Hotel accommodation in Singapore is booming with high occupancies in 2018 and with new hotels scheduled to open soon. Hospitality Asia checked into five leading properties to find out what makes them unique.
Conrad Centennial Singapore
The Conrad offers a premium experience especially for business travellers staying in the Suntec Convention Centre neighbourhood. The 31-storey hotel includes plush, recently renovated Premium Rooms. Hilton Honors App, the Digital Key enables guests to preselect and gain immediate access to their room. Guests staying on three premium floors receive perks like free laundry, upgraded amenities and lounge access (on the fourth or 31st floors) for daily breakfasts, afternoon teas and evening cocktails. All guests can enjoy inviting afternoon teas and curated gin and tonic experiences in the lobby. Oscar’s serves round the clock buffets while Cantonese cuisine is available in Golden Peony.
VERDICT
Just renovated rooms give Conrad Centennial an edge while elevated offerings and services for club floor guests are some of Singapore’s finest.
InterContinental Singapore
The InterContinental sits directly over Bugis MRT and within Bugis Junction Shopping Complex. Built in Peranakan shophouse style, a small courtyard fronts this 16-storey landmark. Heritage Rooms on floors three and four display traditional Peranakan styling: teak floors and planter-style furniture. The Club InterContinental Lounge on level two is a spacious, private retreat offering breakfast, afternoon tea and cocktail hours with canapés. Guests can learn more about the local culture on a complimentary two-hour guided heritage tour. An exciting new beverage/bar concept in the lobby has just opened serving craft beers, artisanal cocktails and 250 spirits. There are several iconic restaurants in the hotel.
VERDICT
The InterContinental is the perfect hotel in the Bugis precinct as it incorporates local design elements along with an extensive range of contemporary facilities and services.
www.singapore.intercontinental.com
One Farrer Hotel
The 243-room, five-star urban resort, One Farrer Hotel is a Farrer Park landmark. Chic rooms, suites, apartments and villas offer residents a home away from home in which to work or relax. Extended stay guests can relax in a Loft Apartment that extends over two floors to offer a private bedroom and a lounge plus ensuite kitchenette. The ultimate luxurious experience is in the Skyline Hotel and Sky Villas with unparalleled service in the Skyline Lounge on level 20. Each villa has a private outdoor courtyard with jacuzzi, personal wine cellar and lava rock barbecue grill. The hotel has 15 gardens extending over 20 levels.
VERDICT
Located close enough to the city but far enough away to offer a more urban setting but with interiors adorned with original art and extensive gardens where herbs and vegetables are grown for consumption in hotel restaurants.
Swissôtel Stamford
The just renovated 1,252-room Swissôtel The Stamford includes a brand new collection of Premier Rooms and Premier Harbour View Rooms, six Swissôtel Vitality Rooms; and a technology-enhanced lobby with automated check-in and check-out that includes biometric facial recognition technology. New rooms reflect the precision and excellence of Swiss design. RoomFlex combines innovative LED lighting, sensors, and comfort systems to redefine the guest experience. Vitality Rooms on levels 43 to 48 feature circadian lighting technology in the bathrooms. They also include an in-room yoga station and wellness wall featuring cable pulls, wall bars and an interactive digital display for guided workout routines.
VERDICT
Fitness fanatics will love the Vitality Rooms but also panoramic dining and drinking options at SKIA and JAAN on the 70th floor plus a central location above City Hall MRT.
SO Sofitel
SO Sofitel Singapore combines artistic and architectural style within its19th-century heritage façade. Its interiors will especially appeal to a younger, style conscious guests who will admire it quirky and hip design. Its 134 rooms on six floors are categorised as classic Heritage or the newer Hip Wing. All blend French style with Singaporean chic and feature complimentary minibar (non-alcoholic beverages), iPad controls for all room electronics and his and hers toiletries. Xperience offers modern European cuisine accompanied by Asian-influenced dishes while 1927 Pool Bar on the rooftop is home to creative cocktails and bar snacks.
VERDICT
SO Sofitel’s funky design, flawless style, central location and unwavering service ensure it appeals to guests seeking quality accommodation in a boutique setting. www.sofitel.com
