SO Sofitel Singapore

Housed in a 1900s heritage building previously occupied by the advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather, the Sofitel So Singapore features a stone facade with classic columns. Inside, every inch of the hotel exhibits a designer's touch, from white walls inset with mirrors, to Neoclassical furnishings in daring colors, to the fixtures and Lion's seal logos designed by the fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. Staff dressed in smart white suits with black piping serve welcome drinks in test tubes, while common spaces are scented with a specially created aroma called Urban Forest. The hotel is split into two distinct wings -- the Heritage Wing occupies the historic original building, and the So Hip Wing is in a newly constructed section facing the narrow Boon Tat Link (the only side of the hotel with car access). Expect to see the hotel's "So" theme at every turn -- from the "So Fit" gym to the "So Sweet" minibar snacks. The luxury hotel sees primarily couples, along with a fair amount of business travelers due to its business district location. 

Located in the central business district, the hotel is on a street filled with commercial buildings between busy Robinson Road and Shenton Way. It's surrounded by high-rise office buildings, with one notable exception being the Lau Pa Sat hawker market that's a two-minute walk up the street. You won't find many locals hanging out here, and though the area is bustling during the day, it tends to die down at night, save for some action around the hawker stalls that set up when everything else closes. However, tourists can make their way to major attractions with ease as there are two Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations a five-minute walk away on Cross Street. Chinatown and its attractions can be reached within a 15-minute stroll. Changi Airport is a 20- to 25-minute drive, or about an hour on public transportation. Valet parking is available for a pricey fee.

Each of the hotel's 125 rooms and 9 suites have a classic French design mixed with striking modern touches, such as light boxes embedded into the ceilings that give the impression of domed cupolas overhead. The Neoclassical style seen throughout the hotel continues with parquet wood floors and wall moldings, while street art-style paintings of Napoleon and little models of the Eiffel Tower add nationalistic touches with a wink. Flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi are standard, along with iPads to control all of the high-tech amenities and room temperature. Other amenities include Illy espresso machines and minibars stocked with a selection of free snacks and drinks, plus liquor and wine for a fee. The marble bathrooms have walk-in rainfall showers, while upgraded rooms also have separate soaking tubs. The So Lofty Suites additionally have private furnished balconies flanked by the building's exterior columns.

The Sofitel So Singapore's main event is its sixth-floor rooftop, which has a gold-tiled pool overlooking the busy city streets. Views are limited given the height of its towering neighbors, but the sundeck has an urban oasis appeal and a handful of cushioned loungers. The adjacent Hi-So pool bar fills most of the rooftop terrace with colorful tables, as well as cushioned couches under a pergola draped with leafy vines and striped curtains. The bar has a happening scene, particularly at night when DJs perform. The chic on-site restaurant, Xperience, serves contemporary international cuisine in a stylish dining room with designer chairs and chrome track lighting laid out in a honeycomb pattern that matches the floor tiles below. Room service is available 24/7. 

There's also a small gym on the second floor with modern treadmills, weight-training equipment, and free weights; the hotel's website touts a rock climbing wall, but it's blocked by equipment and seems to act only as decoration. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.