JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
For Presidents: Bold Shapes and STARCK Contrasts at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach’s Presidential Suite
Words by Ethan L of ARCHITALITY
Visuals by Klaus T of CHUTTERSNAP
The Presidential Suite at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach strikes me as a specially curated, private art gallery. At first glance, stepping into the 248 square meter suite mirrors the feel of stepping into one of MOMA’s 60 galleries - albeit more intimate. A long whitewashed corridor lined with detailed angular greyscale photographs and a bold-patterned carpet opens up to a spacious dining room.
French designer Philippe Starck is no stranger to the design and hospitality world - having designed numerous famous destinations with the likes of Le Meurice and Le Royal Monceau. Known for his unorthodox approach towards design, defined by whimsical furniture and playful shapes, the Presidential Suite at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach definitely lives up to this reputation. Placed strategically at the hotel tower’s western facade, the Presidential Suite offers striking unobstructed views of the downtown skyline - a view enjoyed by all areas of the Suite. Characterised by bold silhouettes, strong colours and sharp contrasts, the Suite’s design presents itself as a mouth-watering feast for the eyes.
The eclectic dining room appears to have been an abstract interpretation of glamorous dinner party halls that were commonplace in the South Beach precinct during its heydays. Baroque dining chairs and a chandelier resembling the bodies of slithering reptiles adorn the room. Copper-toned full-height mirrors line the walls, with colourful carpeting comprising of oranges, reds and blacks that could have been inspired by Picasso. This exemplifies a quintessential Starck trait: Fusing various oddities to create a tapestry of materials, surfaces and textures that appear odd as individual components but blend in well together to create a distinctive look. The abundance of shiny mirrored surfaces, appearing extremely aesthetically plush and exquisite, accentuates the glitz of private dinner parties.
Separated by a pair of mirrored doors lies the equally vibrant and youthful living room - its deliberate position at the corner allows an abundance of sunlight to bathe the room in a golden glow. Starck’s meticulous attention to detail is evident from the collection of furniture to the patterns on the carpets. A unique mix of varying furniture models and objets d’arts have been assembled to create a playful and relaxed atmosphere. This is evident through the modernist Eames-designed Vitra armchair placed together with a Starck-designed Archimoon lamp, alongside a variety of colourful sofa cushions depicting modern art patterns on the white leather sofas. On the other hand, the carpet resembles a large Pollock painting, with splashes of distinctive colours combined with dark streaks of black and white. This is certainly a suite to remember - perhaps as a nod to JW Marriott’s aim to encourage guests to ‘stay in the moment’.
Adjacent to the suite’s living areas lies the private study, its vibrancy toned down to create a more intimate environment for one to focus on work. With its walls clad in warm oak, the study is oriented diagonally to face the bay windows that allow one to view the Central Business District. An ink-on-paper piece by local artist Lim Tze Peng titled “Old Tree Trunk” hangs grandly on one side. The table itself is hardly a simple wooden table you might envision in a study - its glass top having been laminated with a printed old map of colonial Singapore, edited by Starck to include whimsical annotations and old photographs. A little snack bar in the form of a mirrored box is placed next to the table, perfect to satisfy the little cravings you might have whilst working.
Located at both ends of the Presidential Suite, the two bedrooms offer a mindful sanctuary for retreating guests. You would have noticed the difference between the more vibrant living areas as compared to the Suite’s more private spaces: Clean lines and whitewashed plaster walls, combined with mirrors and black-and-white photographs dominate the overarching theme of the bedrooms. It presents itself as rather clean and minimal, apart from the colourful carpets and armchair. A vertical stack of bedside ‘floating bookshelves’ offers a selection of curated reads, from literature classics such as ‘The Remains of the Day’ by Kazuo Ishiguro to the vintage French classic ‘Nicholas’ by René Goscinny. Plush and inviting, the pristine bedsheets look deceivingly simple to the eye, till you look closer to notice the shimmering wavy patterns embroidered to resemble fish scales.
Both of the ensuite bathrooms echo a similar aesthetic that seamlessly transitions from the bed to the bath. Mirroring a designer showroom, the bathroom is composed of sleek and minimal finishes of white marble and mirrors in typical Starck fashion, the bathroom presents itself as clean and sophisticated, with smart automated toilets by TOTO and a standalone rectangular Kaldewei tub equipped with jets. Warm accent spotlights complete the entire look, alongside fragrant Aromatherapy-branded toiletries that are bound to leave you refreshed and recharged. One bathroom overlooks the city while the other offers more privacy within the bedroom, but are equal in terms of its chic minimalist aesthetic.
The Presidential Suite at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach offers a unique contemporary twist that is a welcome departure from most sterile luxury hotels offering plain tones and conventional furniture. Look beyond the bold finishes and furniture, and you will also find the little subtle details that make this suite distinctively stark.
