The Fullerton: Monument of timeless grandeur
I am enamored of
If there is a hotel that is said to be the sum of its parts, it is The Fullerton. Built in 1928, it represents the grandeur of Palladian architecture. In 2001, it was transformed into a 400-room luxury hotel at a whopping cost of $400 million. Each stone has a historic tale to tell, each tile reeks of a glorious past. In
We went to this art-chitectural masterpiece with my niece Marie Veronique “Nikki” Dayrit Boncan right after her graduation from UST where she finished valedictorian in architecture. “The best way to discover the city is by foot,” Nikki exclaimed. This is her philosophy when given the chance to go to a new country or city. A map and a pair of really comfortable chucks is all that is needed. Nikki, one of 2008
Aside from the Esplanade, Theaters on the Bay, which we enjoyed immensely, we found our way to the center of town where old-world charm fused together with new Asian elegance. Upon entering the imposing lobby of The Fullerton, we were awed by the high atrium, the hotel’s elegance and charm. The lobby arrested our senses with its skylight made out of special rice paper to control light and heat. We felt transported back in time, reminiscing on the culture, customs and traditions of the bygone past.
The character of the place reveals much insight as to how their lifestyle was back then. The
What amazed us, too, was how the Singaporeans were able to retain the distinct features of the building. The majestic Doric columns and monumental porte cochere were magnificently preserved.
Restored and converted by the Singapore-based firm Keys & Dowdeswell, the historic landmark enjoys a strategic location at the mouth of the bustling
Gracious Regina Eng, marketing head of The Fullerton, accompanied us as we checked in at the Straits Club, where guests like us are pampered in luxurious amenities and thoughtful service. Over champagne with orange juice and delightful hors d’ oeuvres and chocolate truffles, we learned more about the hotel, like how the site on which The Fullerton Hotel Singapore was previously occupied by Fort Fullerton. Named after Sir Robert Fullerton, the first governor of the
Most recently, it was voted the Best Hotel in
The Fullerton Hotel is strategically positioned in the heart of
The Merlion,
The shopping hubs Suntec City Mail and
Whether it is a quick sandwich or latte at the lobby lounge The Courtyard, or a leisurely dinner at Town Restaurant, the hotel’s vibrant, smart casual restaurant, dining choices abound at The Fullerton Hotel. My lovable sisters Jaqui, Michelle and dear friends Noah Manarang and Rachel Ong joined us as we savored exquisite contemporary Chinese cuisine at Jade, where we had crisp-fried shiitake mushroom glazed with wasabi, mayo and mango salsa; steamed Atlantic cod fish steak with snow vegetables and bean crumbs; seared prime sirloin in foie gras jus; braised eight-head abalone; and double-boiled hasma with red dates and lotus seeds. In between bites in an elegant setting, our youngest sister Yvonne took dramatic photos of the scenic harbor from the Italian restaurant San Marco and along the river promenade. Who would ever imagine that the elegant private room in the luxurious Jade restaurant where we dined used to be the mailroom of the Post Office, where millions of letters were carefully sorted out decades ago?
Gracious hospitality and royal pampering at the hotel’s The Asian Spa is magical. It was simply poetry in motion as I submerged myself in a huge tub filled with warm water sprinkled with sweet lavender and marjoram oils, strewn with fresh rose petals for the invigorating “Dream Bath of Flower Petals.” As if that treat wasn’t enough, the next indulgence — traditional lulur wrap — was divine.
Flower extracts mixed with fresh yogurt, lime, lemon and water is slathered on the body, made to dry for five minutes then gently washed away. This kind of “spampering” is truly a slice of heaven on earth.
A holiday in
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For more information on The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, call (65)6733-8388 or fax (65)6735-8388 or log on to www.fullertonhotel.com.
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E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.