Last Updated on: March 7, 2023 at 9:26 am
Our Cityscapes series presents you with exciting alternative locations for your company gatherings and business meetings. Bring your team together in a refreshing way to inspire collaboration.
Imagine your remote working team coming together in the same space, whether to discuss new ideas or work together on a project. We can all appreciate how virtual work technology has kept us going, but it is no replacement for in-person social connection. It gives your employees and business partners the chance to get to know each other on a more personal level.
With Singapore opening up quarantine-free travel lanes with some of its most important trade partners, the business hub is a great destination for post-pandemic work collaboration. For those travelling to Singapore for work, co-living is a great option to consider for a variety of reasons. If co-living is not for you, we’ve also included some shorter stay options to bring your team together once workplace restrictions ease.
In this article, we'll take a look at:
Yes, although certain approvals and safety management measures may apply. Work-from-home arrangements are still the default for employees in Singapore. Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) with 50 or less participants are allowed and do not require approval. There should be safe distancing of 1 metre at all times and all participants must be fully vaccinated. If not fully vaccinated, pre-event testing is needed.
As of October 20, 83% of Singapore’s total population are fully vaccinated. For seated conferences with up to 1,000 fully vaccinated and masked delegates, applications must be made here for Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) assessment and the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s (MTI)’s approval. In hotel rooms, no more than 2 individuals are allowed to gather in a single day.
Co-living offers much more than somewhere to stay – it gives you access to interact and learn from a diverse community of people. Each person in a co-living space typically has their own private bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, or for those on tighter budgets, bedrooms are available with shared bathroom facilities.
The characteristic design of co-living spaces are its spacious communal areas, including living rooms and kitchens, to encourage everyone to mingle. You get to come out of your comfort zone by meeting people with different experiences and views. It is a great way to challenge yourself and inspire new ideas.
Wi-fi, utilities and cleaning are all taken care of in co-living spaces. Many of these spaces require you to stay a minimum of 3 months, as per guidelines by Urban Redevelopment Authority. Serviced apartments and hotel buildings have a much lower minimum requirement ranging from 1-7 days. While the majority of tenants at co-living spaces are foreigners, co-living areas have seen a rise in the number of locals since the pandemic.
Hmlet offers a variety of options. One of it is Hmlet Cantonment which is a very special accommodation is situated on a historical site. It is bright and modern with rooms for 2 ranging in size. If you’d like a larger private space, there is also a two-bedroomed unit with a kitchen.
The space offers unique co-living just moments from colourful Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar, and within easy reach of Sentosa Island and Orchard Drive. Hmlet Cantonment’s canteen and bar is the perfect setting for vibrant conversations and meeting new people. For relaxing moments there are a wellness studio, beautiful plunge pool and gardens. There is plenty of outside seating and dining areas, ideal for team meetings and planning sessions.
Minimum stay: 6 nights
Price: Starts at S$ 52
If you are planning a longer stay, Figment offers some truly beautiful spaces to choose from. Figment has renovated the fascias of shophouses and cleverly converted their interiors into attractive studio accommodation that oozes character. All of the shophouses have living rooms and well-equipped kitchens perfect for teams. The bedrooms are spacious and well-designed too.
Top of the range is the Peninsula House that has been inspired by the British colonial era and the famous Raffles Hotel. The interior design is stunning with neutral shades, natural wood and feature walls that capture the colours of the tropical rainforest. Meanwhile, the Aviary House and Ambon House both have 6 studios and are perfect for larger groups.
For a lower price point, Red Dragon House also comprises 6 studios and is situated in the tranquil neighbourhood of Geylang. This is a fun choice of accommodation with its artistic staircase and other design features which include the chance to dine out under the stars by the pond. Housekeeping services are provided at all shophouses.
Minimum stay: 3 months
Price: Starts at S$ 1,900 per month
Coliwoo has over 800 rooms across Singapore that are fully equipped with all the amenities you’ll need. Coliwoo@Keppel, for example, is a modern and contemporary accommodation situated close to Chinatown, Tanjong Pagar and Outram Park. Its 47 studio units are tastefully designed, whether you are looking for somewhere for a short stay or long-term.
There are rooms by Coliwoo to suit every budget with housekeeping services provided. If you are looking for larger accommodation, some buildings like Coliwoo@Boon Leat offer 5 bedder suites for working professionals looking to stay together. Coliwoo also organises events for its member community to benefit from. During the pandemic, the operators took the effort to organise virtual fitness and hobby sessions.
Minimum stay: Varies by location. 6 nights for Keppel, 1 month for Lutheran and Boon Lay.
