It’s been a long time coming, and with bated breath, the five-star hotel has finally opened its doors to the public

Like many, we were left wondering: Would the luxury hotel ever open? After all, The Capitol — then known as The Patina, Capitol Singapore — made headlines in the news, for all the wrong reasons. But that’s water under the bridge now, for The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore finally welcomed guests on its premises early this month.

First things first, the hotel’s not linked to Capitol Piazza, and is accessed by a separate entrance on Stamford Road. The hotel is also much larger than it looks, which makes it a joy to explore once you’ve settled in. It fits 157 rooms and suites across just four levels. Sounds like a nightmare of a squeeze, until you realise that The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore combines two heritage buildings – Stamford House and Capitol Building have been linked to form a single unit.

Despite having just eight room and suites categories, living in a heritage building — like Six Senses Duxton, Six Senses Maxwell, Ann Siang House and even Como The Treasury in Perth — means that configurations and views for each room will differ. Which brings us to the next point: It’s a perfect excuse to make a return visit.

Rooms start from 45sqm, a fairly typical size in our city’s CBD, but settle in and you’ll notice some cleverly designed features and spaces, such as the cornice, inspired by the Merlion’s scales, or flat-screen televisions that are set flush with the walls when not in use. The warm, wooden tones, patterned carpets and high ceilings also add a touch of an urban sanctuary living, a welcome respite from life in the city.

And while the Heritage Suite may be the largest at 137-sq-m and most opulent of all in its class, we’re secretly rooting for the Bidwell Suite, a cosy 71-sq-m suite that sleeps up to three and is built with the right proportions, and none of the excessive.

Social areas in the hotel include a small saltwater relaxation pool, a 24-hour gym, and the three-room spa, all located on level four. The spa reception is a tad claustrophobic, but all will be forgotten when you’ve started your signature treatment that uses a blend of Chinese, Malay and Indian techniques.

Past the rum-and-chocolate boutique on the ground floor, you’ll find the hotel’s yet-to-be-named restaurant. It’s the lone establishment where guests will enjoy all meals — including Afternoon Tea service that starts in December — though a couple of eateries will open in time to come at Capitol Piazza, a short three-minute stroll from the hotel. While the restaurant has been designed to offer maximum privacy in an open setting — think circular booth seats perfect for intimate conversations — a private room can be booked should you like to host a larger group of guests. Enjoying an early evening or Happy Hour? Make a pit stop at the long bar that’s home to over 150 spirits and liqueurs.

With the Kempinski brand under our belt, it seems that our collection of luxury, five-star hotels and resorts are fairly complete. But you’ll never know, perhaps an Aman or Waldorf may appear on our radar soon enough.

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
15 Stamford Road
Singapore 178906
Tel: +65 6368 8888