As one of the world’s biggest business hubs, it may seem ironic that Singapore is called the garden city when an urban jungle is more appropriate. The metropolis of epic proportions sits just south of Malaysia – an island of towering skyscrapers where a multicultural population mingles in a climate that sits somewhere between very and incredibly humid.

As the halfway point between Australia and Europe, Singapore is home to the SouthEast Asian outposts of many a global corporation. A favourite of the businessman, the global financial centre is one hell of a popular destination, whether a work-related stopover or overnight en route elsewhere. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, 13 million visitors crossed Singapore’s borders by air alone in 2017.

When it comes to stopovers, convenience is key. In which case, when you next find yourself on a whirlwind stop of the city we have the hotel for you – Sofitel City Centre.

The hotel:
Making its debut late last year, the new Sofitel outpost borders on the rambunctious and colourful precinct that is Singapore’s Chinatown. The hotel itself contains 50 Executive Club rooms, 13 suites and one signature suite.

In a city of towering skyscrapers, Sofitel City Centre is no exception. The luxury hotel is in the midst of the central business district so don’t expect views of a surrounding sweeping coastline, but rather the concrete jungle of Singapore itself. In saying that, guests feel very much a part of the hustle and bustle of the non-stop city, sitting high above the historic shophouses of nearby Chinatown and skyscrapers of Tanjong Pagar. But (most importantly) the hotel is perched right on top of the MRT station – the subway system that is hands down the easiest way to travel around a city where traffic is endless no matter the time of day (or night).

As is typical of Sofitel hotels, the interiors within are French-inspired. A distinct floral theme (representing the burgeoning garden population of Singapore) is interwoven in this particular hotel, as well as harking back to the formal gardens of the hotel group’s French origins. There’s crystal leaf chandeliers and botanical motifs everywhere you look. If anything, it’s a feminine reprieve from the industrial design favoured by hotels of late (and the concrete and glass that is around every corner in a major metropolis like Singapore).

Sophistication is Sofitel City Centre’s middle name. While obviously designed with the business client in mind, it’s a destination where families (or plus ones) can feel just at home. It’s relaxed luxury with convenience in spades. Sure there’s a desk in luxury rooms like the Prestige Suite, but it’s one adorned with a leather stationary kit, and an in-built Bose sound system in which you can play your own music. Each suite also comes with a living room, a 4-seat dining area, separate powder room, and a 55-inch Smart TV. Then there’s the bathroom, which would satisfy even Mariah Carey. A 4-point marble bathroom comes complete with double vanity (and in some suites a mirror tv).

The food:
Buffets are a favourite of a hotel catering to a business crowd and Sofitel City Centre’s restaurant Racines is no exception. It’s a mouth-watering multi-station offering catering to any and every cultural breakfast requirement and a multitude of tastebuds. Towers of pastry, fruit, juice, yoghurt, breads, and the all-important hot options greet guests from the early hours.

From lunch onwards, Racines turns rather more sophisticated. The staff are reluctant to call it fusion, but it is a treasure trove of both French and Chinese favourites that come courtesy of chef Jean-Charles Dubois.

The venue itself boasts a panoramic 180-degree view of Tanjong Pagar’s skyscrapers and traditional shop houses. A sprawling herb garden cocoons the restaurant, featuring the freshest produce used for both culinary and mixology purposes, as well as a special bee hotel so guests can enjoy fresh honey.

For a drink following (or prior to) your meal, you can hang about in the lounge outside, which has just introduced a selection of barrelled cocktails to enjoy (quite literally) on tap.

Amenities:
At the end of the day, what differentiates a good hotel from a great one is its amenities. Evidently designed around short-term stays, the hotel is designed to have everything at a given guests disposal.

It’s the amenities that Sofitel City Centre truly proves its worth – a cherry on top of a rather elaborately iced cake in short. Guests will be accorded access to Club Millésime and Virgin Active Fitness Club – Tanjong Paga, which is just around the corner and offers any and every kind of class you can think of. If laps are your forte, there’s also a 30-metre long infinity pool on site. 

Last but certainly not least, Sofitel City Centre now has a butler, a droid butler that is. Sophie (as she is named) to assist in any way that she can – enforcing the message loud and clear that nothing is beyond Sofitel City Centre’s reach.

How to get there:
Brisbane Airport is now the gateway to Singapore. Late last year, Singapore Airlines introduced an A350 service direct in and out of Brisbane, which flies out of the River City four times a day. For those who panic pre-flight (or even post) when it comes to a commute there is also the convenience of the Pullman Brisbane which sits within walking distance of the airport.

Airline travel isn’t what it used to be. The process has been streamlined (and room to move increasingly available). Alongside extended space to stretch your legs while airborne, food offerings have improved dramatically for Singapore Airlines. Case and point the Book the Cook service. The new addition offers a selection of meals inspired by the company’s International Culinary Panel, the dishes of which can be purchased up to 24 hours before your flight departs for classes that range from Suites, through First, Business and Premium Economy.

What to do there:
Eat. Singapore, like many an Asian city, focuses first and foremost on its food-based activities. Brunch is a religion in Singapore, thanks in part to the large contingent of ex-pats who have made the tropical business hub their home and continue to congregate every Sunday for a lazy tipple and nibble all at once. Perhaps the best example of this is Singapore Sofitel Sentosa Resort & Spa. Once a year the venue also hosts the AccorHotels Food Festival in which each Accor venue city-wide produces a specialty food stall. Don’t eat before attending this one – it’s one event where gluttony is encouraged.

Of course in recent years Singapore has also become somewhat of a fine dining hub. Joining Michelin-starred Jaan is Clayton Well’s new addition Blackwattle. And for those after authentic food you can’t go past the myriad of hawker centres that line the streets and vibrate with energy once the sun sets. Our pick? The Maxwell Food Centre

Check-out rating:
Sofitel City Centre is designed to fit seamlessly into a metropolis that is more often than not experienced in a 24-hour period. But the minute final touches (from a droid butler to luxe interiors) prove that convenience and a little luxury can (and should) go hand-in-hand.

Sofitel City Centre
9 Wallich Street, 078885, Singapore
sofitel-singapore-citycentre.com