M stands for Millennium Hotels and Resorts and Social is the adjective that best describes this 293-room hotel, where guests are encouraged to interact with each other in the large common spaces devised by Philippe Starck.
Recently opened in the lively, central Robertson Quay district, the perfect starting point for visiting Marina Bay, the Singapore River and Chinatown, M Social fully embraces Starck’s vision of democratic design and accessible, quality service that offers the best experience to the greatest number of customers. As you enter the hotel, you are greeted by two steel sculptures in the form of giant peanuts. You then enter the reception area, transformed into a self-check-in space, with a 10-metre long table that stands on a backlit alabaster floor with a marble effect.
Separate from the hotel, the Beast & Butterflies restaurant shares the same identity, expressed by the geometric patterns of the Spanish tiles, carefully chosen by Starck. There are no longer traditional paintings on the walls, but tablets that project works of art by artists from all over the world. Every detail is deliberately playful, creative and provocative: from the eight different chandeliers recessed in the ceiling to the retro furnishing with leather sofas and armchairs, to the lava lamps, with their colored lumps of wax that rise and fall hypnotically in glass containers. Through the black columns, featuring murals painted by Spanish artist Luis Urculo, you can glimpse the kitchen team at work.
The terrace boasts a 31-metre-long swimming pool overlooking the Singapore River, with sunbeds that are lined-up and illuminated by gray fabric lamp shades camouflaged among the lush greenery. As in all the common areas, including in the rooms, the hardness and density of the exposed concrete are balanced by the immateriality of multimedia projections and by the use of soft materials such as luxurious pashminas and plush rugs.
There are four types of room: the 19 sq m Nice room transforms into Nicer with the addition of a terrace and the 22 sq m Big room, designed with a loft thanks to the generous ceiling height, becomes Bigger when the outdoor area is added. The versatility of the rooms meets the needs of each guest, offering different sizes and configurations, in short, the perfect place to work, rest, read and relax, with the best possible service.
Client: Millennium Hotels and Resorts
Project: Philippe Starck
