If you genuinely know me by now, which I hope you do! I really love history and heritage buildings. A heritage building converted to a hotel? I love it even more! It’s actually an irony that I’m into history so much now but back when I was in school, I can barely pass my history exams.
For my birthday this year, I wanna celebrate my 26 years of life somewhere historic, yet very serene and secluded. Within just a few clicks, I’ve already decided and my room booking was made. I was really excited!
Hotel Fort Canning, Singapore
The hotel itself is located within the hills of Fort Canning. Very secluded and beautifully placed amongst the nature and lush greeneries of Fort Canning Park. It’s a walking distance from Dhoby Ghaut MRT but I’m sure it’ll take you 30 minutes if you walk in a normal pace. It prolly would take me 2 hours to walk, so I just booked a car. It can get pretty complicated to drive-in too so let’s just hope you’re driver isn’t a fussy one.
Hotel Fort Canning was originally built in 1926 as the Administration Building of the British Far East Command HQ and was heavily used during the second world war where it was occupied by the Japanese invading forces. After a major restoration in 2011, the iconic building is now a heritage hotel boasting 86 beautiful designed guest rooms.
The facade of the hotel was beyond spectacular. Just like The Fullerton Hotel, most of the features are left unchanged from the original design. The colonial structure is indeed very magnificent-looking. I love it when heritage buildings like these are restored, it gives the structure a whole new life and purpose. And we’re there to re-live the iconic moments!
When I first entered the lobby, I can’t help but to notice how architecturally genius everything looked. It’s remarkable seeing how modern-interior touches intertwine beautifully with the original design of the lobby. The stairs were all original since the 1900s and since it’s a heritage building, they couldn’t change anything much so the elevators had to be built externally so the interior wouldn’t be different.
Glass panel on the floor showcasing the ceramics they found during the excavation works was also placed in the middle of the lobby. Again, such a great way to remind everyone that the hotel isn’t just an empty, lifeless building but a very historic, iconic place to be in. Super smart, I really like that. It’s like a museum and I’m living for it!
Check-in was fast and efficient. Totally love how friendly the staff was! I really do appreciate when the hotel’s staff strike a conversation while doing the check-in process, it’s very welcoming somehow. Although! On some days, my introvert-self is randomly at its peak and I’ll get shy? But I do appreciate the welcoming gesture still.
Thanks to the team at Hotel Fort Canning, my room was upgraded to the Premium Luxe category. It’s way bigger than the standard rooms and if you’re a family of three, the size is perfect for you.
The room was really elegant and spacious. What took my attention was the quaint white doors, that separated the bed from the study area. It was really amazing looking and I totally love how the little squares of the doors are replaced with reflective mirrors. The window was super huge too, it made the whole room look bright and airy. The view of the park’s lush greenery can also be seen from the glass-enclosed verandah which also doubles as a study area.
Technically if you look at it, it is somehow like a junior suite. The living area is separate and the bathroom was also in a different section of the room itself, all the way down in a little corridor. The size was perfect for me. It really made me comfortable, not claustrophobic at all.
The TV set that comes with your room is unfortunately not smart. I mean, literally. It isn’t a smart TV. There wasn’t any apps or netflix on it! You can’t mirror your devices onto the screen too cause the function isn’t available. But! Like I’ve always said, always bring your HDMI cables. Trust me, it’s really handy and useful whenever you wanna just Netflix and Chill. Do note that the remote control used for the TV here is customised as well, so you’re unable to change the source to the HDMI channel. Just call up the front desk and they’ll pass you the official samsung remote control. From there, just plug in your HDMI cable, change the TV source and it’s movie time! I’ve been recommending the cables I bought to everyone I know. I really should start my own line of HDMI cables yes? What say you! Promise me y’all won’t sue me if the cables you bought from me explodes!
The bed was really soft and comfortable, pristinely set with four duck-feathered pillows. There were also two cushions which I find funny-looking. It looks like burnt dumplings, I honestly wasn’t digging the look. I chuckled to myself when I first saw it. I mean, who gave them the green light to place the dumpling-looking cushions on the bed. It really didn’t complement the design of the room.
On the right side of the bed, you have the switches for the lights, temperature and the window blinds. Yes! The blinds for the huge windows are easily controlled from the switches by the bed. Really convenient, I must say.
On the left side, there’s nothing much other than a plug socket, some switches and an alarm clock. I thought gone are the days that we are still using alarm clocks in hotel rooms. It seemed very dated. Alarm clocks are undoubtedly one of the items in a hotel room where it is sparingly used in this day and age.
Notice that there wasn’t any USB sockets available on neither sides of the bed. There’s also only one plug sockets available, so you gotta fight with your boyfriend to charge your phone by the bed. But if you’re like me, I don’t like having my lamp lights switched on when I sleep, so I took out the lamp’s plug from the socket and use it to charge my phone instead. First world problems require first world solutions!
The wardrobe is placed right by the bed. It has reflective sliding doors that doubles as a full-length mirror. Very efficient and practical! The usual room amenities are placed inside the wardrobe.
Like most 5-star hotels, an iron with the board is available for you to use. And of course, a torch light in case of emergency and also a safebox to place your important and valuable belongings. Unless I’m not in Singapore, I actually don’t use it at all. I put so much trust on the hotel’s team, wherever I stay.
For those who need to dry their hair daily, a hairdryer is placed inside the wardrobe as well, together with a fabric brush and a shoe horn. I personally have not used a shoe horn before? I think I’m fine wearing my oxford shoes traditionally for now. Does it really make it more efficient to wear shoes? Now I’m curious, I’m all about time efficiency!
