Hilton Singapore Orchard
Monica Tindall
We couldn’t have wished for a better place to celebrate the Christmas season than Hilton Singapore Orchard. Located in the heart of the city’s bustling shopping district in early December, the streets and malls are illuminated by a stunning array of lights. Carolers bring holiday cheer to the sidewalks, and the hotel’s food and beverage outlets are busy with guests enjoying festive specials. It’s a joyous scene, and we are thrilled to be a part of it.
Hilton Singapore Orchard – A Shopping & Dining Paradise
If you’re in the city for shopping, Orchard Road will undoubtedly be your primary hangout, and Hilton Singapore Orchard is right in the thick of it. Takashimaya department store is next door, Paragon Mall is just across the road, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of shops within a block of the property. But you don’t even need to leave the hotel, as the Mandarin Gallery shopping complex occupies the lower floors. And that’s just the shopping—there are countless entertainment and dining options, and even within the hotel itself there are standout choices.
Restaurants & Bars
Hilton Singapore Orchard is a foodie’s heaven, offering Michelin-starred cuisine, contemporary Italian fare, Champagne brunches, and a craft cocktail bar. Even a weekend isn’t enough to experience it all.
Hilton’s Sunday Champagne brunch was a staple during my Singaporean expat life in the 90s. Rows of decadent dishes, endless bubbly, and a lively Spanish trio created unforgettable memories. I even discovered a pearl in my oyster during one of our gatherings. While the location has evolved, Hilton still captures that vibrant, must-visit atmosphere I am so fond of from decades ago.
And I soon discover why… While the location has changed (the hotel moved a few blocks down the street from the original, taking over the old Mandarin Singapore Orchard), many familiar faces remain. Executive Sous Chef William is still at the helm. He heads a multi-generational team alongside the newly appointed Director of Culinary, Kazi Hassan. These seasoned professionals provide some of the most memorable service you’ll find in the industry. Interactions feel heartfelt and genuine as if a family member is reviewing your experience and ensuring everything is just right.
While we don’t relive bubbly brunch memories on this visit, we do feast on Estate’s festive buffet. The Art Deco-designed all-day dining restaurant is broken into multiple rooms, making the large space feel intimate. We’re glad to arrive before the 6:30 p.m. opening to capture some photos. Once the doors open, guests march in, piling their plates with seafood, roasts, and premium proteins. In what seems like an infinite maze of food rooms, we delight in quality ingredients and recipes at every turn.
The seafood is a highlight, with bouncy prawns, crayfish, mussels, and scallops. A global oyster selection with varieties from Ireland, France, Australia, Canada, and the USA is an excellent way to train your tastebuds with a side-by-side tasting. Sydney rock oysters and the French Fine de Claire win in this line-up. The roast section is a mouthwatering display of pork, lamb, beef, fish, and turkey, all in monster-sized presentations. While it’s easy to fill up on seafood and roasts, there’s also a tempting selection of salads, noodles, local delicacies, cheeses, cold cuts, Western dishes, and an extensive dessert spread.
We return to the Estate for breakfast and are met with an equally impressive range of options. We’re spoiled for choice and could eat something from every corner of the planet, at least every corner of Asia and the West. Coffee is decent, juices are fabulous, and the choice to be healthy or show no self-restraint is possible. Eggs made-to-order, dim sum, lashings of bacon, rice, noodles, yoghurt, muesli, cheeses, cold cuts, sushi – you name it, they’ve got it.
If you’re a buffet fan, the Estate is not to be missed. However, Osteria Mozza is worth checking out if you’re looking for a contemporary Italian dining experience. It’s overseen by renowned LA chef Nancy Silverton and helmed in Singapore by chef Peter Birk. It takes up a wonderfully green corner lot of Hilton Singapore Orchard, making a fresh al fresco dining location for the evening or a warm, plant-lined spot for a light-filled lunch. Check out our review of Osteria Mozza here.
We highly recommend craft cocktail enthusiasts to visit Gingerlily whether staying in the hotel or not. Resembling more an independent bar than the lobby lounge of large hotel, the cocktail program here is outstanding. Bartender Michael serves us a few of the bar’s signatures. The first, Sonic Synthesis (SGD 28), a botanical-forward gin-based drink, is accompanied by a wireless neckband speaker playing serene forest sounds, fully immersing us in the experience. The second, Zero°C Negroni (SGD 28), comes straight out of the icy depths of the freezer giving the classic a fuller body and super chilled finish, the perfect mate to the tropics. But that’s not all. The range of speciality techniques used is expert, and we also taste bourbon beverages aged in bamboo. Inspired by the barrel-aging trend, the team at Gingerlily have gone local, using fat bamboo stems as maturation vessels. While I don’t know the science behind it, the drinks taste darn good.
