The Scarlet, Singapore’s latest boutique hotel, makes a provocative debut in November. Grace International, a newly formed international hospitality management group based in Singapore, invested US$35 million in acquiring and refurbishing The Scarlet, housed in a restored 1924 heritage building. The Scarlet is also the first property launched by Grace International which specialises in acquiring, developing and managing boutique hotels and resorts. With a hip location at Erskine Road, near the Club Street watering hole, the executive director of Grace International, Geeson P. Lawadinata, is aiming for The Scarlet to offer a different hospitality experience in Singapore. The architectural style of the heritage building is juxtaposed with striking, audacious and sexy interior design and concept. An indication is seen in the names of the individual themed suites – “Spendour”, “Lavish”, “Passion”, “Swank” and “Opulent”. The Scarlet also features dining experiences at “Desire”, “Bold” and “Breeze”. A target market for The Scarlet are the jet-setting trendsetters, “people who an afford Ritz-Carlton but want a new experience,” said Michael Tan, concept director, Grace International. Lawadinata is eyeing an occupancy rate of 75 percent for The Scarlet. He added that Grace International’s goal was to create new hospitality experiences for guests infused with passion, creativity and style, opening “hotels with personality”. “We don’t want to be called a chain,” he candidly states and said Grace International would make a bold statement with its hotels, unlike the predominant “boring” ones. Next in the pipeline in Singapore would be the rebranding of the Royal Peacock hotel, which Grace International acquired for US$12 million. Lawadinata’s other top priority would be to establish a boutique resort in Bali and also look at acquisitions in Cambodia and Vietnam. The company has drawn up a five-year plan to acquire more properties in the Asia/Pacific, Europe and the Americas.