"Plenty of iconic attractions are within walking distance but we recommend taking your explorations beyond it."
To enter the hotel, we stepped over the threshold of Fuk Tak Chi Temple along Telok Ayer Street. Yes, this temple-turned-museum is the main entrance of AMOY! We were greeted by artefacts that showcase the history of Singapore’s early Chinese immigrants.Right beyond this is AMOY but the museum never quite ends, spilling into the hotel decor and design, from the lobby and into the rooms.
This building that is now a hotel used to be old shophouses, each with a unique architectural layout. This means that no two rooms in AMOY are the same. AMOY is nestled in the historic district of Chinatown, steps away from Telok Ayer MRT station and framed by skyscrapers that are part of Singapore's CBD. Delve deeper and you'll find quirky cafes, exclusive speakeasies and maybe even a cool barber along a quiet alleyway.
Double Deluxe Room- The Double Deluxe Room we stayed in exceeded our expectations. Our room was divided into two sections: the sink, bathroom and shower beside the door, and the desk and queen-sized bed down some steps. We could draw the curtains, breathe in the warm air and gaze at the vibrantly painted shophouses in the opposite building. Feels like the good ol’ days! A nice touch was the porcelain basin and a little cushion on the bed with an oriental design. Our room also had a beautiful teapot set on display and sale. AMOY sure knows how to weave in a nice dose of traditional touches to their rooms!
Cosy Single Room - AMOY’s Cosy Single rooms come in various layouts but with the same in-room amenities. Modern comforts are in order, such as a coffee machine, in-room safe, hair dryer and iron. On the table, there’s an iPhone dock and an alarm clock with USB ports we could charge our electronics with. Complementing the chic vibe of the room are some nostalgic oriental touches. A modern white opium bed – the kind used in opium dens back in the days – takes the centre stage, and on the wooden table lies a book about old postcards.
Delve into the history of Fuk Tak Chi Temple - Guests staying in AMOY should take the opportunity to immerse themselves in the historically-rich Fuk Tak Chi Temple at the doorstep of the hotel. Built in the 1820s, Fuk Tak Chi Temple was initially a shrine dedicated to Tua Pek Kong, a Chinese deity. It also served as a social meeting point for migrants and headquartered a welfare association for the Cantonese and Hakka communities. This temple opened as a street museum in 1998 and it features artefacts that were collected from former residents of the nearby Chinatown area. A fascinating display in the centre of this little museum is a miniature model of the temple itself and its surroundings as they were in the 1800s
Take in panoramic views from the skybridge at Pinnacle@Duxton - The 50th floor skybridge of Pinnacle@Duxton is open to the public and offers stunning city views, especially during sunset. This iconic landmark that is linked by seven towers is also the world’s tallest public housing development. Admire the award-winning architecture as you make your way to it. To access the skybridge, look for the kiosk at Level 1 of Block 1G. There is a S$6 fee and a CEPAS card (e.g. EZ-Link card) is required for entry.
Indulge in Peranakan fare in Museum Café - Part of the Thian Hock Keng Temple complex is a quaint cafe that is little-known, even to ubiquitous cafe-hoppers. Museum Café serves Peranakan favourites like Nonya Curry Chicken Rice set, Laksa and Rendang Chicken. For those who only have room for munchies, try their assortment of nonya kueh such as Kueh Lapis, Kueh Talam and Lemper Udang. Beside the cafe is a Peranakan Tile Gallery which houses over 20,000 tiles, and within the same building is the Singapore Musical Box Museum. You can sit indoors, surrounded by a hodgepodge of colourful tiles, or outdoors under the pavilion.
“I look around and realise that every single feature in the room is well chosen, and perhaps more importantly, functions effectively.” - Arnold Teja
