An economic powerhouse, Singapore remains one of Asia’s most important business travel gateways. Here’s where corporate road warriors are checking in so they can get down to business. By Gayatri Bhaumik
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Why: Housed in a heritage building in Singapore’s financial district, the Fullerton is a luxurious property that combines timeless charm with contemporary flair. The riverfront property is a great choice for business events, with a series of well-appointed function spaces including nine meeting rooms, the exclusive Straits Room, and the elegant Ballroom, all of which are fitted with state-of-the-art technology.
What to book: The one-bedroom Collyer Suites have a generous living area suitable for private meetings, access to the Straits Club, shoe-shine service and complimentary internet
Don’t miss: Watch the Marina Bay Light Show and city lights with authentic southern Italian cuisine and classic cocktails at the historic Lighthouse Restaurant & Rooftop Bar.
1 Fullerton Square, +65 6733 8388; www.fullertonhotel.com
The Fullerton Bay Hotel
Why: Sister hotel to the Fullerton, the Fullerton Bay is a refined urban property. Also tucked into the waterfront, the hotel offers an array of services, including chic meeting spaces, and complimentary weekday transfers to the business hubs of Shenton Way and Marina Bay. Be sure to try reinterpretations of Singaporean and Asian cuisine at the hotel’s Clifford Pier restaurant, which retains the feel of Singapore’s hawker centre culture.
What to book: The Premier Bay View Room boasts a generous work desk with views over Marina Bay, along with a shoe-shine service, complimentary internet, and unlimited access to the rooftop pool and 24-hour gym.
Don’t miss: The complimentary guided Heritage Tours that take you through Singapore’s history with an exploration of the hotel’s surrounding area.
80 Collyer Quay, +65 6333 8388; www.fullertonbayhotel.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Why: An elegant proposition in the heart of the CBD, this hotel combines contemporary sophistication with subtle touches of the Orient. The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge offers refreshments all day, special ‘experiential’ events including bespoke cocktail evenings and Sunday Champagne Brunches, and The Library – an exclusive boardroom – complimentary garment pressing, and limousine service. For business dinners, book a private room at the Summer Pavilion Cantonese restaurant, or the private tatami room at the Japanese Shiraishi restaurant.
What to book: The Club Room – Marina Bay View offers stunning views over the waterfront along with access to the Club Lounge, complimentary internet, VOIP phones, and an expansive work desk with built-in power points.
Don’t Miss: Through the Ritz-Carlton Spa, book a specially-tailored Butler Drawn Bath and have your very own Jeeves set up a bath in your own room to shake off jetlag.
Ascott Raffles Place Singapore
Why: In the heart of the city’s financial district this timeless hotel is a comfortable, cozy home-away-from-home. The property is ideal for business travellers on longer trips, with a range of comfortable apartment-style rooms, along with state-of-the-art facilities that include meeting rooms, a business centre, secretarial services, and teleconferencing . After hours, relax in the spacious, classic Residents’ Lounge or take a dip in the hotel’s infinity pool.
What to book: The one-bedroom Brown Suites boasts an elegant separate sitting area perfect for private meetings, a full-service kitchenette, a sizeable workspace, and a walk-in wardrobe.
Don’t miss: Relax in your suite after hours with a selection from the in-house DVD library.
2 Finlayson Green, +65 6577 1688; www.the-ascott.com
Fairmont Singapore
Why: In the city centre, the classically-styled Fairmonth might boast 769 rooms, but each is a refined urban oasis that combines luxury with subtle local flair. The hotel’s best business offering is the Raffles City Convention Centre, which boasts 70,000sqft of function space and a fully-equipped business centre. The property’s elegant Executive Club offers complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails, as well as complimentary use of the boardroom. Relax after a busy day with a rejuvenating treatment at the hotel’s Willow Stream Spa.
What to book: The Executive Club rooms are stylish and functional with a generous work desk with dual-line phones and complimentary high-speed internet and access to the Executive Club.
Don’t miss: Sample an wide array of cuisine at the hotel’s 15 restaurants, but make time for traditional Chinese local favourites at the hawker centre-style Kopi Tiam and craft cocktails at Anti:dote bar.
