Como Metropolitan Singapore opened late last year as the brand’s first hotel in Singapore. Karryon Luxury checks into the five-star hotel within Como Orchard.
The 156-key Como Metropolitan Singapore is part of Como Orchard, a multi-use retail, dining and wellness space. Como Orchard enjoys a prime location just footsteps from Singapore’s renowned Orchard Road shopping district.
The hotel, which opened in September 2023, is Como’s first property in Singapore and represents a ‘homecoming’ of sorts for Como Hotels & Resorts, a Singapore-founded company.
Check-in and beyond
I check in quite late after an evening flight from Sydney. I’m escorted up to the hotel lobby on level six of the Como Orchard tower. There’s someone at the desk to assist me and the process is quick and straighforward. For those who prefer, they also offer mobile check-in and out with a digital key.
Como’s signature scent of ‘Invigorate’ is gently present in the lobby, reminding my senses that I have arrived at a Como property.
The rooms
I am staying in an Emerald Room King category.
The room has all the hallmarks of Como’s signature clean and minimalist design aesthetics.
I’m particularly impressed with a long wall of beautifully constructed joinery, with sleek compartments, cupboards and drawers for everything.
There’s touch-control lighting and curtains from the bedside console.
On a hotel tour the next morning, I learned that there’s a full-length mirror tucked behind the joinery wall that houses the television, and the wall can retract and be angled to allow for TV viewing from the bed or chaise lounge.
The bathroom features a large walk-in shower with overhead rainwater rose and a sit-down bench. Amenities are large packs of Como Shambhala ‘Invigorate’ shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand wash and body moisturiser.
I make a cup of mint tea in my room by local tea label, Monogram by Griffin.
WiFi connection is simple and seamless. My TV in my room also features Chromecast technology where I can pair my personal device and enjoy my own Apple TV or Netflix content on the large screen.
Food and drink
I take breakfast at the colourful Como Cuisine on level two, open for all-day dining. There’s a number of western classic options on the menu (French toast, acai berry smoothie bowl, eggs benedict); and also eastern options (wonton noodles, teochew fish porridge, prawn laksa).
I opt for a mint tea, green juice, and a combination of sweet and savoury dishes, sampling a freshly-baked croissant by Cedric Grolet (exclusively for guests of Como Metropolitan Singapore); along with a serve of Nasi Goreng with wok-fried chicken, vegetables and rice, fried egg (they adjusted the level of spice for me).
On level three of Como Orchard is the Cote Korean Steakhouse which opened in January 2024. This is the first international outpost of one of New York’s most popular restaurants and America’s first Korean steakhouse. The New York restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star each year since its opening by CEO and Founder, Simon Kim.
There’s a number of spaces in Cote including a bar, Millim, decorated with lush green plants; and private dining rooms.
On level one is Cédric Grolet Singapore, the fourth international shop from the award-winning French pastry chef. Visit here for pastries, sandwiches and an exclusive tea menu.
The extras
One of my favourite features is the robotic barista, Bruno, open 24 hours! Serving coffees made with coffee beans from local Singaporean roasters, Tiong Hoe, Bruno is one of three robotic baristas in Singapore.
At first, it feels a bit strange to punch in your order to the digital console and hope for the best. But let me tell you, I very soon get the hang of it and as it turns out, Bruno makes a fine brew – even if I did miss a bit of barista banter.
Guests of the hotel can download an app where they can reserve seating in restaurants, wellness treatments, order in-room dining and make requests of staff.
Facilities
I head up to the rooftop pool on level at sunrise. There was no one there when I visit and the birds were chirping, waking up Singaporeans. The change rooms are fabulous, and there are a number of lounge recliner chairs. On this level is the ‘Sky Bar’, serving premium drinks and cocktails daily from 10am-11pm.
Possibly my favourite area of the hotel is its Lobby Lounge, designed in collaboration with Atelier Ikebuchi, OTTO Studio and Modellus Novus. It features a striking digital artwork by Norwegian artist Thomas Hilland. The constantly evolving artwork is meant to reflect the garden city of Singapore. Light bites and small plates are available to order here throughout the day.
Wellness
At 800 square-metres, this hotel is home to the largest Como Shambhala spa in all of the Como Hotels & Resorts group.
Located on level four and accessible also to non-hotel guests, the facility is designed by experts to address core physical movement through yoga, Pilates, Gyro, red light therapy bikes and gym.
Staff can also look into gut health, nutrition, and body composition diagnostics. Hot and cold immersion therapies, hyperbaric pods, and beauty treatments are all available.
I took a tour of the impressive facility viewing the ice baths and an infra-red therapy room where guests can watch Netflix!
The centre offers 24-hour gym access.
Classes, workshops, one-day wellness packages and multi-day wellness paths are offered.
The wellness theme continues in-room too via a Como Shambhala channel on my TV. Options from the comfort of my room included a full body-scan mindfulness meditation, a five-minute meditation, and an awareness of breath meditation.
On level five there are also a number of medical suites for guests undergoing any procedures.
The verdict
The hotel has an enviable location making it very handy for guests who are keen to explore. This ‘metropolitan’ concept hotel is more compact and urban in feel as compared to some of the more expansive Como properties within the portfolio – but it nonetheless provides guests with a little slice of Como philosophy and tranquillity in the metropolis of the Lion City.
The details
Address: 30 Bideford Road, Singapore
Room #: 1711
Check in: 3pm / Check-out: noon
Rates: An Emerald King Room King starts from SGD$350 (about AUD$396)
comohotels.com
The writer stayed as a guest of Como Hotels & Resorts.
