Almost every time when my family of 3 goes for a staycation; by default it will be a 4-5 star hotel in Singapore.This weekend we decided to be different.
We discovered a new hotel. Who doesn’t love a new hotel. Hotel Soloha is modern chic but yet there is an old world charm about it.
Just parked and all ready to check-in to Hotel Soloha.
Charming Hotel Soloha X-T3 + XF50-140mmShot taken from Keong Siak Road. X-T3 – XF50-140mm
Located at 12 Teck Lim Road which is just literally a stone throw from the famous Keong Siak Road. Hotel Soloha is a boutique hotel with 45 rooms inside this prewar conservation building.
We are here! X100FFunky mural at the lobby area.Friendly staff at Hotel Soloha. X-T3 + XF23mm F1.4Selfie with Summer at the hotel lobby. X100FBar area. X-T3 + XF10-24mm
We booked the family room. As it a conservation building; we were told each room is design differently within the confine of the original structure. Our room on level 3 and has a rather long walkway with window throughout one side. The highlight for my daughter is the ladder that leads up to a loft. Where there is a double bed and with it own TV. Will certainly recommenced this room for family with kiddo but not the very young ones. Supervision is certainly required.
Family Room 316. Summer is really excited.Our long room.Our bed area.
The ladder leading to the loft bed area.Home sweet home.Summer enjoying her loft bed space above.
The compact lobby area is decorated with colorful mural. Even the elevator wells has the same treatment from level 1 to 4. As glass elevator goes up or down, the hotel guest is able to enjoy this beautiful mural.
Looking out from the glass elevator. Quirky mural for ground to level 4.
Hotel Soloha house a Ramen restaurant. Takeshi Noodles Bar. It’s a 35-40 seater restaurant for lunch and dinner. This same venue also double up as breakfast venue for the hotel guest. The lobby has a bar and right next the bar is a small “conference” room where the table could be converted into a mini table tennis table. How cool is that ? I had a couple of game with my daughter. Not to be missed.
Dinning area at Takeshi Noodles BarSummer having a couple of table tennis game with me.
Everyone is happy at Hotel Soloha.Simple and hearty breakfast. X-T3 + XF23mm F1.4Breakfast with Barbie.
Even though I am a local, I have never actually spend time exploring this
neighborhood. The next morning before the ladies are up, I took my trusty Fujifilm X-T3 for a photowalk. Playing tourist for an hour. I never actually realize within fifteen minutes walk from Hotel Soloha, one is able to visit many cool and charming district. Below is a short list.
1. Keong Siak Street.
Keong Siak Street was a red light district in the 1960s. Now this street house many cool bar to amazing restaurant. You will be spoiled for choice. As trendy as it may be there are still many history along this road. From a Chinese Temple that was built in 1928 to a HIndu Temple that was also build around the same time.
2. Pinnacle@Duxton.
An iconic public housing in Singapore. Do visit the skybridge on the 50th storey. There is a $6 entry fees but the view is worth a million dollar. Perfect place for some sunset photography
3. Everton Park.
Literally just across from Pinnacle is Everton Park. This quaint HDB estate now house many cafes and restaurant. Certainly, worth a visit. A charming old school neighborhood.
4.Chinatown.
No trip to Singapore is complete without a visit to Chinatown. A mecca for hawker food and so much to do. Here is link :
If you need some quietness among all this buzz. Duxton Plain Park maybe a interesting place to visit. Just a stone throw from Hotel Soloha, this park technically the back alley of shophouses.
Teck Lim road on the left and Keong Siak road on the right. Pinnacle@Duxton is on the far right. Old world charm.Hello fellow photographer.Outside Zhun Ti Gong Temple along Keong Siak Road
Worshipper outside Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple.Having a little fitness session along the junction at Kreta Ayer road and Keong Siak Road X-T3 + XF23mm
If you are looking for something different, Hotel Soloha will be a charming hotel and it’s a perfect launch patch to discover the many facets of modern and old school Singapore. And all this within a 15 to 20 minutes walk. Till we again, good bye Hotel SOLOHA.
Level 2 and also the lovely courtyard area.Courtyard at level 2.Exterior of Hotel Soloha.We had a happy stay and sad to leave. But we will be back! These are Lanzzo luggages if anyone is asking about this cool stuff.See you soon Charming Hotel Solaha. X-T3 + XF50-140mm
Ivan Loh, A Fuji X-photographer is known for his quirky and different approach through his lens. He has received numerous accolades from the International Photography Award, New York and Photography Master Cup. Most Recently a Gold, 1st Place at the 2014 PX3 Prix De La Photographie in Paris .
Ivan started shooting since his teenage years with his father’s Nikon SLR and he hasn’t stopped since. He has lensed campaigns for clients such as Singapore Airlines, MTV Asia, Nike, Bossini, Nanyang Technological University(NTU) Tuas Power, Allianz Insurance, Manulife Insurance, HSBC Insurance, DHL. TNT, UOB, CAAS, Hilton Group, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Raffles Hotel, Diegeo, Embraer, Carlson, TATA Communication, HDB, Clark Quay, HOT FM 91.3, Kiss 92FM, JIA 88.3, Power 98, and CHIMJES.
His editorial works have appeared in magazines such as Conde Nast, Home+Living, TopGear Singapore, Her World, Cleo, Seventeen, FHM, Parents World and Home & Decor. His works have also glossed the pages of international magazines such as Asian Photography and Digital Photography(UK).
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