The Swissôtel The Stamford Redefines Hospitality
JUST LIKE A SWISS ARMY KNIFE, THERE IS ALWAYS ONE MORE HELPFUL AND UNEXPECTED FUNCTIONALITY IN THE SWISSÔTEL THE STAMFORD, AS STEFAN PERTZ FOUND OUT WHEN HE MADE THE LANDMARK HOTEL THE BASE FOR HIS STAY IN SINGAPORE.
In terms of reputation, the Swissôtel The Stamford, has a well-established name. Ranked among the best in town, it is located above the City Hall MRT station with underground access to the Suntec City Convention Centre and the Fountain of Wealth. Located in the CBD, in the complex where the hotel is located is a shopping mall and nearby one can find anything from cheap eateries to high end restaurants, supermarkets to post office and the main library.
CHECKING-IN
When entering the hotel via the lobby it is immediately clear that the operators have taken a different approach, one that puts the guest first. While it is possible to have staff to assist with checking-in, there are computer terminals where arriving guests can manage their own check-in. This solves the issue of having to wait for staff and if you are just not in the mood for chit chat you can avoid that. Personally, I like to have a word with the staff, but others may prefer to just handle the check-in themselves as part of the experience.
SWEET VITALITY
The room type for this stay was the ‘Vitality Suite’. This room is very much in line with the philosophy focused on general well-being and enjoying a high quality of life. First launched in March 2012, Swissôtel’s Vitality programme is inspired by travellers’ desires to maintain their mental and physical wellbeing as comfortably and easily on the road as they would at home.
One of the most obvious manifestations of this philosophy is the in-room gym. Yes, that is right, the vitality suit offers guests the opportunity to do a full workout without leaving the room. I found this to be highly motivating and practical. Sometimes you just don’t want to change, take the lift and get to a gym shared with others. In the vitality suite you can do your work in your sports attire and when the emails are all done just stand up and get a workout in.
EXPANSIVE VIEW
The stunning view in this corner unit is another thing that mesmerised. Overlooking Marina Bay looking to the right and viewing the urban
expanse and iconic buildings of Singapore while facing straight sitting at the desk, working. There is an immediate flow of air when opening the doors to the balcony. It is inspiring.
The room itself is spacious and allows for a separation of the various areas: gym, workstation, living room and bedroom. While it is one big room, the segmentation and design of the space makes it feel like there are indeed several rooms. The workstation features an electric height adjustment, which allows the user to instantaneously settle in and get things done.
SMART ROOM
Technology plays a big role and the air conditioning switches off when the balcony doors are open. There are different light settings for the room and all lights are motion activated.
This adds to an extremely satisfying experience. When getting up at night, there is no fumbling for switches and the light is only activated in the immediate area where one is moving, thus a partner still sleeping would not be hit with the full glare of the room light if one occupant would have to go to the bathroom.
The TV is the size of a small swimming pool and is mounted on a bracket, so it flips out to offer maximum viewing pleasure from the various areas within the room. Dyson supplied the hair dryer and a standing fan for even more comfort enhancement.
MANY OPTIONS
Just as the hotel lobby offers options to check-in, hotel guests seem to have a choice for almost everything. In addition to the in-room gym, there is a regular one, which is fairly large and extremely well equipped. There is a tennis court and a swimming pool which is near the spa.
And if that isn’t one’s cup of tea, there is a printed guide in the room that shows nearby jogging routes.
I am huge on breakfast and I will always make it a point to eat before starting the day. Of course, the Swissôtel The Stamford offers culinary delights to put you on the right course for the day. Once again there are options. The main breakfast room is a modern-designed and light flooded room that gets a bit of hubbub going in the morning as tourists and businesspeople prepare for their day. Clean lines, light colours and a slightly industrial design dominate. However, right next to it is a ‘kampong’ themed locale. Lending design elements from villages from Singapore back in the day, this is a more cosy, smaller and less corporate looking venue for the first meal of the day. While the selection and variety of the foods served is identical, the ambience is totally different; each with its own appeal.
RELUCTANT TO LEAVE
Most of the time when I travel, I look forward to heading back home. In the case of the stay in the Swissôtel The Stamford however, I wish I had the opportunity to stay longer. Many claim they are a ‘home away from home’, but I would have loved to take some of this hotel home. For instance, the motion sensors that ensure that I get safely through the room at night. Or the in-room gym. Or maybe the balcony with the breath-taking view. Swissôtel The Stamford is one of the few hotels in Singapore that has balconies that are accessible from the room.
Swissôtel The Stamford is part of the Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts group. The hotel provides a wide range of amenities from a luxurious range of 1,252 guestrooms and suites, 15 restaurants and bars including Equinox Complex, Singapore’s most exciting dining and entertainment offering. It also houses the 70,000sqft Raffles City Convention Centre which comprises 31 meeting venues with technologically advanced business facilities and services. One of Southeast Asia’s tallest hotels and conveniently located in the heart of Singapore, Swissôtel The Stamford boasts panoramic views of Singapore, Malaysia and nearby islands of Indonesia.