A masterpiece of understated elegance and comfort that is definitely more than just frills.
by Percy Roxas
Some hotels are just places to sleep. But some of the best hotels elevate our entire traveling experience by simply being themselves. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore (1 Fullerton Square, Singapore; +65 6733 8388; www.fullerhotel.com), a masterpiece of understated comfort and elegance, is a landmark hotel that stands proud, grand, and prestigious, yet still has an enveloping warmth that we associate with a genuinely gracious hospitality culture.
Built in 1928 as the Fullerton Building, the hotel can rightly lay claim to being at “the heart of all things Singapore” with its rich heritage, neoclassical architecture, stately grandeur, and strategic location. You’ll love to stay in this hotel while in the Lion City, especially if you’re after one of the most prestigious addresses in Singapore.
The building’s heritage and architecture make it eminently suited as a grand hotel. With its distinguished Doric columns and monumental porte cocheres, the hotel stands in stark contrast with the neighboring skyscrapers that raze the skyline, and it is a lovely remnant of an age of grandeur. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore represents the apex of Palladian architecture in the city. There are only two other buildings in Singapore today that share the same architectural grandeur: City Hall and the Supreme Court.
But in fact, the hotel is a perfect blend of old and new. While on one side the heritage elements imbue the hotel with priceless prestige and grand tradition, there is a side to it that is wired to the present, not the least of which is the style of décor that is stylish and contemporary. This is evident even in the sleek, streamlined fittings that grace the bathrooms, which are equipped with custom-designed amenities, as well as the other state-of the-art features and complimentary broadband connectivity in the suites and rooms.
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore surrounds guests with an ambience of peace and tranquility that is both regal and refreshing. No wonder that since its opening in 2010, the hotel has been amassing awards from around the world.
Location is another thing that makes this hotel a great place to stay. It boasts a prime location in the heart of the Civic District, lying at the forefront of Raffles Place, Singapore’s financial district, just minutes from the city’s finest arts and entertainment areas. Both the Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are close by, as are Singapore’s bustling riverside entertainment belt and the cultural venues of Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, Esplanade–Theatres on the Bay, and the Asian Civilisations Museum. The Merlion, Singapore’s national icon, is located just across the road at One Fullerton, a waterfront dining and entertainment complex, which is linked to the hotel via an underground revelator.
Shopaholics will also be glad to know that the shopping hubs of Suntec City and Marina Square are just minutes from the hotel. Exploring the city? The hotel is very close to the Raffles Place MRT (subway) station, making several key locations in Singapore very accessible.
But make sure you enjoy the hotel’s stately grandeur any way you can. For so much luxury resides in the hotel, in every detail: from the soft vanilla-colored walls to the freshly pressed sheets, from the chic accommodation to the food and drink outlets that add to the city’s reputation as a gourmet destination.
The 400 suites and rooms offer fresh, contemporary décor that exudes a sense of warmth and comfort, be they the Post Master room or Courtyard rooms, or the Governor’s and Presidential suites or the suites at the exclusive The Straits Club, which offers the ultimate service experience. These suites and rooms either overlook the sunlit atrium courtyard or have balconies that open out to sweeping panoramas of the city skyline, river promenade, or sea.
In a similar vein, the hotel’s dining establishments raise the bar in Singapore dining. There’s the all-day dining Town Restaurant; the 308-seat Jade Chinese Restaurant, which takes fine dining to another level with its sublime specialties; The Lighthouse, where you can savor Italian creations while taking in the breathtaking views of the city; the distinctive Post Bar, a trendy bar frequented by the fast-movers and dealmakers; and The Courtyard, where even light meals are transformed into a truly pampering experience.
Some say many big hotels lack the personalized elements that more intimate hotels bring. But it’s really a case of different strokes for different folks. When it comes to surpassing guest expectations, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore gives the term “personal touch” a brand new meaning. It has successfully blended the old and the new to present an unsurpassed world-class accommodation experience for business and leisure travelers—but it’s not just the frills. And that is not just a PR line.