80 Bras Basah Road, +65 6339 7777; www.fairmont.com/singapore
Regent Singapore
Why: Just off Orchard Road, the Regent is an exclusive, stylish, museum-like property where an Asian art collection takes centre stage. Well suited to business travellers. The timeless Regent Club executive lounge features express checkout, complimentary breakfast and cocktails, private workstations, meeting spaces, and unlimited garment pressing. The hotel also offers a full limousine service, and overnight laundry and dry cleaning. There are six distinctive restaurants here, but to schmooze clients over dinner, book a private room at the much feted traditional Cantonese restaurant, Summer Palace.
What to book: Deluxe Rooms are flooded with natural daylight from floor-to-ceiling windows and come with a comfortable sitting area, an sizeable workspace, and high-speed WiFi.
Don’t miss: Make time for the Sunday Cocktail Brunch at the Golden Age-inspired Manhattan bar, where you’ll enjoy craft and barrel-aged cocktails along with delicious fare like hand-rolled bagels with housemade cream cheese, and homemade pancakes with caramelised banana and vanilla-rum butter.
1 Cuscaden Road, +65 6733 8888; www.regenthotels.com
Royal Plaza on Scotts
Why: Centrally located on Orchard road, this simple yet elegant property melds Oriental elements with classic style. The hotel is a great base for quick business trips with a strong setup of private workstations and an internet lounge. The Royal Club Lounge on the 15th floor offers scenic views over the city along with complimentary breakfasts, afternoon tea, and cocktails, a boardroom, and pressing of one suit a day.
What to book: The Royal Club Premiere Room offers access to the Royal Club Lounge along with complimentary internet and minibar, and a spacious work desk overlooking the city through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Don’t miss: Beat jetlag with a dip in the outdoor pool located on the tranquil rooftop terrace.
25 Scotts Road, +65 6737 7966; www.royalplaza.com.sg
Raffles Singapore
Why: In the heart of the downtown area, Singapore’s iconic Grand Dame hotel is a bastion of colonial-era style and contemporary luxe. This heritage property set the bar for the city’s luxury offerings, but it’s equally suited to business travellers. The Executive Centre has been designed as a personal study, including computer workstations and printers, international newspapers and business magazines. The hotel also features seven function rooms with state-of-the-art technology. Limousine Service is offered in a fleet of Daimler or Bentley cars.
What to book: The elegant, old-world Palm Court Suites feature original 14-foot ceilings and veranda access, a separate parlour and dining area, 24-hours butler service, a large work desk, and high-speed internet
Don’t miss: Indulge in traditional pub fare and the signature ‘Timeline’ cocktails at the hotel’s legendary Long Bar, where the Singapore Sling cocktail was invented.
Pan Pacific Singapore
Why: On the cusp of the CBD, this stylish yet practical hotel is a favourite for business travellers, and for good reason. The Pacific Club executive lounge offers 24-hours butler service, complimentary all-day refreshments, laundry or pressing for two garments each day, and private dining rooms, while the Pacific Centre business offering features meeting rooms with full technology setup, workstations with individual printers, laptop and mobile phone loans, and secretarial and translation services. Enjoy international cuisine at nine contemporary restaurants that include Japanese, Indian, and tapas. If your luggage didn’t make it here, the in-house Mieko Tailor can whip up made-to-measure suits and shirts.
What to book: The comfortable Pacific Harbour Studio rooms come with generous workspace and Herman Miller desk chairs, Nespresso machine, complimentary local calls and WiFi, and full access to the Pacific Club
Don’t miss: The rejuvenating Traveller’s Recovery treatment at the onsite St. Gregory Spa beats the stress of life on the road.
7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, +65 6336 8111; www.panpacific.com
Park Regis Singapore
Why: Located near the bustling nightlife of Clarke Quay, this unfussy boutique-like five-star property is well-located for after-hours fun, but features great business amenities. The office-like-business centre on the 3rd floor offers all manner of business support, including iMAC workstations, complimentary internet, video-conferencing and conference calls. Celebrate boardroom successes by sampling chef Chung Ho Shi’s modern Cantonese cuisine in one of seven private rooms at the Royal Pavilion restaurant.
What to book: The Quay Rooms on the pool level are an oasis after a long day, boasting functional workspaces, private patios with direct pool access, and complimentary digital newspapers.
Don’t miss: Wind down at SiLuEt, the hotel’s alfresco cocktail bar, where you can watch the sun set over the city’s skyline while enjoying a well-mixed cocktail.
23 Merchant Road, +65 6818 8888; www.parkregissingapore.com
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