This historic General Post Office turned Chamber of Commerce turned prestigious Singapore Club is now home to one of the trendiest hotels in town.
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.
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 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 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 expect 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.
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.
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
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