Cover How newest hotel Pullman Singapore Hill Street honours luxury train travel

Set in a prime location, Pullman Singapore Hill Street is the newest addition to the island’s vibrant hotel scene

From taking a trip across the border to hopping on a plane to a relaxing resort, we love taking a quick getaway to rejuvenate ourselves—even if it’s just for the weekend. But with life getting in the way, it’s not always easy to do so. 

To curb our wanderlust, we turn to the next best thing: staycations. Joining the ranks of the diverse array of five-star luxury resorts and quaint boutique hotels that Singapore has to offer, is the brand-new Pullman Singapore Hill Street.

The new space isn’t like any typical hotel. In fact, it pays homage to the brand’s roots of luxury train travel. The hotel modernises the George Pullman sleeping car through subtle designs, from the addition of train motifs in each room to the meeting rooms named after iconic train stations around the world.

We were fortunate enough to gain exclusive access before doors are open to the public. Read on to discover what you can expect when the hotel officially opens in October 2023.

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First impressions

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Above The ground floor lobby

Hospitality began before we even took a step into the hotel. We were welcomed by the friendly Pullman Porters as they came forward to assist with our bags. As we entered the lobby, we were met with a walkway with a stunning mural of vintage carriers—a spot we definitely stopped to take pictures at.

While check-in proceedings are typically on the third floor, we were treated to an in-room check-in, making the process even more convenient. On the way to our rooms, we stopped to admire the hallway lined with carpets showcasing an abstract map of Singapore. We were even able to locate our houses on the map itself, as much as it sounds hardly believable! But trust us, we did. 

Do Not Disturb

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Above The Studio Suite
Tatler Asia
Above Bathroom in the Studio Suite

We spent the night in the hotel’s spacious Studio Suite. Stepping in, the first thing we noticed was how the floor-to-ceiling windows filled the room entirely with natural light. Staying on the highest floor meant that the room offered us stunning views of Fort Canning Park. The room is complete with plush bedding, an integrated mini bar, a lounge area and more. The bathroom was spacious and came equipped with a bathtub, rain shower and luxurious toiletries from American-owned beauty brand C.O. Bigelow.

The railroad cabin theme continued past the hallways and into the rooms. Looking closely, we noticed the suite elegantly detailed with vintage accents from brass linings against dark wood to polished fixtures.

The suite was also designed with sustainability in mind. Not only have they eradicated single-use plastics, rooms will also go into energy-saving mode when no guests are inside. That’s thanks to the smart in-room sensors that will switch off all lights and deactivate air conditioning temperature controls once they leave the room.

The Extras

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Above The gym
Tatler Asia
Above The pool

As fitness junkies, we were excited to check out the gym and the swimming pools. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the indoor and outdoor Power Fitness gym came equipped with a wide range of weights and machines—something not typical of many hotel gyms. On top of classic training equipment like the treadmill and standing bike, the gym also features standing punching bags, TRX suspension trainers, battle ropes and more.

The hotel houses not one but two swimming pools—with one conveniently located next to the gym and the other perched on the roof. The former is fitted with cabanas and a jacuzzi, perfect for a lazy day spent relaxing under the sun, while the latter is an infinity pool that offers views of Marina Bay Sands.

Food and Drink

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Above Barbecued prawn tacos at El Chido

When it comes to food and drinks, don’t fret, the hotel is full of options. While the modern Japanese izakaya restaurant and bar dubbed Moga was yet to be open, we got to indulge in the hotel’s other restaurants, including El Chido and Madison’s.

As the sun set, we headed to the roof for a pool party—an event that the hotel plans to host regularly in collaboration with DJ Dispensary. We were given a first-hand dining experience at the pool and were treated to El Chido’s after-hours party menu. A unique concept, El Chido is a Mexican-themed swim-up bar located by the hotel’s infinity pool.

To line our stomachs before the drinks, we savoured plates like the aromatic elote comprising charred corn topped with cotija cheese, Mexican cream and garlic; barbecued prawn tacos complete with guacamole, tomato salsa and purple cabbage; and the Take it Cheesy. The latter is a nacho bowl generously layered with tortilla chips, minced beef, refried beans, charred corn and pico de gallo. Among the different cocktails we sampled, the sea salt margarita shooters stood out as a favourite, featuring a blend of Codigo Bianco, agave and citrus.

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Above Breakfast at Madison’s

Breakfast is one of our favourite meals of the day (apart from dessert, of course) and we couldn’t wait to try Madison’s breakfast menu the next morning. The breakfast menu comprises of quintessential All-American classics ranging from New York-style bagels to fluffy pancake stacks. The Spammed and Scrambled was a standout, and sees creamy scrambled eggs, grilled spam and bacon sandwiched between bagel buns.

Madison’s also teased us with a preview of its signature Dilmah high tea spread, which is set to launch with a festive edition come November, followed by an official edition next March 2024. Look forward to grazing on sweet and savoury bite-sized gems like the lobster roll, pandan kueh lapis and peanut butter cheesecake.

Tatler Tip

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Above The gym

If you’re into fitness just like us, don’t miss out on the personal training sessions offered by the hotel. Simply reserve a slot by dropping by the concierge and fill up a fitness goal form before heading down to the gym. Experts from Strength Clinic Academy will be there to guide you through various exercises to help you reach your goals; the exercises available range from free weights to cardio. 

Credits

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Pullman Singapore Hill Street

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