I am someone who has an obsessive fascination with old-world architecture, and when it comes to choosing hotels, I prefer not to select places that are too new. I always feel they lack some depth. Of course, going too old isn’t an option either; excessive signs of wear and hardware shortcomings become apparent.
“Transcending time and remaining eternally fresh” – this phrase perfectly encapsulates my standard for selecting hotels. In simpler terms, it means “old architecture, new hotel.”
So, for my trip to Singapore, I chose the Capella Hotel Singapore. It is no exaggeration to say that Capella Singapore is a perfect blend of old-world charm and modern luxury. The main building, constructed in the 1880s in the colonial style of Tanah Merah, has been seamlessly integrated with the new wing designed by the renowned architect Sir Norman Foster.
Just take a look at the picture below: the white building in the foreground is the old structure from last century, and the curvy one connected to it is the new building. It’s a harmonious coexistence of old and new, both dependent on one another. I truly admire the strength of the architects’ design.
Another reason for choosing Capella is its location on Sentosa Island. Our trip to Singapore was quite long, and a long itinerary definitely includes Sentosa. Sentosa is Singapore’s only resort island, featuring Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, Madame Tussauds, Sentosa Skyride, Skyline Luge, Tanjong Beach, Palawan Beach, and much more… To fully enjoy these attractions, staying on Sentosa is a must; otherwise, the daily commute would waste too much time. Capella is the best resort hotel on Sentosa.
Today’s piece is a report on Capella Singapore. Whenever I stay at a great hotel, I always make an effort to document my experience. Capella Singapore is world-famous, and I was incredibly excited before checking in, sharing various tidbits with my family about this hotel:
– This was the wedding hotel of Sun Yan Zi in 2011.
– It was the venue for the historic 2018 summit between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump, where they met the “strongest Generation X.”
– It was listed as the best hotel in Singapore by Lonely Planet.
– Capella even made an appearance in the movie “Crazy Rich Asians.”
Upon arrival at the hotel, my child exclaimed “Wow!” upon seeing a peacock, with one even displaying its feathers to him. The happiness of a child is often so simple. At Capella Singapore, peacocks are truly everywhere.
Since it was a family vacation, we opted for a villa. There’s a little tip here: Capella Singapore primarily offers four types of accommodations: guest rooms, suites, villas, and manors. I recommend choosing a villa since the hotel has a relatively high proportion of villas (38 out of 112 rooms are villas, while there are only 11 suites). Therefore, villas are often priced similarly to suites, and compared to base room types, villas only cost about 50%-60% more. The price difference is not significant, making villas a suitable choice.
Here’s an overhead shot of the hotel. The reddish-brown roof above is the old building, which mainly houses the front desk, Capella Living Room, and the Chinese restaurant. The curvy structure connected to it is the new building, where the guest rooms, suites, all-day dining restaurant, bar, gym, and spa are located. The outer circle surrounds Capella’s villas.
After checking in, I felt reassured that I had made the right choice; the villa at Capella is incredibly kid-friendly. It features a spacious living room.
A large bedroom.
The bathroom has separate indoor and outdoor areas, with the outdoor section featuring a standalone bathtub and shower.
What’s even better is the small swimming pool (hot tub); my child was delighted to play in the room all day.
The room is well-equipped, with a pad that controls everything (lighting, curtains, room service, etc.).
Welcoming fruits and desserts were generously provided.
Don’t be deceived by the fact that Capella Singapore opened in 2009; it underwent a complete renovation in 2021 after a year of closure. The hotel’s original design was created by Aman’s designated designer, Jaya, and the renovation was handled by André Fu Studio. Consequently, the overall room experience feels very new, with hardly any signs of wear.
Now, let’s talk about the public areas. My experience at Capella Singapore felt like traveling through a historical time machine. The collision of old and new, curves and straight lines, and even Eastern and Western styles, all clash intensely here, yet everything is so harmonious.
