A Couple’s Staycation at the New Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore

Staycation alert! With a Michelin Chef-helmed restaurant, luxurious (and quiet!) rooms, and small but chic pool and spa, the new Capitol Kempinski is an adults-only treat

 As much as I love traveling with my kids (and I really do!) I also love those rare occasions when I can sleep in without the threat of being woken up in the middle of the night (or before the sun has come up). With an energetic 4.5-year-old running around, those blissful nights are few and far between.

So when the new Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore offered media the chance to try the hotel out, I happily accepted. Located in two fully restored heritage buildings smack in the middle of the city, the hotel features 157 unique guest rooms and suites of varying shapes and sizes. Some are certainly spacious enough to host a family, but the vibe – with a cool rum bar and a forthcoming restaurant from Michelin-Starred Chef Alvin Leung – is definitely on the adult side.

Other on site amenities include an outdoor saltwater relaxation pool (not huge, so again, not something the kiddos would really go for), a fitness centre, and a lovely spa. This is definitely a place where you’ll want to take the time to treat yo’ self, mama.

For those not familiar with the Kempinski brand, it’s actually Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group, dating back to the 19^th century, though they’ve definitely made a push to expand in Asia in recent years. My husband had gushed about the Jakarta location, and I’ve also heard raves about the one in Bangkok, so I was pretty excited when I heard they were finally coming to Singapore.

In keeping with its modernised heritage setting, the hotel goes for a “timeless yet contemporary” atmosphere. The elegant lobby combines modern art with a chandelier and heaps of fresh flowers. Upon check-in you’re also greeted (and escorted to your room) by Kempinski’s signature “Lady in Red”, who’s sort of a combination of a concierge and guest ambassador.

Rooms have got all the modcons you could want (free Wi-Fi, brilliant Sonos audio system, complimentary non-alcoholic mini-bar and delicious snacks), but the décor is classic colonial with dark woods, sumptuous high thread-count linens, and custom-made furniture.

One of the hotel’s most interesting features is that no two rooms are exactly alike with over 50 different room configurations across eight room categories, owing to its historic bones and the peculiarities that come along with a conservation building. When I toured the hotel, for instance, I saw one Grand Deluxe Room with a huge open-plan bathroom, and another where the bathtub was separate from the vanities and toilet.

Another notable aspect of the hotel is that many of the rooms have internal views overlooking the courtyard of adjacent Capitol Piazza. Some also look out onto Stamford Road, but don’t check in expecting a sweeping skyline; again it’s all about relaxing in your comfortable, luxurious room, mamas.

And take advantage of the room I did! While we enjoyed our cocktail in the rum bar and found both dinner and the breakfast buffet to be perfectly lovely (NB: the celebrity chef restaurant wasn’t yet open for dinner when we visited), the highlight for me was luxuriating in the deep soaking tub (while watching a movie on the bathroom’s TV), cozying up in a super fluffy bathrobe, and getting a fabulous night’s sleep in the plush king bed.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my two kids and the typical attendant chaos that they bring, but getting about 18 hours of peace and quiet? That was truly divine. (Big shoutout as ever to our amazing helper, of course!)

If you’re after a quick, convenient and relaxing staycation for grown-ups, mama, the Capitol Kempinski’s a fabulous place to stay.

Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, 15 Stamford Road, Singapore 178906, Tel: (+65) 6368 8888, www.kempinski.com/en/singapore/the-capitol-singapore