The local hotel scene has seen quite a bit of change these past few years. Some new ones have opened, which others have either shuttered or rebranded.
Planning to repeat a staycation at a hotel you enjoyed previously? Who knows, that hotel might not even be the same one that you know. For example, if you have a reservation at ‘Hilton Hotel’, your stay will be at 333 Orchard Road now, not 581 Orchard Road!
Sounds confusing already? Fret not. Get acquainted with our round-up of 10 rebranded hotels before making your reservation. And make sure your cabby uncle or private hire driver takes you to the correct location!
Mandarin Orchard Singapore -> Hilton Singapore Orchard (333 Orchard Road)
Photo credit: Hilton Singapore Orchard
The hotel property at 333 Orchard Road has been an iconic beacon of Singapore’s premier shopping belt for over 50 years. Originally known as Mandarin Hotel when it was first built by former Overseas Union Bank Chairman Lien Ying Chow, it was famous for its Chatterbox café Chicken Rice and the revolving Top of the ‘M’ restaurant, which afforded vantage views of the cityscape from its 39th storey perch.
In 2002, it was renamed Meritus Mandarin Singapore and subsequently Mandarin Orchard Singapore in 2010. Twelve years later in 2022, Mandarin Orchard Singapore was rebranded as Hilton Singapore Orchard. The rooftop restaurant may no longer in operation but guests still get to savour the signature Mandarin chicken rice as Chatterbox’s legacy continues. And other innovative dining concepts also add to the hotel’s allure as a destination for gourmet lovers.
Hilton Singapore -> voco Orchard Singapore (581 Orchard Road)
Photo credit: voco Orchard Singapore
voco is a premium brand of IHG Hotels & Resort, which also owns the Holiday Inn chain. Since January 2022, it has been operating its first property in Southeast Asia at the former Hilton Singapore site.
A 19-panel, 5,380 square metre long mural featuring semi-abstract Malaysian shapes, which was completed by the late KL-born artist Gerard Henderson in 1969, adorns the hotel’s façade till today. And Mavis (a huge sculpture of the new hotel mascot), perched in front of the driveway, welcomes all to ‘come on in’.
Soak off the day’s fatigue in the rooftop pool while taking in the city skyline or sweat it out at the 24-hour gym. After a good night’s rest on bed mattresses sustainably made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, guests can fuel up your morning with the much-raved-about international breakfast buffet. Or look forward to fine dining the rest of the day at Iggy’s, one of Singapore’s most highly acclaimed one-Michelin-starred restaurants.
Grand Park Orchard -> Pullman Singapore Orchard (270 Orchard Road)
Photo credit: Pullman Singapore Orchard
Back in the 80’s till early noughties, glass bullet lifts taking guests up and down the Crown Prince Hotel were a sight to behold at the junction of Bideford Road and Orchard Road. The Swensen’s outlet occupying the circular building below the glass lifts was also a popular hangout. Some years later when Grand Park Hotel took over the location, and American fashion brand Abercrombie & Fitch opened at the hotel’s shopping arcade, it made headlines over the controversy of using shirtless male employees at its only store in Singapore.
Fast track to December 2023, the one-year-old Pullman Singapore Orchard now occupies 270 Orchard Road. From a lounge bar that offers co-working spaces, to POS Beach Club where you can sit at the cabana to conduct a ZOOM meeting against a REAL swim-up pool bar backdrop, to power sockets installed all around the lobby area so you can charge your laptop while waiting for your next appointment – Pullman Singapore Orchard is making its name as a fashionable hotel with luxurious perks thrown in especially for business travellers.
Meritus Negara Hotel Singapore/Negara on Claymore -> Pan Pacific Orchard (10 Claymore Road)
Photo credit: Pan Pacific Orchard / WOHA
Though Pan Pacific Orchard had been operating at 10 Claymore Road since 2008 after it replaced Negara on Claymore (formerly Meritus Negara Hotel), its current nature-inspired building was total reconstructed and opened in June 2023.
Tucked away behind the quieter end of Orchard Road, just steps away from the Royal Thai Embassy, the new 23-storey Pan Pacific Orchard is a verdant sanctuary for weary travellers. It striking stacked architecture, designed by WOHA Architects, houses four spaces inspired by nature. A three-storey-high green terrace enveloping the lobby makes up part of the 7,300 square metre of foliage covering the entire hotel. A cascading waterfall transports you to a tropical oasis, while the meandering lagoon pool at the 5th floor Beach Terrace lets you dream of island getaways.
