If you’re going to pay to stay in a local hotel (or recommend one to a visitor), it needs something that makes it stand out. All of these hotels feature unique design concepts that distinguish them from more run of the mill places. But design alone isn’t enough—you actually have to spend the night, after all. We rated four of our favorites for creativity, suitability for spending the night and affordability.

Wanderlust

One of the most recent arrivals on the niche boutique hotel scene, Wanderlust was designed for madcap, curious voyagers in search of adventure. Awardwinning design agencies Asylum, :phunk Studio and fFurious, as well as renowned architect firm DP Architects were assigned a level each to conceptualize any way they desired, and the result was a hodge podge of daring themes like “Creature Comforts,” “Industrial Glam,” “Eccentricity” and “Is It Just Black or White?”
Cool factor: 4/5
The pantone “capsule” rooms designed by the :phunk boys are really quite, well, funky, with each space cheerfully lit by a neon sign sporting an apt song title. The Pink Triangle (a Weezer number) room looks like it’d be great for a sleepover with the gals (or playing Paris Hilton for a night).
Overnight appeal: 2/5
You definitely need a sense of adventure to stay in this one. While it is one thing to sit down on a giant typewriter (“Creature Comforts” on level four designed by fFurious), it is another to sleep under a giant carpet of leaves stuck to the ceiling. We like the fact that there’s a pretty little Jacuzzi on the second level alfresco deck. But its close proximity to the neighboring flats is a bit of an issue.
Rates: $300-650
Verdict: This is certainly one of the coolest boutique hotels in town (its location in Little India also ups its street cred), but you’d need a lot of cash to spare to justify a staycation here.
Check in at: 2 Dickson Rd., 6396-3322, www.wanderlusthotel.com.
 

Klapsons

Leading design company Sawaya & Moroni scores points in design with architecture that is avant garde, yet not over the top. From the leaning lamps to the futuristic-looking chrome sphere reception, everything about Klapsons is minimalist with a touch of luxe.
Cool factor: 3/5
Unfortunately, most of the avant garde design elements don’t go beyond the hotel’s main lobby. The Executive and Cosmo rooms have mostly dark parquet walls and the bathrooms are surrounded by glass—sexy, if not exactly cool. If you want to be impressed, you may have to check into one of their suites, which give you access to an alfresco deck equipped with a daybed and an outdoor Jacuzzi.
Overnight appeal: 4/5
There’s no denying that the comfort factor here is very high. What the hotel lacks in creativity it makes up for in luxurious offerings such as the butler and secretary services (upon request).
Rates: $270-600
Verdict: In a class of its own. And that’s not just the Chivas whisky talking.
Check in at: Tower 15, 15 Hoe Chiang Rd., 6521-9030, www.klapsons.com.
 

New Majestic

There’s no other word for the design of this place but “eclectic.” There are 30 rooms altogether, with names like “The Mirror Room,” “The Hanging Bed Room,” “The Aquarium Room” and “The Loft Room,” and they all bear the influences of the nine local artists commissioned to dress up the place with their original, site-specific artworks. There are also five concept rooms designed by bigwigs of the local creative scene like stylist Daniel Boey and fashion designer Wykidd Song.
Cool factor: 4/5
This is quite possibly one of the edgiest hotels we’ve been in. Just walking across the gleaming terrazzo floors of the open-concept lift lobby is sure to get you excited but if you’re looking for a greater adrenaline rush (or if you’re a voyeurism nut), get a table underneath the ceiling portholes of the hotel restaurant. You might be able to see people splashing about in the swimming pool right above you if you’re lucky. For a dramatic living experience, check out director Glen Goei’s Wayang room.
Overnight appeal: 3/5
If you’re a sucker for space, you’ll appreciate The Loft Room, if only for their giant vintage twin tubs. You’re also ensured top quality sleep here, what with the 280 thread count sheets and plush down and feather pillows by luxury brand Ploh.
Rates: $250 upwards
Verdict: Definitely worth checking out. Hell, go ask to see the rooms even if you can’t afford to stay.
Check in at: 31 Bukit Pasoh Rd., 6511-4700, www.newmajestichotel.com.
 

