PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
The St. Regis Singapore
For Presidents: Living it up the John Jacob Astor way at The St. Regis Singapore’s Presidential Suite
Words by Ethan L of ARCHITALITY
Visuals by Klaus T of CHUTTERSNAP
The St. Regis Singapore can be said to be a reincarnated 20th-Century Gilded Age Mansion in New York disguised as a sleek 20-storey steel and glass tower. Its contemporary exteriors of tinted glass panels and cream-coloured stone does not give away any hints of the palatial grandeur that lies inside of the property. Building upon the storied brand legacy of The St. Regis’s shimmering past, the property echoes the interiors of a mansion that the Astors would definitely be proud to call home.
The St. Regis’s story began in early 20th Century New York, where John Jacob Astor IV, the co-owner of the original Waldorf Astoria, purchased a plot of land in the then relatively low-rise neighbourhood along Central Park South. There, he built an 18-storey tower in Beaux-Arts style, its interiors grand and stately with gilded chandeliers, ornate cornices, French-panelled walls and Louis XIV furnitures.
Over a century later and close to 16000 kilometres apart, the Presidential Suite at The St. Regis Singapore embodies the same aesthetic, but with modern trimmings and finishes. Refurbished in 2019, the wide salon is distinctively European in character - making you feel like a member of New York high society. Walls alternate between dark floral wallpaper and vintage-stained mirrors. Doorways are framed and floors are covered by the same French Breche de Benou marble - its dark velvet brown tones creating an effect of regality. The salon, like all the other rooms in the suite, is embellished with ornate recessed ceilings with intricate plasterwork and hand-applied gold-leaf trim cornices. Covered with a plush duck egg blue carpet, the salon is dotted with plush sofas and armchairs covered in deep rich tones, topped with a centrepiece table with a meticulous floral arrangement. A white Yamaha baby grand piano sits in the right corner, creating a comfortable atmosphere for lounging. It all feels decidedly posh.
The dining room presents a large rectangular dining table that sits twelve, complete with dining chairs covered with golden upholstery and another of those Beacon-Gray carpets embellished with ornate floral patterns. As a form of contrast, the floor is covered with dark oakwood - its slabs arranged in a Herringbone manner. Apart from its crystal chandelier, walls are upholstered with silk panels with printed flower blossoms in chinoiserie style - illuminated by lights running along the entire length of the panel. Regal, but yet not over the top.
Basking under the luminous warm glow of a chandelier, the king-sized bed is draped with plush white linens and complemented by a dark blue headboard. The same chinoiserie silk wall panels of blooming flowers covers the entire length of the walls, accompanied by large ceramic wall panels. Its floors are once again covered in dark wood and arranged in a Herringbone manner, topped with the oh-so-soft Beacon-Gray carpets that sets the mood for a restful night’s beauty sleep. Two oversized ceramic bedside lamps appear as an art form, its porcelain body a soothing tone of greyish blue. Adjoining the bedroom lies a compact fitness room equipped with the latest Technogym equipment for those who prefer getting their morning workout done with utmost privacy.
Accessible via the walk-in-wardobe is the palatial bathroom with full-height windows overlooking the Botanical Gardens. Floors and walls are lined with the richly-coloured Breche de Benou marble, head-to-toe. The double his and hers sinks are built into a custom-made marble counter with its design mirroring the ornate details and shapes of palatial Louis XIV- furniture. Walls here are covered in acrylic panels with light purple hues and topped off by curved golden patterns often seen in French chateaus. The main highlight: a squarish jacuzzi of lavish proportions next to the full-height windows, with a plush daybed filled with pillows and throws on the raised marble platform. If that was not enough, a cascading water feature beside the jacuzzi adds to a inviting atmosphere to lounge in the bathroom for the entire afternoon. After all, the bathroom does come with its own television, complete with a comprehensive Bose sound system. It was widely reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un resided here during his heavily broadcasted summit with Donald Trump. Hard to imagine him soaking up in this jacuzzi, though.
With privacy so paramount and discreet service so prized at The St. Regis Singapore, it is fitting that the Presidential Suite is built like a private villa in the sky. Shielded from the outside world, you could spend all day sitting at the generously sized curved wraparound outdoor terrace. Soak up lush views of the UNESCO-graded gardens whilst listening to the calming sounds of the discreetly hidden fountains. If the outdoors isn’t your cup of tea, you could choose to sit in the salon and admire Le Renoncules. An original lithograph by Marc Chagall which casually depicts a young couple in embrace with a dash of a vibrant bouquet of flowers, it subtly reminds me of the beauty of life. Hotels are indeed a work of art, waiting to be savoured by those who appreciate it.
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Interiors: Wilson Associates (Defunct)
Exteriors: Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo
Amenities: Sodashi Skincare, SACHAJUAN, Ren