Sometimes a place just captures your delight, exudes a certain wow factor or has that special little “je ne sais quoi”. My recent stay at So/Singapore on Robinson Road encapsulated all these feelings and more.
Arriving at a dedicated guest entrance we walk into an interior designers dream – the details in this boutique style hotel are eclectic, fascinating and have you gazing in wonder like a curious small child. The hygiene practices are absolutely top notch and we are quickly and safely checked in for our So/ Brunchcation package – a 2D1N stay in an upgraded Urban room, a sumptuous brunch tower (which you can enjoy on your first day if you wish), a la carte breakfast for 2 and 25% off other food and beverages (all for $318++ per room per night).
Entering our floor we can either take the Heritage walk or the Urban stroll to our room. Both sides of the floor are decorated in completely different styles. The Heritage walk conjures up memories of Versailles and the French renaissance, with lashings of lace, plush carpets and lux decorations. In contrast the Urban side is chic, funky and more minimalist yet with many intriguing features. Our room is quite simply drop dead gorgeous and I am hastily looking around for ideas and objects d’art I can find for my own home.
From the red ceramic hand that holds our towels in the spacious marble bathroom, to the little blue box on the bed side table for my jewellery, the illuminated roof feature which mimics a renaissance style cupola or the blackboard inside the amenities cupboard detailing one of their delicious rooftop cocktails – it’s so French, it’s so chic, it is indeed So Sofitel.
Even the French husband couldn’t stop marvelling as he wandered gleefully around the room with murmurs of “exquisite” and “fascinating” emanating on multiple occasions. He was also impressed with all the fancy tech gadgets – blending heritage with modern, everything in the room from the curtains to the light is operated via iPad.
We head up to the 1927 rooftop bar to spend a quiet, lazy afternoon by the pool sipping delicious cocktails. Despite being in the middle of the city, we feel as though we are in a small oasis with tranquil water, tropical plants and comfortable loungers embracing us into a zen like state of relaxation. There are no crowds here making it a perfect destination for some special adults only time.
Back to our room and it was time for a pre-dinner champagne and bubble bath. The bath was spacious and reclining at just the right angle for a luxurious soak and the separate rain shower had all those features needed to wash the stresses of life away. The amenities here are beyond expectations – even providing a small bottle of sensuous unisex perfume (something I never both to travel with). The minibar is stocked with complimentary soft drinks and snacks and we also received a beautiful platter of mini desserts including those famous French macarons.
After our serene and comfortable night sleep, we saunter down to Xperience restaurant for breakfast – where again our heads are turning in every direction soaking in the details, the creativity and the vivid elegance. Breakfast is comparable less with a hotel experience and more with a great local cafe – offering a range of selections from American, to English to Healthy - with our favourites including the Eggs Benedict and the Smashed Avocado on Sourdough. Of course it’s all made to order and served directly to your table, nothing is mass produced here.
With some more relaxation time by the pool, we snooze and swim away the morning before heading to our late brunch. Brace yourselves, because this brunch tower is something else! Picture a delectable 3-tiered feast – with eggs, charcuterie, salmon and garden vegetables on the bottom, sausages, beef and chicken in the middle and a temptation of desserts and fruit crowning the top. Suffice to say we didn’t need dinner that evening.
Sadly it was all too soon time to leave but we take away memories of an exquisite, unwinding and truly pleasurable stay. A must for those seeking a quiet, adults only break or a place to work in peace where you won’t be bothered by crowds but you will be enthralled and enchanted by the magic of So/Singapore.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR REBECCA (WATSON) ASSICE
Founder and Director of Virtual Room in Asia Pacific. The future of entertainment is now here with Virtual Room – the world’s best team-based virtual reality experience located right in the heart of Chinatown, Singapore. Experience a truly immersive and mind-blowing adventure with your friends, family or colleagues as you communicate and work together in a totally realistic virtual world. Perfect for team building or company events - Virtual Room has corporate packages for up to 44 people.
Image Credit: Rebecca Watson Assice and her family in Singapore.
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SO/ SINGAPORE INFORMATION
a. 35 Robinson Rd, Singapore 068876
s. www.facebook.com/SoSofitelSingapore/