The Club

Ministry of Design has successfully combined the exotic feel of Chinatown with Singapore’s illustrious colonial history. From the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles with his head up in the “clouds” to signify his ambitions for early Temasek to the gaudy pink Chinese-inspired upholstery, the Club Hotel is a stylish pairing of modern minimalism and oriental elements.
Cool factor: 1/5
It’s nice but not something you’d write home about. The rooms are standard—all white space with a tinge of floral artwork. The use of checkered walls and floors reminds us a teeny bit of the film Beetlejuice (and most cafés these days, actually).
Overnight appeal: 4/5
There’s a lot of white space and the walls are soundproofed so it’s probably a good place to hide out in if you’re thinking of getting some “work” done without interruption. They’ve also included a thoughtful lounge and seating area in most of the rooms, which we like.
Rates: $210-450
Verdict: Great for some indulgent me time.
Check in at: 28 Ann Siang Rd., 6808-2188, www.theclub.com.sg.

More off-the wall options

Hotel 1929
This four-star boutique hotel boasts a funky mix of retro-chic interiors and old world architecture. We like their blue-tiled, rooftop Jacuzzi, 80s-inspired rooms (though the floral gaudy motifs can be a bit of a turn-off) and the quaint dining space of Ember Restaurant.
50 Keong Saik Rd., 6347-1929
 

Hotel Moon
The newest kid on the boutique hotel block looks set to heat up the competition with 60 Standard rooms, eight Deluxe rooms, 14 (massive) Executive rooms and one pretty, idyllic Moonlight suite. It’s not a very tall building but the suite’s alfresco deck makes you feel like the sky’s just opened up to you.
23 Dickson Rd., 6827-6666
 

Studio M Hotel
Italian design maestro Piero Lissoni has ensured elegance and sophistication throughout the hotel using a subtle palette of colors and hints of plant life. The amazingly spacious lofts also feature floorto- ceiling glass windows that allow you to enjoy expansive views of the city’s skyline, as well as open concept wardrobes.

3 Nanson Rd., 6808-8888

Antebellum
Preferring lean silhouettes over experimentation, Antebellum designer Chia Wei Choong’s latest collection, Axiom, reworks classic menswear styles to sporty effect. Look out for pieces that reference soccer jerseys, sharpened with high performance fit-lines, as well as more suggestive tone-on-tone colors with topstitched details that mirror the lines of the athletic male form to set the heart racing.
Available from Front Row, #02-08/09 Raffles Hotel Arcade,
328 North Bridge Rd., 6224-5501.

Bedlamite
Playing with versatile zipper functions and detailing, the designers behind Bedlamite—Terry Yeo and Joe Kee—have come up with trendy reversible shirts to go with the theme “Schizophrenia: Split Personality.” But there’s nothing schizophrenic about the collection—the pieces are consistently well-made, especially the checkered shirts that draw elements from more established labels like Comme des GarÇons.
Available from Parco next NEXT, #P2-31 Parco, Millenia Walk,
9 Raffles Blvd., 6595-9118.

Coupe-Couso
For something a little bit safer, try Coupe-Couso by Xie Shangqian and Alex Yeo. Inspired by urban travelers working in concrete jungles (read: PMEBs), the duo use specially-dyed Japanese fabrics in muted colors of khaki, camel, indigo, brown and camouflage to create cool staples with a rugged sensibility and a hint of romanticism that will take you through day to night.
Available from Parco next NEXT, #P2-31 Parco, Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd., 6595-9118.

iamwhoiam
One for the cutting-edge crowd, the always innovative Tan Qiuwen has come up with yet another inspired collection. Drawing influences from British Indian Army troops (but with a twist), Tan presents eye-catching pieces like the cotton twill jodhpurs with curved saddle bag seam lines and pop-out pockets, and oversized over-shirts with utilitarian details such as drawstring elastic ropes and workman pockets on the sleeves (very nice). It’s Tan’s always acute sensitivity to the unpredictable that has kept her designs so interesting since starting out in 2007.
Available from Front Row, #02-08/09 Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd., 6224-5501.

