Amara Singapore

With its location in the heart of the city's business district, the Amara is geared up for corporate guests and its classic decor reflects this fact. Stepping off the busy street, the white marble floors spreading through the spacious lobby are calming and cool, while the wood pillars add some softening warmth. There are cafe-bars at either end of the space, with comfortable seating areas and tables, plus a separate business lounge area with sofas. Although the lobby is conservative in its finish, the hotel has several restaurants, and here differing styles are permitted to flourish -- from the industrial chic of Element buffet restaurant to the intimate Bar-Roque Grill and the elegant Asian restaurant Silk Road. The over-sized lamps and wing-backed leather armchairs in the Club Lounge create a sitting-room feel with plenty of cozy nooks. Popular mainly with business travelers, the hotel facilities and central location also draw a range of guests from couples to family groups. 

The Amara sits on Ty Pagar Road in the heart of Singapore's busy business district. It's connected to 100 AM mall and across the road from Tanjong Pagar Center, which both have a good selection of shops and restaurants. Chinatown's historic shops and colorful street markets are a 10-minute walk away. A bus stop outside the hotel connects quickly with attractions such as Universal Studios or the aquarium on Sentosa Island in around 20 minutes door-to-door. The bus stop opposite heads north toward lively Clarke Quay in 10 minutes and on to the museum district in 20 minutes. Tanjong Pagar Metro station is a five-minute walk from the hotel and the journey by metro to the airport is about an hour, or 20-minutes by car. The metro is also the quickest way to get to Orchard Road, Singapore's top shopping destination, taking about 30 minutes. 

The Amara's 392 rooms are all done in a similar business-modern style that's pleasant enough, but a bit bland. Striped carpets spread across the floors and complement the cream and gray color scheme. Sharp black-and-white photographs hang on the walls, though decor is spartan, and furniture comes in dark wood veneer finishes. Even entry-level Deluxe Rooms are spacious, and large one- or two-bedroom apartments feature kitchens with microwaves, electric ranges, and dining space. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, safes, and electric kettles. Free washing powder for the self-service laundry and an iron are also welcome extras. Club Rooms and Suites add coffee machines, pillow menus, a free minibar, and access to the Club Lounge -- plus two free pieces of laundry per day and a free late check-out. Bathrooms are roomy, but unremarkable in design, done in white and gray marble. There's a good amount of counter space, and they include both tubs and separate rainfall showers. Club Rooms and Suites include Robert Cavalli products.

Whether traveling for business or leisure, the Amara has an excellent set of amenities. Its seven eateries include casual cafe-bars, a cozy grill offering a western-style Sunday roast dinner, and a trendy industrial restaurant with a terrace and street-side bar. Those looking for a more traditional Asian meal will find both Chinese and Thai restaurants on-site. The Club Lounge offers a free breakfast for guests in higher-category rooms, as well as hot drinks and evening cocktails plus comfortable seating and a separate workstation. The outdoor pool area is a pretty space and has shaded loungers and tables. Its many palm trees provide both privacy and scenery despite the surrounding high-rises. There's a small gym on the same floor with a collection of cardio and weight-training machines as well as some free weights. The hotel also has its own rooftop futsal pitch. Four event rooms and a large auditorium are available for business visitors, and there's a free shuttle to local business hubs. Other useful features are a self-service laundry area, business center, and free car-parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.