An Expanding Luxury of Choice in Singapore Lodging

With Singapore’s fabled Raffles Hotel & Resort poised to reopen this September in grand style, interest in the destination is going to continue trending upwards. It is almost certain the competition to book a Raffles stay will be tight. Although it has the cache of being the first hotel to put Singapore on the map among choosy travelers, Raffles is just one of many hotels offering an enticing blend of history, pull-out-the-stops modern luxury and amenities that can make couples and families discover the wonders of the city.

Along main thoroughfare Stamford Road and a five-minute walk from the Raffles Hotel, The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, opened in October 2018, covers several “heritage” buildings from the 1920s and 30s with a storied past. They were originally built as the Capitol Building, Capitol Theater and Stamford House. Separately and together, they survived the Japanese Occupation period during World War II as well as efforts to redevelop the land as a modern shopping complex in the late 1970s. After a couple of decades’ worth of name and ownership changes, as well as an effort to transform the buildings into an arts center, the property’s redevelopment in this century led to the hotel it is today.

Singapore Hotels, Kempinski. Photo: Elyse Glickman

There are 50 different room configurations built right into the existing architecture, and decorated with furniture and natural hues that balance Art Deco influences, Singaporean and Southeast Asian accents and contemporary minimalism. Larger suites provide a splendid option for multigenerational families or those traveling with young children and toddlers. Perks include a regularly stocked, free, non-alcoholic minibar, wonderful kitchen-fresh sweets awaiting guests in the afternoon, an expansive international breakfast buffet (that by night is Michelin-starred fine dining under the banner of 15 Stamford by Alvin Leung) and a saltwater relaxation pool. The adjoining indoor mall (Capitol Piazza) is lined with several casual and kid-friendly dining options and a live performance theater. In-room childcare is also available.

Kempinski Hotel Singapore Mall. Photo: Elyse Glickman

The hotel family’s signature “Ladies in Red” provide bespoke guidance to help enrich a family’s stay and make age-appropriate recommendations for restaurants and activities around the city — including a tour of the hotel detailing its historic features and back story. The location is also an easy walk to many of Singapore’s most important cultural institutions and several major shopping malls with international and Asian chains, and all of the Riverfront attractions.

The Six Senses Maxwell, built out of a block of heritage shop houses in the Tajong Pagar neighborhood, is well suited for families with older children and those who previously visited Singapore. The Maxwell Suite is tailor made for a longer stay, with its available adjoining bedroom and free-standing living room.

Six Senses Maxwell Pool, Singapore. Photo: Elyse Glickman

While the Maxwell’s rooftop terrace pool is perfect for cooling off after a day of exploring, one of the most crowd-pleasing and unusual perks is complimentary artisanal ice cream offered daily in the afternoon during one’s stay. The Murray Terrace Brasserie (taking on the building’s original 1929 name) offers nighttime fine dining and Western-style breakfasts to order with subtle hints of Asian flavor, while the oft-Instagrammed Cook & Tras Social Library serves share plates and light snacks throughout the day. Max’s Rooftop and Edible Garden, meanwhile, has a menu of organic dishes with fresh-picked elements sure to please those needing a break from hearty hawker center fare.

The Maxwell shares amenities with its sophisticated sibling Six Senses Duxton, a couple blocks away. The Duxton’s features, including a breakfast menu with Singaporean selections, informal Chinese medicine consultations and yoga classes twice a week, are available free of charge to Maxwell guests.

The blocks between the Maxwell and Duxton properties are filled with Korean and Japanese restaurants, while Chinatown and the Maxwell Food Hall hawker center are five minutes from the front door. The location also makes it easy for visitors to master Singapore’s bus and train system to access Little India, Kampong Glam (Arab Street) and other fascinating areas with their own distinct mixes of street art, independent boutiques, mom-and-pop restaurants, temples and cultural attractions.