Sunday
If you’re a fan of Nordic fashion (think clean, minimal design with dashes of cute details), the fairly new local label Sunday by Larry Lam will do the trick. Inspired by the Nordic way of life (think Arctic winds, mountain and valleys), Lam has come up with a very wearable range of vests, sweaters and T-shirts in subtle hues of white, grey and blue—whoever says you need to be loud to look this cool?
Available from Parco next NEXT, #P2-31 Parco, Millenia Walk,
9 Raffles Blvd., 6595-9118; and Beluga, #02-05 The Cathay, 2 Handy Rd., 6735-3573.

WANDERWONDER
Also very wearable is WanderWonder, which takes on more traditional menswear shapes and designs in the form of functional and evergreen shirts, pants and T-shirts that you’ll want to wear time and again. Simple lines and cuts, playing with a different mix of fabrics from cotton to polyester, make this essential for the modern man on the go.
Available from Blackmarket, 19 Jalan Pisang, 6296-8512.

W/A
Channeling American literature of the 50 and 60s from the likes of Robert Frank & Alfred Leslie, specifically from the short film Pull My Daisy, the always leftfield Jonathan Seow (Woods & Woods) brings forth work-shirts, Henley-style inspired knit-tops, dockers-styled trousers and bermudas, and parka-jackets through his diffusion label W/A. There is a dash of cerebral quality in these pieces that are sure to be a hit among the thinking fashion set.
Available from Front Row, #02-08/09 Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd., 6224-5501.

Last week saw the grand opening of the city’s latest community mall. But Mansion 7 certainly tries to offer something different to the rash of other new neighborhood shopping centers. For starters it’s nowhere near Sukhumvit—it is on Ratchadapisek Road. It also happens to have a frankly out-there theme, as it is designed to look like a haunted mansion.

Created by the woman behind the retro Plearnwan, in Hua Hin, the 7-rai plot features a lofty architecture that’s clad in an eye-catching and sophisticated purple façade. The space is roughly separated into three main zones: Neglected Garden, Playground and Dark Mansion.

Stepping through the exuberant entrance, you’ll arrive at the Neglected Garden Zone, home to retail boutiques. On the right hand side is the well-known flat shoe store from Siam Square, Ballet (02-275-1317, www.balletsince1959.com), displaying their latest collection of handmade women’s shoes. If they don’t have your size, have some tailor-made for your feet. Located nearby is the Cris Horwang-owned bag and accessories store Secret Weapon (02-275-0155). Cris’ unique designs are made from genuine cow and sheep leather with prices ranging between B2,900-9,500. They also stock the trendy and affordable Element glasses from Japan (B2,700-3,300). Other stand-out highlights include nice vintage printed t-shirts in warm colors (B390-690) at Pech (080-995-1499, facebook.com/pechclothing); classy outfits for day and night occasions from Another Closet (02-275-1945, facebook.com/anotherclosetshop); colorful yet-minimal cut blouses and dresses from Pusamala (081-534-2902, facebook.com/pusamala); glam women’s wear from Black Love (081-775-6776, 083-112-1212) and cutting-edge dresses from Tepparit (086-666-7508, www.tepparit.net). High-end products like the Hermès Birkin bag (used B290,000, new B350,000) and Comme des GarÇon t-shirts (B2,000-4,000) can be picked up at Witchlists (02-275-0059).

Those looking for something other than fashion should check out Gimmick (089-811-1855, 085-811-1855, [email protected]) which sells magic equipment, like marked cards, and fun guy toys like drinking dice and fake dog shit. The Hidden Closet (02-275-0057) offers more grown up products such as candy-colored ultra-thin condoms (B180 each) and bondage accessories (up to B3,500)—all imported from the USA. Dog lovers might want to drop by Doggsterz where your puppy might want to try tasting the Pet Grass (B159) while you enjoy a Ma Jai Dam vodka (700 ml., B650). Opening soon is Rose Apple nail salon owned by Cris Horwang, Opal Panisara and Jensuda Panto.

Food seekers should head for the Playground Zone that sits beneath a giant crimson moon. On both sides of the space set aside for special events are shophouses of café and restaurants. Most are still not officially complete but Plearnwan Coffee (snacks and beverage), Krueng-Zen (kanom chin), Nana Curry Bar (Japanese curry) and Casino Royale (international food) are open for business. Don’t forget to complete the meal with some orange cakes (B68 each) at Bakie Bookie (02-275-1922, 084-677-1922).

