The Story Behind Manner Hotel

Every grand stay begins somewhere. Ours began with a thought.

Manner Hotel came into being in February 2025, from what was, at first, just a sudden thought.

There has always been something about staying in a hotel that makes me feel both excited and relaxed at the same time: the euphoria of traveling to somewhere new, the little details in a hotel’s curated space, and the joy of escaping from everyday life.

But it was not until I watched The Grand Budapest Hotel that Manner Hotel was truly brought to life:

‘What if we built a vintage hotel-themed photobooth? One that felt like you could step into a real hotel stay? Every room would transport you into a different corner of a hotel, capturing those little moments of staying at a hotel and the bubbling excitement of a new holiday.’

The Grand Budapest Hotel, by Wes Anderson.

It was this feeling I wanted to channel into a photobooth experience. Not just a place to take pretty pictures, but one where people could teleport into another world, enjoy the moment, and leave with an unforgettable memory. Thus, Manner Hotel began.

Finding a Place for the Dream

Looking back, Manner Hotel was the most challenging store we had ever imagined, let alone built. We were bursting with ideas for what the space could become: every room from the lobby to its corridors, the vintage elevator, a vanity room, hotel suites, and all the little details that would make the experience feel like a real hotel. We spent countless hours gathering inspiration, even visiting some of Singapore's most iconic hotels, including The Fullerton Hotel and Raffles Hotel. We wanted the space to feel grand, but also intimate. Vintage, but timeless.

But before we could bring any of that to life, we had to find the right place.

With Singapore's incredibly high commercial rental price tag, finding a space that could fit our budget while still giving us the scale and character we envisioned was no easy task. It wasn't until we saw a then-renowned fashion store along Haji Lane that I fell in love at first sight. Spanning three units, the store had a wide shopfront, a large glass panel, a vintage staircase, and that unmistakable shophouse character. Everything about it felt right for the vintage hotel concept I had in mind.

It was the perfect space. I remember telling myself that I would create the vintage hotel-themed photobooth there if the unit ever became available. Soon after, I received news that it would be vacant. I could not believe it. I was over the moon, instantly signing the agreement with the landlord and already imagining what the space could become. Little did I know that finding the space would be the easier part of the journey.

Early mock-ups of Manner Hotel

Making the Dream a Reality

The real work began the moment we stepped into the space with keys in hand.

At 2,460 square feet across two storeys, the space was much bigger than I had imagined. All those bubbling concepts that were so exciting in my mind suddenly felt intimidating. Early on, we chose not to engage an interior designer, driven by two main factors: budget constraints and flexibility. We wanted the freedom to build and refine each room, adapting as we went along. A typical interior designer requires a firm plan from day one — something that was impossible for us. On the other hand, we needed to test out photobooth concepts and see how they fit the hotel’s aesthetic in real time. Taking the DIY route meant tedious space planning, room layouts, and countless design decisions fell on us, but it also gave us the flexibility to let the space evolve naturally.

There were many moments when I wondered whether we had taken on more than we could handle. Every decision affected another: How many rooms should we build? Would a certain concept work in a photobooth? How should the camera be angled? What kind of lighting would work best? How large should each room be for various group sizes? Where should the prop areas be? Where should the mirrors be installed for a selfie check?

I remember making these decisions almost every minute of the day. There was always something to consider, something to adjust, and new problems that needed to be solved. We learned as we went because there was no similar concept for us to lean on. We had to find the balance between creativity and practicality. The middle ground between what we dreamed of creating and what we could realistically create.

There were countless moments when giving up crossed my mind. However, it was the thought of watching passersby enchanted by the lifelike hotel concierge, strolling in, and discovering that Photomanner had something different that kept me going. I replayed my vision of the experience people would have when they walked through the doors, sparking their curiosity about what was around the next corner, and pressed forward through the final stages of renovation.

The Night Before We Opened

The final nights before Manner Hotel was opened to the public.

As the renovation moved towards completion, our focus gradually shifted from designing the space to making sure everything actually worked.

Behind every photobooth room is a system that needs to run smoothly. Cameras, lighting, user interface, photo frames, and payment functions all have to come together seamlessly to create a smooth experience for Photomanner customers. While many might not give this part much thought when they visit a photobooth, it makes a world of difference to the experience.

The night before opening day, I was kept awake at Manner Hotel in Haji Lane running tests on all 14 rooms — adjusting lighting, fine-tuning the camera angles, checking the user interface and photo-taking workflow, reviewing every photostrip design, testing the payment functions, and making sure everything was working. Room by room, I went through every scenario I could think of.

Testing out the camera angles and lighting in the vintage elevator rooms.

This marked the final stretch of making sure the experience was ready for people to enjoy.

We had less than two months to turn an idea into a 2,460-square-foot, two-storey photobooth space with 14 rooms, right in the heart of Haji Lane. It’s a little surreal, but we made it happen together with a team of hardworking people who helped bring the vision to life.

More Than Just a Photobooth

Manner Hotel was never about creating rooms just for people to take photographs in; it was about creating an experience. Inspired by the aesthetics of The Grand Budapest Hotel, I wanted to translate the feeling of checking into a stunning hotel into something accessible for everyday and unexpected occasions. Manner Hotel is a place tourists, families, and friends can enjoy in large or small groups, or even on their own. I envisioned every room developing its own character, a little surprise in every corner, and every visit feeling like a small escape from the everyday.

Most of all, I wanted customers to leave with photographs that they keep close to their hearts, long after the visit is over.

Because at the heart of Manner Hotel is one simple ethos: ‘Make this a grand stay, timelessly framed and fondly cherished.’

With love,

Serina
Founder of Photomanner