Cover ‘Turbulence’ by Rafael Barrios, one of the sculptures displayed at Conrad Centennial Singapore (Photo: Conrad Centennial Singapore)
‘Turbulence’ by Rafael Barrios, one of the sculptures displayed at Conrad Centennial Singapore (Photo: Conrad Centennial Singapore)
1 / 1
If you’ve wondered about a hotel’s history or marvelled at an impressive art collection, these tours will make your stay all the more memorable
Hotels are often where you rest and relax after a long day exploring a new city. More often than not, the hotel concierge is also where you will find tour recommendations for popular areas that many tourists have mastered. But with certain hotels, there are tours that you won’t have to leave the property for.
Whether you’re walking through history or admiring artworks, these tours offer unique experiences that others won’t easily uncover. If you’ve exhausted your itinerary, these Singapore hotels will reveal that something worth seeing that sits right under your nose.
In case you missed it: These luxury hotels in Singapore house stunning artworks by world-famous artists
1. Raffles Hotel Singapore
Above Mr Leslie Danker, Raffles Hotel Singapore’s original Resident Historian (Photo: Raffles Hotel Singapore)
Mr Leslie Danker, Raffles Hotel Singapore’s original Resident Historian (Photo: Raffles Hotel Singapore)
1 / 1
This Singapore treasure isn’t just where you’ll find five-star accommodations and amenities, it’s also where many a guest becomes part of its storied history. At Raffles Hotel Singapore, guests are invited to delve deeper into the hotel’s past on a history tour led by a Raffles Hotel Singapore (RHS) historian. As part of the Raffles experience, guests gain exclusive access to areas usually off-limits.
“The walls of Raffles Hotel Singapore are steeped in stories, and as one of its historians, I consider myself a living history book. We strive to be that window into the past and present, offering international guests and locals alike a unique perspective that goes beyond typical tourist attractions,” says a historian of the hotel.
Above The Grandfather Clock at Raffles Hotel (Photo: Raffles Hotel Singapore)
The Grandfather Clock at Raffles Hotel (Photo: Raffles Hotel Singapore)
1 / 1
The tour includes a walkthrough of The Library, which includes treasures like rare written records and collectibles, memoirs of famous personalities, and artefacts donated to the hotel by Leslie Danker, the hotel’s original Resident Historian dating back more than 50 years.
The hotel’s celebrity status draws guests of similar stardom, immortalised in the Hall of Fame, which chronicles the visits of famous personalities–politicians, literary greats, celebrities– to the hotel since its opening in 1887. Vintage enthusiasts may be more accustomed to viewing the hotel’s old artefacts including the commanding Grandfather Clock, antique gramophone, music player, and piano.
2. The St Regis Singapore
Above ‘Boats’ by Chen Wen Hsi (Photo: The St. Regis Singapore)
‘Boats’ by Chen Wen Hsi (Photo: The St. Regis Singapore)
1 / 1
You may notice this hotel’s penchant for art when you stay with them. Home to one of Asia’s finest private art collections, The St Regis Singapore continues the tradition started by the first St Regis in New York, home to the iconic ‘Old King Cole’ painting by Maxfield Parrish. The Art of Living art tour offers a detailed look into this collection.
Crafted for modern connoisseurs, art aficionados, and those with an avid appreciation for art, “The St Regis Singapore offers a unique experience to guests of the hotel with its signature art collection, showcasing some of the world’s premier collection with exclusive access to museum quality art in an exquisite ambience,” says Allen Howden, general manager of The St Regis Singapore.
‘Ice Hockey’ by Rosa Serra (Photo: The St Regis Singapore)
1 / 3
Housing over 70 works of art, including sculptures, paintings, and prints by internationally renowned artists, the art tour is offered every evening, conducted by the team of St Regis butlers. Guests are given the chance to traverse through works by both international and Nanyang artists, including Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, Georgette Chen, Cheong Soo Pieng, and Chen Wen Hsi, all meticulously selected to represent both western and eastern influences, as well as the diverse character and cultures of Singapore.
3. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Above The Fullerton Heritage Gallery (Photo: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore)
The Fullerton Heritage Gallery (Photo: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore)
1 / 1
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore has much to offer for its five stars, like spacious rooms overlooking the Singapore skyline, but what makes it truly stand out is its impressive building, which has achieved National Monument status and sits as a cornerstone of Singapore’s heritage. With the Fullerton Monument Tour, guests are given a glimpse into the lives and contributions of individuals who worked and lived at the Fullerton precinct.
Hotel and city guests alike gain private access to historical areas, including the former Main South Entrance, where the ‘Mile Zero’ plaque (to mark the building’s historic role as the central reference point for measuring all roads in Singapore) was unveiled in 2018. The tour also includes a visit to the Fullerton Heritage Gallery, for guests to explore the architectural and cultural significance of the Fullerton Building.
4. The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
Image of the current Waterboat House (Photo: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore)
1 / 2
Singapore’s maritime story began in 1819 at a pivotal gateway to the island nation, which developed the island’s trade and immigration activities. Named Clifford Pier, this gateway has since become part of Singapore’s maritime legacy, once teeming with traders, travellers, and sailors.
Clifford Pier is now part of the Maritime Journey Tour at The Fullerton Bay Hotel, which retraces the stories of Singapore’s forefathers and their arrival via the historic gateway and offers a unique perspective on the nation’s evolution as a bustling port city. Guests are also reminded of the maritime events once held at the pier, including speedboat chases and the pivotal role of the Waterboat House which once supplied water to ships anchored offshore.
5. Conrad Centennial Singapore
Above ‘Thousand Flowers Bloom’ (Photo: Conrad Centennial Singapore)
‘Thousand Flowers Bloom’ (Photo: Conrad Centennial Singapore)
1 / 1
A jewel within the heart of Marina Bay, Conrad Centennial Singapore is a landmark in Singapore’s vibrant arts district thanks to its extraordinary collection of over 3,400 original artworks by celebrated international and local artists. The hotel’s vision for design and storytelling is exemplified by the self-guided tour: ‘Cultural Reflection in Art,’ designed for guests to immerse themselves in the region’s identity.
Above ‘Gathering’ by Tay Bak Koi (Photo: Conrad Centennial Singapore)
‘Gathering’ by Tay Bak Koi (Photo: Conrad Centennial Singapore)
1 / 1
Transforming the property into a vibrant live-in gallery, the collection may be accessed through a digital map via a QR code provided at the concierge or by scanning the labels accompanying each piece. There, guests are able to uncover the stories behind the works that shed light on Singapore’s historical, social, and artistic influences.
Topics
