Need to know
Rooms
48, including 17 suites.
Check–Out
Noon, but flexible, subject to availability and an extra charge. Earliest check-in, 3pm.
More details
Some rates include breakfast, otherwise a buffet of pastries, fruit, cold cuts and hot dishes is available for $42 at Kee’s.
Also
The hotel has two rooms which are suitable for guests with reduced mobility; one is adapted for wheelchair users. There is a lift which reaches every floor, plus the restaurant and public bathrooms are wheelchair-friendly.
At the hotel
Garden terrace, Linus bikes to borrow, charged laundry service, and free WiFi throughout. In rooms: smart TV, Bang & Olufsen speaker, Dyson hairdryer, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, minibar, Bacha coffee, tea-making kit, and Smith & Co bath products.
Our favourite rooms
The rooms at 21 Carpenter are an elegant blend of past and present, but those in the history-rich Heritage Wing naturally nod more to times gone by. The Two-Bedroom Suite is spacious and bright, anchored by Chengal wood features, terracotta tones and art-adorned sliding doors. And, there’s no need to sink a few Singapore slings before bedtime – soundless sleep is ensured with triple-glazed panes. The double-height windows in the Urban rooms and suites are framed by the wing’s calligraphy-covered exterior, which projects entrancing shadows onto the curtains.
Poolside
On the ninth floor, the skyline-reflecting infinity pool offers some rooftop respite. The stretching views from this plant-shaded spot might help you plan your next day’s activities – after dusk, the lights of Marina Bay Sands twinkle on the horizon. Come for sunrise swims or late-night laps; the pool is open from 7am until 10pm daily, and there’s a phone in the indoor-outdoor lounge in case you need to dial for further refreshments, post-dip.
Packing tips
Any heat-beating pieces for Singapore’s year-round humidity, like loose linens and soft silks.
Also
Slip off to the hotel’s foliage-framed terrace if you’re in need of some quiet contemplation – Singapore is the ‘Garden City’ after all.
Children
Welcome, but this sophisticated spot may suit older children better. The two-bedroom suite has a single bed for a third guest; some suites can be paired off to make an apartment-style stay. Cots for under-fours are available on request.
Sustainability efforts
It’s easy to sing 21 Carpenter’s praises, especially when it comes to sustainability: the hotel uses solar and photovoltaic panels to produce its own energy; the Urban Wing’s steel surface is naturally cooling, dissipating the heat of the Singaporean sun; and energy consumption is significantly reduced through the use of motion sensor light bulbs and a hybrid cooling system in the rooms. The hotel also relies on water efficient taps, automated irrigation systems, and avoids single-use plastics. They partner with a local charity to plant a tree for every bottle of water consumed (naturally, the bottles are glass and refillable). And, it’s a case of waste not, want not – the restaurant uses imperfect (but delicious) produce to minimise food waste, and 300-year-old Chengal wood from the original building has been repurposed throughout the hotel. Plus, 21 Carpenter is decorated with locally sourced artwork, to support the wider community and reduce their carbon footprint; the same can be said for the minibar, which is stocked with Singaporean snacks.