A Step Back in Time
withHOTEL NUVE HERITAGE
The Purvis Street area is rich in
history, a former hub for Hainanese
immigrants who arrived in Singapore
in the mid-1800s. Originally traders,
the Hainanese eventually settled in
this area, and the migrant community
burgeoned. They were particularly
well-known for their forays into the
hospitality business, first working in,
and then opening, their own hotels,
restaurants, bakeries, and coffee
shops – which led to the Hainanese
being credited with the introduction of
kopitiam culture.
It is one such former bakery that
now houses the refurbished and aptly-
named Hotel NuVe Heritage, a boutique
hotel that has retained its historic
legacy and sense of local culture with
the additions of modern luxuries.
Built in 1910, this centrally-located
shophouse boasts 19 rooms, including
three signature suites, each of which
has been decorated to a specific
vintage travel theme.While attracting the usual
demographic of business and leisure
guests on stopovers on "the little red
dot", Wei Siong, director of Hotel NuVe
Heritage, tells me that the hotel has
drawn in a steady flow of “staycation”
visitors since it reopened its doors in
early October.
As this was my first staycation
experience, I was intrigued by the
concept – I was even slightly sceptical
of this increasingly popular trend which
sees you "holiday" while at home.
Surely, it could hardly be that much
different to your average weekend?
As it turns out, I was wrong:
It is possible to feel like a traveller
in your own city, a feeling that was
undoubtedly encouraged by the
nautical and cartographical elements
of the Explorer’s Suite. Sense of
adventure? Tick! With a cavernous
bathroom, vast four-poster bed, and
a complimentary mini bar, it would
have been quite easy to settle in for
the afternoon. However, if you’re going
to try out being a tourist in your own
“backyard”, you had better hop to it,
and the location of Hotel NuVe Heritage
leaves you spoilt for choice. In Purvis
Street alone, you have several dining
options, from local fare to luxury
cuisine. There's also a spa and hair
salon. In keeping with my "holiday"
mood, I indulged in both.
Feeling rejuvenated and somewhat
improved, I ventured a bit further for
an early evening drink at a rooftop bar,
followed by a wander through nearby
Haji Lane. Not wanting to neglect my
plush home-for-a-day, I capped off
the evening with a soak in the suite's
immense tub. The complimentary mini
bar may have been subjected to a bit of
sampling, too.
While the in-house café will only
open early this year, the temporary
breakfast host next door serves up an
ample spread to kick-start the day.
Hotel NuVe Heritage marries
community-style hospitality with
oodles of local charm, inviting even
the most familiar guest to rediscover
all that Singapore has to offer.Advertorial
http://www.hotelnuveheritage.comText Alex Campbell