Hilton Singapore Orchard Rooms
Gosh, I jumped straight to the food and drinks (clearly, priorities), but Hilton Singapore Orchard’s rooms are more than just a place to rest your head. The property is enormous, boasting 1,080 guest rooms and suites. Having taken over Mandarin Orchard three years ago and undergoing a complete refurbishment, the rooms are now fresh and, as you’d expect from Hilton, furnished with quality fittings meant to last.
Our King Executive Room is designed for a great night’s sleep. I don’t mean with fancy additions like sleepy tea and aromatherapy, but rather that they’ve perfected the basics. I’ve stayed in many luxury properties that offer new-age relaxation aids, but sound and lighting have often ruined any chance of deep sleep – not at Hilton.
First, the lighting. Blackout curtains cover every crack, ensuring that not a ray of light enters until you choose. Additionally, there are no annoying small lights from clocks, TVs, air-conditioning controls, or fire sprinkler systems. There is a night light if you want it; otherwise, there’s complete darkness.
Secondly, sound. These rooms are so well-insulated that despite being in the heart of the downtown area, I don’t hear a hint of outside noise. The air-conditioning is so quiet that I wave my hand in front of the vent to check if it’s on. There’s no noise from other guests in the hallways or from the doors opening and closing. This level of soundproofing is what I mean by getting the basics right and something all hotels should strive for. Without proper sound and light control, none of the additional amenities really matter.
Additionally, the air conditioning is adjustable and doesn’t revert to North Pole cold every time we exit and return. The temperature is comfortable, not teeth-chatteringly icy.
Standard rooms are on the smaller side at 29 sqm, but it’s tough to find a new hotel in Singapore with larger rooms. Despite the compact size, the design is ergonomic, making excellent use of space. A lounge is positioned under the large window, allowing plenty of natural light. The mini bar and TV cabinet are sleek against the wall, and the bathroom is efficiently designed, fitting both a shower and a bathtub without wasting any square footage. The bedding is exceptionally comfortable, and the shower provides high-pressure, instant hot water. International plugs all work and there are more than enough for the two of us to charge all devices simultaneously.
I admire the carafes filled with filtered water and Crabtree and Evelyn bath products in refillable pumps, which eliminate single-use plastic. Even though there’s an espresso machine and tea-making facilities, we have Executive Club benefits, so we have no desire to make our own.
Executive Club
If you’re travelling for business or mixing work and leisure, the Executive Club at Hilton Singapore Orchard is your best friend. The quieter environment of the lounge, and all-day snack and beverage service makes it an excellent location to work. For me, it’s a quiet place to write with unlimited coffee and sparkling water. For others, it’s the use of the business facilities, Continental brekkie and evening cocktails.
While the extensive brekkie selection at Estate is certainly impressive, if you get overwhelmed by choice or want a more serene setting, the options at the Executive Lounge are more than satisfying. Both mornings and evenings provide a compact selection of quality recipes. For breakfast, eggs-made-to-order with baked beans, mushrooms, yoghurt and fruit makes me happy, and at night, the dim sum, salads and pasta provide plenty to fill this tummy. I’m a bit of a wine fuss, so not so impressed with the selection. However, the majority of guests seem to be happy. There’s beer and house-pouring spirits, too.
Facilities
While the pool isn’t the largest in the city, it gets plenty of sun during the day, making it a comfortable temperature year-round. Plant walls and blue skies provide a chance to reconnect with nature after a busy day in the city. To balance calorie consumption from all the delicious food and beverage outlets, the fitness centre at Hilton Singapore Orchard is well stocked. It’s equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym cardio and strength training equipment.
Hotel Singapore Orchard Review
Awesome location – tick. Comfortable rooms – tick. Excellent restaurants and bar – tick. Gracious service and highly experienced staff – tick. An urban retreat, Hilton Singapore Orchard provides a seamless blend of comfort, style, and convenience. It’s an ideal choice for both business and leisure travellers alike.
Reasons to stay at Hotel Singapore Orchard: fantastic location in the heart of Orchard road; a shopper’s paradise; sensational festive offerings; excellent restaurants and bar; comfortable rooms that are both sound and light-proofed; exceptional service from highly knowledgeable and experienced staff.
Hilton Singapore Orchard
Mandarin Gallery
333 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238867
+65 6737 4411
Link to Hilton Singapore Orchard on Google Maps
www.hilton.com/en/hotels/sinorhi-hilton-singapore-orchard
@hiltonsingaporeorchard
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