What surprised me was the bathrobes that were provided.
Unlike any other hotels that offer the usual white, fluffy robes; the ones in Hotel Fort Canning is all in batik prints! Since I’m so into heritage and culture, this was a pleasant surprise. I honestly thought somebody left their batik pants in the wardrobe! I have a lot of them and it insanely looked so similar. The design is just so refreshing to see in a hotel setting. I love it.
The texture, the softness, the cutting of it all. Just phenomenal. I looked like a sushi chef when I wore it but I love sushi so it’s all oishi-ly perfect.
The coffee and tea station was placed right by the entrance. Drinking water is absolutely complimentary so you can just ask for more if two isn’t enough for you. I called and asked for 5 bottles cause I need to hydrate myself regularly cause I pee a lot! Yes, I need to get that checked. People are telling me, “Hey! Peeing a lot is good what? It’s a natural way to detox.”.
Love, I’m literally a water dispenser. I have to pee literally every 30 minutes. So no, it isn’t good.
Anyways! Why are we even talking about me peeing?
Like most premium room categories, a coffee machine is available for your convenience. Just pop the coffee capsules and you’re good to go!
Of course, the coffee brand is none other than the well-known Nespresso. I love how they always have different flavour of capsules available. If you’re a coffee-lover like me but you don’t need caffeine cause it might interrupt your sleep, decaffeinated capsules are available too. The teas are from TWG, which is also one of my personal favourite brands ever. Their tea salons and boutiques are really amazing. They have one of the best afternoon tea menu and their tea menu is just extensive. I like trying different kind of teas so it’s great to know that I have a lot of choices to choose from! But here in the hotel room, only two flavours are available; Sencha and English Breakfast Tea.
Let’s move on to the second part of the room! The glass-enclosed verandah that doubles as a study and work area.
Super spacious, it’s furnished with a comfy seating area which I assume is great for reading. The lighting is perfect with natural sunlight beaming through the huge window just beside it. But if you need more light, there’s a huge lamp literally as big as my head, available for your usage too.
There was also a study desk right opposite where the reading area is.
On the desk is where the staff would place the welcome letter, that has some QR codes on it that is designed to make your stay more efficient in terms of in-room dining menu and the booking of the pools in the hotel.
A complimentary sanitiser kit was prepared too! I love it when hotels prepare sanitisers and anti-bacterial wipes because I love cleaning the door knobs and telephones after I check in. Some hotels sell these kits instead of giving it away for free, so next time when you check in into any other hotels, do find out first if it’s complimentary or not before using.
The bathroom was located way down, at the end of the mini corridor in the room. Don’t worry, the corridor wasn’t that long but it definitely made me breathless! Why? Because the view of the bathroom was just breathtaking. See what I did there!
It really was. The bathroom was all white and with the huge window, it made everything look and feel spacious. It was really beautiful!
Oh! Before you actually enter the bathroom, the sink and vanity area is located right outside the bathroom door. That’s where all the toilet amenities are placed, like your toothbrushes, combs, face towels and everything.
Like I said previously, the bathroom is all white. Marble tiles from top to bottom, very alluring. The bathtub was so huge, it prolly could fit three persons. The giant mirror complemented the design really well too. Definitely a great place for your bathtub Instagram selfies.
There was also a separate shower area. Unlike the bathtub, the shower area could fit only one! But if you’re petite, who knows how many could fit in that space! The more the merrier no? Remember to practise safe distancing please!
What I love about the shower is that it has a rainshower feature. I have those at home too! I’m just used to a rainshower system. It just feels great unlike a normal, handheld shower where it focuses only on one part of your body.
Toiletries are from POB-VITALITE. I am somehow particular with my toiletries because like me, my skin is somehow sensitive too. The brand may sound atas and all french but it’s actually a bulk product from a local hospitality supplier that is widely used in most of the 3-4 star hotels. Oui! It’s totally not from France.
Other than the rainshower feature, I really love how a bidet is provided too! Makes pooping a bit more comfortable yes? I so appreciate that. Just imagine waking up in the morning, pooping in front of the gorgeous view of Fort Canning park and have a bidet to refresh yourself. Just amazing.
Speaking about gorgeous views, do you know that Hotel Fort Canning have not one but two pools? They have a lap pool:
And also! A freestyle pool!
Other than the picturesque view, what is more iconic about the pools here is that they are all filled with mineral water treated by a system from NASA which is also used for the astronauts’ drinking water. It is also a system developed for European Aerospace, eliminating the smell and the health problems associated with chlorine.
You totally do not have to shower to rinse off the stickiness and smell of chlorine right after. I researched more about the benefits of mineral pools and I think you are gonna like it! The health advantages of these pools include help with a healthy sleep cycle, reduce anxiety and stress, detoxification and relieve of aches. Isn’t that all you need for a perfect staycation?
It was for me!
Just remember to book your pool slots early to avoid unnecessary disappointments! I would recommend a slot during the sunset. The view is to die for.
Now, do I recommend this hotel for your next stay? A million percent, yes! If you need a short getaway from your busy life and in need of somewhere that has peace and serenity, this fine hotel is perfect for you. I understand that Sentosa is a tad too far for some to have a getaway from our bustling city, I feel you! Fort Canning is an ideal location yes? If you’re a history geek too like me who loves anything old and quaint, you’ll be awed at the interior AND exterior of the building.
I absolutely couldn’t find any reason for you to NOT love the hotel. It’s really divine! I really do appreciate the hotel for it’s quiet location, really something different than what I’m used to.
Sometimes a little quiet is all you need to get life going.
Aliff Daniel 