Singapore is getting a chic new 'boutiquish' hotel. The Fullerton Bay Hotel opens tomorrow with 100 rooms and five individually-themed suites plus a luxurious presidential suite, each with magnificent water views. Each suites has been individually themed to reflect the wealth of local cultures (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan and British colonial), and adorned with artwork and antiques mixed with contemporary pieces. I got a sneak preview today of the hotel, and from the moment I stepped inside, and smelled the subtle but delicious air perfume especially created for it, I was hooked. On the ground floor, you’ll find Clifford, a modern brasserie with 10-metre-high floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the waters and an opulent 800-bottle fine wine 'library', but the top selling point of the hotel is Lantern, an uber stylish rooftop bar surrounding the hotel’s 25-metre rooftop swimming pool. Decked out with decorative lanterns (hence the name) and some comfy lounging sofas, one selling point is the amazing panoramic views of the bay. Needless to say, this is going to be the ‘in’ place for the next few months.
The buzz is going to be reinforced by the nearby opening of the Customs House, as a food and beverage destination with a Cuban-bar-cum-restaurant (which serves a mean Mojito), a Japanese restaurant with a twist (ever tried foie gras sushi?) plus an oyster and champagne bar. With plenty of outside boardwalk space overlooking the water, this is a great place to unwind at the end of a long day.
