Luxury and style in the heart of Singapore



The magnificent view of the bay from the 20th floor Fairmont Hotel room

Great things happen when you least expect it.

Staying in a luxury hotel in Singapore with the iconic view of the Marina Bay is nothing short of amazing. I speak from experience and I am grateful that I have been afforded those chances, I will admit.

The hotels by the bay will share the renowned panorama, but each of these hotels is unique. Each bear a distinguishing charm that makes them stand out from the rest that lures their clients into coming back. In the case of Fairmont Hotel, it’s the fusion of luxury, style, outstanding personalized service and, most importantly, the location that makes this award-winning hotel special.
Camouflaged by a minimalist design architectural exterior, one would not expect such sophistication, tastefully presented, when you step into its interiors. Fairmont must have mastered the formula of understated elegance in its design and service having a collection of celebrated hotels in its family tree, London’s Savoy and New York’s The Plaza to name a couple. 

The facade of the Fairmont Hotel in Singapore

Recipient to prestigious awards (including Condé Nast Traveller magazine’s World’s Top 20 Best Overseas Business Hotels for 2010- the only Singapore-based hotel that made the list, and the Forbes Travel Guide 4-Star Awards for 2011), the Fairmont Hotel enjoys a most-ideal location in the heart of the Lion City. It sits at the crossroads of Singapore’s business, cultural, entertainment and shopping districts. It is part of a complex. One may even call it a city within Singapore.

A refreshing site....

The state-of-the-art Raffles City Convention Center with its conference facilities and impressive pillar-free ballroom, the shopping mall and its array of renowned brands, an art gallery, Asia’s largest spa- the Willow Stream Spa, and a slew of restaurants offering cuisines that will satisfy any craving, are all in the next room, not next door. You can call it a one-stop destination with facilities exceeding the expectations of the businessman and the tourist. 

One of the ballrooms at the  Raffles City Convention Center

An experience I have yet to indulge in. It's the biggest spa in Asia.

But if you feel the need to explore Singapore on foot, the Singapore Arts Museum, National Museum, the Marina Bay attractions and more, are just around the corner. Everywhere else- Orchard Road, Chinatown and even Changi Airport, will be one stop away with the City Hall Rapid Transit (MRT) train station (nothing can be more convenient, quick, and economical, than this) and other major transportation modes at Fairmont’s doorstep.

Christmas at the Fairmont
This stay is going to be special, I said to myself upon entering the stylish and sweet-smelling lobby of the Fairmont past midnight after a long trip from Davao via the new direct flight of Tiger Airways. The VIP welcome by Veronica Orosa, the Regional Director of Revenue & Distribution ASPAC Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts, and the staff of Fairmont, was not at all expected. It was heart-warming and an honor. 

A welcome fit for a VIP. The sash represents 3 of Singapore's culture- the Chinese, Malay & Indian.

Fairmont’s Aiden McAuley’s, Managing Director and Lim Ee Jin’s, Marketing Communications Director, warm wishes and presents of wine, chocolates and fresh fruits greeted me as I entered my private sanctuary, one of the 769 luxurious guestrooms and suites of the hotel. Mine came with a chic and sleek immaculate white bathroom with designer fittings (I must admit this caught my fancy), a truly heavenly bed with goose down pillows, and a view of the Singapore skyline that is as magnificent at night as it is by day, the sight that lulls me to rest in the evening and boosts me at sunrise. 


My 20th floors private sanctuary in Fairmont Singapore. Check out the mattress...it's THE heavenly bed.


This is how my bathroom looks like. Fabulous!




And I won't mind trying this one. No, not at all!


Which is attached to this room, the Plaza View Suite.


We share the same view, by the way.

the sight that lulls me to rest at night and boosts me at sunrise

Here's another fabulous room, the Signature Room at the North Tower.


Yes, great things happened to me and I didn’t expect it. Each day, after a great culinary exploration of Singapore and I return to the comforts of my room in the evening, wonderful gifts await me, wishing me another good night’s rest in my own Eden, in Fairmont. 


Welcome presents surprise me every evening  from Fairmont’s Aiden McAuley’s, Managing Director & from SHaik Shidek, Resident Service Manager.  Thank you very much!

Fairmont Singapore is at 80 Bras Basah Road Singapore 189560. Telephone: +65 6339 7777. For more information, visit their website http://www.fairmont.com/singapore

Tiger Airways flies between Singapore and Davao three times a week every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. For on-line bookings, visit their website at http://www.tigerairways.com/ph/en/

Published in Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 11, 2011.