Village Hotel Katong Invites Guests to Imbibe in Unique Peranakan Culture

Singapore, 5 November 2013 –Far East Hospitality today announced details of the Peranakan-inspired Village Hotel Katong ahead of its official launch on 6 November 2013. The hotel is the latest addition to Far East Hospitality’s growing portfolio of hotels and serviced residences.

In line with the Village brand’s philosophy of drawing inspiration and vitality from its surrounding neighbourhood, the 229-room Village Hotel Katong reflects the strong Peranakan heritage of the surrounding Katong and Joo Chiat district in Singapore. Having recently completed a S$30 million refurbishment, the former Paramount Hotel and Shopping Centre was rebranded Village Hotel Katong when Far East Hospitality took over operations in mid-February 2012.

“The Peranakan culture is unique to the Southeast Asia region and synonymous with the Katong precinct, and is one that fascinates both locals and travellers. With the cornerstone of the Village brand being our delivery of authentic, local experiences through harnessing the strengths of the locales, the infusion of Peranakan influences in Village Hotel Katong makes for a perfect fit”, said Mr Arthur Kiong, Chief Executive Officer of Far East Hospitality.

Part of the Peranakan influence that guests will experience at Village Hotel Katong includes pieces of Peranakan-inspired artwork created in collaboration with heART Studio, a local private art studio that encourages and nurtures creativity in children through art. Paintings by children aged 5 to 12 have pride of place in the hotel’s 55 Premier Peranakan and Club Rooms, while paintings by the studio’s teachers are displayed at the hotel’s lift lobbies from levels 5 to 12.

Guests can also look forward to Katong Kitchen, a new dining concept located within the hotel, as well as Katong V, a new retail attraction which adjoins the hotel. Katong Kitchen features modern Peranakan design and features an array of dishes reflective of the district, including fare from Nonya, Macanese, Asian, local Chinese to Western cuisine. With its vibrant Peranakan charm and an exciting mix of reputable merchants, Katong V offers restaurants, cafes, beauty & wellness salons, education & enrichment services, a supermarket and other services.

Located in the eastern region of Singapore, the smoke-free 229-room hotel provides great value for both business and leisure travelers. It provides excellent connectivity to key business and leisure locations, such as a 10-minute drive to the Singapore Expo and 15-minute drive to the Changi International Airport, Central Business District and Orchard Road shopping belt. It is also within a 5-minute walk to the Parkway Parade Shopping Mall and 10-minute walk to the East Coast Park.

Other hotel amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi access, complimentary airport shuttle service, cable TV, mini bar, swimming pool and gymnasium.

As part of Village Hotel Katong’s official launch, Far East Hospitality is offering the following promotions:

• Opening Promotion – The opening promotion will see room rates starting at S$178++. The promotion package includes complimentary breakfast for two at Katong Kitchen, lobster laksa for two, complimentary Wi-Fi access and one complimentary round of mini-bar refreshments. Terms and conditions apply.
• “The Peranakan Trail” Contest – Starting 8 November 2013, by simply “liking” the Village Hotels & Residences Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/StayVillage), participants can take part in the contest which is fashioned after the traditional game of Snakes and Ladders. Each roll of the dice takes participants through a virtual tour of the culture and heritage of the hotel’s vicinity, and gives participants the chance to win prizes including 2D1N complimentary stays at Village Hotel Katong, S$20 Katong V shopping vouchers, S$50 Village Hotel Katong F&B vouchers and S$100 stay vouchers valid at Village Hotel Katong. Terms and conditions apply.

The launch of Village Hotel Katong coincides with the fourth anniversary of Far East Hospitality’s Village Hotels & Residences brand. Village Hotels & Residences are uniquely located at the heart of Singapore’s cultural and ethnic enclaves, and designed to showcase the unique flavour and cultural tapestry of the locales in which it is situated to create authentic experiences of Singaporean culture for every guest.

About Far East Hospitality

Far East Hospitality Holdings Pte Ltd (Far East Hospitality), a premier hospitality assets owner and operator, is a 70-30 joint venture formed in 2013 between Far East Orchard Limited (a listed company under Far East Organization) and The Straits Trading Company Limited. In the same year of its formation, Far East Hospitality through its wholly-owned subsidiary Far East Hospitality Investments (Australia) Pte Ltd, completed a 50-50 joint venture with Australia’s Toga Group.  

With the joint ventures, Far East Hospitality has established itself as a regional hospitality owner and operator with a sizeable overseas network. It now has a combined portfolio of more than 13,000 rooms under management across more than 80 hotels and serviced residences in eight countries – Australia, China, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore. Far East Hospitality’s stable of nine unique and complementary brands – “Quincy”, “Oasia”, “Village”, “Rendezvous”, “Adina”, “Medina”, “Vibe”, “Travelodge” and “Marque” – present excellent opportunities for cross-selling initiatives across the different brands and geographic markets, offering guests with a greater diversity of choices and locations. 

For more information, visit www.stayfareast.com.