3 Unmissable Hotels in Singapore
26 May. 2023
26 May. 2023
Known for its vibrant street food culture, beautiful cityscape with iconic landmarks and world-class shopping and entertainment, Singapore is often cited as one of the safest and cleanest cities in the world. The city-state is a hub for business and finance in Southeast Asia and a popular tourist destination due to its multicultural heritage, including influences from Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western cultures.
The city is also home to stunning **luxury hotels,** each boasting breathtaking architecture, steeped in history, and constantly competing to offer the best stay. From the historic Raffles Singapore which witnessed the fall and rise of the country to the contemporary Fullerton Bay Hotel along the Marina to the immersive Capella Singapore on Sentosa Island, Lartisien makes you discover these jewels of the luxury hotel industry.
Located in the heart of Singapore, the Raffles Singapore is the best place to immerse yourself in the country’s rich history and culture. Located in the Marina district, it is surrounded by landmarks such as the Sultan Mosque, the National Museum of Singapore and the Sri Thendauthapani Temple. Freshly renovated, the hotel is brand new and retains its historic colonial splendor. From the lush gardens that surround the hotel to the white-clad, turbaned doorman who greets guests, its three-storey lobby filled with antiques and the many iconic restaurants that have earned the hotel a reputation as a gourmet’s paradise, Raffles Singapore is a journey in itself and an experience that deserves to be had at least once in a lifetime.
Raffles Singapore was founded in 1887 by four Armenian hoteliers, the Sarkies brothers, who named it after the founding father of the nation of Singapore, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. Originally opened as a 10-room hotel in what had previously been the bungalow of merchant Mohamed Alsagoff, the Sarkies brothers soon expanded the establishment. In the process, prestigious guests such as Rudyard Kipling, Elisabeth Taylor and other Hollywood celebrities, as well as royalty, began to flock to the hotel. Although the hotel experienced periods of turmoil during the Second World War, over time it established itself as a national institution.
However, when it comes to the 115 suites of the hotel, the mood is a sensible mix of vintage and contemporary style, with modern four-poster beds, parquet floorings with gorgeously embroidered rugs, and a stunning marble bathroom with freestanding bathtubs.
The Raffles Singapore Hotel boasts a variety of dining options with an impressive selection of 9 restaurants and bars. Leading that selection is the elegant La Dame de Pic, where guests can enjoy the French cuisine of 3-Michelin-starred Chef Anne-Sophie Pic. The Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse is a Bar & Billiard Room with a menu by Michelin-starred Chef Alain Ducasse.
Butcher’s Block brings guests into a steakhouse setting, with its iconic blue walls and wooden beams, where they enjoy the wood-fired cuisine of Chef de Cuisine Jordan Keao.
Tiffin Room, which has been part of the Raffles Singapore since 1892, delights with chic décor and authentic North Indian cuisine, while 藝yì by Jereme Leung serves up a gastronomic Chinese menu.
The Raffles Courtyard is a gorgeous al fresco setting, reminiscent of a bucolic Europe, perfect for cocktails and lights snack. The Grand Lobby, on the other hand, offers a chic and comfortable setting perfect for the Raffles’s Afternoon Tea. The Art-Deco themed Writers Bar pays tribute to the many authors who have resided at the Raffles Singapore, with a menu of craft cocktails, champagne, spirits and wine.
Finally, the Long Bar is the birthplace of the famous Singapore Sling, and combines 1920s tropical Malayan deco with an effervescent atmosphere. The bar is noteworthy for its quirky tradition of encouraging guests to throw their peanut shells on the floor.
Located within the Raffles Arcade, the Raffles Spa is a holistic sanctuary. It includes private treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pools, saunas, and steam rooms. Their signature massages incorporate traditional techniques such as Swedish and Shiatsu, alongside rejuvenating Biologique Recherche and ISUN products. The spa also offers customized facial treatments, body scrubs, and wraps using natural ingredients. The spa also provides guests with personal training, Yoga sessions, sound healing therapy, and more.
Address: 1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673
Transfer: 20 minutes from Singapore Changi Airport
Opening period: All year
Less than a 10-minute car ride from the Raffles Singapore, the Fullerton Bay Hotel offers a vastly different experience. The hotel embodies modern Singapore with its avant-garde architecture, a Singapore that is at the forefront of innovation and globalization, while paying homage to its cultural identity through décor that celebrates its Pan-Asian heritage.
