The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Staycation Review: Luxurious Getaway in the Heart of Singapore

Since its long-awaited opening in October 2018, The Capitol Kempinski Hotel has almost rewritten the playbook on what a luxury hotel can be. It is no wonder that this 155-room hotel residing within the very walls of the iconic Capitol Building and Stamford House is one of the most sought after staycation spots in Singapore.

We, too, were drawn by the hype and decided to drop by The Capitol Kempinski Hotel. And boy, where do I start to even tell you of this amazing staycay experience?

The first thing we received right after we stepped into The Capitol Kempinski was a warm greeting from their Kempinski ambassador, the Lady in Red, who, wait for it, is aptly dressed in red. We were quickly ushered to one of the counters around the lobby, where she started to process our check-in. 

That was when we started to notice the attention to details that they had put into the lobby. Notice the cute lion mascot on the sofa? That’s their very own “safe distance ambassador” to ensure that guests abide by the safe distancing measures while waiting. But you don’t really have to wait long at all, as within a matter of minutes, our Lady in Red was ready to show us all the way to our room.

The first thing we noticed when we stepped into the Deluxe Room was how comforting it made us feel. The wooden flooring, warm tones, and plush pillows made us want to jump onto the bed immediately! The room also comes complete with a working desk, sofa, and a TV that hooks up to a Sonos soundbar.

What we found most impressive was the toilet that comes with separate bathtub, rain shower, and toilet areas. The bathtub is also one of the biggest we’ve seen in a hotel. It was not only deep, but big enough to fit two people comfortably in it. With a TV fitted right in front of the bathtub too, bath lovers can look forward to a long and good soak. So get your bath bombs ready! 

Over at the dual vanity counter, you’ll also find a set of bathroom amenities, notably from Salvatore Ferragamo. There’s also a weighing scale in the bathroom, but not like we’re keeping tabs on our weight since we are on a holiday!

For those who may have forgotten to bring along a spare mask or is in need of one, The Capitol Kempinski has also thoughtfully prepared a care pack of masks and a bottle of hand sanitizer. 

Each room comes with a fully-stocked minibar with soft drinks, beer, spirits, and even a bottle of bubbly. Handy for those who have a moment worth celebrating. As part of The Capitol Kempinski package, all the non-alcoholic drinks including the fruit juices and sparkling water come complimentary.

Those who are looking for a hot drink to lounge around the room with will also be glad to know that each room comes equipped with a Nespresso machine with four capsules, a kettle as well as a selection of TWG tea bags. 

One thing to note is that while The Capitol Kempinski has a luxury spa that boasts a saltwater outdoor pool, it is currently closed for maintenance till further notice. Instead, the hotel has thoughtfully arranged for access to a relaxation pool in one of the unoccupied penthouses in the neighbouring Eden Residences Capitol. Yes, you read right. You’ll get to soak your worries away to the awesome Marina Bay view in your own private outdoor pool in a penthouse that is worth easily $20 million!

As part of safe distancing measures and for the exclusivity, you’ll need to book your pool time with the reception. Each booking will be for a 90-minute slot. To get there, you’ll have to meet at the hotel lobby, before being driven over in a buggy. So do note to be at least decently dressed as you’ll be passing by some public areas along the two-minute ride!

There are three dining establishments within The Capitol Kempinski, with another six restaurants housed at the Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, in the Capitol building right next door.

The daily breakfast is served at 15 Stamford by Alvin Leung that’s on the other side of the hotel lobby on the ground floor. When we arrived around 9am, we were promptly seated by the window that looks out onto Stamford Road. Like the rest of the hotel, 15 Stamford’s decor is simply amazing, especially with the attention to details.

The breakfast menu here comes in the form of a QR code seated on the table. And it was truly amazing to see a full menu decked with more than 30 items ranging from international selections to local delights and even sweets to end the meal with. Some say this is one of the most extensive breakfast menus in Singapore, and it’s hard to deny that!

Shortly after we were seated, we were greeted by a platter of fresh bakes as part of their Pass Around Service. Who could possibly say no to croissants that are crispy on the outside yet so fluffy and airy on the inside?

But before you dive right into your fresh bakes, do ask for their Wagon Trolley. It comes fully stocked with three different housemade chocolate spreads - dark chocolate, white chocolate, and passion fruit - all part of Kempinski’s European heritage and found in all their hotels around the world. You’ll even find a honeycomb and truffle honey, perfect to pair with the Cold Cuts, Smoked Fish, and Cheese Tower.

If you’re looking for a taste closer to home, you’ll find comfort in their local menu that includes Kaya Butter Toast, Chwee Kueh, Prawn Noodle Soup, Nasi Lemak, Roti Prata, and a selection of Congee. Don’t worry if the spice gets to you because they too have a selection of fresh fruit juices, coffee, and TWG tea on their menu.

Everything we ordered was served warm and tasted great. Sad to say we were too full to complete our breakfast with their sweets selection of French Toast, Waffles, and Pancakes.

Those looking for a drink or two to wind down in the evenings can do so at The Bar at 15 Stamford that boasts an extensive range of rum varieties, cocktail classics, and new artisan and bespoke creations. They even have a special drink aptly named Lady in Red.

It is also at The Bar at 15 Stamford that you can have a Mixology Masterclass with their in-house bartender as part of the Klook package.

If you’re looking for more dining experiences, head over to the Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski that houses six dining establishments conceptualised with close tie-ins to the hotel’s past and the iconic Capitol Theatre. They include Berthold Delikatessen, Broadway American Diner, El Teatro Tapas, Frieda, Katachi Style, and La Scala Ristorante.

If you book The Capitol Kempinski staycation package with Klook, you’ll also get to enjoy 20% off at 15 Stamford by Alvin Leung, Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski or In-room dining.

All in all, it was a fabulous getaway at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel, so much so that we regretted not staying for another night. Being in the heart of City Hall also made it a really convenient base to start exploring the Marina Bay area or simply squeeze in an evening activity. If you don’t believe me, here’s what fellow travellers have to say too!

We've teamed up with Uniqlo to create a luxurious and limited-edition 11.11 Staycation Package at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel! Exclusively for Citi Credit Cardmembers, you can now save $40 when you book this staycation package on Klook and get a set of UNIQLO’s Premium Loungewear!

This package is only available from 6 to 12 November 2020!