The Fullerton: Monument of timeless grandeur

I am enamored of Singapore. It is a sanctuary where classic rich heritage blends flawlessly with contemporary opulence. Immaculately clean, everything seems to work here. Its prevalent tourist-friendly culture assures that one’s needs are anticipated and met. One of my favorite destinations in the Lion City is the palatial Fullerton Hotel Singapore, a priceless treasure that is beautifully preserved and restored.

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 Singapore’s premier address in the city, The Fullerton’s every nook and cranny is an attraction. A historic landmark of unparalleled styles and impeccable service, it is a monument worthy of a city.

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 Manila’s Five Loveliest, had studied Singapore and its urban landscape in one of her classes thus she was familiar with its basic history and culture.

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 Fullerton building was once home to Singapore’s General Post Office, the National Chamber of Commerce and the lavish Singapore Club. This was the largest building in Singapore at the height of its time. The building’s massive and majestic appearance eminently suits the features of a grand hotel in the heart of the city.

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 Singapore River, which according to history was the focal point of commerce and trade in its heyday. How they managed to maintain it to be part of the country’s heritage is astounding. Nikki says, “I believe that one of the great ways to uphold a city’s tradition is through restoring and preserving national heritage because these treasures speak a lot about a nation’s progress while maintaining a sense of nationalistic pride. I wish that we Filipinos were able to do the same with our architecture.”

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 Straits Settlements, it was built in 1829 to defend the town at the mouth of the Singapore River.

Most recently, it was voted the Best Hotel in Asia by readers of Conde Nast Traveler in its Readers’ Choice Awards 2006 and topped the Singapore category in Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List 2007. It was also selected as one of the Top 50 Hotels in Asia in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2006.

The Fullerton Hotel is strategically positioned in the heart of Singapore’s central business district. It is within walking distance to the cultural centers of Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, the Asian Civilizations Museum and Boat Quay, one of Singapore’s most popular dining and entertainment belt.

The Merlion, Singapore’s national icon, is located just across The Fullerton Hotel at One Fullerton, with a waterfront dining and entertainment complex linked to the hotel via an underground travelator. Another place you must check out is the M-O-S or Ministry of Sound, a pulsating haven of approximately 40,000 square feet that can hold a total of 3,000 partygoers. You can enjoy ‘80s music, listen to chill-out music or lounge for an unforgettable night of conversation, drinks and dancing.

The shopping hubs Suntec City Mail and Marina Square are just minutes from the hotel. The hotel’s proximity to the Raffles Place MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) station allows you easy access to several key locations in Singapore.

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 Singapore is certainly not complete without The Fullerton experience. In this monument of living history, your presence is magnified with every step you take. In this rare art-chitectural gem of timeless grandeur, you take a journey into your own inner sanctum — and into a precious heritage.

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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.