Designed by the famed Jacques Garcia, the sister property of Six Senses Duxton offers exciting F&B concepts, a soon-to-open spa, and heritage-centric local experiences.

The Look

If Six Senses Duxton—with its black lacquered panels and gold accents—is the epitome of Orientalist elegance, then the newly opened Six Senses Maxwell is its beguiling French lover. Together, the two heritage properties make up Six Senses Singapore, the brand’s first city hotels in Chinatown’s Tanjong Pagar district. Housed in a 1929 art deco building, the 138-room Maxwell hotel successfully intertwines Asian culture and European tradition. Walls are graced with historically significant indentures, or property deeds, that offer an insight into the development of modern Singapore, traced back from its humble beginnings as a trading port. These original framed documents, with its expressive calligraphy, complement the lavish interiors fashioned by famed French designer Jacques Garcia. At every turn, his signature baroque style is brought to life with elements like brass, lacquer, and shiny marble. Here, the sense of opulence is unrestrained: think damask-upholstered chairs with fringed edges, velvety carpets in hues of passionate red, and burnished timber finishes.

The Rooms 

Like its Duxton counterpart, the rooms at Maxwell are cozy and intimate (they’re set within restored shop houses after all), with some boasting high windows while others come with a skylight feature. The Terrace rooms stand out immediately for the pops of bright scarlet, from the tasseled chesterfield chairs to the embroidered headboard—the latter of which is designed exclusively for the hotel. Like all Six Senses properties, sustainability is at the heart of it all—with the rooms featuring ethically sourced Wenge hardwood floor, organic cotton bed linen by Beaumont & Brown, Naturalmat organic mattress, organic down comforters and pillows by Hanse, and drinking water that’s been bottled in-house. The little luxuries come in the form of freestanding claw-foot bathtubs and private balconies overlooking the quaint neighborhood. Plus, Italian handmade vintage rugs are unique to each room, allowing each space to be truly special.

The Food

The dining spots in Six Senses Maxwell are visually arresting, to say the least, with menus that cater to different palates. My favorite had to be Cook & Tras, a social library restaurant and bar influenced by heritage Straits cuisine. Diners will enjoy their meal surrounded by a sprawling collection of over 3,000 books curated by the UK’s Ultimate Library—truly a bibliophile’s dream come true. Must-tries include the moreish ngo hiang (Chinese five-spice pork roll) and the fiery masala barramundi. Alternatively, head to Murray Terrace Brasserie to indulge in Euro-Mediterranean cuisine. Its brunch menu is excellent, boasting well-executed dishes like crab cake Benedict and cinnamon roll served with kaya (coconut jam). To quench your thirst, order a cocktail from Garcha’s or sip on some bubbly at Rose Lounge and Bar. Soon, the hotel will open Max’s Rooftop, an edible garden and bar that serves meals based around organic ingredients. For a midday snack, stop by at the hotel’s ice cream tricycle for a chilled treat or two. Did we mention the tricycle uses a solar-powered generator to keep the ice cream refrigerated?

Don’t Miss

While the Six Senses Spa here has yet to open, there’s plenty more to keep one occupied and inspired. The hotel offers complimentary experiences including historic walks, culinary trails, yoga classes, and traditional Chinese medicine consultations. Tea-lovers ought to check out the Chinese tea appreciation workshop, an hour-long session at the nearby Yixing Xuan Teahouse, where they’ll learn the intricacies of tea making—from the prized white tea to the richly flavored oolong.

More information here.