Carlton City Hotel Singapore

With its prime business district location and glassy, 29-story building, the Carlton has a decidedly corporate feel and clientele, although some tourists do stay here, too. Inside, the towering lobby exudes minimalist style with stark gray marble, but log-like wooden benches and a green wall garden help warm up the space. Without these additions, the lobby might feel a lot like the office buildings and glass skyscrapers that surround it. Bright-green decor and plants also help liven up the mostly gray palette at the Plate restaurant and the Graffiti Sky Bar -- which offers a trendy lounge atmosphere and a view over the surrounding towers that's particularly lovely at night. The exclusive Club Lounge has inviting herringbone hardwood floors, a dramatic ceiling of wavy wood, and a landscaped deck with a city view. Travelers who want a more hip and youthful atmosphere will probably prefer Wangz Hotel, with quirky art inside and cozy tropical gardens outside. 

The hotel sits on a main road in bustling Tanjong Pagar, a historic section in the middle of Singapore’s Central Business District. The Carlton is surrounded by commercial and residential towers and hotels, as well as lots of restaurants and shops. The area is busy with office workers during the day, and becomes quieter at night. Aside from being walkable to many office buildings, it’s about a 10- to 15-minute walk to Singapore’s Chinatown and the Raffles Place commercial area just south of the Singapore River. The hotel is only a five-minute walk from the Tanjong Pagar MRT Station for access to other sights. Little India and the shops of Orchard Road are both about 40 minutes away by public transport or 10 minutes by taxi. Universal Studios, a popular attraction on Sentosa Island (which also has a beach), can be reached in about 10 minutes by car. It’s around a 20-minute drive or an hour via public transportation to Changi International Airport.

The 386 rooms are modern and stylish, with some bold accents, but they don't stray from the corporate feel of the property. Neutral walls and grayish-striped carpeting combine with metal-edged dark-wood furniture, and ergonomic glass desks with Herman Miller chairs. Pillows and bed runners provide pops of red or citrus hues, while accents can include metallic mirrors, colorful modern art, and graphic-patterned armchairs. Bathrooms are all-white and very modern, with windows into the bedrooms (with privacy curtains), marble rainfall showers with glass walls, and separate tubs in most. A standout feature is the smartphones guests can use during their stay, which includes free local and some free international calls.

All rooms are the same size (344 square feet), while Carlton Suites are twice as large and offer panoramic city views from the top floor. Club Rooms add access to the 28th-floor lounge with outdoor space, free breakfast, and free evening cocktails and hors d'oeuvres -- plus two free pieces of laundry daily. Executive and Club Rooms have free minibars (replenished daily) and all rooms have coffee- and tea-making facilities. Other standard features are 40-inch flat-screen TVs, laptop safes, and free Wi-Fi. TVs work off of the internet, and guests report that reception can be spotty.

The Carlton has two restaurants and two bars. Tuxedo offers full breakfasts (for a fee), as well as sandwiches and desserts all day. Plate serves more formal meals throughout the day and evening, with local cuisine and grill dishes available. The lobby-level Trading Floor has a menu of cocktails and bar snacks, and the Graffiti Sky Bar at the top of the hotel has a stunning view of the city. There's a long outdoor swimming pool surrounded by skyscrapers, and a deck lined with sunbeds. The nearby 24-hour fitness center is small, but the cardio/weight machines and free weights are modern. For a business-oriented hotel, the Carlton doesn't offer all that much event space. The Whiteboard and Blackboard meeting rooms can hold up to 50 people in a theater-style setting. A business center and 24-hour concierge and room services are available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.