Many are called but few are chosen.
In the hierarchy of the gods, perhaps levels of beauty and grace are distinctly ranked. In their selection of the most scintillating jewels that synergize culture, heritage with opulent elegance, there exists a magnificent complex that belongs to a category all its own.
Truly, it is a breathtaking gem of architecture, ingenuous piece of artistry and dramatic poetry. It is perched immaculately in the vicinity of the nostalgic Merlion of Singapore’s prosperous fame. It is no other than the Fullerton Heritage precinct, straddled like a necklace of heritage treasures stretching from the Collyer Quay along Rafles Quay to Shenton way. In this progressive island nation, these classic edifices in contemporary 21st century setting include the prestigious landmarks of Fullerton Hotel and Waterboat House, One Fullerton and Clifford Pier. The newest addition to their illustrious family is the Fullerton Bay Hotel.
A favorite property of my siblings and I who frequent the Lion City, the sublime beauty of this iconic property will make any spectator bow in reverence. “Once you become a guest of this bespoke hotel, you will be entranced to stay a lifetime,“ shared gracious GM Giovanni Viterale, a long time family friend.
The great Polish sailor Joseph Conrad was enamored by the romantic Singapore waterfront in his novel Lord Jim in 1899. Today, one looks out the window from the Fullerton Bay Hotel and savors the same exotic grandeur of the waterfront but now in a contemporary setting. As though a painting had simply changed its frame yet its innate soul remains intact. Walk into its opulent lobby as the sweet scent of jasmine, ylang ylang and lily, followed by a lovely floral red rose and neroli wafts in the air. Diffused gently into the lobby, this warm and comforting scent complements that sartorial ambiance of luxury. Here, precious art pieces were either sourced internationally or specially commissioned for this property.
GM Viterale adds, “The Fullerton Bay Hotel is a six-story contemporary hotel situated right on the scenic Marina Bay waterfront. Each of its 100 rooms features a private balcony with double glazed floor-to-ceiling windows. Designed by leading architect Andre Fu and LCL Architects, marvel at the stunning marble mosaics at the Landing point, the amazing 18-meter high ceiling with an impressive chandelier in the lobby, the exquisite fabrics of the furniture and decorative elements with vintage and modern elements.”
To commemorate its cultural assimilation in its location, the hotel’s interior design combines traditional materials, patterns, antiques and modern art and technology to create its distinct atmosphere. We marveled at every piece of furniture designed especially the chairs, each had a story to tell, a secret to share.
From time immemorial, this parcel of land that magnificently sits on an area encompassing the bay and the progressive skyline of Singapore has been a guarded jewel of the family behind its heritage conservation and development. They have always valued this nostalgic, historical and sentimental slice of history. Many events of yesteryears have transpired here and what better way to preserve such memories of the past than to breathe new life into it. A living museum where the past, present and future remain timeless spectators to all that is sublime and ephemeral. Truth is, the Fullerton Heritage spearheads this landmark project and we dare say, since the walls cannot speak, let the Fullerton heritage be its voice.
No matter where we go, there are some rooms that are simply unforgettable. We recall the experience that we embraced, the internal pathways to get to our sacred space, the views within them that magnify the glorious ones that reside within us. These precious moments create the timeless inscriptions in our minds, memoirs of travels worth more than gold. Today, discerning travellers don’t just desire comfort and care but appreciate visual statements as well. Design elements immaculately woven into an eclectic tapestry infusing the old and new result in classic, modern and even chic distinctions that appeal to all ages.
My sisters and I explored the vicinity of this priceless treasure and explored the Fullerton Bay Hotel. GM Viterale is proud to say that this hotel is unlike any other. With impeccable service, the grand ambiance of the carefully chosen art and furniture, sublime service that can be very personalized to your preference reeks of only the highest standards of hospitality and excellence. Celebrities and personalities can keep their privacy from the madding crowd while enjoying their stay here. They can only keep returning as guests having found their home here.
Mike Mina, creative consultant for Miladay Jewels, declares that the material used for constructing the hotel is of the finest standards. He bumped into Shirlyn Tan, his lady colleague from Brunei who now heads the housekeeping department of Fullerton Bay Hotel. It was a blast from the past for the two of them. She made our stay so comfortable.
The view from our room included the fireworks and light and sound show of the neighboring properties and we truly enjoyed the spectacle. One would think one was in another world, another time, another dimension in space. The clouds above hovered with an ominous spirit yet we felt the beauty and grandeur within us. The bay is immaculately clean, no boats are allowed except the ones for those who clean the bay continuously, like a cleanup patrol.
The food by the bar in the lobby was delectable as well. Carin, the 10-year-old daughter of my youngest sister Yvonne, loved the Lapis cake, a layered chiffon cake with a burst of flavors. The English afternoon tea was sumptuous.
The sun was beginning to set over the bay, the purple pink hue of the sky reflected the surreal water like a magical mirror as we had their afternoon tea, which included freshly prepared assortment of English scones, finger sandwiches, delicate pastries and salted caramel tarts, vanilla crème brulee, white truffle egg mayo on baguette, smoked salmon mille feuille with caviar and duck confit crepe roulade, among many others. It was a delightful treat.
For Yvonne’s birthday, we transferred to the Cavannah Suite with British colonial influences, hues of cream, taupe and gold decorations and soft furnishings in crushed velvet. The bathroom was spacious enough to fit us all, my sister Michelle couldn’t wait for the clock to strike 12 so she could partake of the sumptuous midnight snack. In the fashion of Cinderella, the buffet table or spread was magnificently transformed into everything your heart desired. We all converged at the rooftop’s scenic Lantern, an alfresco bar adjacent to an 82-foot-long swimming pool.
The hotel has been recognized as one of the best hotel bars in the world by CNNGO.com, not just for its views but for its gourmet tapas and cocktail brews as well.
“My answer to the Fullerton Bay Hotel is to tailor a new heritage, to create a modern colonial hotel that pays tribute to the bygone era. It is clear to see that the result is where a colonial heritage has been reinterpreted in a deeply-rooted, yet distinctly sensual and lush setting,” Fu concludes.
To me, it is a hotel that honors Singapore’s historic past, with a vision for the future. Fullerton Bay is a jewel of priceless proportions.
No wonder it has been chosen by the gods.
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For more information logon to www.fullertonbayhotel.com.
E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.