hero media

Swissôtel: A Swiss touch in the tropics

International Traveller
The lush, tropical sophistication of Singapore may feel a lifetime away from chic Swiss luxury and warm hospitality, but when they all come together, the result is simply perfection.

 

Around the world, Swissôtel brings a fond touch of Switzerland to each of its hotel properties, creating a best-of-both-worlds scenario as guests enjoy its triple cornerstones of vitality, sustainability and craftsmanship. Even in Singapore, the city state that never sleeps, Swissôtel’s two hotels create a cocoon of European healthy living, responsible world citizenry and that famed trademark Swiss precision and love of design.

Swissôtel Merchant Court

Ideally situated within the historical waterfront precinct of Clarke Quay, the Swissôtel Merchant Court is the perfect choice for families stopping over in Singapore, or business travellers passing through. From here, Singapore’s place in history as a thriving, bustling trade centre is mapped out to explore amongst sights such as the Boat Quay and the Asian Civilisations Museum. You’re also steps away from more nightlife and foodie culture, right on the river, than you could possibly ask for.

Swissôtel Merchant Court
The Crossroads Bar at Swissôtel Merchant Court has a sophisticated vibe.

Inside, each of the hotel’s 476 guest rooms and suites features elegant Swiss design with a floral Singaporean motif. Clean lines of alpine Switzerland combined with lush carpets and wall décor echo Singapore’s verdant plant life. Up-to-the-minute technology ensures each room is equipped with instant wi-fi, ergonomic seating and impressive entertainment systems. If you love to catch the air in the morning, choose a Premier Double Room or a Swiss Select Studio, each with a balcony; for unbelievable views of the Quay and marina, a Swiss Select Clarke Quay room is definitely worth it.

Swissôtel Merchant Court
Ellenborough Market Café celebrates the best of Straits Chinese, or Peranakan, flavours while also presenting a tantalising medley of Asian and International delights.

Take a ride up to the Executive Lounge up on the 11th floor to find the hotel’s own ‘vitality corner’, where you can sample wholesome food options from breakfast through to Happy Hour canapes. The breakfast buffet down in the Ellenborough Market Café is similarly well appointed, with healthy dining the defining feature. The Pürovel Spa & Sport wellness centre spans two floors and offers fitness options 24 hours a day; sun yourself by the swimming pool, complete with waterslides and jacuzzi, or head inside to work your way through an extensive menu of treatments.

Swissôtel pool
Sun yourself by the swimming pool at the
Swissôtel Merchant Court.

Swissôtel The Stamford

Here at Southeast Asia’s loftiest hotel complex, it’s little wonder that so many of The Stamford’s incredible 1252 rooms and suites offer killer views of not only Singapore, but even other countries! You can enjoy views of the islands of both Malaysia and Indonesia from your own private balcony while, downstairs, you are well and truly in the centre of Singapore, with the City Hall MRT train station just steps away.

Swissôtel The Stamford Level 65
Dining on Level 65 offers 360-degree views of the city.

Especially luxurious after recent and extensive refurbishments, stylish and earthy-toned surfaces and furnishings combine with ergonomic seats and specially designed, sleep-aiding beds in each room, so you can’t help but relax. And, for another perspective of the skyscraper’s unparalleled views, head to the exclusive Executive Lounge, Level 65. Aptly named after its locale within the 73-storey icon, Level 65 spans the entire floor, offering 360-degree views of the city.

Swissôtel The Stamford
Stylish and earthy-toned surfaces and furnishings combine in the Presidential Suite.

But, with no less than 15 restaurants and bars, Swissôtel The Stamford is almost a city in itself. From the Michelin-starred JAAN by Kirk Westaway, to the altitudinous modern grill at SKAI, you can expect a wide array of cuisine and produce. Head poolside at Alligator Pear, where you can snack on healthy treats if you’re a member or guest of the hotel’s Willow Stream Spa. And, for more healthy treats, opt for a Vitality Room, which includes an in-room yoga station, a wellness wall featuring exercise equipment and digital workout routines, an experience shower and bath, and circadian rhythm-based lighting. There’s a nutritional minibar, too.

Swissôtel Vitality Room
Opt for the Vitality Room for an experience shower and bath, and circadian rhythm-based lighting.

Wellbeing isn’t reserved just for the guests at The Stamford either; the hotel has been working on improving its social, economic and environmental impact through recent renovations, too, such as introducing dispensers for bathroom products and recycling food waste into organic fertiliser for the hotel’s fresh herb garden. Guests can also activate Green Mode in their room at the touch of a button – to reduce their own energy consumption.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers,
and more.

 

For more information or to book your stay at the Swissôtel Merchant Court or Swissôtel The Stamford, visit Swissotel.com.

 

 

 

Want to see more stories from International Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set International Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "International Traveller". That's it.
hero media

This is why cruising is the best way to see Asia

    International Traveller
    Iconic destinations, unforgettable adventures and thrilling onboard adventures; say hello to your next Asia holiday with Royal Caribbean.

    When you want to explore the gleaming skyscrapers of Shanghai and the bars of Singapore, but also embrace centuries-old traditions in Japan before traipsing through the lush jungles of Malaysia, a conundrum presents itself: how do you do it all seamlessly without the stress of flying (or repacking)? Enter, Royal Caribbean.

    With a brand designed around maximising your holiday time, sip cocktails by the pool or watch Broadway-style performances on board as the ship glides effortlessly from one atmospheric port to the next.

