The history of rail transport in Singapore dates back well over a century, with the first line opening in 1903. The Singapore-Kranji railway’s terminus, aptly named the Singapore Station, was launched that same year along Tank Road.
Of course, neither the station nor the line survived, having made way for newer developments in the city-state’s rail network. But not far away from where the old Singapore Station once stood, there’s a place that hearkens back to that dreamy era of early railway travel.
You won’t need a ticket to enter, either.
Opened in October 2023, Pullman Singapore Hill Street is the first hotel venture by Singapore-based real estate and investment company EL Development. In the short year-and-a-half since it first started receiving guests, the hotel has already made its mark on the local hospitality scene, clinching accolades such as Best Upscale Hotel Development at last year’s EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards.
Core to Pullman Singapore Hill Street’s allure is its unique locomotive inspiration, combining railway whimsy with modern luxury in an unexpected yet effective way, says general manager Mazen Abilmona. He adds that this, combined with the hotel’s amenities, approach to sustainability and service, has created a place that holds its nods to the past in high regard while continually keeping an eye on the future.
See also: How Pullman Singapore Hill Street is taking sustainability in hospitality to the next level
Locomotive motifs
Stepping into Pullman Singapore Hill Street is a little like popping through the multiverse. Right from the get-go, one is transported to a world that lands between past and present, meshing together the artistic style of vintage railways with contemporary amenities.
This design style — the brainchild of homegrown firm DP Architects — makes it stand out among other hotels under the Pullman umbrella.
“Pullman Singapore Hill Street is a train station dumped into a building,” Abilmona jokes. “No matter where you go around the world, there are beautiful Pullman hotels, but only here will you … see story elements that represent the Pullman story.”
Entering the hotel, one is greeted by wood-clad wall installations of vintage suitcases meant to evoke baggage cars from the golden age of travel. The locomotive theme continues through to the upper floors, where the corridors are reminiscent of train car interiors and the lift landings feature a train wheel-inspired motif.
Pullman Singapore Hill Street offers multiple room options, including suites and rooms with Murphy beds. These, too, are modelled after private railroad cabins, with polished fixtures and brass linings set against dark wood.
“No matter where you go around the building, there’s that train design concept all over,” says Abilmona. “That’s what differentiates us from the others.”
Not to be missed is the stunning view of the Singapore skyline. This, Abilmona shares, had remained undiscovered in the building’s previous life as the SingTel Telephone House complex until EL Development’s managing director Lim Yew Soon paid a visit before the hotel’s construction.
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“Nobody had any idea that there was such a view,” says the general manager. “There was a very small hole in the wall … and they saw that magnificent view of the bay.” Today, many of the hotel’s rooms and suites give views of Fort Canning and Marina Bay.
The hotel’s aesthetic inspiration comes from the Pullman brand’s namesake, George Pullman, an American engineer and industrialist who designed his eponymous sleeping car in 1864.
Though railroad sleeping cars had been in existence for some years by then, Pullman’s version added touches of luxury that we still associate with first-class hospitality today. From air-conditioning to marble-lined showers, these sleeping cars went above and beyond the norms of the time.
Thus, the Pullman name became synonymous with the world of high-end travel. As one of those who bear this storied torch, Pullman Singapore Hill Street is looking to draw from George Pullman’s ingenuity and continue that legacy of providing top-of-the-line experiences.
Total relaxation
To that end, Abilmona notes that what sets Pullman Singapore Hill Street apart from the rest of Singapore’s bustling hospitality scene goes beyond the aesthetic side of things and into the overall experience it aims to provide for travellers and guests.
“Singapore has so many beautiful hotels,” he notes, adding that creating a point of difference started with making Pullman Singapore Hill Street “a fun place to be”. “We wanted it to be a place where you can literally take off your jacket after a long day’s work and enjoy a PlayStation … or jump into the pool.”
Incorporating that sense of complete relaxation came down to making everything in the hotel feel approachable. A big part of this, Abilmona shares, was about ensuring the service felt personal and casual while retaining the standards expected of a high-end hotel. The approach at Pullman Singapore Hill Street, he continues, is for staff to “have fun and feel free”.
In MOGA, the hotel’s Japanese izakaya, for instance, one can expect a welcoming, unpretentious energy that might not be expected from a hotel bar.
“If you go back as a regular, they’re going to give you a high-five or maybe shout your name when you walk through the door; the bartender might come up to you and give you a shot of [an upcoming] cocktail,” says Abilmona. “It’s these small surprise elements … We don’t mind giving that buffer so people have fun.”
Fun inside and out
Besides MOGA, Pullman Singapore Hill Street has two other dining spots: New York-style eatery Madison’s — also on the first floor — and Mexican-themed sky bar El Chido on the rooftop.
All three spaces have a unique energy owing to their varied inspirations. Abilmona says creating separate identities was a priority for Pullman Singapore Hill Street. The idea, he explains, was to ensure that each establishment stood well on its own, with offerings that even non-guests would come to the hotel for.
“What makes the difference is the vibe with these restaurants,” he adds, noting that having the freedom for staff in these venues to express their creativity and chart an independent character is something perhaps less seen in other properties. “My philosophy is that people come for the experience first.”
And this strategy is paying off: already, MOGA has made a name for itself among the local drink crowd with its inventive modern-Japanese mixes.
Still, there are some nods to the Pullman story across the trio. For instance, Madison’s gets its name and theme from George Pullman’s birthplace in New York; the restaurant’s private room is also aptly named Grand Central, after the US state’s most renowned train station.
All dining venues at Pullman Singapore Hill Street are open to the public, along with the rooftop infinity pool beside El Chido.
For hotel guests, there’s a 25-metre-long pool on the third floor that overlooks the cityscape, right next to the reception counter and automated self-check-in kiosk.
The third floor also houses a 24-hour fitness centre, which comes with all the equipment needed to keep up with one’s workout regimen even while away from home. There’s also the Executive Lounge, available to those staying in Executive Rooms and Studio Suites, as well as ALL-Accor Live Limitless members with Platinum status and above.
Besides its in-house amenities, Abilmona highlights that another plus for Pullman Singapore Hill Street is its central location, a stone’s throw away from shopping hotspots Raffles City and Funan, as well as nightlife haunts such as the iconic Chijmes. For those looking to explore the city-state on public transport, MRT stations on the North-South, East-West, Circle and Downtown lines are all within a 10-minute walking radius.
Full steam ahead
Since the hotel’s opening, the team at Pullman Singapore Hill Street has been learning and pushing things along.
Abilmona recalls that, initially, there was just one meeting room in the hotel, but demand was high. “MICE [meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions] in Singapore is one of the most important segments,” he points out. With this in mind, the team proposed the addition of new event venues, including the recently opened Oculus.
The greenhouse-themed space seats up to 150 in a theatre setup and — thanks to retractable glass panels — can also be opened up for a quasi-al-fresco feel. A deep investment in technology means Oculus comes with “multiple screens and a beautiful sound system”, says Abilmona.
“It’s surrounded by green and it’s next to the swimming pool,” he adds while noting that the venue is suitable for everything from corporate events to wedding receptions, dinners and product launches.
Other event venues in Pullman Singapore Hill Street include the 20-seater Shimbashi, 10-seater Grand Central, and six-seater Iron Duke. Those looking for a little fun under the sun (with a drink in hand) at their next soiree can also opt to book El Chido.
For Abilmona, this is the eighth hotel he has overseen the opening of; it’s also been among the smoothest. “We had a very successful opening,” he says. “We’re very proud of what we have; we have an amazing team on board, and … we’re on the right track.”
