EXTREME WOW SUITE
W Singapore Sentosa Cove
For Presidents: The Whimsical, Wacky and Wondeful Extreme WOW Suite at W Singapore Sentosa Cove
Words by Ethan L of ARCHITALITY
Visuals by Klaus T of CHUTTERSNAP
If W Singapore Sentosa Cove were a person, she would definitely be the life of the party. Think shimmering disco balls, glossy marble floors and shiny mirrored walls with deep house music playing in the background . W Hotels do know how to have fun, and its Singapore outpost is no exception. No other part of the property showcases this better than its crown jewel - the Presidential Suite, aptly named the Extreme WOW Suite.
An ample 195 square metres in size, the Extreme WOW Suite is designed for entertaining. Step in through the flamboyant double-doored entrance. You would be greeted by a purple oval-shaped ‘island’ bar counter topped with an assortment of tequilas and whiskeys. Beyond the black-tiled foyer with purple acrylic wall panels, a shimmering spectacle of blade-like ‘feathers’ hangs from the rectangular recessed ceiling above. I guessed that this was the disco ball of the suite, given that the ceiling changed colours at the touch of a button.
The theme for W Hotels’ first outpost in the city-state turned to the tropical jungle terrain, which once swathed the entire island, for inspiration. They aptly combined W’s vibrant nature to create the concept of a ‘glowing jungle’. True to its name, the suite’s eccentric and sometimes exaggerated forms were designed as a cross-collaboration between revered firm Hirscher Bedner Associates and New York-based AvroKO. The living area features a sumptuous curved velvet leather sofa with black egg-shaped armchairs, complete with a chandelier composed of crystal ‘droplets’ strung by fine wires - hung on a smooth reflective ceiling that covers the entirety of the space. Perhaps to accentuate the visual ‘WOW’ factor, a tile-like horsehair rug covers the entire area. At the other end sits a cool white Italian marble dining table fitted with Moooi Smoke burnt wood chairs, with a curved ‘Arco-esque’ lamp fitted on the wall. Curved mirror panels adorn the far end of the wall, its arched frames forming a wave-like pattern when connected together. The funky yet cool atmosphere of the suite beckons. How funky.
A party would not be complete without music. Here, fixed and fitted Bang & Olufsen sound systems are at your disposal. Tucked in one end of the living area lies the study, with an ample-sized marble-topped desk which can be converted to a DJ booth when occasion calls. The dark glossy shelves behind it are filled with a vast collection of vintage vinyls, ranging from artists with the likes of Amy Winehouse to Madonna. Very Hard Rock, not to mention an extensive Jazz collection with Harman Kardon audios.
Padding across the cool marble flooring to the bedroom presents a haven for rest and respite. Although still very much aligned to the theme of a ‘glowing jungle’ paradise, the cool glossy finishes of the living salon has been replaced by softer tactile materials one would commonly find in a bedroom. Think striped carpets and plush lilac mohair walls with a mirrored subway tiled headboard. Fit for the king of rock and roll, a four-poster bed takes centre stage, its metal posters holding the bed suspended above the wooden floor. An elegant Zanotta lounge chair catches my eye, wrapped in an oddly-calming shade of light brown. While its full-height sliding doors open to a private 10.8 metre by 2.4 metre lap pool, views overlook the hotel’s main pool deck and the marina beyond - with the occasional outlying islands on a clear day along the Straits.
Perhaps the suite’s ‘Extreme WOW’ can be most fittingly be used to describe the resplendent bathroom. A large ‘champagne bowl’ stainless steel soaking tub takes centre stage - perfect for a sinful soak, complete with your own champagne holder. The curved custom-made champagne ice wall follows the tub’s sleek curvature. His and Hers sinks are topped with white marble, accompanied by Davines MOMO toiletries with yellow melon extract. A stationary exercise bicycle sits in a corner across a purple-upholstered daybed, perhaps for one to squeeze in an impromptu cardio session. Another crystal chandelier hangs directly above the tub - adding the extra ‘oomph’ if it wasn’t already enough.
Perhaps a rarity amongst most presidential suites in Singapore, the Extreme WOW suite comes with a large full-length outdoor terrace to soak in the tropical warmth. On one end are lounging sofas, with the other a fully-functional pool to swim laps in. Most luxury hotels love to equip its rooms and suites with ‘pools’ that are scarcely twice as large as a standard bathtub. Thankfully, the pools at the W are different - because one could actually swim laps in it - what a relief indeed. Clad in reflective golden-hued tiles, the pool faintly reminded me of St. Regis Lhasa’s ‘golden energy’ pool.
The suite’s theme of a ‘glowing jungle’ presents you with a visually stimulating experience. One full of a variety of textures, shapes, and colours bound to make you go ‘WOW’ the moment you step foot in it.
