We are suckers for the world’s best hotels in heritage buildings and Singapore has its fair share of beauties on the list. Located in a prime position along the Singapore River, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is a landmark of the Lion City. The historic building has led many lives over its century of existence, but now seems firmly fixed on retaining its status as a leading luxury hotel. I checked in and discovered that its history is just the beginning of an indulgent stay for the modern traveller.
P.S. We also have a curated guide to the best boutique hotels in Singapore.
While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
We review The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Hotel snapshot
Hotel: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Address: 1 Fullerton Square, Singapore 049178
Number of rooms: 400 rooms and suites
Brand: The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts
Year opened: 2001
Style: Grand neoclassical heritage hotel combining historic architecture with contemporary luxury
Best for: Couples, families, first-time visitors to Singapore, history and architecture lovers, and travellers wanting a central Marina Bay location
Family amenities: Family-friendly accommodation, spacious room categories and an outdoor swimming pool
Wellness facilities: Outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and spa
Prices starting from: £250 per night, depending on room and season.
A city landmark
Enjoy your meals at Jade
History is in the bones of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. The grand neoclassical building was originally built in 1928 and went through several reincarnations before finally taking on its current iteration as a luxury hotel. Over the years, the property has been the General Post Office, the Chamber of Commerce, and the prestigious Singapore Club. With such an illustrious history, the building is woven into the fabric of Singapore’s story. Perhaps that’s why it became Singapore’s 71st National Monument in December 2015.
The hotel pays homage to its past in many ways, but none so obviously as its Fullerton Gallery, located in a discreet corner of the lobby. Here, visitors can dive into the building’s history through photos, videos, and interactive displays that show the events and people that have been a part of its story.
Guests can also embark on a series of tours of the precinct to learn more about its unique past and development. The tour I take encompasses The Fullerton Bay Hotel next door, as well as the landmark Clifford Pier and Customs House and delves into the area’s importance as a trade hub and Singapore’s connection to the world.
The room
The Marina Bay View room offers a stunning glimpse of the city’s skyline
The Fullerton has 399 guest rooms and suites across a range of categories. But even within each category, rooms offer slightly different experiences and configurations. Such are the idiosyncrasies that occur when turning a national monument into a hotel.
My Marina Bay View Room is slightly smaller than I expected but perfectly well-appointed. There’s a cloud-like king-sized bed, a sizeable working table, plenty of closet space, and a marble-clad bathroom with a separate bath and shower. The pièce-de-résistance, though, is the French windows that open onto a snug balcony that’s perfect for sipping wine while taking in the classic view of the Singapore skyline, Esplanade, and Marina Bay Sands.
More importantly, this particular room comes with access to the Straits Club, the hotel’s executive lounge. A sophisticated space filled with Peranakan décor and Straits Chinese objets d’art, it’s perfect for working while enjoying afternoon tea, and later in the evening, canapés and cocktails—served to the table on a three-tier stand, because of Covid. The Club also serves an indulgent breakfast—there’s Champagne, Western dishes and local favourites—and offers in-room check-ins, laundry, and meeting rooms.
The facilities
Don’t miss taking a dip in the pool
Befitting a five-star luxury hotel, The Fullerton has a full complement of wellness facilities that you can’t miss. The 25-metre infinity pool is located above the main entrance and offers a relaxing experience with lovely views.
Next door, The Fullerton Spa is an oasis of pampering treatments that, as of last year, uses decadent ESPA products. I slip in one evening for the Asian Heritage Signature massage and am quickly lulled to sleep. 90-minutes later, I emerge in a zen state, all the muscle tension in my body released with the powerful, specialised massage techniques.
Frequently asked questions: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
The hotel occupies the magnificent Fullerton Building, a grand neoclassical landmark completed in 1928. The building was formerly Singapore’s General Post Office, Exchange, Chamber of Commerce and Singapore Club before being transformed into a hotel. It was gazetted as a National Monument in 2015.
The hotel is at 1 Fullerton Square, in the heart of Singapore’s Civic District and Marina Bay. Its central position makes it a convenient base for exploring the city’s major attractions, restaurants and shopping areas.
Yes. Its central location is one of its biggest advantages. Guests can easily reach Marina Bay, the Merlion, Singapore River and the Civic District, while Raffles Place MRT is also nearby.
For views, look at the Marina Bay View Rooms or rooms overlooking the Singapore River. The hotel specifically highlights panoramic views of Marina Bay and the Singapore River, with some rooms looking towards the city’s famous skyline.
Yes. The hotel has a large outdoor swimming pool, which is particularly appealing for families or anyone wanting somewhere to cool off during Singapore’s hot and humid weather.
Yes. The hotel has spa and wellness facilities alongside its fitness centre and swimming pool.
Yes. The hotel is a good choice for families, particularly because of its central location and swimming pool. Larger rooms and suites can also provide more space for families travelling with children.
Singapore Changi Airport is approximately 20km from the hotel. The journey by taxi or private transfer generally takes around 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic. Public transport is also possible, although a taxi is more convenient with luggage.
Yes. Marina Bay Sands is easily accessible from the hotel, making The Fullerton a good choice for visitors who want to explore the Marina Bay area without staying directly within the resort complex.
Final thoughts
With a stately building with heritage, an enviable city-centre location, plenty of modern comforts, and a full complement of facilities, this is exactly what you expect of a luxury hotel. Throw in a staff that knows how to offer service befitting the regal property, and it’s no surprise that The Fullerton Hotel consistently ranks as one of Singapore’s top hotels.
Find out more about The Fullerton Hotel Singapore or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia Book through Agoda
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