Review of the Fullerton Bay Hotel (Singapore)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

I recently enjoyed a phenomenal holiday in Singapore & Thailand. You can read my trip reports here:

• Review: Swiss Boeing 777 Business Class from Zürich to Singapore
• Review: Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore (today)
• Review: Six Senses Duxton & Maxwell (Singapore)
• Review: Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 Business Class from Singapore to Phuket
• Review: Keemala Resort Phuket (Thailand)
• Review: Rosewood Resort Phuket (Thailand)
• Review: Thai Airways Boeing 747 First Class from Phuket to Bangkok
• Review: The Siam Hotel Bangkok (Thailand)
• Review: Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle (Thailand)
• Review: AMAZING Soneva Kiri (Thailand)
• Review: Asia’s largest holiday villa at Soneva Kiri, Thailand
• Review: Eva Air Boeing 777 Business Class from Bangkok to London

Today (January 29, 2020): Review of the Fullerton Bay Hotel (Singapore).

• Location: Google maps
• Hotel website: The Fullerton Bay Hotel
• Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso

With its visionary glass facade illuminated by the sun, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore sparkles amidst the Marina Bay waterfront. Guests enter the hotel — built entirely over water — from the historic 1933 Clifford Pier, and are welcomed by spellbinding interiors of design wunderkind Andre Fu await. Comfortably chic accommodations fuse natural hues, rosewood latticed screens, leather and chrome to full effect. Leisure facilities include a stunning rooftop pool, while dining includes La Brasserie, the heritage luxe The Clifford Pier restaurant and The Landing Point.

The Fullerton Bay Hotel features in my top 10 lists of the best hotels in Singapore and the best things to see & do in Singapore.

Have you ever stayed at The Fullerton Bay Hotel? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube clip):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Built on concrete stilts over the tranquil waters of Marina Bay, the Fullerton Bay Hotel enjoys a prime waterfront location in Singapore’s Central Business District and the historical Arts & Cultural precinct. Over the past decade, the Marina Bay area has undergone a transformation of epic proportions and is now the beating heart of Singapore. Some of the city’s main attractions – the National Gallery, Merlion Park, and Gardens by the Bay – are located minutes away. Each night, the hotel also offers a terrific view of Marina Bay’s spectacular light show, a symphony of music, water and light powered by advanced lasers, fountain jets and visual projectors.

• Guests enter the hotel through a 17 m (55 ft) wide lobby at the Clifford Pier, an important 1933 heritage site. In the past century, the pier was a landing point for immigrants, but was later used as a terminal for tourists and day trippers who boarded small boats and ferries heading for neighboring islands. Today, the Clifford Pier has been restored to its former glory, and impresses hotel guests with its historic character, gigantic scale, and opulent design. Creating a transition from the past to present, the historic building connects via a walkway with a modern reception area in the de facto hotel building, a six-story diamond-shaped glass structure.

• The hotel’s glamorous decor is masterminded by sought-after Asian designer Andre Fu. The interiors are richly steeped in Singapore’s vibrant history and reflect the celebration of heritage and modernity in the Lion City. While arched lobby ceilings, bountiful florals, and historical lithographs may evoke a sense of a bygone colonial era, eclectic furniture, bespoke lights, and contemporary art keep this stunning property firmly rooted in the present. A soothing color palette of mineral blue, warm tangerine and soft beige, accented with rustic stone counters and ornaments such as blue and white porcelain vases, alludes to the venue’s nautical origins.

• The hotel features 100 luxurious rooms that come with views of either the iconic Marina Bay Sands complex or the city skyline. During my visit, I was upgraded to a beautiful ‘premier bay view room’, which has an outdoor sundeck that was perfect for watching the sun rise over the triple-decked Marina Bay Sands. The room featured high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, a sublime kingsize bed, a sitting area, and a lovely bathroom equipped with double vanity, deep soaking tub, and separate rain shower cubicle. The use of polished rosewood and latticed screens, as well as leather and chrome, created a warm, elegant and refined atmosphere.

• Each of the hotel’s six suites are individually themed to reflect the wealth of cultures in Singapore’s cosmopolitan population, including Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan and Colonial. They are situated on the upper three stories of the hotel, in prime-angled positions facing stunning views of the Marina Bay waterfront. Named after the former Governors of the Straits Settlement (Sir Hugh Clifford, Sir Shenton Thomas, Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson, Sir John Anderson and Major General Sir William Orfeur Cavenagh), each is adorned with bespoke artwork and antiques alongside contemporary pieces that embody the spirit unique to the suite’s theme.

