Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford, a dual-brand hotel complex in Singapore’s civic district, is said to have marked its “best year ever” in 2025, an achievement rooted in the conscientious “management of the 3Ps”, shared its managing director, William J Haandrikman.
The 3Ps refers to people, product and profit, with people being the topmost focus, stated Haandrikman in an interview with TTG Asia.
He said: “2025 was the best year ever for us since our opening in 1986, and it is our people that make this property. We have team members who have been with us for 40 years, and we have customers and guests coming back because of them. Therefore, for me and for my leadership team, we know it is super important to ensure that our staff are well taken care of. With a happy team that takes care of our customers and guests, profits will come.”
He added that team member satisfaction rating was the “highest ever in 2025”. Surveys conducted by a third-party agency looked into various factors including staff access to training, internal communications, and openness of leadership.
The complex’s focus on product has also resulted in several unique market activations last year to draw both new and repeat customers and guests. Activations spanned F&B specials, including a Paddington Bear-themed high tea at Skai restaurant, complete with a red phone booth photo corner and character meet-and-greet sessions. Guests are invited to taste Paddington’s favourite moments – marmalade sandwiches and edible recreation of iconic red London buses and his well-travelled suitcase.
Anti:dote bar also entered a partnership with National Gallery Singapore and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston to present an afternoon tea inspired by the Into the Modern: Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston – said to be South-east Asia’s largest exhibition of French Impressionism. The menu featured elegant afternoon tea treats like forest mushroom mousse with winter truffle, which captured the rustic tones and dappled light of Camille Pissarro’s Two Peasant Women in a Meadow.
Haandrikman noted that these activations were not only especially impactful on the domestic market, but also encouraged repeat visits.
“It is important to build repeat guests, as they spend 2.6 times more on our property (than other guests),” he added.
Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford also benefitted from Singapore’s vibrant events calendar, which included Lady Gaga’s Mayhem concerts (May), the World Aquatics Championships (July to August), the Toyota World Para Swimming Championships 2025 (September) and Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix (October).
Haandrikman said the complex’s prime location in the city centre and access to two train lines played a vital role in drawing event visitors.
Looking ahead, Haandrikman is hopeful of another strong year, and shared that more creative market activations will be introduced throughout 2026.
“January and February did better than we expected. The Chinese New Year festivities helped. While a lot of flights through the Middle East are now cancelled, there is still a bright side. People who planned trips to and through the Middle East are now diverting to Asia. Summer looks strong – demand is high from China, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia while corporate bookings and meetings are picking up for 2H2026,” he said.
He added that Singapore has an opportunity to capture more longhaul transits and international visitors amid current geopolitical tensions, especially as Singapore is regarded as a “safe and stable” destination while Asia offers “great opportunities” for businesses.
