Varel Singapore, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

The rooms are small, but the design is lovely, and I enjoyed my stay. For the price, this brand new hotel is very nice. A few things could make it better: my room had no washcloths, there could be a note by the thermostat explaining that the air conditioning doesn’t work with the balcony blinds up, and gym passes could be available around the clock. I’d stay again.

The room was clean and looked after, though it was definitely compact. The little work area, with a couch and tea table, sat out on the balcony behind blinds. It looked cosy, but I did wonder if heavy rain could get in. The bathroom was tiny too, though it had the basics: a standing shower, basin and, of course, the throne 🤪 I didn't get a room upgrade this time, despite being Marriott Bonvoy Platinum. Oh well, can't win them all 😅. This is probably the smallest Marriott Bonvoy property I've stayed at in Singapore. The location and cleanliness made it comfortable enough, but anyone hoping for lots of space should keep expectations in check. Good things can come in small packages, just very, very small ones 🤣

I was struck by how much local detail runs through Varel Singapore, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Its lobby seating takes inspiration from five stones, there's a saga seed sculpture by the driveway, and the terrace at Hathaway Autograph has abacus-like screens. The corridors have a floral scent from Maison21G. The new boutique property was designed by FDAT, and its rooms come in different layouts and day or night colour schemes, so a return visit could feel quite different. Some floors have green sky terraces, and the guest rooms have spacious balconies. I stayed in a 30sqm Deluxe King in May 2026. The balcony had daybeds at both ends, with automated blinds that turn it into a lounge area. Inside, wood, cream, orange and midnight blue set the tone, with a low platform bed, curved desk and upholstered stools. The complimentary minibar had non-alcoholic drinks, and the pantry included TWG tea and house-branded drip coffee. In the bathroom, daylight comes through a full-height window; the geometric gate partition nods to traditional shophouse iron grilles. There were brass shower fittings and Maison21G toiletries. One caveat: the semi-opaque glass between the shower and bedroom makes bathing feel like a bit of a show, with blurred silhouettes visible from the bedroom. Maybe don't share the room with your mother. The hotel has a rooftop infinity pool open until 10pm. There's no gym on site, but guests can use the two-storey Snap Fitness Prinsep Street for free, less than a 10-minute walk away. Check-in came with TWG iced tea and Denzy Gelato, and there was a daily coffee to redeem at ground-floor Vernacular Coffee. The 128-room hotel stands on the former Selegie Centre site, at the edge of the Bras Basah-Bugis arts district. Little India, Bugis and Bras Basah are all walkable, as are Apartment Coffee and Fortune Centre. Both Rochor and Little India MRT stations are about five minutes away on foot; Changi Airport is around 20 minutes by car. The full review, including dining experiences and photos, is on Secret Life of Fatbacks, a luxury travel website.