Regent Singapore -> Conrad Singapore Orchard (1 Cuscaden Road)
Photo credit: Conrad Singapore Orchard
The launch of Conrad Singapore Orchard, formerly Regent Singapore, coincides with rejuvenation plans slated for the Cuscaden Road-Tanglin Road enclave. Besides having accessibility boosted when the Orchard Boulevard and Nathan Road MRT stations opened in November 2022, the area will soon see many more luxury hotels and residential developments.
Rooms and suites are open for reservation only from 28 December 2023 onwards, after major refurbishment works are completed. Those looking for a spot for fine dining can choose from the hotels stable of ten bars and restaurants, including Basilico, the award-winning Italian buffet restaurant and Michelin-starred Summer Palace.
Park Hotel Alexandra -> Momentus Hotel Alexandra (323 Alexandra Road)
Photo credit: Momentus Hotel Alexandra
Located in a mature neighbourhood not usually frequented by tourists, Momentus Hotel Alexandra is right next door to IKEA Alexandra and overlooks Queensway Shopping Centre and Anchorpoint. A bus transfer is needed to access the MRT network (nearest at Queenstown or Redhill) but hotel guests will have no lack of dining choices in the hotel vicinity. Rub shoulders with heartlanders as you enjoy hawker fare at either Brickworks Food Centre or Alexandra Food Centre. Or dine in air-conditioned comfort at one of the several F&B outlets at the hotel’s adjoining Alexandra Central mall.
Taking over one of the several Park Hotel Group properties that had ceased operations in Singapore, Momentus Hotel Alexandra is owned by Chip Eng Seng Corporation Ltd. Room sizes range from 24 to 48 square metres, featuring remote controlled fixtures and lightings among other modern amenities. Meet your daily exercise goals at the 25m rooftop infinity pool or watch the city lights come alive at sunset as you swim right up to the Verandah Pool Bar & Grill to order a house pour.
Park Hotel Clarke Quay -> The Robertson House by The Crest Collection (1 Unity Street)
Photo credit: DiscoverASR
This used to be another hotel owned by Park Hotel Group, until its management rights were terminated in 2021. Now refurbished and rebranded under the portfolio of CapitaLand Ascott Trust, The Robertson House by the Crest Collection honours Dr J. Murray Robertson, a prominent Municipal Councillor and Singapore’s quayside heritage in its architecture and interior décor.
Rooms exude colonial elegance with their black and white theme. The Club Lounge, named 1823 Reading Room, has a curated library filled with vintage books to honour the eager pursuit of education since the time of Sir Stamford Raffles. Relive Singapore’s trade history at Entrepôt, where Anglo-Asian cuisine make for a convivial communal meal.
Marina Mandarin Singapore -> ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay (6 Raffles Boulevard)
Photo credit: Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay
Following a change of owners, the Marina Mandarin Singapore was rebranded as ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay on 1 January 2020. Already boasting Southeast Asian’s largest indoor sky-lit atrium, the hotel has been transformed into Singapore’s first ‘Garden-in-a-Hotel’ with over 1,400 square metres of its space decked with live flora and fauna.
Sustainability efforts shine, from the clever use of solar-powered renewable energy to a commitment to boosting food supply resilience through a rooftop Urban Farm. Harvests from the farm feature regularly at Peppermint, the hotel’s buffet restaurant offering healthy farm-to-table cuisine amidst a garden setting.
So Singapore -> Hotel Telegraph Singapore (35 Robinson Road)
Photo credit: Hotel Telegraph
Almost a hundred years on, history comes full circle. With a new hospitality alliance and a name change, Hotel Telegraph is a titular tribute to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, which was the original occupant of the grand colonial building from 1927.
Befitting of its neo-classical architecture, rooms in this luxury business hotel exude either palatial grandeur or contemporary chic. Wall moulding panels and marble tiles in pastel hues add a touch of polished elegance. Indulge in international fare and local flavours at the cosy The Dining Room. Or if you prefer to immerse full-on in the city pulse, hop over to Lau Pa Sat right next door, where the choicest hawker fare awaits.
Bay Hotel -> Travelodge Harbourfront Singapore (52 Telok Blangah Road)
Photo credit: Travelodge Harbourfront
Just a hop and skip away from one of Singapore’s largest shopping malls as well as Singapore’s most popular island getaway, Travelodge Harbourfront Singapore is ideally located for those looking for accommodation outside the CBD. The hotel which has taken over the former independently owned Bay Hotel is nestled at the foothills of Mount Faber and walking distance to Vivocity and Sentosa. With time to spare, you can easily board a ferry from HarbourFront Centre to one of the neighbouring Riau Islands of Indonesia.
Choose from 10 different room types to suit solo travellers or families, for either short or extended stays. Hotel facilities include a self-service laundrette area, self-select smart mart, small 30m outdoor swimming pool and complimentary bike rental.
