BACKGROUND One Farrer Hotel & Spa is a 5-star property that is part of Preferred Hotels, a global portfolio of independent hotels. Stretched across 20 levels, the lifestyle oriented building offers everything from business facilities, to an in-house farm, gardens and a collection of over 700 art pieces. It is a hotel-within-a-hotel concept offering three types of accommodation.
Further, One Farrer abuts the Farrer Park hospital, run by the same management, which contributes to the large number of medical tourists it receives regularly.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Perhaps knowing that One Farrer Hotel & Spa caters to a sizeable number of medical tourists, adds to the perception of it being well sanitised. Smoking isn’t allowed anywhere near the hotel for this purpose too.
The service is a little slow, but extremely warm when the staff finally attends to you. As you enter the lobby, to the right is a reception, in the middle is a large waiting area and the lifts are to the left. Past the lifts is the all-day restaurant where breakfast is served.
The building houses three accommodation concepts: Urban Hotel, Loft Apartments, and Skyline Hotel.
All Urban rooms (levels 11 to 15) overlook the in-house farm. Loft Apartments (levels 16 and 17) require a minimum seven-night booking. Skyline Hotel (levels 18 and 19) is the highest category of the three. The topmost floor has villas.
Skyline Hotel has a separate check-in on level 18, exclusive access to Skyline Lounge with a rooftop swimming pool and a spa, and the Skyline business centre. With focus on business travellers, the lounge doesn’t allow entry to children.
WHERE IS IT? It is above Farrer Park MRT station, a 20-minute drive from Changi Airport.
ROOM FACILITIES All rooms have the same squeaky clean appearance that emanates from soft tones of white and pearl, as well as the natural light that pours in through large windows.
I stayed at the Skyline Studio that has a beautiful panoramic view of the city. The spacious room at 49 sqm has a well sized work desk, pillow menu, minibar (non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are free), a 55-inch smart television, a radio-alarm, tea/coffee making facilities, free wifi, Natura Bisse toiletries, and a separate bathtub and rain shower. The utility cupboard with bathrobes, bedroom slippers, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, is placed inside the capacious bathroom. Free unlimited local calls can be made from the telephone inside the room.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS The all-day Escape Restaurant and Lounge serves local and international cuisine, has live counters, and a breakfast buffet. The lounge has an interesting selection of wines, and the cafe area serves coffee and desserts. Local Fresh is the modern self-service deli that offers takeaway meals, in addition to a sit-down option. Origins of Food is a studio with interactive cooking sessions. Sunset Bar, by the pool, has a laid-back vibe.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES The Grand Ballroom is pillar-less and can hold 700 people. This can be divided into two – for 450 and 250 people. The meeting room can accommodate up to 240 people or 80 people each in Napier, Read and Spottiswoode. The lobby has a Mac connected to a printer, scanner and copy machine, and is available to all hotel guests. Skyline Hotel has an exclusive business centre: two meeting rooms for four people each, one laptop, copy machine, scanner, printer, free wifi. Its meeting rooms can be booked for free for two hours daily.
LEISURE FACILITIES Spa Retreat has an extensive menu of treatments, facials, and massages. Traditional Chinese and Thai healing systems can be experienced at Asian Wellness Spa. Total Lifestyle Environment on level six has relaxation gardens, magnesium mineral pools, Jacuzzi, a reflexology pathway, and a 50-metre long swimming pool. The gym is open round the clock.
VERDICT A comfortable stay with tempting leisure options, worth a visit.
PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in March started from S$250/₹11,873 at Skyline Hotel.
CONTACT 1 Farrer Park Station Road; Singapore 217562; tel: +65 6363 0101; onefarrer.com
