Swissôtel The Stamford

Designed by IM Pei, the legendary modernist architect, Swissôtel The Stamford is a behemoth, comprising 72 storeys and over 1,261 rooms, along with 16 bars and restaurants, a helipad and its own entrance to City Hall MRT station. A popular choice with flight crews and big tour groups, it has an air of hustle and bustle. The rooms are nothing to write home about – especially those on the lower levels – though the upper floors provide spectacular views from the balconies. The Stamford is part of the same complex as sister hotel Fairmont Singapore, and shopping centre Raffles City.

On a clear day, Swissôtel The Stamford offers a breathtaking of the Singapore's skylines. The views are reserved for paying patrons of the bars and restaurants on the 69th to 72nd floors – check out our listing of City Space – but you can take the elevator up on the pretext of going to have a drink and see a portion of the view in the lobby area outside the lift. The best times to steal a glance are on weekday afternoons; any other time, and especially on Fridays and Saturdays, they usually put a cover-charge booth on the first floor. It is a painful $25 for entry and a drink at New Asia Bar on the 71st floor, so don’t say we didn’t warn you.