Hotel Review: Tatler Checks Into... Six Senses Duxton

Old-world charm meets sustainability at Six Senses Duxton

Say the word sustainability and the first thing that comes to mind probably wouldn’t be luxury. However, one hospitality and wellness brand is slowly but surely making its impact felt as it revolutionizes the way people think and travel.

We check into Six Senses Duxton to find out more.

Above When it came to designing this space, actress turned hotelier and interior designer Anouska Hempel used a diverse mix of Chinese, Malay and European elements.

1. First Impressions

Six Senses may be known for their gorgeous beach resorts, but their first city hotel in Singapore has no shortage of Instagram-worthy spots. Located in the bustling Duxton enclave, the property spans across a row of shophouses that have been carefully restored. The conservation project, which took about two years to complete, has even been recognized by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in Singapore and given an Architectural Heritage Award.

Step inside and you’ll be instantly transported to another realm, thanks to the beautiful space that interior designer Anouska Hempel has dreamed up. Marigold yellow furnishings boldly contrast with large golden fans and jet black finishings, creating a fantastical wonderland that is at once elegant, yet cosy.

In unique Six Senses fashion, guests are invited to step into a giant singing bowl. As a member of the staff gently strikes its corners, the resounding reverberations and vibrations emitted will help to calm and relax you.

Above To ensure that the rooms are as eco-friendly as possible, all windows have insulated glazing to reduce heat and energy consumption from air-conditioning.

2. Do Not Disturb

Though there are no sprawling villas on this property, each of the 49 rooms have been designed incredibly stylishly, thanks to the calligraphy wallpaper, Chinese screens, and intricate accessories that come from Hempel’s personal collection. As a throwback to its past, the rooms have been given names like Nutmeg, Opium and Shophouse. We were lucky enough to snag the stunning Duxton duplex suite, a two-story loft room which has a moody, romantic interior and a dramatic restored spiral staircase as its centrepiece.

(Related: Hotel Review: Tatler Checks Into… Cheval Blanc Randheli)

Above Learn about the differences between white, green, black and oolong teas at nearby Yixing Xuan Teahouse.

3. The Extras

"Since 1995, our brand has been all about wellness and eco-luxury," says General Manager Murray Aitken, "And for Six Senses Duxton, a huge part of our sustainability efforts translate into working directly with our community." What this means is that the property actively collaborates with neighbouring businesses to provide in-house guests with unique experiences like yoga classes, tea appreciation sessions, and even Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) consultations.

Every day, guests will receive complimentary tinctures formulated by TCM doctor, Professor Zhang Mao Ji of Long Zhong Tang, as well as a 'wellness bag' filled with items Singaporeans would be familiar with: Tiger Balm for headaches and stuffy noses, nutmeg oil to soothe muscle aches, Po Chai pills for upset tummies, and other quirky knick-knacks.

Above Yellow Pot serves a mix of local and international dishes during breakfast, and Chinese-fusion cuisine for lunch and dinner.

4. Food & Drink

Everything from the items in the minibar (salted egg yolk chips, anyone?) to what's being served at Yellow Pot—the hotel's in-house Chinese restaurant—has been carefully sourced and considered.

"When I was creating the menu, the challenge was to not use any additives or artificial flavouring in our dishes. Unfortunately, monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a huge part of Chinese cooking, so we literally had to start from scratch to create our own broths and sauces," says head chef Sebastian Goh. The result? A creative twist is given to Chinese stalwarts and some of our favourite dishes include the cherry tomato on vine marinated in Li Hing plum sauce, as well as an incredibly tasty and heart-warming chicken soup with tomato and assorted fresh mushrooms.

"Besides ensuring that we source all our ingredients ethically and responsibly, we've committed to making our hotel as eco-friendly as possible," explains Aitken. "We've stopped serving straws with drinks, and have even refused items from suppliers who use single-use plastic packaging. We also produce our own drinking water, via a state-of-the-art mineralization machine, which has a zero carbon footprint."

Above Unlike the rest of the rooms at Six Senses Duxton, the Pearl suite stands out for it's all-white interiors.

5. Tatler Tip

Besides the gorgeous Duxton duplex, a hotly requested room is the Pearl suite, which we hear has been constantly booked out since the hotel's opening. With its soothing all-white interiors and charming mother-of-pearl inlaid dressers, it's easy to see why. Or, for something a little extra special, ask for the Skylight suite. Located on the ground floor, it's one of the larger rooms at Six Senses Duxton, and has a separate lounge area under a beautifully lit light well.