The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

"How did it strike you on arrival?This Neo-classical grand dame is stately yet buzzy. There's constant traffic in the lobby area - it's a popular meeting venue for execs from the surrounding business district, and a regular stop for tourists on the heritage trail (the hotel has been gazetted a national monument). What’s the crowd like?Honeymooners, culture vultures and local families on staycation. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.The Straits Club Premier Quay Room, which was a good blend of heritage and modern - the building's original structure and certain design features have been retained, but the in-room facilities are modern. As a Straits Club room it also came with free champagne breakfast in the club lounge. However the rooms haven't been updated since the 1990s and it shows - everything is in various dull shades of brown and the furniture is slightly chipped. But I did appreciate the upgrade to tech - Fullerton is one of Singapore's first hotels to provide guests with a tablet (they call this e-compendium a "tapendium") containing useful info about the hotel and its neighborhood, plus a library of free movies within a month of their release and a Handy phone. The room had also recently been equipped with a somewhat clunky looking Harman Kardon speaker. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?The Simmons Beautyrest mattress was reasonably firm and comfy. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that worth a mention?If you have access to Wi-Fi outside the hotel that Samsung tablet is a handy companion. If rules (or guilt) didn't exist, I'd steal the adorable Fullerton Merlion plushie on the bed table, made by local social enterprise Mother & Child Project. (Or you can just buy it from the hotel's gift store for $15.) Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.Standard bathtub, walk-in shower and towels in a fairly spacious bathroom. The Straits Club rooms come with stylish mini bottles of Bottega Veneta toiletries (I swiped them). Regular rooms get Acca Kappa toiletries. We all need some good Wi-Fi. What’s the word on that?Decent speeds and free throughout the hotel. Anything stand out about other services and features?The spa's sauna and steam rooms are free to use for all guests. The Instagram-worthy lobby-level Jade restaurant is hugely popular for its dim sum buffet. Just make sure you book weeks in advance to get a table. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?As far as being memorable, no other hotel in Singapore has a heritage so linked to the country's modern history. Previously called Fullerton Building, it was once the General Post Office and housed various government agencies before it was turned into a hotel in 2001. Bottom line: worth it?It's part of the Singapore story (a free permanent exhibition in the lobby helps tell this) and so provides a unique experience no other hotel in Singapore can offer." - Audrey Phoon