Exceptional dining, breathtaking Marina Bay views, world-class wellness and an unbeatable location make Fairmont Singapore a destination in its own right.
There are hotels that simply provide the essentials, and then there are hotels that become a destination in themselves. Fairmont Singapore is firmly in the latter category. I arrived expecting one of Singapore’s leading five-star hotels, but I left convinced it is one of the city’s most complete luxury experiences, combining exceptional dining, outstanding wellness, beautifully appointed rooms and a location that is almost impossible to beat.
Towering above Singapore’s Civic District, Fairmont Singapore is the tallest hotel in the city, even rising higher than Marina Bay Sands. While Marina Bay Sands may have the iconic rooftop pool, Fairmont quietly enjoys something equally spectacular – panoramic views stretching across Marina Bay, the Singapore Flyer, the Central Business District and, from many rooms, the instantly recognisable silhouette of Marina Bay Sands itself.
Watching sunrise from my balcony each morning where I had jaw dropping views of Marina Bay Sands and seeing the city sparkle after dark became one of the unexpected highlights of my stay.
Singapore is home to some of the world’s finest luxury hotels, making competition fierce. Yet Fairmont Singapore has carved out a unique position by offering almost everything a traveller could want under one roof.
Extraordinary dining led by Kirk Westaway’s exceptional JAAN, breathtaking skyline views, beautifully refurbished rooms, outstanding wellness facilities, exceptional cocktails at Skai Bar, thoughtful sustainability initiatives including a hydroponic farm and one of the city’s most enviable locations combine to create a hotel that appeals equally to leisure travellers, business executives, couples and families.
I arrived expecting a luxury hotel. I left having discovered a luxury destination. Quite simply, Fairmont Singapore is one of the finest city hotels I have stayed in anywhere in the world.
Overall Rating: 9.8/10
Location – 10/10
If location is everything, Fairmont Singapore has mastered it. The hotel sits directly above City Hall MRT station and is seamlessly connected to Raffles City Shopping Centre, placing more than 200 shops, cafés, restaurants and designer boutiques literally on your doorstep. It also adjoins Swissôtel The Stamford, creating one of Singapore’s largest integrated luxury hotel precincts.
Whether you want to wander through Marina Bay, explore Chinatown, shop along Orchard Road or visit Kampong Glam, everything is only minutes away. It is also just a short drive from Changi Airport, making it equally convenient for international visitors and business travellers.
Accommodation – 9.8/10
The recently refurbished rooms feel elegant without trying too hard. Soft neutral colours, marble bathrooms, beautifully comfortable beds and floor-to-ceiling windows create an immediate sense of calm despite being in the heart of one of Asia’s busiest cities.
There was a huge egg bath in my bathroom next to the shower, and flattering lighting to ensure makeup application was seamless and flattering
One feature I particularly appreciated was the filtered drinking water taps providing both chilled and ambient water directly in the room. It is a thoughtful sustainability initiative that removes the need for countless plastic bottles while making life easier for guests.
Another luxurious touch is the partnership with Le Labo. The bathroom is stocked with Santal 33 amenities, one of the world’s most recognisable luxury fragrances.
Every time I returned to my room, that beautiful woody scent greeted me, becoming part of the hotel’s identity as much as its architecture or service. In the wellness area, Le Labo Rose was on offer, another touch that shows acute attention to detail, and a hotel that understands the psyche of the female luxury traveller.
Food & Beverage – 10/10
Few hotels anywhere offer the diversity of dining found at Fairmont Singapore. Combined with Swissôtel The Stamford, guests have access to an extraordinary collection of 12 restaurants and bars, meaning you could easily spend several days drinking and dining within the hotel without ever repeating a venue.
The undisputed star is JAAN by Kirk Westaway, one of Singapore’s finest restaurants and deservedly awarded two Michelin stars. Westaway’s modern British cuisine is elegant, beautifully executed and deeply personal, celebrating exceptional seasonal produce with extraordinary precision. Combined with sweeping views across Singapore’s skyline, it delivers one of the finest dining experiences in Asia. Read a review of JAAN by Kirk Westaway here.
For something completely different, SKAI is spectacular. Located high above the city, the contemporary grill restaurant offers breathtaking views over Marina Bay while serving premium seafood, particularly sushi and sashimi as well as beautifully prepared meats and exceptional desserts. Arriving just before sunset is an experience in itself as Singapore slowly transforms from day into a glittering sea of lights.
