We all know that the Fullerton Hotel is a luxurious hotel but luxury can often be misconstrued to be stiff, detached and formal but not so at the Fullerton. What, then sets it apart?

This Grand Dame has seen the evolution of Singapore, from a bustling port city to the modern metropolis.

The Fullerton Hotel is a building which has stoically seen the transformation of Singapore. Built in 1928, it has been regally gracing the mouth of the Singapore River with her majestic facade. Modelled after the Greek Parthenon she has seen the evolution of our young nation from a budding port city to a bustling metropolis it is today.

We first paid for a night’s stay on New Year’s Eve 2014 as we had ambassadorial duties to fulfill for the Marina Bay Countdown event. We didn’t get to enjoy the hotel much then because we were mostly out and about covering the Countdown festivities. When Angie won a night’s stay at the Fullerton Hotel from The Asian Parent‘s Father’s Day Facebook Contest in June this year, we were overjoyed to have the opportunity to experience this iconic hotel again. Being a history buff, I was particularly looking forward to discover what Fullerton can reveal to us from within its annals of history together with my family. 

The Fullerton Singapore has all that one would expect from a world-class, high-end luxury hotel. When one enters the majestic former GPO (General Post Office), the series of towering columns lining the perimeters and facade greeted us with a sense of awe and grandeur. Step into its lobby and you would be swathed in the opulence of one of Singapore’s grandest hotels. With large marble pillars that seem to stretch endlessly skywards, to its plush furniture bathed under the warm natural lighting streaming in through its air well, it leaves one feeling as if I’ve walked into an oasis, a secret garden of sorts if you like for an exquisite experience.

The lobby swathed in opulence with tall marble pillars that stretch endlessly skywards.

Fresh exotic flowers adorn the lobby and common spaces, adding that touch of class.

The rooms are luxurious and very well appointed. Complete with bespoke furniture and well-polished steel and silver finishing on its cutlery and appliances set against its solid wood interior, it exceeds the luxurious experience one would expect of a 5-star hotel. For the National Day rehearsal staycation, we were upgraded to the duplex loft suite which gave a commanding view of the Marina Bay from the balcony. On both stays, we invited close friends with younger kids to join us to watch the fireworks together in the comfort of the room to avoid the human jam across the road.

These huge pillars are modelled after the Greek Parthenon, exuding grandeur.

Spacious living and dining area in the 2-storey Loft Suite….

What’s a celebration without good wine?

Tucked nicely up in the upper level is an awesome plush bed.

Top-down view of the suite.

Luxury…it’s all in the details.

The well appointed bathroom: personal pampering at its most luxurious.

The hotel displays many hallmarks of luxury. For a start, everything is at the guests’ fingertips – from a wide range of beverages to even choice of pillows, the Fullerton Hotel knows how to pamper and they do it effortlessly. Another hallmark is their impeccable service. While the checking-in process was fast and efficient, we were surprised to be personally escorted to our room by the same front desk staff who served us. Along the way, she engaged us in friendly chat, filling us in on the day’s events and making sure we feel welcomed.

The warm hospitality didn’t just stop there. During the course of our stay, we interacted with the chambermaid, the concierge staff and even the receptionists at the other end of the phone line, all of whom offered spontaneous and sincere smile as they greeted and served us. In the Straits Club (Executive Lounge) where guests can while away a lazy afternoon savouring caviar-topped canapés, the service staff were attentive and swift to attend to our requests, sometimes even before we ask! All these despite running at full capacity during the super peak year-end season.  Truly exceptional.

That personal touch extends to the morning buffet. Every item was fresh and bursting with flavors. We could taste that tinge of difference which was so subtle yet significant. That special attention to freshness, flavor and a special showcase (with detailed write-up) of our local heritage food is again the representation of the distinctive service culture that permeates throughout the hotel.  I’ll be proud to bring our overseas guests here for a meal to discover Singapore’s cuisines.

This is seriously good local breakfast – the only one we know that serves superb Kaya Toast with good old Kopi-C.

The highlight of our stay was joining the hotel’s complimentary heritage tours (which are open to guests and the public)! The hotel harbours many intriguing facts that reveal the history of Singapore for its own history parallels that of Singapore’s.  The hotel itself was a British fort turned General Post Office (housing prominent government offices) before being transformed it is today – an iconic world-class grand dame of a hotel, one which we can proudly call our own.

