Hotel Fort Canning

Feeling frazzled and tired, yet unable to decline your responsibilities or commitments? Ever felt like wanting to get away from it all, but can't because you can't seem to put your work down, at least, in your mind? Being responsibly uncontactable can afford as much peace of mind as a full blown holiday. Remove the guilt and just enjoy the pleasure with a simple staycation (stay • vacation). It is also much easier on the wallet for luxury seekers on a budget too. 

A staycation means that you can enjoy a weekend in the comfort of a luxurious hotel with the assurance that you are contactable in case of emergencies. Book a room at a hotel, and turn up. That's it, très simple. 

Hotel Fort Canning is nestled in greenery like a tropical colonial gem. In sunny Singapore, the sun is warm and inviting, yet, being in the heart of Fort Canning Hill means that guests are shielded from the heat. The lighthearted flapping of the ferns and palms in the breeze creates a cool, slow vibe. Everything is slow, and silent but nothing is dead. You can observe the movement of sunlight and the soft wind in perfect harmony from the multitude of balconies and sheltered terraces while strolling leisurely amidst the white walled grounds, hand in hand with a lover, or with a good book or camera. 

Outside the main lobby

The premium room (book here) I stayed in had a great view. To give you a better idea of how much bang for the buck you are getting, here's a preview: 

View from the (bath)room

Facing Park Mall, the view does not stint on greenery, which is great for people who want to get away from a dreary and dull corporate life. Blue or grey skies, the view is spectacular and refreshingly wide like a panoramic snapshot. And the buildings too, come alive at night, twinkling in the gray background. 

Premium Room 

When I first stepped into the room, what struck me first was the high ceiling. And I don't mean this! 

Tyrion Lannister at the Eyrie, for the Game of Thrones lovers

The high loft makes everything 10 times better. King sized beds look better in a spacious area. The curved lamp looks even more majestic, rather than eerily looming, and the chaise longue, even more comfortable. Pictures hardly do justice to the size of the room. Be assured that you will not have to engage in an uncomfortable crab walk between the bed and the wadrobe like many other hotels- there is enough space.

The room is spectacularly bright, yet, warm and inviting with the various mood lighting you can control with a lazy flick of the finger on a futuristic looking pod right next to the bed, or just use the television remote control if you are snuggled up.

The room

The glass window stretched to its zenith metres above my head, and the automated curtains curled up tightly against the ceiling, far above anybody's reach, to let the sunlight filter into the cavernous space. (You can let them out using the controls to the lights for privacy in the bathroom). Doors to the toilet are flung wide open to reveal the stunning toilet and the accompanying view. It is beautiful, inviting, and absolutely cozy.

And the bathtub looks even more majestic under a wall of stunning white marble. 

The bathroom comes with a bathtub as well as a shower with 2 heads: a rain shower, and the usual spray. Both work equally fine, but I suspect the building's water pipes are a little worn as the hot water slowed into a trickle sometimes. Nonetheless, this is a minor problem, and can be resolved by enduring cooler water for a few minutes.

A plus for me was the complementary coffees they provided within the room. Simply pop one of the colourful capsules into the coffee maker and you can get a cup of freshly brewed coffee. It is convenient and useful, especially when I wanted to be wide awake to take in all the sights of the hotel.

Swimming Pool 

The swimming pool is divided into two decks. The upper deck is for the children in a pool shaped like an '8', and below there is a large lap pool. It is small enough to accommodate up to 10 people comfortably, but do expect to be jostled or kicked a little.

As the hotel is relatively smaller than other luxury hotels, there are also fewer number of guests. Thus the staff is able to give personalised attention to guests at the pool. Expect to see a warm, clean towel placed by some unseen hand next to your personal items when you end your swim.

Do note, however, that there is no lifeguard on duty.

Swimming pool (upper deck)

At night, there is a myriad of activities to do at the nearby malls. Consider a late night movie followed by a slow and romantic walk through the park. Or perhaps just unwind in the bath and look up into the night sky, while wishing you could be there forever...

Night.

Stay a night here if 

• You are traveling to Singapore and want to stay somewhere centrally located, yet offering a high level of privacy. 
• You simply want to relax over the weekend, like I did. 
• It's a special day for you and your loved one. 

Hotel Fort Canning
11 Canning Walk, Singapore 178881 
+65 6559 6769