Fort Canning Park’s heritage as an exclusive and historical landmark is being revived with the opening of a fashionable boutique hotel, Hotel Fort Canning (Hfc) in October 2010.
Nestled between Orchard Road, the Clarke Quay entertainment hub and Central Business District, Hotel Fort Canning features a collection of 86 stylised rooms and suites. It has been designed to offer guests premium services and facilities in a one-of-a-kind location.
Hfc promises to be one of the most prestigious addresses in Singapore providing a highly desired respite from the ‘hustle and bustle’ of city living.
Once used as a base for the British Far East Command during World War II, the property, which has been sensitively restored by award-winning Singapore architectural company, DP Architects, maintains a sense of the old style colonial glamour with many original features including a multi-columned façade.
Each guest in residence at the hotel will enjoy ‘around-the-clock’ concierge services, be it booking tickets to a local concert, sourcing flights or arranging city guides and translation services. Equipped with the latest iPads, savvy staff can be contacted around the clock, by SMS, email or telephone.
Both rooms and suites are complemented by a selection of award-winning furniture from Poltrona Frau amongst others. The bathroom features eco-friendly amenities from award-winning THANN Spa.
It’s all about the Added Extras
THANN Sanctuary at Hfc is the brand’s first venture outside of its homeland, Bangkok. The spa set within the very modern 2-storey glass block will offer a wide range of spa treatments based on THANN’s art of natural therapy.
Other facilities include a gym which features the latest state-of-the-art TechnoGym equipment and two full-sized swimming pools filled with mineral water treated by a ‘state-of-the-art’ system, eliminating the smell and the health problems associated with chlorine.
Conference and catering facilities in the park setting are highlighted by the 460-seater Legends Ballroom and 230-seater Lavender Ballroom with contemporary lighting and audio-visual equipment. Both Ballrooms can be partitioned into smaller function rooms for meetings and dining.
The ‘Battle Box’ World War II bunker where General Percival surrendered Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942 is recommended as a unique pre-event/function activity.
Food and beverage at the hotel is highlighted by an all-day “modern Asian” bistro - The Glass House. The bistro features the best from cuisines across the region including Japan, China, Korea, Thailand and Singapore. It has breathtaking views of the park and an open kitchen where diners can see the food prepared. Signature dishes include “customised” Laksa, Hainanese Chicken Rice and hand-crafted deli sandwiches.
24-hour in-room dining is also available, served in quirky traditional handmade wooden tiffins, celebrating Singapore heritage and home-spun style. A unique “mini-bar vending machine” will also be available for guests wishing to fill their mini fridge with premium drinks and snacks. For guest adjusting to time differences, a Private Lounge is also open 24-hours daily.
Other epicurean delights at the hotel include Gattopardo from Singapore based Garibaldi Group, which serves contemporary Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with a charcoal grill and wood-fired oven for baking gourmet pizzas.
The restaurant also runs Tisettanta Lounge, which specialises in Italian inspired cocktails with flavours such as fresh herbs, tangy citrus, aromatic nuts and rich chocolate, healthy detoxifying remedies and drinks inspired by top Italian designers.
The hotel’s special opening rates starts from SGD 275++ for a deluxe room and is valid till the end of 2010.
Hotel Fort Canning is a 5 minute walk from Orchard Road, and 10 minute stroll from Clark Quay/Boat Quay, as well as the Museums & Civic District, and 20 minutes from the airport.
