The Hilton brand sure knows how to roll out the red carpet for travellers from all around the world. Earlier this year Hilton Singapore Orchard opened its doors as the largest hotel in the Asia Pacific, located in the heart of Orchard Road.
Singapore has changed and transformed over the decades and it was an eye-opener returning back to where I grew up. For those new to Singapore, Orchard Road is the bustling boulevard to shop till you drop and dine out in the late hours, offering the ultimate lifestyle to tourists and locals alike.
I’m a Hilton Honors Gold Member and it does come with a couple of perks. Joining is absolutely free and I would definitely recommend being a member. By using the app, you’ll have access to digitally check in or out, unlock your door using your digital key, free WiFi, to choosing your room and more.
The hotel is a little unique, where it has a direct connection to the luxury shopping centre Mandarin Gallery, offering luxury retail with some of the biggest international brands, gourmet dining, and independent local stores.
Design
Hilton Singapore Orchard went through a monumental $150 million regeneration (refurb to many). A team member quotes the refurb as “A modern contemporary design that pays homage to Singapore’s rich colonial history and agriculture heritage”. I couldn’t agree more.
The subtle botanical references Singapore’s rich colonial history and draws from Orchard Road’s lineage of fruit orchards, nutmeg plantations and pepper farms. This is evident through its artwork in public spaces within its accommodation rooms. Its thoughtful eco-friendly guest experience starts at check-in – where I was presented with a wooden key card instead of a generic plastic card. Don’t forget about your digital key from your smartphone using the Hilton Honors app. Note: you can even make dinner reservations at one of the restaurants or order in-room dining.
Room
Hilton Singapore Orchard boasts 1080 rooms, 11 room types and a lavish 154 sqm King Presidential Suite – complete with seperate living room and dining space for 12 guests. I stayed in a King Executive Room, which was approximately 29sqm in size (quite comfortable), had city views, a separate bath and a walk-in rain shower.
The was something about the room that didn’t make it, “just a hotel room”. The botanical elements provided comfort, modern furnishing that felt like a luxury apartment, a chaise lounge by the window with a great dose of vitamin D (natural lighting that filled up the room), and a 55-inch LED TV.
Executive-level and Suite guests have access to the exclusive Executive Lounge, offering daily breakfast, delicious bites and evening cocktails. This lounge was incredibly spacious and long – it felt like I entered the first-class lounge, the lounge also comes with a private meeting room for up to eight people.
Amenities
With Singapore’s humidity on 24/7, head to the outdoor pool for a spot of relaxation, swim laps or sunbake on the lounges, which open daily. If you want to work up a sweat and pump up some iron, there are also two fully equipped 24/7 fitness centres onsite.
Eat & Drink
The reimagined Hiltons Singapore Orchards shines with its five must-dine restaurants from award-winning to world-class culinary experiences for foodie aficionados.
Estate: In line with the botanical theme of the luxury hotel, that is Hilton. The interior combines modern opulence with nature-inspired touches, soft lighting, the use of natural materials, residential-style open kitchens and cosy dining rooms.
The all-day colonial-style Estate restaurant prides itself on presentation, quality and experiential dining. In each designated ‘open kitchen or room’, Chefs can be seen creating and dishing up their specials for the day.
Experience the Residential Buffet Lunch or Dinner experience or their Sunday Grand Champagne Brunch Buffet. From the raw & seafood kitchen where you will indulge in tiger prawns and fresh seasonal oysters; charcuterie selection with an array of meats, cheeses and artisanal break; salad bar; from the grill kitchen enjoy local Singapore flavoured skewers; smoked beef short ribs, leg of lamb and more from the western kitchen; enjoy wagyu beef noodles, signature squid ink tagliatelle, Estate black truffle roasted duck, an assortment of dim sums from the noodle and Asian kitchens; lastly save room for the dessert kitchen section.
Ginger.Lily: A new botanical-inspired tearoom makes for elegant afternoon tea and cocktails. The newly open lounge is cleverly curated and flourishes with flavour.
From the larger-than-life pastel pink hardcover book – The Orchard Trail Experience afternoon tea, a four-part journey from the mini lobster roll, Iberico ham crostini; to the warm savouries of the smoked beef burger and salt-crusted pork bun; to spreading your scones with their homemade Ginger.Lily jam; and ending with spices and flora-inspired sweets and a choice from their 10 premium tea varieties.
Head Mixologist Michael Mendoza heads up the cocktail bar highlighting native fruits, herbs and ingredients, creating imaginative cocktails that will enliven your senses. “Like flowers that bloom all year round, signature cocktails remain a perennial favourite”. Michael finds all manner of herbs to combine with local fruits, vegetables, spices and spirits from Asia, and even makes their own distillates, resulting in cocktails that have a true sense of place.
The newly crafted cocktail menu is separated into three sections, Perennial – signature cocktails, Changing of the Seasons – drinks for every occasion just as nature governs the seasons, and finally Evergreen – enjoyment at any time or day including a range of mocktails (non-alcoholic).
Recommendations: In Full Bloom – Mendoza’s take on a G&T – a botanical mix of citrus, berries and herbs infused with peach Rinquinquin and tonic water served in a Porthole infuser. Birds & The Bees – a medley of the tropical sweetness of pineapple, jackfruit and passionfruit, topped with Aberfeldy whisky and ginger ale.
Osteria Mozza: It is THE restaurant known for its handmade pasta and wood-fired pizzas, backed with impeccably sourced seasonal produce. The only Asia outpost of celebrated American Chef Nancy Silverton’s One Michelin-starred from Los Angeles, with her unique Cal-Italian cuisine, highlighted with classics and dishes crafted exclusively for Singapore.
Discover the unique farmhouse interiors including an open kitchen, private dining room, mozzarella bar, and alfresco rusting dining area – all encircled by an outdoor herb garden.
Shisen Hanten: A two Michelin-starred restaurant that heroes Szechwan and Chinese dishes, led by Chef Chen Kentaro.
Emphasising on the seven basic flavours that give Szechwan food a distinct boldness, namely – sour, spicy, hot, sweet, bitter, aromatic, and salty.
Chatterbox: Synonymous with its world-famous chicken rice, Chatterbox was the talk of the town when it first opened in 1971 at former Mandarin Singapore. An endearing icon that has stood the test of time – including several waves of refurbishment over the years.
Chatterbox has been feeding hungry diners and satisfying discerning palates with its inimitable menu of well-loved specialities prepared with time-honoured and fiercely-guarded recipes.
Firmly establishing itself as a prime and quality dining destination, it has remained a top pick for many years, among generations of Singaporeans and tourists who relish the well-executed Asian and local cuisine at this stalwart coffee house.
Meetings and Events
The hotel features a sprawling 2,400 square metres of event facilities for meetings, conferences and events of all sizes, which include 16 highly versatile spaces bathed in natural light. Two pillarless ballrooms – the elegant Grand Ballroom accommodating up to 900 guests and multi-tiered amphitheatre-style Imperial Ballroom with panoramic city views – are fitted with state-of-the-art LED walls, and lighting and sound technologies to create memorable event experiences.
“There is no better place to make your Singapore vacation experience than staying at the Hilton Singapore Orchard. Quality service, luxury living and choice of dining venue to celebrate with friends and family”.
Hilton Singapore Orchard
333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238867
T: +65 6737 4411 | E: hiltonsingaporeorchard.info@hilton.com
