In February 2023, I checked into the Executive Room at Pullman Singapore Hill Street. Situated in the heart of Singapore’s downtown civic and cultural district, the 350-room property is steps away from City Hall MRT Station, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Capitol Piazza and Funan Mall, as well as nearby attractions such as the National Museum of Singapore and the National Gallery. Changi Airport and Marina Bay Sands are 25 minutes and 10 minutes away by car respectively.
Other notable hotels in the vicinity include The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, Grand Park City Hall, Swissotel The Stamford, Fairmont Singapore and Raffles Hotel Singapore.
The UTW (“Under Ten Words”): Luxury train travel-inspired chic hotel In City Hall.
The must-dos (if any): Enjoy evening cocktails and a calm breakfast experience at the Executive Lounge; take a dip in the hotel’s rooftop pool; have dinner and drinks at MOGA.
PULLMAN SINGAPORE HILL STREET
Designed by Singapore’s DP Architects (who also designed The Singapore EDITION and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore), the hotel pays visual tribute to the Pullman brand’s roots in luxury train travel, from the reproduction of the classic Pullman Sleeping Cabin at the hotel entrance which serves as a luggage holding area to the vintage luggage installation past the hotel’s front doors as well as the antique-style elevators. The reception area as well as the hotel’s key facilities, including public co-working spaces and the Executive Lounge, are located on the 3rd level.
In terms of wellness, guests can access the Power Fitness gym on the 3rd floor which is equipped with machines by Concept 2 and offers both indoor and outdoor spaces, with the latter being uncharacteristically Crossfit-edgy for a hotel gym. There are two swimming pools onsite – one is located on the 3rd level with cabanas and a jacuzzi area, while the other is a rooftop infinity pool affair which offers impressive views of Marina Bay.
The hotel has three dining concepts: all-day dining space Madison’s; vibey Japanese izakaya MOGA; and the Mexican-themed poolside rooftop bar El Chido.
EXECUTIVE ROOM
The cosy 25sqm Executive King is decked in dark woods and cool tones, with occasional shocks of orange. The wardrobe is open-concept, while a modular armchair can be converted into a single bed. The pantry offers Nespresso coffee and Dilmah tea-making facilities along with a small selection of snacks.
The bathroom offers a single vanity as well as an enclosed rainfall shower space, with bathroom amenities courtesy of American apothecary brand C.O. Bigelow. The sink is fitted with a Grohe faucet which can dispense filtered water.
Guests staying in an Executive Room will have access to the Executive Lounge on the third level.
DINING
Breakfast is served at Madison’s, the ground level all-day dining restaurant. The buffet spread comprises the usual cold cuts, cereals, Western breakfast sides, egg station, waffles and pancakes etc, with the Streaky Crispy Bacon, Curry Puffs, Fried Eggs and Kueh Lapis being the choices which caught my eye.
Aside from being the hotel’s breakfast venue, Madison’s also doubles up as a American deli-style grab-and-go concept, offering sandwiches and bagels as well as coffee from local brand Sarnies. The restaurant is also a destination for afternoon tea, with dainty bites like Lobster on Brioche with XO Hae Bee Hiam, Peanut Butter Cheesecake and Norwegian Salmon Tartare with Ikura and Avocado Cream in Pie Tee Shell presented in an eye-catching chest and paired with your choice from a wide variety of Dilmah premium teas ranging from Moroccan Mint Green Tea and Nuwara Eliya Afternoon Tea to Mandarin & Marzipan Pekoe and Pullman Signature Tea.
Also located on the ground level is MOGA, a modern Japanese Izakaya meets cocktail bar accessible via a discreet entrance near Madison’s coffee bar counter. The space pairs clubby electro beats – think MNEK and Galantis – with sexy vibes and moreish snacks such as Chicken Tsukune (chicken minced, sous vide egg, teriyaki spicy sauce), Moga Katsu Sando (crispy chicken cutlet, homemade coleslaw, tonka mayo, cured egg yolk), Moga Samurai Roll (prawn tempura, hamachi, avocado, sriracha, yuzu aioli) and Kuruma Bi Tempura (botan shrimp, daikon dipping sauce, aonori, shichimi, sea salt, wasabi mayo), all of which were fairly delicious and satisfying.
The cocktails were competent and confident, with highlights being the Negroni-esque Natsu-Roni (coconut butter-coated Michter’s Bourbon, Mancino Rosso & Secco, Campari) and Smoking Yakuza (coconut butter-coated Michter’s Bourbon, Monin smoked oak, bitters, applewood smoke), both of which possessed a creamy smoothness amidst the spirit-forward proceedings. Those looking for a sweet ending should look no further than the Black Sesame Gelato, which manages to honour its innate graininess whilst simultaneously channeling a dreamily creamy quality.
Rounding up the hotel’s dining spaces is the rooftop Mexican-themed poolside bar El Chido, which serves refreshing tipples (with alcohol strength and taste profile helpfully indicated in the menu) such as Cactus Mojito (rum, citrus, mint and nopales, said to be “sweet and sour” and strength being a 3/5) and Coco Rico (rum, coconut milk, cream, butter and pineapple, described as “bittersweet” and strength being a 4/5).
EXECUTIVE LOUNGE
Offering both indoor and poolside al fresco seating, the Executive Lounge on the 3rd floor serves both breakfast (a valuable alternative to the potentially chaotic situation at Madison’s) as well as evening cocktails and canapes. Breakfast was a semi-buffet situation with cold cuts, Western breakfast sides and Fried Eggs available in the buffet spread and Laksa served to your table.
Evening cocktails and canapes was a pleasant affair, with dishes such as Chicken Satay and Samosas available to pair with prosecco, wines as well as spirits such as Aviation Gin, Tito’s Vodka, Plantation Original Dark Rum, Olmeca Altos Blanco Tequila and Buffalo Trace Bourbon.
CONCLUSION
The hotel’s fantastic location and comfy room stylings make it a good choice for visitors seeking ease of access to key tourist and shopping destinations, while those who appreciate a good swimming pool would no doubt appreciate the beautiful views from the rooftop pool. Even non-staying guests would find plenty to enjoy at MOGA, one of the highlights of my stay.
Pullman Singapore Hill Street
1 Hill Street
Singapore 179949
Comments are closed.