Finally at the back of the mall, you’ll come across the giant backdrop of the haunted Dark Mansion itself. This is a real deal haunted house that’s been created around the fictional tale of the mad noble Lord Ratchada, who committed disgusting experiments on human bodies in a bid to resurrect his daughter. For B180 you get to wander through Ratchada’s residence, through spooky experimentation rooms, past embalmed bodies, and into a ghostly bedroom. We tried, and it was super creepy. Forget the old Dan Neramit version, we encourage you to try this one. Once you’ve made it out, they’ll show you photos so you can see how much you really got freaked out.

After this experience you might need a stiff drink and Mansion 7 offers two choices: the saloon space of Beer Mansion (see http://bit.ly/C5nrul) and the industrial loft style of Cocktails (full profile in BK soon).

Essentials

The Mansion 7. 244/7 Ratchadapisek Soi 14, Ratchadapisek Rd., Huay Kwang, 02-692-631. MRT Huay Kwang. Open Mon-Fri noon-midnight, Sat-Sun noon-2am. www.themansion7.com.

1. Pata Negra

Named after the black toenails of the Iberian pig it comes from, pata negra is also known as Iberian ham, or jamon Iberico. The pigs are raised free-range on a diet of acorns and grain. The ham is cured with salt for a number of weeks, washed, and then aged for as long as 36 months.

2.Salami Milano

Similar to its Calabrian counterpart,  Milanese salami is very popular, due in part to its pleasant, slightly sweet flavor. You can recognize it from its fine grain appearance: the white spots of pork fat in the sliced sausage are small and well-distributed. The one at Wine Pub is flavored with sea salt and red wine.

3. Parma ham

You may not know this, but prosciutto is just a fancy, Italian word for ham. So Parma ham and prosciutto are the same thing, except it’s ham made under the designation of origin laws particular to the Parma region. For instance, the pigs there are sometimes fed leftover whey from Parmegianno Regianno cheese, giving the ham a nutty flavor.

4. Bresaola

Not to be confused with carpaccio, this is paper-thin sliced beef cured in a dry spice rub of salt and nutmeg, cloves or other spices, depending on the producer, and then air-dried. Unlike many other sausages, bresaola is very lean and has no visible white fat streaks or dots. Try it with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

5. Mortadella

What Americans call baloney and Italians call bologna, mortadella is a large, fat sausage that dates back to Roman times, the name possibly referring to the mortar used to grind the spices and meat together. You can recognize it from the large circumference of the slices as well as the widely-spaced squares of pork fat that stud the surface, taken usually from the pig’s neck. The variety at Wine Pub also contains pistacchio.

6. Coppa

Italian for “nape of the neck”, coppa is a dry-cured sausage that comes from the neck and shoulder of the pig. It’s similar to prosciutto, though ham technically comes from the butt and thigh of the pig.

7. Salami picante

This Calabrian pork sausage is essentially what Americans call pepperoni, though many European cultures have a word for dry, cured sausages. In France, for instance, they are called saucisscon. A dry-cured, slightly fermented sausage, salami has a tangy flavor that other dried sausages lack. In the salami picante, additional pork fat, dried chillies and paprika are added. The most famous salami of the Calabria region is soppresata.

8. Nduja

This Calabrian cured sausage is akin to the French andouille, and it’s made from all the trimmings of the pig, such as the head, belly, entrails, skin, and more, mixed in with spices and red peppers. Sounds gross, but the result is a smooth, spreadable sausage that goes great on bread.

9. Chorizo

What distinguishes the Spanish chorizo from other cured pork sausages is the use of sweet or spicy Spanish paprika, depending on the type of chorizo, and sometimes wine. Chorizo can also sometimes be smoked. Don’t confuse this with Mexican chorizo, which uses dried chilli peppers and is fresh, not cured, so it needs to be cooked.

How do you eat this stuff?

“For me, the best condiment is a lot of butter to go with your bread, but the cornichons [pickled gherkins] help balance the fat. As for wine, go with something red and medium-bodied, like a Cabernet Sauvignon or something Italian.”

