It’s just after sunrise and I have the rooftop infinity pool atop COMO Metropolitan Singapore all to myself. As the heat and humidity begins to rise over the bustling city, I slide into the refreshing waters and begin to swim lazy laps of its 30-metre length. The 19th floor pool is cantilevered, which means it juts out over the edge of the building, creating a vertiginous view out to surrounding skyscrapers. Below me, through the glass panel in the bottom of the pool, I can see the morning traffic wend its way through the Orchard Road district. Laps completed, I move to the far end of the pool, where there’s a bubbling jacuzzi to help soothe tired muscles.
This peaceful slice of life is quite different to the pool deck’s personality after dark. The previous evening, I’d stopped by what becomes the Sky Bar for a coconut lychee mojito as a DJ filled the space with techno sound. You don’t need to be staying at COMO Metropolitan Singapore to visit the bar – but when your room is just downstairs, it’s easy to justify that first (or second) cocktail. Not a drinker? You could always opt for one of COMO’s signature juice blends, curated by dietitian Eve Persak of COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali. COMO Metropolitan Singapore has also just introduced a Cleanse Package.
First glance at the COMO Metropolitan Singapore
Housed in the multi-use COMO Orchard building on Bideford Road, which incorporates fashion, retail, dining and wellness spaces, COMO Metropolitan Singapore opened in September 2023. The property has 156 rooms, including 12 super-luxe suites. It offers stunning skyline views, and a host of appealing facilities. Although the COMO Group founded and still owned by Christina Ong has been around for 30 years, this is the brand’s first home-based property. It has a laser-sharp focus on technology, with mobile check-ins, high-speed hotel-wide Wi-Fi access, an app which allows guests to book in-house restaurants, spa treatments and other services via their phone, and an in-house robotic barista. (More on him later.)
Design features of the COMO Metropolitan Singapore
The stripped back minimalist design is attributed to longtime COMO design partners Atelier Ikebuchi and Milan-based OTTO Studio headed up by Paola Navone, along with Norwegian digital artist Thomas Hilland and Modellus Novus, a New York City-based architecture firm. The lobby lounge features an ever-changing digital artwork which aims to reflect Singapore’s status as the ‘garden city’. The common areas feature a muted palette which is restorative to both the eye and spirit after a day spent sightseeing in colourful Singapore. The hallways feature soft golden carpet and pale wood panelled walls which subtly signal a shift from action to a state of rest and rejuvenation.
My room at the COMO Metropolitan Singapore
My Emerald King room on the thirteenth floor (Room 1313; published rate SGD $410) provides a haven of calm and comfort over 36 sqm. The living room look is swish and streamlined, with blonde wood and wall-to-wall windows. Sliding doors that separate bedroom from bathroom (and bathroom from toilet) provide welcome privacy. A king-sized bed made up in cool cotton, a small kitchenette, dining table with two chairs, and an elegant chaise longue anchor the main living and sleeping space.
The charcoal black ensuite bathroom includes a rain shower with sit-down bench, and it’s amply stocked with COMO Shambhala’s ‘Invigorate’ body products. The minibar contains a range of healthy snacks and drinks that are complimentary and replenished daily. I enjoyed the teas by local company Monogram and the ‘Sunshine Chips’ by Boxgreen which featured crunchy taro, sweet potato, carrot, and long bean. The electronic rolldown blackout blinds are the most effective I’ve seen anywhere, facilitating a full night’s sleep for jetlagged guests. Tucked away behind sliding doors is a spacious wardrobe, into which is tucked a yoga mat and iron with board.
Food and drink at the COMO Metropolitan Singapore
There’s no shortage of tasty food and drink in Singapore, but before you step outside these doors, check out what the hotel has to offer. On my first night, I headed up to the Korean steakhouse COTE Singapore. Although there were no tables available (tip: book well ahead) I dined in the jungle-like, foliage-filled bar. Even if you’re planning to go for the ‘Butcher’s Feast’ or ‘Steak Omakase’, it’s also worth ordering the Korean oyster ‘omelette’. Featuring seven pan-fried oysters served with citrus vinaigrette, it’s a delicious riff on a popular local hawker style dish. Sweet stuff more your scene? COMO Metropolitan Singapore is also the first Asian outpost for French pastry chef Cedric Grolet, whose colourful confections are inspired by fruit and flowers. Then there’s COMO Cuisine where you can enjoy a buffet breakfast or a la carte lunch or dinner. The Sky Bar and Lobby Lounge also offer menus.
My personal favourite feature
An early morning dip in the pool (which is open for swimming between 6am to 7.30pm) becomes one of my cherished rituals during my stay at COMO Metropolitan Singapore. I follow that up with a visit to the robotic barista, Bruno, who serves coffees made with beans from local roasters. Watching him froth the milk and pour the coffee provides quite the show.
Gripe
There’s no spy hole in the doors, so when housekeeping knocks, you must take their word for it. Having said that, security is tight, with separate sets of lifts dedicated to public areas (from the basement to Level 6 reception and the 19th floor) and private areas (7th floor and above). I found the lighting in the bathroom less than ideal for applying makeup and preferred to use the full-length mirror in the entrance hall. Although there’s a turndown service around twilight, don’t expect a chocolate on the pillow. Remember that you’re staying with the health-conscious COMO crowd!
What’s with all the … ESSENTIAL OILS?
Collaborating with a leading London aromatherapist, COMO Shambhala has developed nine scented blends made from pure essential oils over the past three decades. Upon entering the lift on your journey to the lobby, it’s impossible to miss the intoxicating signature Invigorate blend, which melds eucalyptus, peppermint, and geranium. Other blends include ‘calm’, ‘purify’, ‘comfort’, ‘harmony’, and ‘shelter’. These serve as the foundation for the hotel’s bath and body products which you’ll probably wish to purchase to take home with you. (You can do that either in the spa or in the Club 21 store on the same level as COMO Cuisine.)
Who’s in the neighbourhood?
You’re within skipping distance of Orchard Road, the 2.5-kilometre street that’s packed to the gills with luxury shopping malls, including the upscale Paragon mall. Many other places you’ll probably want to visit are just a short teksi (taxi) ride away. For example, it took me just 12 minutes to reach the Singapore National Gallery this way. Staff downstairs will call a taxi for you and encourage you to sit inside in the air-conditioning while you wait. Another of my excursions involved a 30-minute walk to reach New Bahru.
Sustainability at the COMO Metropolitan Singapore
Bulk jars of COMO Shambhala bath products and mini bar snacks from B Corp companies are just the start. COMO Metropolitan Singapore prides itself on other operational practices to enhance energy efficiency, along with the use of natural materials embedded into the hotel’s design.
