T+L’s Hotel Review of Capella Singapore

As a New Yorker, getting “outside the city” usually means navigating multiple types of transportation, lugging a suitcase up and down subway stairs, and experiencing some of the stress I’m trying to escape from in the first place. So when I found out I could get all the rest and relaxation I needed just 15 minutes outside Singapore’s city center, my stay at Capella Singapore was already paradise found.

As a first timer in Singapore, I started my visit by taking in the sights of the city, with the Marina Bay area as my home base. But by the time I headed to Capella Singapore, which T+L readers have named among the best hotels in Singapore for five years in a row, I was ready for some peace and quiet.

Capella Singapore is the flagship stay of Capella Hotels and Resorts, which recently expanded its portfolio with outposts in Taipei and Osaka.

The resort is located on Sentosa Island, a destination with resorts, retailers, restaurants, and even a Universal Studios theme park. But while tourists and locals may find modern attractions on the island, the grounds of Capella are steeped in history as it was a base and living quarters for British Royal Artillery officers in the 1880s. Sprinkled with touches of colonial architecture, the hotel’s nod to its historic roots is evident throughout.

Fittingly, sentosa means “peace” and “tranquility” in Malay, and that’s exactly what I found here.

Below, my hotel review of Capella Singapore.

The Rooms

Upon walking into my Premiere Seaview room, I instantly felt a sense of calm wash over me after days of the hustle and bustle on the mainland. With a direct view of the South China Sea from the bed, along with its neutral aesthetic, the space proved a much-needed oasis of tranquility.

All guest rooms in the hotel have either a balcony or a terrace, and I could see mine from the massive tub and shower area, stocked with Aesop toiletries. The dual sink and closet make the room ideal for a couple, but I can’t say I minded having this large, relaxing space to myself.

Accommodations also feature a fully stocked mini bar, a coffee machine, a desk, and a couch for extra seating. As for in-room tech, the television had Chromecast connectivity, making it easy to keep up with the Netflix series I started on the plane.

Additionally, guests can choose from 40 Garden and four Constellation rooms, with the latter featuring rooftop Jacuzzis. The standalone Capella Manor and two Colonial Manors were recently renovated and offer utmost privacy on the outskirts of the 30-acre resort.

Food and Drink

On-site dining options include three restaurants, a cocktail bar, lounge space, and 24-hour room service. I visited two of the restaurants during my stay and also indulged in in-room dining. (Because once in a while, dinner in a bathrobe is the perfect way to end a day.)

Upon arrival, I headed to Cassia, a beautiful, contemporary Cantonese outlet, where I was served bites from chef Alan Chan’s dim sum selection and a delicious soup. Cassia also offers two prix-fixe tasting menus.

I also stopped by Bob’s Bar, a covered outdoor lounge space overlooking one of the pools. Starting with a selection of snacks, including chips and a crunchy pretzel mix, I moved on to wok-fried beef cubes with onions, peppers, and pepper sauce over steamed rice. The menu boasts a vast selection of options, such as a wagyu burger, butter chicken masala, and a variety of pasta dishes. While I dug into dinner, I was joined by one of the hotel’s famed peacocks that are known to roam the grounds.

Though I didn’t dine at Fiamma, the Italian restaurant, I peeked inside on the weekend and saw the space buzzing with guests enjoying its signature Champagne Brunch.

The hotel also hosts afternoon tea with cakes and small bites in the elegant Living Room, housed in a colonial bungalow dating back to the 1880s. And for guests looking to imbibe in a sleek, vibey space, The Pineapple Room is the perfect setting. It’s an elevated haunt, serving inventive cocktails, a vast wine selection, and bar fare, including truffle fries and chicken satay.

Activities and Experiences

While rest and relaxation are encouraged, there’s no shortage of things to do for all ages. For starters, there are three pools—an adults-only, a kids’, and a lap pool—as well as direct access to Palawan Beach. For a wellness-minded experience, head to the hotel’s 24-hour gym or sign up for a yoga class on Sundays.

Capella Singapore also hosts a bath bomb-making workshop four times a week, allowing guests to create something they can use the next time they take a soak in their room’s tub. Peranakan tile-painting and charm-making classes are a fun, hands-on way to experience Singaporean culture. The hotel also hosts pop-up craft workshops throughout the year, including jewelry-making and leatherwork.

I also went on a guided heritage and art tour around the hotel, during which I learned about its history as a former barracks in colonial times.

The Capella Curates program offers handpicked experiences that give guests a glimpse into Singaporean traditions and history. I booked the “A Walk on the Art Side” immersive tour, led by Everyday Tour Company, which showcased Singapore’s impressive murals and local enclaves, including Little India, where we stopped for dosa, temple visits, and even a henna tattoo. In Chinatown, we visited more temples and popped into the Anthony Bourdain-approved Maxwell Hawker Centre food hall for chicken and rice.

The hotel also offers transportation to the island’s dining and shopping area, VivoCity, and the Universal Studios theme park. Singapore’s downtown area is a 15-minute taxi ride away. (Grab, Singapore’s equivalent of Uber, is also available).

The Spa

Capella Singapore’s Auriga Spa is the epitome of serenity. My entire experience there—from entering the beautiful and calming space to my perfectly curated massage and lounging in the spa’s relaxation room—completely erased any lingering discomfort from my 19-hour flight and busy days as a tourist.

The spa offers a variety of treatments, including body wraps, facials, rituals such as sound therapy, and also boasts facilities like vitality pools and an herbal steam room.

Family-friendly Offerings

Capella Singapore caters to families with numerous on-site activities and features, including a designated kids’ pool and walking access to the sandy Palawan Beach. Kid-friendly menus are offered in restaurants, and families can book a variety of multi-room accommodations.

For indoor fun, the Living Room is a great spot for games and reading. The hotel also hosts kid-friendly cooking classes and scavenger hunts.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Capella Singapore has been awarded a certification from sustainability group Earthcheck. To maintain its designation, the hotel has swapped plastic water bottles for glass, started collecting rainwater for its lush landscaping, and uses solar panels.

The hotel is wheelchair accessible, with elevators and ramps, and also offers select wheelchair-friendly rooms.

Location

Although Capella Singapore may seem isolated—in the best way—it’s close to VivoCity, a hub for tourist-friendly activities, such as shopping and dining. There, visitors can find everything from brand-name clothing stores to a variety of eateries, as well as Resorts World Sentosa, home to Universal Studios Singapore, the Singapore Oceanarium, Dolphin Island, and Adventure Cove Waterpark. (The hotel offers shuttle service to both VivoCity and Resorts World Sentosa.)

Capella Singapore is less than 30 minutes away from Changi Airport (SIN).

Book Now

Capella Hotels and Resorts has a loyalty program, Capella Discover, which allows guests to earn Discover Dollars during their stays at the brand’s hotels and then redeem them for dining, spa treatments, and more.

Capella Singapore is part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, offering cardholders a $100 resort credit, room upgrades, and daily breakfast for two.

Before booking, consult the hotel’s Offers page for the latest discounts and packages.

Nightly rates at Capella Singapore start at $630.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.