The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

"How did it strike you on arrival?This Neo-classical grand dame is stately yet buzzy. There's constant traffic in the lobby area - it's a popular meeting venue for execs from the surrounding business district, and a regular stop for tourists on the heritage trail (the hotel has been gazetted a national monument). What’s the crowd like?Honeymooners, culture vultures and local families on staycation. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.The Straits Club Premier Quay Room, which was a good blend of heritage and modern - the building's original structure and certain design features have been retained, but the in-room facilities are modern. As a Straits Club room it also came with free champagne breakfast in the club lounge. However the rooms haven't been updated since the 1990s and it shows - everything is in various dull shades of brown and the furniture is slightly chipped. But I did appreciate the upgrade to tech - Fullerton is one of Singapore's first hotels to provide guests with a tablet (they call this e-compendium a "tapendium") containing useful info about the hotel and its neighborhood, plus a library of free movies within a month of their release and a Handy phone. The room had also recently been equipped with a somewhat clunky looking Harman Kardon speaker. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?The Simmons Beautyrest mattress was reasonably firm and comfy. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that worth a mention?If you have access to Wi-Fi outside the hotel that Samsung tablet is a handy companion. If rules (or guilt) didn't exist, I'd steal the adorable Fullerton Merlion plushie on the bed table, made by local social enterprise Mother & Child Project. (Or you can just buy it from the hotel's gift store for $15.) Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.Standard bathtub, walk-in shower and towels in a fairly spacious bathroom. The Straits Club rooms come with stylish mini bottles of Bottega Veneta toiletries (I swiped them). Regular rooms get Acca Kappa toiletries. We all need some good Wi-Fi. What’s the word on that?Decent speeds and free throughout the hotel. Anything stand out about other services and features?The spa's sauna and steam rooms are free to use for all guests. The Instagram-worthy lobby-level Jade restaurant is hugely popular for its dim sum buffet. Just make sure you book weeks in advance to get a table. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?As far as being memorable, no other hotel in Singapore has a heritage so linked to the country's modern history. Previously called Fullerton Building, it was once the General Post Office and housed various government agencies before it was turned into a hotel in 2001. Bottom line: worth it?It's part of the Singapore story (a free permanent exhibition in the lobby helps tell this) and so provides a unique experience no other hotel in Singapore can offer." - Audrey Phoon

"Opened at the mouth of the Singapore River in 1928 to celebrate 100 years since Singapore 's British founding, the Fullerton Hotel was, at the time, the largest and most expensive building in the Lion City. It served as the General Post Office, Exchange, Chamber of Commerce, and Singapore Club before undergoing a $320 million refit to open as a hotel in 2001. Visually, it’s a showstopper, with coffered ceilings, cornices, and marble floors—a Palladian building in stark contrast to the neighboring bland office towers. The atrium lobby is refreshingly bright, with a grandness of scale that brings drama to the arrival experience. Rooms have vanilla-colored walls, and some open to the atrium. The 25-meter infinity pool is almost theatrical, with Doric columns rising behind. Leisurely afternoon tea is a fine excuse to linger in the atrium lobby and appreciate the airy space’s tranquil qualities."

"Opened at the mouth of the Singapore River in 1928 to celebrate 100 years since Singapore 's British founding, the Fullerton Hotel was, at the time, the largest and most expensive building in the Lion City. It served as the General Post Office, Exchange, Chamber of Commerce, and Singapore Club before undergoing a $320 million refit to open as a hotel in 2001. Visually, it’s a showstopper, with coffered ceilings, cornices, and marble floors—a Palladian building in stark contrast to the neighboring bland office towers. The atrium lobby is refreshingly bright, with a grandness of scale that brings drama to the arrival experience. Rooms have vanilla-colored walls, and some open to the atrium. The 25-meter infinity pool is almost theatrical, with Doric columns rising behind. Leisurely afternoon tea is a fine excuse to linger in the atrium lobby and appreciate the airy space’s tranquil qualities."

"The Fullerton Hotel celebrates heritage cuisine with a laksa making workshop. Guests can learn the finer points of local heritage cuisine with Fullerton chefs, from preparing the rempah (spice mix) to cooking the coconut broth. Guests can savor the fruits of their labor afterwards." - Mikka Wee

"This Neoclassical grand dame is stately yet buzzy. There's constant traffic in the lobby area—it's a popular meeting spot for execs from the surrounding business district, and a regular stop for tourists on the heritage trail (the hotel has been gazetted a national monument). No other hotel in Singapore has a heritage so linked to the country's modern history. Previously called Fullerton Building, it was once the General Post Office and housed various government agencies before it was turned into a hotel in 2001." - Audrey Phoon