The Gaya Traveller team was recently invited by the five-star Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel for a two-night staycation to experience the hotel’s renewed focus on wellness and sustainability brand of hospitality. This 30-storey hotel houses 573 guest rooms; 33 versatile meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) spaces; three food outlets; swimming pool; and tennis court, along with the necessary 24-hour gym.
General Manager Mr. Andrew Tan took us on a tour of the hotel, which is conveniently located on the city fringe with an enviable riverfront view, offering a respite for even the weariest travellers. “Over a quarter of a century, we have seen the city flourish into a premium destination where business deals are struck, and bucket-list holidays are had. We’ve invested deeply into taking our property up a notch, elevating our programmes, services, and spaces to cater to our luxury guests’ changing demands. Our focus on holistic wellness and sustainability will be executed in collaboration with leading Singaporean personalities and brands, where together we will offer a truly world-class, made-in-Singapore experience,” he stated.
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel has integrated sustainability as a core value across the entire hotel ecosystem as part of the Singapore Hotel Sustainability Roadmap. Launched in March 2022 by Singapore Hotel Association and the Singapore Tourism Board, the sustainability roadmap initiative aims to drive industry-wide adoption of green practices in hotels and promote Singapore as a sustainable destination.
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We especially love its location: Havelock MRT station is just across the street from the front entrance (Orchard Road is just 2 stops away), and Roberson Quay is just at the back of the hotel.
573 Smart Guestrooms
Upon entering our room, we were pleasantly surprised by its generous space, and its full-length windows afford us the beautiful view of the river, including the iconic Marina Bay Sands!
The air-conditioner, lights, and smart TV switch on automatically as soon as guest enters the room. The hotel has replaced the conventional plastic key cards with biodegradable bamboo ones. Instead of the conventional energy saving card slots, motion sensors are used to determine real-time guest presence.
Setting an example for sustainable practices within the hospitality sector, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel has introduced an in-room water filtration system in its guestrooms. This feature guarantees purified drinking water to guests, and reduces single-use plastic waste generated from traditional bottled water consumption by 20%.
The introduction of smart room control thermostats allow guests to effortlessly regulate room temperatures according to their preferences, leading to energy savings up to 17%. This not only ensures a comfortable stay for guests but also promotes responsible energy consumption.
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Each guestrooms also offers wireless bedside charging technology , providing guests with a seamless charging experience for their electronic devices without cumbersome cables. High-definition smart TVs allow guests to stream their favourite movies directly from their smartphones, reducing the need for additional devices and contributing to a more sustainable entertainment.
Wi-fi is complimentary for guests. To ensure excellent speed and connection, each room has its own dedicated router, which is able to support up to 20 devices at one time.
For further touch of luxury, Christian Lacroix bath amenities are provided in mounted pump bottles in line with the hotel’s mission to reduce plastic waste.
Our room came with Executive Club Lounge access. Located on the 29th floor, the lounge offers the breathtaking vistas of Singapore’s iconic cityscape. It is an oasis for guests seeking some quiet time while enjoying impeccable service by the lounge hosts. The club is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily and offers breakfast, afternoon snacks, and evening cocktails.
33 Function Rooms
Being one of the leading MICE hotels in Singapore, Grand Copthorne Waterfront really knows the importance of providing the best facilities and comfort for this market segment.
Spanning over 6,200 metres squared across three floors, the conference spaces are luxuriously carpeted with modern LED lighting, and benefit from an abundance of natural sunlight through large windows. Eco-conscious practices are evident throughout with the use of recyclable and biodegradable stationery, filtered drinking water replacing plastic bottles, and a linen-less table set up.
Each function room is equipped with cutting edge technology, including wireless video signal transmission, laser projectors, and 2K to 4K high-resolution light-emitting diode (LED) video walls for seamless and successful events. The pillarless 850 metres squared Grand Ballroom features two giant LED screens on two walls that can be divided into smaller screens and junior ballrooms for various event sizes.
There is even an in-house MUIS (Singapore Islamic authority body) halal-certified kitchen to cater to Muslim event attendees’ special dietary requirements.
3 Dining Outlets
Food Capital
A spacious all-day dining and buffet restaurant overlooking the Robertson Quay / Singapore River presents diners an array of indulgent delights with the main island counter; with the seafood on ice section as the highlight. Seafood lovers like us definitely relished the bottomless succulent snow crab legs, oysters, scallops, lobsters, prawns, and clams, all to be enjoyed with an array of tasty dipping sauces. Have fun making your way around the buffet spread stations and pick whatever you fancy. Besides seafood, the buffet also serves Japanese, local delights, western roasts, and desserts alongside a big selection of tea and coffee. Everything was top-notch.
The restaurant offers thematic buffets throughout the year. We had the chance to enjoy their latest offering; the lavish Sunday Epicure Brunch that first served beginning 3 March 2024. The Sunday brunch offers a mega spread that stretches across all of the hotel’s three F&B outlets: Food Capital, SanSara, and Riverside Terrace, with culinary choices ranging from East to West.
With 15 live stations, diners can expect the food to always be fresh for the ultimate gastronomic journey. Indulge with Food Capital’s hearty eastern and western offerings, SanSara’s exquisite Northern Indian cuisine, and Riverside Terrace’s tantalising grilled specialties.
Epicure Brunch is available every Sunday beginning 3 March 2024, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Menu is on rotational basis.
Price: SGD128++ adults | SGD64++ children
SanSara
SanSara offers diners authentic Northern Indian cuisine in a high-end setting. Diners can observe the chefs preparing the exquisite dishes in full view of their open concept kitchen. The cosy atmosphere of the restaurant makes it the perfect venue for an intimate lunch or dinner with your loved ones. Share good conversations as you indulge in their lip smacking briyani, grilled meats, roti, curries and lassis!
Riverside Terrace
Riverside Terrace is a great place to unwind with friends after a hectic work week because the ambiance is awesome in the evenings. This all-day alfresco restaurant-bar has direct connection to the updated Lobby Lounge, offering guests an indoor-outdoor dining experience amidst relaxing riverside views.
The restaurant showcases a refreshed craft cocktail and mocktail menu, alongside comfort classics like surf & turf platters, freshly made pizzas and pastas, as well as local delights. The hotel is teeming up with Free Spirit, Singapore’s biggest alcohol-free bottle shop to cater to patrons who prefer the no/low alcohol way of life.
Holistic Wellness at Grand Copthorne Waterfront
Since we are currently living in a fast-paced and hectic era, nurturing a balanced mind, body and spirit can be quite a challenge. More and more people are becoming aware about the importance of self care and mindful living. As part of its rejuvenation, the hotel will introduce a host of strategic partnerships that promote holistic wellbeing.
We had two great yoga sessions with movement and mindfulness coach, Brandon Chong. Brandon’s mantra is centred around mindfulness and adopting wellness as a way of life. We also enjoyed the morning and evening strolls by the Robertson Quay after our hearty breakfast and dinner.
Truly, our stay at the hotel took us by surprise. We certainly did not expect to find a relaxing getaway in the Lion City, and we are sure that you will be pleasantly surprised too when you stay in this world-class hotel!
To find more and reserve your stay at this multi-award winning hotel, visit www.grandcopthorne.com.sg
