Ultra-luxury hotel group Aman has announced the location for its newest property, and it’s yet another city hotel…
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Aman Singapore will open in The Skywaters development
Plans have officially been announced for Aman Singapore, with an opening expected in 2028. The hotel will make up a small part of The Skywaters, which is a new mixed-use sksycraper that’s currently under development, at the intersection of the Central Business District, Marina Bay, and the Greater Southern Waterfront.
The Skywaters will be 305 meters (1,001 feet) tall, making it the country’s first super tall skyscraper (typically defined as being at least 300 meters, or 984 feet, tall). The Skywaters is being designed by architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), also behind the Burj Khalifa, One World Trade Center, and Jin Mao Tower. The 63-floor tower will have a total of 1.5 million square feet of floor area.
While we’ve known for a long time that this building would have a hotel, Aman getting the contract for this is a new revelation. The hotel will be located on levels 24-26, so it won’t exactly have the most panoramic views in the building.
The Aman promises to have among the city’s largest accommodations, with views of the skyline and the South China Sea. Amenities will include a full-floor spa with an infinity pool, and multiple food and beverage outlets. The Aman will also offer some residences, which will take up levels 28-30. Meanwhile the other 190 units in the building will have The Skywaters branding.
This will be a nice addition to the Singapore hotel scene
There’s no denying that the Aman will probably be among Singapore’s best hotels when it opens, if not the single best hotel. Admittedly details are limited as of now, but Aman knows how open nice hotels.
While Aman has historically been all about opening properties in off the beaten track locations, we’re increasingly seeing the brand embrace city hotels. This will be Aman’s third city hotel in Asia, complementing the iconic Aman Tokyo, plus the (relatively) newly opened Aman Bangkok.
My opinion of the Aman brand has evolved over the years. Going back over a decade, I was as big of an Amanjunkie as you could find. The brand was founded by Adrian Zecha, an absolute legend in the hospitality industry, and someone who is driven by passion more than anything else.
However, the hotel group was sold in 2014, and it has certainly taken a new direction. Aman used to be known for its hidden hotels in the middle of nowhere, and it was sort of the hotel group for those who wanted luxury without the scene.
Now it’s the opposite. Don’t get me wrong, Amans are still super luxurious, it’s just that that they’ve also become huge scenes:
- Virtually all of Aman’s properties that are in the pipeline are city properties, or properties in very popular and well represented hotel markets, so the brand isn’t expanding creatively
- Aman rarely builds standalone hotels anymore, but rather we’re seeing an increasing number of properties with residences, clubs with memberships, etc.
I of course can’t blame the new owners for wanting to *checks notes* maximize the return on their investment, but for those who loved the old Aman concept, it’s different than it used to be. At least Aman properties continue to offer excellent quality, though prices have certainly gone up over the years (then again, which luxury properties haven’t?).
Bottom line
The Aman brand will be expanding to Singapore, with the new hotel expected to open in 2028, inside The Skywaters, the city’s tallest new skyscraper. It’s nice to see Singapore getting another true top tier property (at least I’m assuming that’s what it’ll be), and I look forward to learning more.
What do you make of the plans for Aman Singapore?
Pray for @TravelinPenis and his enduring struggle to find ultra-luxurious lodgings in Singapore. We know not of the travails and hardships he must endure. The struggle is real [sighs]. Thoughts and Prayers go out to this poor soul.
Aman Bangkok was mediocre, nice rooms but no views, bad pool, occupying low floors of the building. This sounds like it will be similar. Even Aman Mozambique sounds like mediocre mass-market luxury compared to existing boutique luxury safari operators, 30 rooms? Maybe their Maldives property will be a win.
What makes the Aman city hotels apparently better than their uber-luxurious competitors like Capella/Rosewood/Raffles to pick a few? I find it difficult to believe you're getting that much more in return for a comparatively significant premium at Aman.
They's argue that their service would be their main differentiator, as it used to be in the past, but a lot of what used to make it special (and that they pioneered) has been copied by other brands nowadays.
To me Aman had always been about the club-like quality of staying there: many repeat guests that got to know each other, and the complete discretion afforded. All of it gone now sadly.
Aman just announced that it opening two new locations in Mozambique, so it's not all city hotels. The city hotel strategy started with Aman New Delhi (now The Lodhi) and predates Doronin's ownership.
@ Jack -- I never claimed Aman never had city hotel before the current owner. But it certainly wasn't the focus. Now it's exactly the inverse -- Aman is still opening some non-city hotels, but it's not the focus.
Any insight into why it’s so small? I get that it’s not a Hilton. But it’s going in a new building so seems like they could have had at least one extra floor. Hotels have a lot of amenity and common area space, so how many keys are they actually going to get with large rooms on only three floors? Maybe the residence sales are what makes it pencil.
Singapore has always sort of sucked at high-end luxury execution (Raffles excepted, at least in my experience). Maybe this one will get it right.
Even Raffles is highly mediocre.
No disagreement - I excepted Raffles from sucking, not from being mediocre. It's certainly better than the Four Seasons (where I stay when I need to be in the Orchard Road area).
The Four Seasons is definitely rather ordinary, that's for sure.
Why do you say that? cultural? From the stereotype of SQ, I would have assumed the opposite!
Any recommendations for good high end hotels in Singapore? Literally scouring reviews now to book for a visit in Feb. Four Seasons (and that price point) is being considered, so these comments are very timely.
Yeah, the luxury hotel scene in Singapore has historically been mediocre. Singapore--like Melbourne and Berlin--is one of those hotel markets where it's best to forgo the dull "luxury" properties and go indy boutique.
Travis:
The Raffles is worth the cost. It's an interesting experience. The Mandarin Oriental is the other exception to my "Singapore luxury hotels suck" mantra. It's unfortunately a very large hotel so you won't get the personable, seamless service found...
Yeah, the luxury hotel scene in Singapore has historically been mediocre. Singapore--like Melbourne and Berlin--is one of those hotel markets where it's best to forgo the dull "luxury" properties and go indy boutique.
Travis:
The Raffles is worth the cost. It's an interesting experience. The Mandarin Oriental is the other exception to my "Singapore luxury hotels suck" mantra. It's unfortunately a very large hotel so you won't get the personable, seamless service found at its more glamorous sibling in Bangkok. However, the MO in Singapore is still really lovely. Great choice of restaurants and I particularly enjoy the Mandarin Bar. The Club Marina Bay Rooms are regrettably a bit cramped but they are beautifully furnished and have stellar views. And you'd have access to the exclusive Haus 65 Lounge, which is a nice perk in such a large hotel.
Can’t imagine what the rates on this hotel will be the week of the Sinagapore Grand Prix!
A Palm Court Suite at Raffles was about $6k per night (plus fully non-refundable months in advance), so given this location + Aman + new = it will be insanely priced.
Aman Singapore is not even close to the track though.