Background
This biophilic property opened in June 2023 and marks the second Pan Pacific hotel in Singapore. Its sister property recently underwent a S$30 million refurbishment.
The hotel is a member of the Green Collection within the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, and is BCA Green Mark Platinum-certified for its sustainability features.
We have reviewed several of the group’s properties over the years, including the Pan Pacific London which opened in 2021 and the Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay in Singapore.
Where is it?
Bang in the middle of the famous Orchard Road shopping district, with malls such as ION Orchard on its doorstep. It is a ten-minute walk from Orchard MRT station and a 30-minute walk to the Botanic Gardens should you need further greenery.
What's it like?
The soaring 23-storey structure designed by WOHA Architects is a spectacular sight, resembling a tropical Jenga tower with 7,300 sqm of foliage across four cut-out terraces – Forest (floors 2-3), Beach (5-10), Garden (11-16) and Cloud (18-23). The 4th and 17th floors are used for hotel services.
The experience starts on the Forest level with a calming cascading water feature and an open-air lobby, somewhat cooled by dry mist fans (to limit the energy use of air con), with seating areas and a reception where staff use tablets to check you in.
Stretching through the edifice is a ‘green core’ – an 120-metre column which appears quite industrial for the time being but in time will bloom into a structure reminiscent of Singapore’s Supertrees.
It would take forever to describe all the details of this building, but expect open-air spaces, landscaped lawns and mirrored ceilings which add a futuristic quality. It feels like a whole ecosystem in one high-rise block.
Sustainability is key to the design and operations. The terraces are open-sided to allow for cross-ventilation, rooftop solar panels generate clean energy to power the public spaces, water features cool the temperature while plants regulate the air quality and sequester carbon dioxide.
Rooms
The hotel’s 347 rooms and suites are located across the Beach, Garden and Cloud floors, and feature colour palettes inspired by each – for instance Beach balcony rooms have nautical, striped blinds.
Rooms are small and start from 25 sqm (suites are 68 sqm), with floor-to-ceiling windows and a bathroom within the open-plan space (with sliding doors to cordon it off).
Rooms come in several categories – opt for a Balcony room if you want more space, as these act as an extension of the room, with the aircon continuing to work in this outdoor space provided that the blinds are down. I loved working on my balcony from the comfy sofa, taking in the changing skyline throughout the day. The Loft category, however, has a very narrow upstairs area that feels quite useless.
I highly recommend the Club rooms, which include complimentary non-alcoholic drinks in the minibar (replenished daily), complimentary laundry for two pieces of clothing per day, late check-out until 4pm, and access to the Pacific Club Lounge.
My Pacific Club Balcony King (30 sqm) on the Cloud level featured a silver colour palette, in keeping with the sky theme. Beds are very comfortable, and there’s a control panel beside the bed for lighting, plus two UK plug sockets and USB slots.
Further amenities include a small minibar (which annoyingly whirrs at night), a 55-inch LCD Smart TV with a Bluetooth soundbar, bathrobes and slippers, a hairdryer, safe, Nespresso coffee machine and a selection of teas. Bathrooms include a walk-in rainshower plus large Diptyque amenities.
On the sustainable side, the rooms have motion sensors which power down lights and air con when you’re not in the room. There are also filtered water dispensers and reusable bottles, though I was disappointed that these did not provide cold water but rather only tepid or boiling.
Unfortunately, the curtains didn’t stretch the length of the windows in my room, so I was disturbed by the column outside, which beams purple at night.
Food and drink
The second floor is home to all-day restaurant Mosella, with its triple-height ceilings, spacious naturally lit interiors and Peruvian-meets-Mediterranean sharing dishes from San Sebastian chef Pedro Samper.
Highlights include the zingy and refreshing hamachi tiradito (SGD26) from the crudo section, and the arroz de marisco (SGD70) – served in a cast iron pan with red prawn carabinero, calamari, sofrito and saffron.
The international breakfast buffet (6.30-10.30am) is another showstopper. Guests pile their plates high with creative pastries followed by dumplings and bowls of warming laksa.
On the 11th floor is Champagne and oyster bar Florette – though it’s arguably better known for its creative cocktails. Fittingly neighbouring the Garden Terrace, the menu takes inspiration from the green surroundings. Cocktails are divided into four sections – Root, Shoot, Flower and Fruit.
Don’t miss the bartender’s recommendations, including the Guava take on a spicy margarita and sip it on the terrace overlooking the bright lights of Singapore. The bar also serves an afternoon tea in partnership with ceramics brand Wedgwood.
The second floor also features Pacific Breeze, a laid-back venue which juts out over the water feature with its circular bar – offering cocktails and Singaporean favourites on the menu.
Meetings
The hotel’s 18th floor Cloud Terrace is primed for sky-high soirées, with all event spaces featuring natural light. There’s the 600 sqm The Claymore Ballroom, two function rooms, the Garden and Cloud Terrace lawns, plus private dining room, the Chairman’s Lounge, on the third floor which hosts up to 16 guests.
The Pacific Club Lounge is an excellent indoor-outdoor facility, offering a small but high quality breakfast buffet with a few à la carte options (7-10.30am), as well as afternoon tea (3-5pm) and evening cocktails with canapés (6-8pm). There are limited plug points, so it’s more of a social space than a workspace.
Leisure
The fifth floor features a fun, family-friendly outdoor pool which mimics the seaside, complete with sandy shores and a pool bar. This floor also has an excellent Technogym-equipped fitness centre, and a small spa converted from three guest rooms.
Verdict
Pan Pacific Orchard is an inventive indoor-outdoor property, offering memorable stays, delicious dining venues and impressive eco credentials. It may still be in its roots, but I’m looking forward to seeing how it blossoms over the coming years.
FACT BOX
- Best for Ingenious architecture in the Garden City
- Don’t miss Exploring every layer of this multifaceted building
- Price Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in April start from £312 per night for a Pacific Club Balcony King (entry level from £242)
- Contact 10 Claymore Rd, Singapore 229540; +65 6991 6888; panpacific.com