The Fullerton’s infinity pool offers a panoramic view of the Singapore River and our city skyline.

‘So…THIS is Singapore!’ Buddy enjoying his dip and the scenery of his lovely country.

The highlight of any staycation for kids is always the pool…

More About The Heritage Tours 

The daily complimentary hour-long heritage tours are led by historian guides. There are 3 types of tours for guests to pick from – The Fullerton Hotel Tour, The Maritime Journey Tour and the Self-guided Tour. The first two tours run at multiple timings throughout the day (up to 20 persons per tour). We joined the Fullerton Hotel Tour, a walking tour which led us to discover more about the history of the hotel.  From the front of the hotel by the Singapore River, to the top where the lighthouse still stands (yes, a lighthouse which bears the testament that not too long ago, the Fullerton was the tallest building in Singapore and fronting the Singapore River to guide ships into the harbor!). We spent an enjoyable morning discovering the answers to some of these intriguing questions posed by our experience guide:

“Do you know which ‘World Record’ did the Fullerton Hotel use to hold?”
“ Do you know how Battery Road (road right next to the hotel) got it’s name?”
“ Do you know what do the Lions skirting the top of the Fullerton represent?”
“ Do you know what strange coincidence the Straits Room holds?”
“ Do you know what some of Singapore’s top politicians have in common with the Fullerton?”

History…right at its doorstep.

Our guide walking guests through Singapore’s History. She’s quite a good story-teller.

The oldest bridge in Singapore and sculptures depicting early Singapore life.

Tucked at a corner of the hotel lobby is a section dedicated to Singapore’s history with items donated by the Lees.

The Fullerton Hotel sets the benchmark for a pampering and educational staycation where we can share trace the nation’s milestones as well as to commemorate our country’s heritage with our family and friends. It remains one of our preferred hotel for chasing after fireworks.

Want a commanding view of the fireworks over the bay? Stay at the Fullerton Hotel.

Check out the latest promotional packages offered by the Fullerton Hotel on its website. 

The Fullerton Family Package

COMPLIMENTARY FULLERTON HOTEL TOUR
Mondays and Thursdays | 10.00am (Exclusive for hotel guests) and 11.15am (Open to public)
Saturdays | 3.45pm (Open to public) and 5.00pm (Exclusive for hotel guests)
Registration: Call The Fullerton Hotel’s Concierge at (65) 6877 8078

The Fullerton Hotel Tour will take you on a journey to several historical points of interest within and around The Fullerton Hotel including the former main entrance of the General Post Office, Post Bar (where a 300-feet long postal counter used to be), the Straits Room (formerly the Billiard Room of the prestigious Singapore Club) and The Lighthouse (The Fullerton Hotel’s Italian restaurant & rooftop bar which used to house a beacon that guided ships approaching Singapore’s shores from 1958 to 1979). 

COMPLIMENTARY MARITIME JOURNEY TOUR
Fridays | 3.45pm (Open to public) and 5.00pm (Exclusive for hotel guests)
Sundays | 10.00am (Exclusive for hotel guests) and 11.15am (Open to public)
Registration: Call The Fullerton Bay Hotel’s Concierge at (65) 6597 5312

Learn the historical significance of the conserved buildings Clifford Pier (1933), Customs House (1960) and The Fullerton Waterboat House (1919). While these buildings are situated along today’s Marina Bay waterfront, they were part of Singapore’s historic waterfront, played important roles in Singapore’s maritime history and saw the arrival of our country’s early settlers.

COMPLIMENTARY FULLERTON HERITAGE TRAIL MAP (SELF-GUIDED TOUR)

With the support of the National Heritage Board’s Heritage Industry Incentive Programme (HI²P), The Fullerton Heritage together with the Singapore Philatelic Museum has designed The Fullerton Heritage Trail Map to guide visitors on a walking trail to discover firsthand the rich history and landmarks in and around the precinct and neighbouring civic district. Some of the historical gems include the Foundation Stone, the Cavenagh Bridge, and Old Supreme Court and City Hall.

Complimentary copies of the map are available to the public at The Fullerton Heritage Gallery.

Please click here to view the soft copy of The Fullerton Heritage Trail Map.

Please click here to view the soft copy of the Historical Gems around The Fullerton Heritage Precinct Map.

A stay at the Fullerton is not only pampering, it’s enriching…to say the least.

We enjoyed our Fullerton adventure and hope to be back someday!