Next door, SKAI Bar has become one of Singapore’s premier cocktail destinations, with a new Korean mixologist, while Anti:dote offers a completely different atmosphere. Dark, sophisticated and intimate, it is home to some of the city’s most talented mixologists, whose creativity elevates every cocktail into something memorable. And there are even happy hours scattered throughout the hotel ensuring the most sophisticated of nights out is catered for, as well as the most relaxed and affordable.
The Gold Lounge
The newly renovated Fairmont Gold Lounge at Fairmont Singapore is one of the hotel’s most compelling upgrades, offering a serene, highly polished retreat that feels genuinely exclusive without becoming formal or staid.
Designed as a private sanctuary for Fairmont Gold guests, the lounge is particularly impressive in the morning, when breakfast is served in an elegant, light-filled setting away from the bustle of the main restaurant, while evenings bring a more glamorous mood with cocktails, canapés and free-flow Pommery Champagne.
The redesign has given the space a sophisticated contemporary feel, and the combination of discreet service, beautifully presented food and an atmosphere that encourages guests to linger makes it one of the most refined club lounge experiences in Singapore.
Wellness – 9.9/10
Fairmont Singapore takes wellness seriously. The Willow Stream Spa is one of Singapore’s leading hotel spas, and my massage was outstanding.
My therapist combined exceptional technique with genuine intuition, delivering one of the most relaxing treatments I’ve experienced in years. She insisted I stay for an additional 30 minutes so she could really work on my back.
The wellness facilities extend well beyond the spa. Guests enjoy a large, beautifully equipped gym, separate saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzis and invigorating ice baths, creating a wellness offering rarely found within a city hotel. And the Rose scented Le Labo products were an added bonus.
Two outdoor swimming pools surrounded by tropical greenery complete the experience, making it easy to forget you are in the middle of Singapore. And there are 6 tennis courts and a fitness company ufit on site providing tennis coaching, and PT sessions in a second fitness facility.
Sustainability – 9.8/10
Luxury and sustainability increasingly go hand in hand, and Fairmont deserves recognition for embracing both.
Beyond eliminating single-use plastic water bottles through the filtered water system in every room, the hotel has invested in an innovative aquaponics farm. Combining hydroponically grown herbs and vegetables with sustainably farmed fish in a closed-loop ecosystem, the initiative supplies fresh produce to the hotel’s kitchens while significantly reducing food miles.
It is also a super successful education unit for schools and universities. Rather than treating sustainability as a marketing exercise, Fairmont has integrated it thoughtfully into the guest experience.
Style & Design – 9.7/10
Despite its scale, Fairmont never feels impersonal.
The interiors are contemporary yet timeless, allowing the spectacular skyline to remain the hero. Natural stone, warm timber, elegant lighting and carefully selected artwork create an atmosphere that feels sophisticated without becoming overly formal.
Throughout the hotel there is a sense of understated confidence that reflects modern Singapore itself – polished, international and effortlessly stylish.
Service – 9.8/10
Large hotels sometimes struggle to deliver personalised service, but Fairmont consistently exceeded expectations.
Staff recognised guests, remembered preferences and anticipated needs before they were asked. Whether checking into the spa, enjoying breakfast or simply returning to my room after a day exploring the city, every interaction felt warm, professional and authentic.
It is this consistency that transforms a very good hotel into an exceptional one.
Fairmont Singapore, What Renae Says:
Who should Stay here: Couples, families and business travellers, this hotel has it all, but no-one feels smothered.
Who shouldn’t Stay Here:
Location: Fabulous Singapore location opposite Raffles City Shopping Centre, which has such great shops including Sephora, clothing and a lot of nail and lash offerings as well as a great foor court, walk to Marina Bay Sands and Raffles Hotel is across the road.
Best culinary delight: JAAN by Kirk Westaway is a once in a lifetime experience that is not to be missed, as is dinner and views at Skai Bar and restaurant. Brilliant venues.
The Highlight: The fitness and wellness facilities are impressive and practical and include a fully fitted 24 hour gym, steam and dry sauna, hot and cold baths, amazing massages, 4 tennis courts, personal training on site by UFIT Singapore.
The lowlight: The only thing I did not like about this hotel was the coffee – but Raffles City across the road has other options.
Insider Knowledge: .The Fairmont sits alongside its sister property, Swissotel The Stamford, so guests can access all of the facilities at both hotels, as well as at Raffles City and all under cover – genius.
