Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

The aptly named Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel has 574 rooms spread across its 30 stories, some with lovely views of Singapore River. Its high-ceilinged lobby is dominated by four giant pillars and decorated with white, cloud-like lighting and marble floors. The Executive Club Lounge, on the other hand, has somewhat dated decor that includes green-and-blue patterned carpeting and old-fashioned furniture; however it has floor-to-ceiling windows that allow for excellent views of the city and the river. Since guests are usually business travelers or tourists out exploring the city, the pool largely remains unused. The extensive on-site meeting spaces continue the corporate vibe, while a bar with occasional DJs give the hotel a bit of personality. 

The hotel is surrounded by competing hotels and condominiums on the Singapore River. The famous Zouk nightclub is about a minute's walk from the hotel, though the area is relatively quiet. The biggest downside of the hotel is that it's far from a MRT subway station -- the nearest is Outram Park, which is a 15-minute walk away. There is a nearby bus stop that will take guests to the subway or other sites. The hotel also offers shuttle service to a few spots around the city, but both the number of shuttles and seats available are limited.

For more restaurants and nightlife, guests will have to cross the river to Robertson Quay (a 10-minute walk) or Clark Quay (a 20-minute walk). There are river taxis to sights such as Merlion Park and the Asian Civilizations Museum, as well as to offices in the financial district, which are all otherwise about a five- to 10-minute drive away. Changi Airport is a 25-minute drive from the hotel. 

The Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel has 574 rooms, many with river views. Lower-level rooms have either earth-tone decor that's a bit old-fashioned, consisting of patterned carpeting, thick red curtain, and matching bed runners and throw pillows. Club Rooms have more modern furnishings in a gray, black, and white color scheme with pops of light yellow in throw pillows and artwork. Bathrooms across the board feature striking black marble tiling, and either shower/tub combos or separate showers and tubs. 

The One Bedroom Suites have separate living rooms, dining areas, washer/dryers, and kitchens hidden behind doors. They're equipped with large refrigerators, stovetops, microwaves, coffeemakers, and necessary cookware. A standout amenity for every room are the smartphones provided, which are equipped with internet and allow guests to make free local and select international calls. Also standard are flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, robes and slippers, coffee- and tea-making facilities, scales, irons, and ironing boards. Club Room guests have free access to the Executive Club Lounge, which serves a buffet breakfast and all-day snacks.

The hotel packs in a solid range of amenities for both business and leisure guests. There are three on-site restaurants, including the well-reviewed Food Capital that offers a range of buffet-style international fare, such as sushi and rotisserie items, for all three meals. Grissini serves southern Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner, while Grand Shanghai serves traditional Shanghai dishes for lunch and dinner on select days. Additionally, Tempo bar is available for cocktails and tapas until late, and sometimes has a DJ performing.

There's no spa on-site, but there's a medium-size oval-shaped outdoor swimming pool surrounded by metal lounge chairs and tables. An outdoor hot tub is also available. For guests seeking a workout, the on-site gym is spacious and well-equipped with a range of cardio and weight-training equipment, and there's also a tennis court. The Waterfront Conference Center has 34 meeting rooms for the many corporate guests. There's a fee for Wi-Fi unless guests sign up for the hotel's free loyalty program.