I personally favor the old buildings — the two constructed in 1880 in the colonial style of Tanah Merah. They feature expansive uses of the most inclusive white color paired with reddish-brown roofs, creating a particularly elegant ambiance.
The second floor of this building houses Capella Living Room. Capella has two main features: the Cultural Ambassador and Capella Living Room. The Cultural Ambassador quickly introduces you to the locale, providing unforgettable experiences, such as leading you on a city walk to learn local cultural traditions and understand local heritage. Capella Living Room is a space where you can truly immerse yourself for a long time.
Some might think that Capella Living Room is just an executive lounge like in other hotels, but it’s not quite the same. The vast majority of hotel executive lounges offer differentiated services that can only be accessed by a select group of people. Meanwhile, Capella Living Room is accessible to all guests. Afternoon tea is available every day and is freely available for enjoyment.
I also love the corridor of the old building. The gridded doors and shutters immediately evoke a Nanyang style and a retro feel. The old building has a kind of magic that brings a relaxed atmosphere into the historical timeline, pulling people back into the past.
On the other hand, the new building is relatively modern. All guest accommodations except villas are located in the new building, ensuring a comfortable stay.
The corridors of the new building reflect a different style, with the old building serving as one of the views out.
Capella Singapore is built on a hill on Sentosa, and many public areas, including most rooms, offer a panoramic view of the South China Sea.
The swimming pool at Capella Singapore faces lush forests and the South China Sea, reminiscent of Bali. Unfortunately, during my stay, the weather was not great, and I felt unable to capture the pool in its best light.
Regardless of whether it’s the main building or the new building, there are plenty of artworks inside.
There’s no denying that Capella Singapore has exquisite taste in selecting artworks. The photos on the wall below captivated me for quite a while; they felt oddly familiar. Upon further investigation, I found out that these images are detailed close-ups of Capella’s architecture.
The courtyard situated between the main and the new building serves as a connection between the old and new, a place of temporal intersection.
Capella Singapore occupies a vast area of 30 acres, being the only manor-style resort hotel in Singapore. This is quite a feat in Singapore.
Dining at Capella Singapore
Breakfast is served at the all-day dining restaurant, Fiamma, which offers a buffet alongside a la carte options. The highlight of this restaurant is its many outdoor dining spots, allowing you to be closer to this resort manor.
Another important note is to not let the buffet fill you up too much. The essence of breakfast at Capella Singapore lies in the a la carte selections, which provide many choices, predominantly local specialties.
Additionally, I also dined at the Chinese restaurant, Kai Xuan, located in the main building with a classic Chinese decor.
They serve Cantonese cuisine, and while it may appear costly based on reviews, if you order classic dishes that aren’t seafood, the cost-performance ratio is quite good.
I must say, the service at Capella Singapore is exceptional. During a meal, there was a little episode where my child suddenly threw a tantrum and refused to eat, and we were at a loss for how to persuade him. Later, a staff member came over and had a quick chat with him, and he immediately became more compliant. I found out that the staff had a little secret with my child about receiving dessert after the meal. They were more professional at comforting children than we were.
There’s also a nostalgic and beautiful bar called Bob’s Bar.
If you’re planning to visit Sentosa, staying at Capella Singapore would be very convenient. With just a five-minute walk, you can reach the beaches of Sentosa. Every half-hour, there’s a shuttle bus that stops at Resorts World Sentosa and VivoCity.
At Resorts World, you can catch Universal Studios and S.E.A. Aquarium, making it very convenient for tourists.
VivoCity is the main entrance and exit to Sentosa Island, and it makes it easy to access other parts of Singapore.
Lastly, I want to introduce the Cultural Ambassador at Capella. As mentioned earlier, the two main features of Capella are the Cultural Ambassador and Capella Living Room. This time, under the guidance of the Cultural Ambassador, we participated in a city walk in Joo Chiat and Katong, traditional Peranakan districts where trendy cafes and chic boutique stores stand shoulder to shoulder.
With the Cultural Ambassador, we also visited a local hidden museum to learn more about Peranakan culture.
