Superb make-over transforms Singapore's Swissotel into a swish hotel

One of Singapore’s most recognisable hotels has emerged from an almost two-year makeover – but from the outside, the Swissotel looks little different to when the circular I.M. Pei-designed tower opened in 1986.

Then known as The Westin, it soared above the Raffles City block and was, for a time, the world's tallest hotel.

Singapore's Swissotel The Stamford is a landmark of the city skyline

Dressed in Pei’s modernist geometric style, it still catches the eye. And, due in part to an unmatched location, the Swissotel The Stamford – to give the hotel its full name, and differentiate it from the nearby Hotel Swissôtel Merchant Court at Clarke Quay – retains its place on the Singapore shortlist of many business travellers.

Location, location, location

The Swissotel stands above City Hall MRT station, a bustling junction for the city’s two metro backbones (the green East-West line and the red North-South line) and a short stroll from the Circle line’s Esplanade station.

It’s perched atop the Raffles City Convention Centre, and adjacent to the Suntec Convention Centre which is home to scores of conferences and trade shows.

A superbly central location helps make Singapore's Swissotel The Stamford a hit with travellers

A short taxi or Grab ride delivers you to the peaceful greens of Fort Canning Park; the bars, restaurants and nightlife of Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay; the commercial and financial towers around Raffles Place; the colour and authenticity of Chinatown; and the downtown shopping of Orchard Road. 

Enjoy late-night cocktails with a view at Level 70's Skai bar

The inside story

That said, today’s Swissotel The Stamford is the next best thing to an all-new hotel compared to the Swissotel I often visited on so many trips to the Red Dot.

A fresh new look for Accor's Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore

“The whole building was pretty much been pulled back to its bare bones and redeveloped,” recounts Marcus Hanna, who serves as General Manager of both the Swissotel and the neighbouring Fairmont. “Guests that haven't stayed with us for a while are quite amazed by the difference in what the hotel looks like now compared to what it was previously.”

Before its renovation, the Swissotel's rooms were certainly showing their age

The bottom-to-top transformation not only modernised all of the 1,200-odd rooms and suites, it gave them a decidedly Asian feel while while still embracing the brand’s Swiss design roots.

Considered design brings together location and brand

That’s perhaps not as much of a stretch as it sounds, which you consider that both aesthetics embrace natural materials and a clean, uncluttered form.

Details of design at the renovated Swissotel The Stamford

There’s definitely more of a sense of being in Singapore, in Asia. The vibe is more local than generic.

Warm colours and materials are at the heart of the Swissotel's revamp

“It's always important to have some local flavour, and I think our designer have done that very well,” Hanna tells Executive Traveller. “We also did get a few Swiss brand elements in there, little accents and touches like the red crosses for hanging your towels.”

Faster check-in

The Swissotel’s lobby has also been opened up, allowing plenty of room for guests to come and go and circulate.

The Swissotel's lobby provides more room to move, plus space to sit and wait for visitors

Immediately noticeable is bank of ten automated iMac-based check-in stations on the ground floor, reducing the need for weary guests to stand in line when they've not long ago stepped off their flight.

The self-checkin stations make it quicker for guests to head to their room and relax

“Being a 1,250 room hotel, eight percent of the time we’d have a queue to check in or check out, but since we've implemented the automated check out and check in, that queue has vanished,” Hanna says.

The system was developed in Singapore by Accor in partnership with a Dubai-based technology company, with funding assistance from the Singaporean government, which is always keen to boost the city-state’s efficiency.

“One of the biggest challenges in Singapore is manpower, “ Hanna explains. “It's very hard to find Singaporeans for many operational roles in the hotel industry, and the government is very tech-savvy, very much believes in transformation (to reduce reliance on manpower) and definitely supports you in that area.”

Lounging around

Another transformation took place 65 storeys up, with an entire floor now given over to the hotel’s new executive lounge – which used to be on level 60 – and fitness centre.

Almost an entire floor is given over to the Swissotel's executive lounge

The new lounge is more than five times larger and incorporates three meeting rooms plus a seperate Crest lounge exclusively for guests in the 13 spacious suites.

The Crest lounge is dedicated to guests staying in the Swissotel The Stamford's 13 suites

Needless to say, the expansive floorplan and panoramic 360 degree views across the city are a delightful way to start the day at breakfast or finish in the evening with cocktails.

Breakfast comes with a stunning view at the Swissotel The Stamford's executive lounge

And while Singapore serves up a riot of places to eat and drink – the locals are, after all, among the world’s most enthusiastic foodies – the Swissotel’s new outlets are a convenient option for guests.

JAAN by Kirk Westaway provides an intimate 40-seat gourmet experience

The range from the Stamford Brasserie on the lobby level, the Clove buffet restaurant and the intimate Michelin starred JAAN restaurant; Skai is a contemporary grill, complemented by the Skai Bar cocktail bar, both on level 70; and one floor up, the pulsating Bar Rouge nightclub.

A refresh for the Fairmont

Following the Swissotel The Stamford’s magnificent make-over, Accor’s renovation plan – believed to cost several hundred million dollars – continues at the south tower of the neighbouring Fairmont hotel, which is being redone in its own unique and distinctly residential style.

The living room of the Swissotel The Stamford's opulent Presidential Suite

Lighter carpets and woods have moved to a darker, richer and calmer palette, “It’s totally different to what it was,” Hanna says of the design’s “homely residential feel.”

“In some of the rooms we have a ‘floating bed’ to capitalise on the views. We've also made sure that if you're working at your desk there’s still a view instead of you looking at a wall.”

The updating of both properties also has an eye towards the environment, as driven by Accor’s Planet 21 sustainable development initiative.

Skai-high dining atop Singapore's Swissotel The Stamford

“We are putting filtered water taps with still, sparkling and hot water in the (Fairmont) rooms, as part of the mini-bar – we won't have any plastic bottles in those rooms, as we are trying to eradicate as much plastic as we can.”

“In the Swissotel bathrooms there are no small amenities in plastic bottles anymore, we've gone to pump bottles, and that's also to ensure that we're doing our part for the environment.”

David Flynn stayed as a guest of Swissotel The Stamford

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.