Elevator pitch
A lot has already been said about New Bahru. Most visitors will know by now that the creative cluster is housed in the former Nan Chiau High School, and that much of the school’s original architecture has been preserved and artfully integrated into the fabric of the new destination. What you may not know is that aside from local boutiques, fashion labels and lifestyle brands, New Bahru is also home to a brand new service apartment, Alma House.
With 83 rooms in total, Alma House is hidden in plain sight and blends seamlessly into New Bahru’s façade. Available for bookings of six nights and more, the property is strategically designed for guests looking for longer-term stays—think digital nomads, young locals seeking a change of pace, or solo travellers hoping to be in the heart of the action. The latter underscores what is undeniably the biggest draw of a stay here. At your doorstep, guests will find over 40 of the city’s most exciting homegrown brands—spanning dining, retail, wellness, enrichment and the arts—ripe for exploration.
The design
While not a full-service hotel, a stay at Alma House certainly promises comfort. The service apartment pays tribute to its historic location not only in its name—derived from the Latin word ‘alma mater’—but also in design. Thoughtfully integrated features, like louvred window panelling in the guest rooms, evoke the nostalgia of what Singaporean classrooms once used to look like.
Each room is furnished with comfortable and modern pieces from homegrown brand, Castlery, alongside a washer and dryer unit for maximum utility. In the spacious bathroom you’ll find a luxurious rainshower, as well as bath and body products by a New Bahru co-tenant, Singaporean brand Omno. All of this contributes to creating a cosy, home-like space you’ll look forward to returning to at the end of a long day exploring our sunny island.
The itinerary
This is where Alma House really shines. Not only will guests find themselves surrounded by a plethora of boutiques and restaurants at New Bahru, they’ll also enjoy special benefits at several locations. These range from all-day Happy Hour privileges at Huevos, a special breakfast perk at PPP Coffee, and even an exclusive wellness package at Hideaway.
If you’re inclined towards an hour of pampering amidst your busy itinerary, we recommend checking out the last on the list, a new offering by homegrown wellness brand, The Trapeze Group. At Hideaway, guests can enjoy restorative massages, foot reflexology and bathhouse recovery in a chic, state of the art and intentionally designed space. The incredible staff and experienced therapists at Hideaway will ensure that you walk out feeling limber and rejuvenated head to toe.
Finally, let’s talk about food. It’s rare that you never have to leave the vicinity of your hotel in Singapore for a week’s worth of delicious and diverse meals, but that is exactly what Alma House promises. In just one day, you can traverse the city’s best in delicacies: indulge in overflowing plates of nasi lemak at The Coconut Club for breakfast; a piping hot Sri Lankan crab curry for lunch at Kotuwa; and reinvented Korean classics alongside glasses of artisanal makgeolli at Odem for dinner. End the night at the atmospheric Bar Bon Funk, which serves up addictive bites, craft cocktails and a laidback house party vibe. Don’t worry if you overindulge—after all, you’re only a few minutes away from your home away from home.
Book a stay at Alma House.
