There’s something beautifully audacious about transforming a neoclassical telegraph building into a haven of unapologetic luxury. Yet here stands QT Singapore, where history whispers through heritage walls while modernity shouts from every exquisitely designed corner.
A Love Letter to Singapore’s Past
QT Singapore, the brand’s first foray into Southeast Asia, has claimed residence in the historic Telegraph building on Robinson Road, a location that tells its own story. Flanking one side is the legendary Lau Pa Sat, Singapore’s most iconic hawker center, that glorious Victorian cast iron structure where the real soul of the city dwells. You know the one: where Singaporeans and tourists alike queue for char kway teow at lunch, where the aroma of satay grilling over charcoal transforms Boon Tat Street into a smoky paradise come evening.
Lau Pa Sat circa 1950–1970, with the neoclassical structure behind it now transformed into QT Singapore. Photo doc.laupasat.sg/heritage/
Lau Pa Sat circa 1950–1970, with the neoclassical structure behind it now transformed into QT Singapore. Photo doc.laupasat.sg/heritage/
This juxtaposition is pure poetry, a living dialogue between past and present. Within mere steps, you can experience the full spectrum of Singapore: from the spirited hum of hawker heritage to the refined indulgence of QT’s 134 reimagined luxury suites. QT Singapore stands as opulence in residence between worlds old and new, boldly redefining modern luxury against the pulse of a tropical metropolis.
At first glance, QT Singapore reveals itself as an authentic fragment of the city’s colonial era story, a neoclassical monument built in 1927 by local architects Swan and Maclaren, whose firm, remarkably, still endures a century later. A listed landmark since 2000, its architecture remains impeccably preserved, gracefully transitioning from telegraph office to government ministry, and now, a distinct expression of contemporary hospitality.
The Telegraph building’s transformation, helmed by Sunray Singapore and brought to life by EVT Hotels and Resorts, respects the bones of what came before while injecting it with QT’s signature DNA, what they cheekily call “unexpected & unrequested” service. Think of it as hospitality with a wink.
Design That Dares
Walking through QT Singapore feels like stepping into a conversation between eras. Nic Graham, the interior design maestro behind this metamorphosis, has achieved something rare: he’s made history feel contemporary without erasing its gravitas. The neoclassical façade remains a dignified nod to the past, while inside, bold splashes of color pay homage to Singapore’s vibrant soul.
Everything here seems curated for Instagram, yet nothing feels contrived. Woven rattan details, black framing, artistic furniture pieces, and delicate lighting create spaces that are both breathtakingly photogenic and genuinely comfortable. Local artist Jill Tran’s evocative illustrations punctuate the public spaces, while the Directors of Chaos, QT’s rather brilliant term for their concierge team, wear bespoke ensembles by local designer Hu Ruixian, inspired by Singapore’s multicultural heritage and adorned with the Vanda Miss Joaquim, the nation’s bloom.
The rooms themselves are technological marvels wrapped in sumptuous comfort. iPad controlled everything, Chromecast for your binge watching needs, wireless Bose speakers, Dyson hair tools (because bad hair days are not part of the luxury experience), and what they call the QT Dream Bed, which, I can attest, lives up to its name.
Where the Magic Really Happens
But let’s talk about where QT Singapore truly seduces: the rooftop.
By day, the labyrinth rooftop pool is a sun-soaked sanctuary, a geometric marvel where you can float while contemplating your good fortune. But come nightfall? That’s when this space transforms into something approaching magical. The Singapore skyline ignites around you, a glittering constellation of skyscrapers, each one telling its own story of ambition and achievement. The pool water reflects the city lights, creating a mirror image of urbanity that’s almost too perfect to be real.
Rooftop at QT becomes deliciously cosmopolitan after dark, the kind of place where cocktails crafted from local ingredients taste better because they’re sipped against that view. It’s chic without trying too hard, sophisticated yet playful, much like Singapore itself. There’s something intoxicating about being suspended above the city, swim-up cocktail in hand, the warm tropical air wrapping around you like silk while below, the city pulses with life.
Dining with Distinction
If you’re going to eat on ground level (and you should), Cygnet is where you’ll want to spend your evenings. Chef Sean Connolly, the award-winning culinary force behind this Manhattan-style steakhouse, has created a menu that celebrates quality proteins and richly flavored produce with the kind of confidence that only comes from decades of excellence.
The tableside service adds theater to your meal, while the wine list reads like a greatest hits compilation from the world’s finest vineyards. Open for breakfast through dinner, Cygnet maintains that rare alchemy of being buzzing yet intimate, energetic yet refined.
The Bigger Picture
What QT Singapore represents is bigger than just another luxury hotel, it’s a statement about how we can honor heritage while embracing the future. Standing between the historic Telegraph building and Lau Pa Sat, QT becomes a bridge, connecting Singapore’s layered past with its ambitious future, linking hawker culture’s democratic deliciousness with premium hospitality’s refined pleasures.
As Norman Arundel, Director of EVT Hotels and Resorts, puts it: this is about bringing “bold and creatively charged hospitality to the heart of Singapore’s culturally vibrant district.” And they’ve delivered.
So slip into something more magical, as QT likes to say. Whether you come for the heritage, stay for the rooftop, or simply want to experience what happens when playful design meets serious luxury, QT Singapore at 35 Robinson Road is ready to surprise you.
And when you venture next door to Lau Pa Sat, you’ll discover why this is the ultimate Singapore experience. Find all of Singapore’s local hawker favourites under one iconic roof, including six Michelin mentioned brands serving up the city’s most beloved dishes. Because that’s the beauty of this location: where world-class luxury and authentic hawker culture exist side by side, both equally essential to understanding what makes Singapore extraordinary.