• The hotel features a fabulous rooftop on its 6th floor, where guests can soak up jaw-dropping views of Marina Bay Sands and the world-famous Singapore skyline. The rooftop’s main attraction is a spectacular 25-m (82 ft) outdoor swimming pool, which is lined by a row of in-pool lounge chairs on each side. Two Jacuzzis, a shaded sundeck, and a small gym (featuring state-of-the-art fitness equipment) are located next to the pool. The rooftop’s other attraction is the stylish Lantern rooftop bar, which becomes one of Singapore’s buzziest and most popular social hot spots at night (more on that below).

• The hotel’s duo of culinary experiences, designed by Andre Fu, comprises the signature restaurant Clifford Pier and La Brasserie:
  • Housed inside the historic wing, the Clifford Pier’s menu showcases the rich diversity of Singapore’s culinary culture, featuring Malay and Peranakan dishes alongside Chinese favorites and Western staples. The restaurant is also the scene of a terrific dim sum brunch (on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays) and an excellent heritage dinner buffet (on Saturdays). Afternoon tea is also served here.
  • La Brasserie serves classic French bistro favorites in a sleek modern setting. The venue is illuminated by splendid 10 m (30 ft) high floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sparkling waters of the bay, and features an opulent 800-bottle, meticulously handpicked fine wine library at its entrance. Each morning, breakfast is served at La Brasserie, with an extensive buffet complemented by a menu for hot dishes (included in the breakfast rate).

• The hotel features three bars, which rank among the most sought after venues in Singapore:
  • Framed by an infinity lap pool and green landscaping, the stylish Lantern rooftop bar offers dazzling panoramic views of Marina Bay waterfront and the city skyline. Here, guests can chill to sensual beats and savor gourmet snacks, cocktails and fine wines.
  • Overlooking the Marina Bay waterfront, the Landing Point is the perfect indoor venue for an afternoon tea, mouthwatering Asian favorites and bespoke cocktails. The bar stretches along an elegant indoor promenade (which links the old and new wing), paved with bespoke marble mosaics and gold hues.
  • Located at the al fresco area of the Clifford Pier, the Gin Parlor lives up to its name by offering a top-shelf collection of over 160 labels of gins from around the world. Sip it neat, drink it with tonic, or have it in a cocktail – the possibilities here are endless.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

With its prime waterfront location, exceptional design, spacious rooms, and stunning rooftop, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Fullerton Bay Hotel is one of the best 5-star hotels in Singapore. It’s very hard to fault the hotel, but you need to know the following when considering a stay here:

• Although the hotel has a phenomenal rooftop pool, it lacks other leisure and wellness facilities. Yes, there is a gym (adjacent to the pool) but it’s very small. Also, there is no spa onsite although guests can book a body treatment at the excellent wellness center of its historic sister hotel – The Fullerton Hotel – across the street.

• As the property is located right on the waterfront of Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay – a vibrant and popular precinct – the hotel bars and restaurants are very busy and often fully booked (advanced reservations are recommended). Sometimes, they are closed for corporate events (as they are the preferred venue for events showcasing Singapore) in which case the concierge will recommend guests to dine at the available food & beverage outlets at The Fullerton Hotel. Guests dining at The Fullerton Hotel are able to sign the check and charge back to their guestrooms at The Fullerton Bay Hotel or vice-versa.

• Most rooms have water views, but only few rooms enjoy a great view across Marina Bay to the iconic three towers with the Sands Casino on top (these rooms are labeled as ‘bay view rooms’).

MY VERDICT

• Location: 9/10
• Design: 9/10
• Pool: 9/10
• Rooms: 9/10
• Food: 9/10
• Breakfast: 9/10
• Spa: 9/10
• Service: 9/10
• Value for money: 9/10
• Overall experience: exceptional – 9/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, one Fullerton bear per room, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).

• Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore (and/or receive many free perks).

• Room tip: if you want a room with a view, make sure to book a ‘bay view’ accommodation; these rooms overlook the Marina Bay water reservoir towards the iconic Marina Bay Sands complex.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Singapore is anytime as the island nation experiences a hot and humid tropical climate year-round. And because of a continuous influx of business travelers and tourist, the city’s hotels always enjoy high occupancy and are able to maintain high room rates. To avoid exorbitant prices, steer clear of popular events like the F1 race or national holidays like Chinese New Year. December and January are usually the rainiest months, though it can be wet at any time of year.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Changi Airport, it’s a 20-minute taxi drive to the hotel. For a list of airlines that offer direct flights to Singapore, click here.

PHOTOS

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