Hotel Miramar Closure: What Happened, New Owner, and Rebranding

After more than five decades on Havelock Road, Hotel Miramar Singapore shut its doors at the end of August 2025, with 108 employees retrenched in a closure that followed a long‑term business review and a property sale. The hotel, which opened around 1971, was acquired by Aravest Partners Pte. Ltd. for S$160 million and will be rebranded as a DoubleTree by Hilton. This article draws on joint statements from the hotel and the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU), reports from The Straits Times, Channel NewsAsia, and NTUC, to lay out what happened, who was affected, and what comes next.

Last checked: 2026-07-23

Property: Hotel Miramar Singapore · Status: Ceased operations October 2025 · New owner: Aravest Partners Pte. Ltd. · Acquisition price: S

After more than five decades on Havelock Road, Hotel Miramar Singapore shut its doors at the end of August 2025, with 108 employees retrenched in a closure that followed a long‑term business review and a property sale. The hotel, which opened around 1971, was acquired by Aravest Partners Pte. Ltd. for S$160 million and will be rebranded as a DoubleTree by Hilton. This article draws on joint statements from the hotel and the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU), reports from The Straits Times, Channel NewsAsia, and NTUC, to lay out what happened, who was affected, and what comes next.

What is happening to Hotel Miramar?

Hotel Miramar Singapore, a mid‑scale independent hotel with roughly 340 rooms on Havelock Road near Robertson Quay, has closed after more than five decades in operation. The closure was publicly announced on 29 August 2025 in a joint statement by the hotel and the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU).

The statement cited a “thorough and detailed assessment of the hotel’s future business prospects,” pointing to rising costs and intense competition as key factors. The hotel’s management and FDAWU said the decision was not taken lightly, but that long‑term sustainability was no longer viable under current conditions.

By the end of October 2025, all operations had ceased. Some local observers noted that signage was removed from the building as early as 15 October, suggesting the effective closure came slightly ahead of the official timeline.

Why this matters: The shutdown of a five‑decade‑old independent hotel in a prime riverfront location signals the pressure on ageing, mid‑scale properties in Singapore’s competitive hospitality market.

“This challenging choice was reached following a thorough and detailed assessment of the hotel’s future business prospects.”

— Joint statement by Hotel Miramar and FDAWU, reported by The Straits Times

Timeline of closure events

• Around 1971: Hotel Miramar opens on Havelock Road (some reports place earliest operations at 1968).
• May 2024: Collective agreement between Hotel Miramar and FDAWU governing severance and notice terms becomes effective.
• 29 August 2025: Joint announcement that the hotel will close at the end of October 2025.
• Mid‑October 2025: Signage removed; operations wind down.
• End of October 2025: Hotel formally ceases operations; 108 employees retrenched.

Reason for closure

Management and FDAWU cited a business review that identified rising operating costs and intense competition from newer, chain‑backed properties. The hotel’s status as an independent, mid‑scale property on prime land made it a candidate for sale and redevelopment rather than continued operation. Business media reported a transaction value in the range of S$160–200 million.

Who is the new owner of Hotel Miramar?

Aravest Partners Pte. Ltd. acquired Hotel Miramar for S$160 million in 2025, as reported by business media outlets including The Business Times (via VnExpress). The acquisition was a key factor in the hotel’s closure: the buyer did not intend to retain existing staff or continue operations under the Miramar brand.

Market speculation around the sale had been circulating prior to the August 2025 announcement, with analysts noting that the Havelock Road site — near Robertson Quay and the Singapore River — would appeal to investors looking at hospitality redevelopment, luxury condominiums, or mixed‑use commercial projects.

As of the latest public reports, no formal redevelopment plan has been submitted or approved for the site. The transition to a DoubleTree by Hilton brand indicates a hospitality use, but the full scope of the upgrade — a comprehensive renovation of guestrooms and meeting spaces — suggests the site will remain a hotel for the foreseeable future.

What to watch: Whether the new owner files development plans for additional residential or commercial components on the riverfront site.

Is Hotel Miramar still open?

No. Hotel Miramar ceased operations at the end of October 2025. The joint announcement on 29 August 2025 gave approximately two months’ notice to employees and guests. By mid‑October, local residents reported that the hotel’s top signage had been removed, indicating the closure was effectively under way before the October deadline.

For travellers searching for the hotel, all booking channels have been deactivated. The property is no longer accepting reservations under the Miramar name.

The bottom line: The Hotel Miramar brand is gone; the property will reopen under the DoubleTree by Hilton flag after renovation.

What will replace Hotel Miramar?

The property will be rebranded as DoubleTree by Hilton, a well‑known upper‑midscale brand within the Hilton portfolio. A comprehensive upgrade of guestrooms, meeting spaces, and public areas is planned, although no reopening date has been announced.

The rebranding marks a shift from an independent, family‑run feel to a chain‑operated model with global loyalty programme access. For guests who valued Hotel Miramar’s independent character, the DoubleTree transformation will bring a different experience — one shaped by brand standards, corporate investment, and likely higher room rates.

The trade-off: The renovation will modernise a decades‑old property, but the closure erased 108 jobs and ended the employment of long‑serving staff, including some with tenures exceeding 30 years.

“When Hotel Miramar closed its doors at the end of October 2025, it wasn’t just a business shutting down. It was the end of a chapter for the people who walked those halls every day.”

— NTUC feature article

Timeline: Key dates

The pattern: Hotel Miramar’s closure mirrors a broader trend of independent mid‑scale hotels in Singapore’s core districts being sold and rebranded or redeveloped, often at the cost of long‑serving staff.

“Hotel Miramar’s closure is not just another ‘business decision’. It is a flashing red light.”

— Hospitality commentator on LinkedIn

For readers interested in other high‑profile hotel closures and brand transitions, see our related report: What Happened to the Versace Hotel Gold Coast?

For employment‑related resources in Singapore’s hospitality sector: Hotel Singapore Jobs: Salary, Visa & How to Apply.