Luxury that speaks for itself
With excellent restaurants, four executive floors and two levels of boutiques, Hilton Singapore will delight both the business and leisure traveller
Located in Orchard Road, Singapore’s premier shopping district, Hilton Singapore is not only a hotel but a shopping destination in itself. The hotel boasts two floors of luxury boutiques, allowing hurried and harried executives to pick up gifts to take home without even leaving the building.
A three-minute walk from Orchard MRT station, just 20 minutes from Changi Airport and 10 minutes drive from the Central Business District, Hilton Singapore is a fine choice for both the business and leisure traveller.
As my private taxi comes to a complete stop, the concierge opens the door, takes my luggage and leads me into the lobby. Worried that I’m going to be late for a lunch meeting, I tell the receptionist I’ll probably have to check-in after lunch. She clicks her mouse and tells me that as an Executive Floor guest, I don’t have to worry about queuing up for check-in.
“My colleague will guide you to the restaurant so you’ll be on time for your appointment. She just needs your passport and your signature for check-in,” she explains.
As we make our time to the award-winning Italian restaurant il Cielo on the 24th floor of the hotel, the officer tells me that the Executive Floors are on levels 19 to 22 and that guests enjoy such benefits private check-in, complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, snacks during the afternoon and an evening cocktail at the Executive Lounge on the 22nd floor.
I find my group at the restaurant, hand my passport to the officer and in less than five minutes, she’s back with passport and my keycard.
Having eaten a snack for breakfast on the plane, being served authentic Italian food made with natural, organic produce is like going to food heaven. The cosy atmosphere of the restaurant and a few glasses of wine relieve travel tension and there is plenty of laughter.
An early morning flight makes for a sleepy afternoon and when lunch is over I walk back to my room on the 19th floor to freshen up and laze around before my next meeting in the late afternoon.
Open since 1970, Hilton Singapore underwent a contemporary makeover in 2007. All guestrooms were refurbished with light-hued sycamore furnishings to add a more welcoming and relaxing ambience. My room is compact but cleverly decorated with modern furnishings to make it look light and cosy. For a single guest, the room is a perfect size with everything within easy reach but I suspect a couple might find it crowded.
The comfortable king bed takes almost all the space in the room while a single-seat sofa at the corner next to the floor-to-ceiling windows is a nice spot to sit back and enjoy the city view or one of the channels on the 40-inch HDTV. A working desk with the Herman Miller ergonomic chair is pleasant space to work on any project.
The Nespresso machine on the counter beckons but I decide to pass, not least because I’m still pleasantly full. My aching muscles are pleading for exercise so I call the front desk asking for information about the Fitness Centre. But after learning that the centre is open for 24 hours, my lazy alter ego mutters that there’ll be plenty of time to work out in the evening so I decide to freshen up before my afternoon nap. The marble bathroom is small but well designed with a walk-in rain shower equipped with Peter Thomas Roth bathroom amenities.
After my nap, I head to the Executive Lounge on the 22nd floor to enjoy a cup of tea before joining my friends for dinner at Opus Bar & Grill. The keycard elevator makes access easy for Executive Floor guests and I’m soon heading to Opus for a delicious dinner of grilled sustainable seafood and prime cuts; dry aged in-house for 14 to 36 days in customised Himalayan salt tile cabinets.
My vegetarian grill and side dish go very well with the wine and the waiters, who are very attentive, suggest a perfect wine for the food.
The dim lighting and cosy ambience in Opus morph overnight into a bright and airy atmosphere as partitions are removed and space made for the international buffet breakfast.
As I sip my last glass of wine, I hear my lazy self whisper “exercise can wait”.
AT A GLANCE
High point: Prime location with helpful and friendly staff.
Low point: None
Pay for it: Visit the hotel’s website for the best deals.
Find it: 581 Orchard Road, Singapore 238883
Call it: (+65) 67 372 233
RELATED