    Now that you have Asia at your fingertips with minimal effort, the big question is: which all-inclusive experience (and itinerary) is best for you?

    Japan

    The itinerary

    Spectras Cabaret royal caribbean
    Prepare for a show, on and off the ship.

    The Land of the Rising Sun has never been hotter, and Royal Caribbean has a vast array of unforgettable Japanese itineraries – these range from eight-night adventures to 14-night holidays circumnavigating the country’s islands.

    The eight-night Best of Japan sailing is memory-making perfection, kicking off in Shanghai (Baoshan) on 24 October 2026. Stop at fascinating ports to soak in the sweeping landscapes and seascapes of Saikaiminato, Kyoto, Niigata and Hakodate while enjoying incredible dining and adventurous activities onboard Spectrum of the Seas®. Complete your journey back in Shanghai, ‘the Paris of the East’.

    Port highlights

    mt fuji in japan
    See iconic vistas of Japan.

    Off the ship, hike the dramatic volcanic peaks of Sakaiminato’s Daisen-Oki National Park, explore the iconic temples of Kyoto, enjoy traditionally brewed sake made in Niigata (the birthplace of many quality sake brands), and taste local flavours at Kanemore Red Brick Warehouse, a premier dining and shopping district in Hakodate.

    Don’t miss Royal Caribbean’s Amanohashidate Highlights shore excursion in Kyoto, an exhilarating experience that features a cable car ride up to Kasamatsu Park and includes a visit to Nariaiji Temple, a hillside Buddhist site.

    The ship

    Spectrum Of The Seas in Singapore
    Step on board Spectrum of the Seas®.

    Aboard Spectrum of the Seas®, days at sea are just as action-packed as those on land. Here, 17 dining venues, along with eight bars and lounges, take guests on the ultimate global dining tour. Stop into Sichuan Red, designed specially for this ship, where you can savour a rich tapestry of authentic spices and Asian-influenced flavours. Start with the chef-recommended royal sea cucumber, then move on to a hot and savoury bowl of mapo tofu simmered in a traditional spicy sauce, or authentic pickled radish and duck soup.

    Fancy a little post-dinner entertainment? Talk salsa lessons, or book front row seats to Showgirl, a multisensory spectacular that pays homage to the ultimate siren of the stage. You can also take a visual journey into the exotic cultures of the Far East with The Silk Road at Two70®.

    Kids (and kidults), as always, are well-catered for, with aqua park Splashaway Bay℠ and the largest indoor active space at sea, SeaPlex®, which offers everything from laser tag to bumper cars. Those looking to relax can find peace in the adults-only solarium, as well as a wealth of treatments at Vitality℠ Spa.

    Thailand and Malaysia

    The itinerary

    Izumi Teppanyaki on ovation of the seas royal caribbean
    Sit down to hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki℠.

    Royal Caribbean’s Southeast Asia sailings deliver the perfect fusion of culture, cuisine and coastlines, and the four-night Penang & Phuket cruise is proof that short escapes can still feel spectacularly rich.

    Kick off with Royal Caribbean’s iconic Sail Away Party as Ovation of the Seas® departs from Singapore on 27 February 2026. The itinerary then weaves through two of the region’s most mesmerising destinations: Malaysia’s melting pot of cultures in Penang and Thailand’s sun-soaked island of Phuket.

    Each port stop is layered with history, flavour and natural beauty, while each moment spent onboard Ovation of the Seas® is filled with fun and excitement.

    Port highlights

    iconic ‘James Bond Island’ made famous in The Man with the Golden Gun thailand
    Zoom around the ‘James Bond Island’.

    In Penang’s George Town, a maze of heritage architecture, vibrant murals and street stalls serving sizzling char kway teow and aromatic laksa come together, blending past and present. Visit the Taoist Goddess of Mercy Temple to soak up its peaceful energy, ride the century-old funicular to the forested summit of Penang Hill for panoramic views, and wander Batu Feringhi Beach, where the Andaman Sea laps gently against golden sand. Jet skis? Why not?

    Then it’s north to Phuket, where both adventure and relaxation beckon. Make the most of the local beach scene at Kata Noi and wander up Monkey Hill for sweeping vistas (and mischievous company). Be sure to book Royal Caribbean’s thrilling shore excursion here – you’ll zip along in a three-engine speedboat to the iconic ‘James Bond Island’ made famous in The Man with the Golden Gun. After a day of exploration, you’ll have enough time to enjoy a sunset cocktail on the waterfront before returning to your ship for another unforgettable evening.

    The ship

    Ovation of the Seas®, royal caribbean
    Experience thrills aboard Ovation of the Seas®.

    Of course, life on board Ovation of the Seas® is just as exhilarating as your adventures off it. Sit down to 16 flavoursome finds, from Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver® to theatrical hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki℠.

    Build up an appetite with Royal Caribbean’s iconic onboard activities, from the FlowRider® surf simulator to soaring sky-high on RipCord® by iFLY® and zipping around in bumper cars in SeaPlex®. You can really choose your own adventure.

    End the night with Spectra’s Cabaret at Two70®, a fascinating fusion of music, robotics and light that redefines entertainment at sea.

    The result? A holiday brimming with discovery, indulgence and Royal Caribbean’s signature magic: Asia, perfectly packaged.

    Start planning a cruise around Asia that you’ll never forget at royalcaribbean.com.