Grand Hyatt Singapore

Built in 1971, the Grand Hyatt Singapore has long been popular among high-end business travelers, and its popular restaurants attract some foot traffic from locals as well. The slick accent lighting in the lobby gives it a modern vibe, but the vast impersonal space has a cold edge to it. Rich dark-wood walls and a front desk along with a central water feature add some warmth to the otherwise sterile, though elegant, spaces. 

The Grand Hyatt Singapore is right around the corner (and a three-minute walk) from Orchard Road, an iconic street in Singapore lined with shops. Named for its many trees, Orchard Road is packed with visitors and locals, especially on the weekends, but many malls are connected by underground passages for those looking to avoid the crowds or dodge weather. It's a 12-minute drive to Marina Bay and Suntec City, or about twice as long via public transportation. Changi International Airport is about a 20-minute drive away or one hour by public transportation.

The 677 rooms come in a variety of options, and while all are spacious, those in higher categories are huge. All feature contemporary, neutral decor and have either light-wood floors or light-gray carpets. All rooms have big work desks and ergonomic roller chairs, coffeemakers, and minibars. There are separate work areas in bright windowed alcoves with big desks and the largest rooms have apartment-style living and work spaces with separate bedrooms. Rooms feature 37-inch flat-screen TVs, although some have two 42-inch flat-screens as well as a smaller 32-inch TV and Blu-Ray player. Bathrooms have either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, and many are entirely furnished in marble. Rooms on the Hyatt Grand Club level get additional perks and privileges including boutique toiletries and access to a free continental breakfast in the Club Lounge. 

There's no shortage of dining and entertainment options at the hotel, with several popular bars and eateries all under one roof that are popular with locals and overnight guests alike. Mezza9 has nine different open-kitchen dining choices, including Thai, Chinese, sushi, yakitori, and a Western grill. StraitsKitchen is the hotel's homage to local cuisine, with Singaporean dishes influenced by Chinese, Malay, and Indian flavors. Pete's Place is an Italian restaurant that's become a local hangout, and is known for its pasta and wood-fired pizzas as much as its Sunday brunch. The poolside restaurant, Oasis, serves drinks and barbecue grills, and the more upscale 10 SCOTTS serves a classic afternoon tea. BRIX, the hotel's nightclub and martini bar, has regular live entertainment. Guests in upgraded rooms can access the Grand Club Lounge, which serves a free continental breakfast along with evening cocktails.The outdoor pool has an integrated kids' pool and is surrounded by water column features and a great sundeck with a few private cabanas. The perimeter of the pool has lounge chairs set up in the tiled shallows for those who only want to get their feet wet while soaking up the rays. The full-service Damai Spa has 11 treatment rooms with relaxing water features and the usual array of treatments. Couples can soak in an indoor stone tub overlooking the pool, and a wet room does hot stone bed treatments. The attached fitness center -- with a wide range of modern equipment -- gets great natural light and offers daily Muay Thai (Thai boxing) classes. For outdoor workouts, there are also two lighted tennis courts. The hotel's business amenities include a small business center and 16 different flexible event venues range in size from small meeting rooms for 10 people to enormous halls and ballrooms that can accommodate 2,200 guests. There's even a Grand Salon equipped with its own show kitchen for special culinary events.