Fairmont Singapore

BACKGROUND Fairmont Singapore’s recently renovated South Tower reopened in November 2019. The hotel partnered with interior design company Hirsch Bedner Associates, and the refurbishment of the 403-room tower involved introducing new amenities, redesigned lift lobbies, as well as renovated interiors of the rooms and the corridors.

WHERE IS IT? In the city’s Civic District within the Raffles City complex, which houses a convention centre and a shopping mall. There’s the Raffles City Shopping Centre in the same complex – a five-storey mall with 200 shops. From Singapore Changi Airport it’s a 30-minute drive to the hotel, or you can take the train on the East-West line from Changi Airport, transfer at Tanah Merah and continue to City Hall MRT station – the hotel is located above the station.

WHAT’ S IT LIKE? Fairmont Singapore offers 778 guestrooms and suites, as well as 13 different restaurants and bars, and one of Asia’s largest spas. On entering, you’re greeted with a vibrant piece of artwork hanging right behind the check-in counter. Called “Diversity”, this print on textile instantly sets the mood in the lobby.

Checking into the hotel took about five minutes. There was no line when I arrived (around 9pm) and the lobby area seemed lively without being overcrowded. The staff member helping me was friendly, upbeat and answered all my questions about the hotel, including the artwork.

ROOMS The hallway leading to my room on the 15th floor had a dark, sombre colour scheme and there was an interesting arrowshaped, black wood sculpture near my door. The dark décor is carried over into the bedroom and exudes a serious, businessoriented look.

I was in a 45 sqm Deluxe room in the South Tower, overlooking the hotel pool. The black, widely spaced lines behind the kingsize bed and the small, cylindrical, blackand-white lamps that hung on each side of the bed gave the room a sleek and modern look. An alarm clock and phone were on each side of the bed, with universal power outlets and lighting controls on both sides – there are two lighting options, a bright, clear one and a warmer, more relaxing one.

The wall-mounted TV was opposite the bed, whilst a good-sized work desk with a lamp and comfortable swivel chair faced the window. Near the bed was a “Maxi” bar: a glossy cabinet hiding a refrigerator stocked with alcoholic drinks and water. The hotel provides guests with a refillable water bottle, but unusually, there’s no free water provided, only the chargeable bottles from the fridge. Near the TV was a small bespoke sofa chair with a tall coffee table beside it, and the wardrobe near the door contained a safe, a hairdryer, an iron and ironing board.

The bathrooms are modern in design, with grey marbled floors and walls, and black fixtures and fittings. There is both a bathtub and a walk-in shower, and the rim around the bathroom mirror lights up, which is a pleasant feature. Bathroom amenities are by Rose 31, and there’s a wide selection to go with the shampoo, conditioner and body wash (also from Rose 31).

FOOD AND DRINK The hotel has 13 different dining options. I had breakfast at Prego, an Italian restaurant which recently reopened its doors after renovation. Fans of vintage art will really appreciate this place, as it’s full of old hand-painted posters of classical Italian brands, and there’s a wide selection of excellent food.

The room was spacious and modern in design and equipped with key amenities

LEISURE The hotel has a fitness centre that’s open 24 hours. There’s also a spa called Willow Stream Spa which is one of Asia’s largest wellness and spa facilities with more than 50,000sq feet (4,645 sqm) of space.

VERDICT This is a business travellerfriendly hotel due to its central location, high-speed internet access and a convenient room that works well as a workplace. The room was spacious, modern in its design and equipped with key amenities, and the staff helping me in the lobby and in Prego restaurant were friendly. Overall, a good choice for those travelling for work.