, trendy restaurants, wine bars, clubs, cultural attractions and public transport
• Extravagant yet extremely comfortable rooms
• Super-cool gym, breezy rooftop bar and Soda, a small but attractive outdoor Jacuzzi
• Warm, professional service despite the cooler-than-school ambiance

Lows

• No onsite spa, but plenty of affordable options in the neighbourhood
• Base-level rooms are small (15-20 sq.m.), and some have no window, but the adept use of space and plush decor compensates
• Lack of shelf space in bathrooms
• Drinking and dining at the hotel can be pricey, but you’re paying for the artistry as much as the food and drink