COMO Metropolitan Singapore marks a particularly special milestone for the Singapore-founded company: a homecoming. Thirty-two years after the first COMO hotel opened its doors in London, the founder of COMO Group, Christina Ong, found the perfect location for their 2023 debut in Singapore on Bideford Road, just off Orchard Road.
Every bit as fashionable as the shopping district it’s located in, COMO Metropolitan Singapore houses luxury retail concept store Club 21, star pastry chef Cédric Grolet’s first Asia outpost, COMO Shambhala spa and Michelin-starred Korean restaurant Cote Singapore. Combined, they form the hotel group’s first destination concept: COMO Orchard.
The hotel’s rooms and suites are bright and spacious, with sweeping city views from the highest floors. They feature a small pantry area, perfect for longer stays; luxurious rain showers with COMO Shambhala products; and complimentary minibar refreshments, which are replenished daily.
Credit: COMO Metropolitan Singapore
Credit: COMO Metropolitan Singapore
Like all COMO hotels, Metropolitan Singapore offers a holistic wellness experience for its guests. But what sets it apart is its effortlessly cool aesthetic, from the black-and-white-clad staff in their Comme des Garçons Converse shoes to a coffee-serving robot named Bruno in the lobby lounge. Also in the lounge is a digital art installation designed by Norwegian director and artist Thomas Hilland named “Floral Dive”. It draws inspiration from Singapore’s long-held vision of itself as “the garden city”, projecting a series of hypnotic, slowly moving three-dimensional flower arrangements onto the wall. Place your order with Bruno, take a seat and watch the wall come to life as you enjoy your brew.
Located on the fourth floor of the hotel is the 9,000sq ft COMO Shambhala wellness area. The pale blue tiled walls and maze-like hallways feel almost Wes Anderson-esque, with light installations by Milan-based designer Paola Navone of Otto Studio. Book yourself in for a treatment during your stay – the spa menu features everything from your typical facials and massages to contrast and oxygen therapy. The 1,500sq ft gym, meanwhile, boasts a healing red-light therapy room, which is available for guests to use throughout their stay.
In addition to the Lobby Lounge for small plates and snacks, there are three dining venues to choose from: COMO Cuisine offers a health-focused menu; Cote Singapore serves Michelin-starred Korean barbeque-meets-American steak house; and Cédric Grolet’s eponymous, quintessential Parisian patisserie. Don’t have time to visit the latter? Don’t worry, you can order one of the chef’s renowned croissants at breakfast – they’re every bit as buttery and flaky as you’ve imagined.
After a spot of retail therapy along Orchard Road, cool off at the infinity rooftop pool. It’s stunning at any hour, but its refreshing embrace never feels better than after a day of pounding the city’s streets. Sky Bar is also located on the roof, so a refreshing drink is mere moments away.
“No stay at a COMO hotel is complete without an indulgent treatment at COMO Shambhala spa (I strongly recommend the deep-tissue massage), but for an unforgettable experience that’s unique to this property, head up to Sky Bar for sundowners. Sit beside the rooftop infinity pool and watch the sky burn dazzling shades of orange, red and purple as the sun sets behind Singapore’s skyline – the Blood Orange Margarita perfectly complements this scene.”