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore opened its doors in 2010, but the history of the location dates back to the mid-19th century. The hotel sits on the site of the original Clifford Pier, which was used as a landing point for immigrants and visitors to Singapore. In the 1930s, the pier was rebuilt and expanded to become a major transportation hub for the city. Today, the Fullerton Bay Hotel combines modern luxury with nods to Singapore’s rich heritage, including the restoration of the historic pier pylons and the incorporation of Peranakan-style architecture.
The hotel is situated in the heart of Singapore’s central business district, overlooking the Marina Bay waterfront. The prime location offers guests easy access to major corporate offices, shopping centers, cultural attractions, and entertainment options. The hotel is adjacent to the iconic Merlion statue and the Fullerton Heritage Precinct, which is a historic and conservation area that boasts a mix of modern and traditional architecture.
Boasting an impressive façade of steel and glass that overlooks the city’s iconic Marina Bay waterfront, the Fullerton Bay Hotel seamlessly blends Singapore’s rich heritage with contemporary architecture and style. The interiors, designed by André Fu, are a delightful mix of modern colonial influences with Asian details, featuring bespoke furnishings, intricate wall panels, and varied textures.
The hotel’s 100 rooms and suites offer contemporary accommodation, combining a wide range of materials and textures – wood and lacquered wood, carpet, leather, velvet and marble. Large bay windows spanning the length and width of the rooms offer sublime views of the bay.
The Fullerton Bay Hotel offers an array of restaurants and bars to choose from. La Brasserie serves authentic French cuisine in a chic, Bistro-style setting, located right on the waterfront with views over the Marina. Meanwhile, The Landing Point stretches along an indoor promenade where guests can take a seat either at the 13-meter bar or sit back on a sofa to enjoy cocktails or a stunning Afternoon Tea. Completing the offering, the Lantern is the hotel’s rooftop bar, with panoramic views of Marina Bay.
The Fullerton Bay Hotel offers a rejuvenating spa experience in the heart of Singapore. The spa features private treatment rooms with stunning views of the Marina Bay, as well as a couple’s suite for duo treatments. The “Marina Bay Signature massage,” utilizes a blend of massage techniques with warm stones to ease tension and promote deep relaxation. Guests also have access to a state-of-the-art gym and a 25-metre rooftop pool.
Address: 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326
Transfer: 20 minutes from Singapore Changi Airport
Opening period: All year
The outsider there is the Capella Singapore is the “outsider” here, with its location on Sentosa Island, a 20-minute drive from the center of Singapore, allowing guests to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city while enjoying the lush natural surroundings.
The Capella Singapore opened its doors in 2009, in a building constructed in the 1880s to house the officers’ mess of the British Royal Artillery. Surrounded by greenery and offering beautiful views of the South China Sea, the hotel offers privileged access to some of the island’s main attractions, including Universal Studios, Adventure Cove water park and the S.E.A. Aquarium.
Designed by Foster + Partners, the Hotel Capella Singapore is a fabulous example of contemporary design. The building transitions seamlessly from colonial to modern architecture. The emblematic red roof of the two original Tanah Merah bungalows serves as a common thread throughout the property. The spacious, elegant interiors are adorned with carefully selected furniture and works of art, while the bay windows offer breathtaking views of the surrounding gardens.
The hotel’s 112 contemporary rooms and suites offer a striking visual contrast with the natural exterior. Designed by Jaya Ibrahim, the rooms feature sophisticated interiors with dark, earthy tones, sleek modern furnishings and clean lines that serve almost as a backdrop to the beauty of the natural surroundings.
On the culinary front, Capella Singapore delights with a short but exquisite selection of outlets. Headlining the offering is Fiamma (which means “flame” in Italian) and is a homage from Chef Mauro Colagreco to his grandmother and the Italian family cuisine. Within a living-room style décor of soothing, earthly tones, guests can sample a menu of Italian classics with flavours from Tuscany.
Meanwhile, at Cassia guests are treated to stunning interiors by André Fu, inspired by the spice routes of Southern and Western China, and a menu by Chef Alan Chan, which gives a contemporary twist to traditional Cantonese dishes.
Finally, Bob’s Bar is perfect for cocktails while enjoying the scenic view of the South China Sea.
The Auriga Spa offers original services with its focus on lunar cycles. The spa integrates bio-resonance technology to enhance the effectiveness of the treatments. Guests can also enjoy a variety of relaxation areas, including a herbal steam room, and ice fountain, a vitality pool and a fitness centre.
Address: 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098297
Transfer: 25 minutes from Singapore Changi Airport
Opening period: All year
Feeling inspired by one hotel of these hotels? Book your next getaway with Lartisien! We hand-pick our selection of Singapore hotels for guests to indulge in high-quality service, facilities and guest experience. Contact our team for further information or if you have any questions about a booking.