Price: Get in touch with Coliwoo here
Located in the Funan Mall in the central business centre, Lyf-Funan is surrounded by business and leisure attractions and numerous local landmarks ranging from heritage sites to art galleries. Lyf-Funan Singapore defines the co-living experience with comfortable bedrooms and spacious, well-designed communal areas that are perfect for work and leisure. Modern, bright and stylish, this co-living space offers a wide range of accommodations to choose from.
For groups working together, you can opt for the 4 bedroom option or 6 bedroom duplex. The living and dining spaces are multifunctional allowing you to easily transition from business meetings to laidback meals. There are also lots of events hosted by Lyf for your co-workers to unwind or network with others.
Minimum stay: 1 night
Price: Starts at S$ 100 per night
After a long period of video meetings, bringing your team together will be a refreshing change to boost morale. If co-living is not what you are looking for, there are other types of accommodation to consider for a minimum of 1 night. The following options are suitable for team-building retreats or working together outside of a business setting.
These Chevron luxury bungalows have been built on two floors and are ideal for groups as they offer plenty of space with 1 bedroom on the ground floor and 3 more on the first floor. The living area is ample, with a good kitchenette and outside there is a barbecue pit for al fresco dining. Overall, your team will have access to lots of space for team work and discussions.
Facilities on the complex include a swimming pool, gym, spa and wellness suite. There is a free daily bus service that runs every half hour from IMM (Toh Guan Road) and Jurong East to The Chevrons. If you are looking to organise more formal or larger meetings, there are a variety of venues and packages to choose from.
Price: Starts at S$ 340 for non-members
While there are a number of locations offered by Pan Pacific with similar facilities, the Pan Pacific Beach Road sets itself apart with its communal living room space for residents. If you need a meeting room, just make a booking ahead of time for key card access.
Situated close to the business, cultural and leisure spots; the iconic building of the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites is perfect as it offers a comfortable stay, gastronomic dining and great business facilities. There are one and two-bedroomed suites available and these are spacious and comfortably furnished. Suites on the higher floors offer spectacular panoramic views. There is also a stunning rooftop swimming pool and fitness centre for guests to unwind after a long day of work.
Price: Starts at S$ 279 per night
Situated close on the seafront close to Pulau Ubin, the CSC Changi Villas have an attractive clubhouse that is the ideal venue for corporate events and team building. There are 23 villas that provide comfortable and versatile accommodation. For your business meetings, there are 3 meeting rooms of different sizes, a banquet hall and an event lawn.
There are several fun dining options too including the Ohana Beach House, the Kibar Japanese Grill and a rooftop barbecue pit. CSC Changi Villas is in a spectacular location standing by the 3-kilometre long Changi beach which is perfect for swimming, walking and cycling. CSC Changi Villas also has a sizable pool, gym and tennis courts for fun relaxing moments.
Booking for some chalets at CSC Changi Villas are closed until further notice
Amara Sanctuary on Sentosa is a contemporarily designed luxury resort with 140 rooms, suites and villas, and the impressive Larkhill Mansion. There is an excellent choice of accommodation including the couple suite with direct pool access and 1 bedroom villas with private pool.
The Amara is situated just minutes from the business and shopping districts and close to all of Sentosa’s attractions. For business meetings and events, the hotel has a comprehensive business centre within the Resort and also a dedicated building situated close by.
The resort has four swimming pools including the SkyPool which is a rooftop infinity pool with breathtaking views of the South China Sea. The resort also has a state-of-the-art fitness centre, spa and wellness. Its spectacular glass pavilion is a unique venue that can accommodate up to 40 seated guests.
Price: Starts at S$ 297 per night
Villa Samadhi is not your typical setting for business and is on the higher end of the price scale. However, this chic, 20-bedroom boutique hotel is truly one of Singapore’s gems and will set the tone for a nice company retreat. If you need a space to get together for casual discussion, The Library is an exclusive lounge area accessible to hotel guests.
Situated in a black and white colonial garrison built in the 1920s, Villa Samadhi has a rich historical ambience. The hotel is situated in the tranquil setting of the 22-hectare Labrador Nature Reserve, just 10 minutes from the popular Marina Bay area.
Each of its characterful rooms has been individually decorated and are a clever blend of modernity and history, with beautifully crafted custom-made furniture that accentuate the colonial ambience. The atmospheric Tamarind Restaurant serves Thai and Shan cuisine and is situated in a separate colonial bungalow, reached by a 2-minute walk along a jungle boardwalk.
Price: Starts at S$ 299 per night
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