Chef Cyril Vero of Pullman Bangkok King Power (Wine Pub, Deja Vu)

Places that do cold cut platters

Café Tartine (Plaza Athenee Residence, 65 Wireless Rd., 02-168-5464) They do a platter of pate, prosciuto, salami and cured sausage, with cornichons and baguette. (B490)

Serenade (G/F, Grass, 264/1 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Soi Thong Lo), 02-713-8409) The chef’s discretion charcuterie plate comes in three sizes (B200, 400, 600) of assorted cold cuts available that day, such as bresaola, coppa, chorizos and hams, as well as pancetta.

Wine Connection (G/F, K.Village, 93-95 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-661-3940) Their cold cuts and cheese list lets you mix and match. In addition to Spanish and Italian cuts, they do homemade duck terrine (B133 for 150 grams) and pork rillette (B116).

Wine Pub (2/F, Pullman Bangkok, 8/2 Rangnam Rd., 02-680-9999) put together the giant platter of charcuterie (as it’s called in France) pictured here. The platter above goes for B1,500, but you can get smaller ones too.

Green Music

www.greenmusic.org
You step through the BTS gate and your ears are instantly assailed by the haunting hippie-eco-friendly tunes emanating from these little green stalls. Love them or loathe them, they are endemic to our stations spreading their muzak heavy sounds. Pick up your own slice of nature in a CD at these stations:
BTS Sala Daeng (near Silom Complex enterance) 081-819-6873; BTS Phrom Phong, 086-090-1972; BTS Nana, 02-651-259; BTS Chit Lom, 02-655-7644; BTS Mo Chit, 086-331-0458; BTS National Stadium 02-612-5109.

Soontra: Herbal drinks

02-529-5559
Also pushing a natural angle but one we are much happier to embrace, are these smart looking fruit juice and herbal drink stalls. We must confess to being a sucker for their super sharp passion fruit (B20) but you can also pick from guava (B18) and grass jelly (B15). Not quite as invasive as the Green Music stalls you might be suprised that they are actually available at all these stations:
BTS Chit Lom, Thonglor, Siam, Victory Monument (Exit 1 and 2), Sala Daeng (Exit 1 and 2), Ekkamai and Chong Nonsi.

25

Number of stations.

35

Number of 3 car BTS trains.

1,106

Number of passengers these trains can carry.

12

Number of new 4-car trains being introduced to the Silom line this November.

1,490

Number of passengers these trains can carry compared to current.

500,000

Average number of weekday passengers.

570,000

Highest recorded weekday usage of the BTS.

1. Studded blouse by Sass & Bide, Inhabit The Other Store, $279
2. One-shoulder evening dress, Karen Millen, $499
3. Shoulder bag by Chloe, $2,899
4. Suede heels, Pedder Red, $199
5. Chloe, #02-10 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6733-9559.

Inhabit The Other Store, #02-16 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd., 6235-6995.

Karen Millen, #B1-15A ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6509-3797.

Pedder Red, #03-04 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6735-5735.

Coca Cola have teamed up with furniture brand Emeco, known for its iconic handmade recycled aluminum Navy chairs (designed in 1944 for the US Navy, hence the name) to produce recycled versions of its classic model. At least 111 Coke bottles were used to produce each plastic chair. $350 each from Space Furniture (2/F Milennia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd., 6415-0000).

Whoever said that luxe can’t be simple? TOD’s’ (#01-48 Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd., 6738-3323) iconic Gommini and Ballerina shoes are now available in an up-to-the-minute leopard print, which is made from calf skin using pony fur processing so that these babies remain lightweight and oh-so-trendy all the same. Price upon application.

The acclaimed Swedish fashion house Acne have done it again with their main Fall/Winter collection. After exploring more nomadic themes in last season’s collection, the brand keeps things a little bit simpler this time round, while still managing to look cutting-edge. Lightweight dresses are paired with furry scarves for that ironic play-off; great investment pieces that can be worn together or separately considering our local weather; and are some of their most effortless creations yet. Available from Blackjack (#01-10 Forum the Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd., 6735-0975)