SITUATED behind Raffles Hotel at Seah Street, Naumi Hotel rises prominently above the neighbouring old shophouses. With a façade of grey steel and crawling vines, you would not suspect it is a luxury boutique hotel targeted at business travellers.
In contrast to its cold exterior, the lobby was colourful and inviting. However, I thought the reception area was unbefitting a luxury boutique hotel. The front desk, which was really just a large table, fell into the shadows at a corner. A prominent high counter would have offered a stronger welcome.
The restaurant and bar in the lobby serves a mindboggling 69 different whiskies. I counted!
I was told the name Naumi came from the Hindu festival, Sri Rama Naumi, which falls on the ninth day of the Hindu lunar year, and celebrates the birth of the god Lord Ramachandra. It seems to have borrowed the joy inherent to the festival as well. My nose picked up a soothing aroma as I exited the lift at my floor. It whisked away all tension and put a grin on my face.
I later found out the entire hotel is scented with a concoction including ginger and lime.
The 70m2 Corporate Suite was a dream. Swathed in a warm pink light, the bedroom was so inviting that I dropped my bags and leapt into bed. I sank right in. The king-sized bed was impossibly soft with a thick goosedown topper.
The suite was furnished with a large plasma TV, a long sofa littered with suede cushions, a work desk, a small dining table and a kitchenette equipped with a premium Nespresso coffee machine, full-sized refrigerator, a wine chiller and more, while the spacious bathroom featured a glass shower stall, a large stand-alone bath and Aesop toiletries.
Free wi-fi Internet access and local calls are provided.
I had a satisfying dinner in the comfort of my room before retreating to the quiet rooftop, where an infinity pool is set against the backdrop of the city’s financial district, Singapore Flyer and Esplanade. Armed with a bottle of sparkling wine, I settled into a stylish rattan chair and let the piped-in new age music fill my ears as I gazed into the starry skies and surrendered my mind to careless wondering. – Karen Yue
• Luxury boutique hotel • 40 rooms and suites • From US$304 • Tel: (65) 6403-6000 • Email:
• Website: www.naumihotel.com
