Tucked away along 26 Evans Road, The Initial Sama brings a quiet, restorative presence to Bukit Timah’s leafy residential enclave. Once a 1958 women’s hostel for Eusoff College, the 1.4-hectare site has been carefully restored into Singapore’s first wellness-centric serviced residence—retaining its colonial-era charm while embracing a new sense of purpose.
I’ve driven past these low-rise buildings countless times over the years, always noticing their understated charm. They felt like a forgotten pocket of Bukit Timah—calm, slightly worn, but quietly beautiful. So when I returned this December and discovered that the entire site had been reborn as The Initial Sama, I was genuinely curious to see how it had transformed.
Courtyard
Stepping inside felt like walking into a familiar memory. The four blocks still frame a courtyard, and the 1958 façade looks almost unchanged. When the compound was still a student hostel, the place felt raw and open, exposed to the wind and weather. Now, the transformation is clear—new layers added with a gentle hand. The open-air entrance I remembered is now an enclosed, air-conditioned reception; lifts have been installed; and the pathways feel more defined and intentional. Yet the soul of the building remains intact.
Reception area which used to be an open air walkway
Rooms Designed for Real Living
The Initial Sama offers 92 rooms across Studios, One-Bedroom and Two-Bedroom layouts, each fitted with a full kitchenette. The Studio room feels compact and functional—ideal for short work trips or solo stays. I stayed in a One-Bedroom Superior, which comes with with separate living area. With the living area, sofa, and proper workspace, it made the room feel more like a small apartment than a hotel unit.
The Initial Sama-Studio
The Initial Sama-1 Bedroom Superior
The rooms are designed in a clean, understated palette, but what truly caught my attention were the old-school textured glass windows—two outward-opening panels identical to the ones I grew up with. It felt unexpectedly nostalgic. The writing desk placed by the window quickly became my favourite spot, it was the kind of space where you could sit and work for hours without realising it.
For long-term guests, that sense of “real home” is invaluable. Families, visiting faculty and medical travellers will likely appreciate the larger Two-Bedroom Deluxe units, which come with a full living room and dining area. They function like self-contained apartments, designed for people who need both comfort and continuity.
The Initial Sama-2 Bedroom
Opened in July 2025, the residence requires a minimum stay of six nights—a deliberate choice aimed at long-term guests: families accompanying loved ones for medical treatment, individuals in recovery, and international visitors seeking a slower, more restorative base. With Gleneagles Hospital just minutes away and other major medical centres nearby, the residence naturally complements Singapore’s growing standing as a regional hub for wellness and medical travel.
Spaces for Balance, Connection and Healing
Wellness is not an afterthought here—it’s the framework. The property offers a range of facilities designed to support different modes of wellbeing, including a sensory garden, an outdoor pool, co-working lounges, as well as dedicated spa treatment suites and a wellness hub housing a HYROX-style gym and yoga studio.
Swimming Pool
Spa
Grant Associates’ landscape plan aligns with Singapore’s “City in Nature” vision, incorporating biophilic design and sustainable planting to create a peaceful, nature-immersed environment. Walking through the courtyards and garden paths, I found a sense of calm that felt rare for such a central location.
A Sanctuary in a Quiet, Well-Connected Enclave
Despite its tranquility, The Initial Sama is extremely well situated. The Singapore Botanic Gardens is just a short walk away, while Dempsey Hill, Orchard Road and Stevens MRT station is close by. The surrounding neighbourhood—defined by academic institutions, medical centres and heritage homes—has remained largely unchanged over the decades, making it a fitting backdrop for a wellness-focused retreat.
For guests, the appeal lies not just in the facilities but in the atmosphere: heritage warmth, abundant greenery and a natural sense of ease. For locals who remember its former incarnation, seeing the site so sensitively restored is a pleasant surprise—a once-utilitarian hostel now thoughtfully reimagined as a serene haven for long-stay visitors.
With its holistic philosophy, gentle restoration and emphasis on wellbeing, The Initial Sama offers a modern reinterpretation of a historic space—bridging past and present while inviting guests to slow down, breathe, and live well in the city.
The Initial Sama Serviced Residences is located at 26 Evans Rd, Singapore 259367. For more information, visit their website.
