Opened in September last year, Hotel Telegraph brings a touch of heritage and heaps of warm service to Singapore’s business district
Location
Hotel Telegraph is situated in the heart of Singapore’s CBD in a building that was built in 1927. Directly opposite is the rebuilt Victorian-covered hawker centre Lau Pa Sat, which translates to old market, where hotel guests can easily cross the road to discover the local delicacies and international food stalls, and not forgetting, the popular satay street at night.
Accommodation
The hotel boasts 134 contemporary-style rooms and suites that are well-furnished and equipped with modern amenities. I stayed in the 35m² Deluxe Room in the Heritage wing and was immediately charmed by the cosiness of the room and its decorative wall mouldings.
There is a separate toilet and bathroom area, which was marble-clad. The bathtub was inviting, and I gladly utilised it during my stay to relax my aching body with the provided Penhaligon’s amenities. Take my word for it, the water pressure in the shower is amazing!
Over by the window were two doors, which I initially thought was the wardrobe. Lo and behold, behind the doors was instead, a well-stocked minibar with a kettle and a Nespresso machine with complimentary capsules, teabags, bottled and sparkling water, juice packets, and snacks. Chargeable alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and chips are also available.
The tablet allowed me to control everything in the room easily: from the lighting and curtains, and setting up the wake-up alarm, to enabling the Do Not Disturb and Make Up Room signs, and ordering in-room dining. I could also request for towels and amenities via the tablet, while learning more about the hotel and its facilities.
While my window was tiny and offered very little natural light, that hardly bothered me because I was busy admiring the light box above the bed – my favourite feature in the room. The design varies from room to room, where mine resembled the inside of a steeple.
F&B
There are two dining options at Hotel Telegraph, both of which are also open to the public.
The Dining Room is an all-day café, restaurant and bar with a modern open-kitchen concept. I enjoyed my daily breakfast here, thanks to the assortment of cheeses, pastries, salami, smoked salmon, fruits and cooked dishes. There is also an egg station, and a special kitchen order of pancakes or a warm bowl of bak kut teh (a pork rib dish cooked in a broth of herbs and spices for hours). I even indulged in a glass of Prosecco and mimosa with my breakfast, but gave the Bloody Mary a miss.
Every Saturday and Sunday, the Dining Room offers a Weekends Grill & Roast, serving butcher cuts such as beef tenderloin, black Angus ribeye and striploin, as well as various poultry, pork or seafood options.
While the presentation was lovely, the beef tenderloin I had was a tad too well done despite ordering it at medium doneness. For dessert, the Apple Crumble was delicious and a great end to the meal.
Up on the sixth floor is the 1927 Rooftop Bar, boasting a variety of bar bites like the Mini Wagyu Beef Sliders, Truffle Mushroom Arancini Ball, and the Crispy Har-Jeong (shrimp paste marinade) Chicken Wing. I also got to try several National Day specials such as the Chicken Tikka Masala pizza that had a nice crispy base.
There is also an extensive cocktail and wine list. During my time there, I opted for a Margarita, which I found a tad too sour, and a glass of 2019 Castello del Poggio Moscato d’Asti.
Facilities
There is a rooftop infinity pool where I happily dipped into on a sunny afternoon, as I gazed around me at the tall city buildings. At the end of the pool is a transparent wall and floor where I could look down at Lau Pa Sat. Those afraid of heights may want to avoid this, but I was fascinated with it!
There is also a gym with high-end equipment, and a rock-climbing wall on the second level, which was stocked with bottled water and towels for guests’ convenience.
Should the need arise, the VIP Suites can be converted into meeting rooms.
Service
From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warm smiles and helpful hands. Everywhere I went in the hotel, the staff were ever-ready to help or chat a little. I especially enjoyed my conversations with one housekeeping staff, Huang, who remained cheerful despite how busy she was, and was able to anticipate my needs before I even asked for it.
Verdict
Hotel Telegraph may be small but it exudes an opulent charm and has a way of making each guest feel like a VIP. For those looking to live it up in the city, this is definitely an option to consider.
Contact details
Website: thehoteltelegraph.com
