The COMO Group has recently expanded its portfolio of luxury lifestyle properties with the addition of COMO Metropolitan Singapore. This 156-room hotel, spread across 19 floors, is the Group’s first hotel in its home country and has quickly become a new luxury lifestyle destination, blending fashion, dining and wellness. Located in a prime area of Singapore, COMO Orchard offers a peaceful retreat amidst the city’s fast pace.
STORY BY ViraTanka | PHOTOS BY COMO Metropolitan Singapore
Upon arrival at COMO Metropolitan Singapore, you are welcomed by the contemporary architecture that stands out from its neighbours on Bideford Rd. A staff dressed in simple yet edgy ensemble will escort you to the reception lobby on the sixth floor. COMO’s signature scent of ‘Invigorate’ is lightly present from that point on.
The Transformation
Unlike many COMO properties that focus on culture and adventure, COMO Metropolitan Singapore caters to urban travellers seeking refinement in the heart of the city. The lobby, located on the sixth floor, shares space with a lounge and outdoor gardens. A robot barista named Bruno serves coffee upon request, which guests can enjoy in the gardens with skyline views or in the lobby whilst watching digital artworks by Norwegian artist Thomas Hilland on a floor-to-ceiling screen. A little warning: the Giorgetti armchairs and sofas might embrace you in such comfort that you won’t want to leave.
The transformation of this hotel was the fruit of a collaboration between renowned designers. Key names include Italian architect Paola Navone, Japanese interior design consultant Koichiro Ikebuchi, and Thai-American interior designer Preeti Sriratana. According to General Manager Ruby Garcia, “COMO believes in the power of diversity. We intentionally brought together talents with unique perspectives to create a harmonious blend of East meets West, tradition meets innovation.”
Paola Navone, founder of Milan-based OTTO Studio, has designed other COMO properties before. The transformation of this building into COMO Metropolitan Singapore was significant. “Whilst the original structure served as a foundation, nearly every element was reimagined to meet COMO’s standards of excellence,” Ruby explained. “We focused on creating fluid transitions between spaces, moving away from the compartmentalisation typical of mixed-use developments, and allowing natural light to flow through every corner.”
The Guest Rooms & Suites
This openness and abundance of natural light continue throughout the guest rooms. Koichiro Ikebuchi, founder of Singapore-based Atelier Ikebuchi, designed the hotel rooms with a minimalist aesthetic. “His work may appear simple at first glance, but it is layered with thoughtful details that evoke calm and intimacy,” Ruby explained. In the midst of a bustling city, Koichiro’s balanced design offers a sanctuary of stillness, with hallways in warm, neutral tones and soft lighting.
The rooms follow COMO’s signature clean and minimalist style, from the furniture to the neatly tiled bathrooms. As wellness is a key focus of the hotel, each room includes a yoga mat. The COMO Suite, the highest category of accommodation, features two bedrooms connected by a double door, ensuring privacy. The second bedroom has separate access to the hallway, adding practicality. The suite also includes a small pantry, a large refrigerator, and a luxurious bathroom with an extra vanity, all equipped with COMO Shambhala amenities.
Wellness
Established in 1997 as an intimate yoga studio in Singapore, COMO Shambhala has expanded across nine countries. At COMO Metropolitan Singapore, it occupies the fourth floor, with interiors designed by Paola Navone. The light blue tiles symbolise water, evoking calm and healing. Spanning 830 square metres, COMO Shambhala includes yoga and pilates studios, a boutique fitness gym, red light therapy rooms, contrast therapy rooms, hyperbaric pods, and more.
Adding to the wellness offerings is DA MedSuites on the fifth floor, driven by COMO’s commitment to holistic health. This premier medical centre offers comprehensive health screenings, professional consultations, and personalised health concierge services. “The demand for DA MedSuites appointments has been encouraging, especially among international travellers who view Singapore as a global medical hub,” Ruby said.
Culinary Delights
COMO Orchard is not just a hotel; it’s a curated lifestyle destination with three dining venues. The award-winning French-based pastry chef Cédric Grollet tempts guests with fresh-baked treats from morning until late afternoon. His famous croissant often sells out shortly after noon. The iconic interior features silver-shaded lamps reminiscent of folded taco shells.
Above the bakery is COMO Cuisine, an all-day dining restaurant with a youthful design accented in lime green. The menu is a cultural fusion, offering dishes like nasi goreng, Singapore laksa, and tandoori cauliflower. Cote, a Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse from New York and Miami, also debuts its international location at COMO Orchard. Led by restaurateur Simon Kim and designed by Preeti Sriratana, the restaurant offers an intimate social atmosphere, including private dining rooms with karaoke facilities.
On the rooftop, the Sky Bar offers premium liquors, handcrafted cocktails, and small bites from COMO Cuisine. With an infinity pool and a panoramic view of the city, it’s the perfect spot to unwind as day turns to night.
Fashion
Recognizing the demand for convenience in today’s busy world, COMO Metropolitan Singapore meets a range of needs in one location. Club 21, a curated multi- label boutique founded by Christina Ong in 1972, occupies the first and second floors. With its own entrance from the sidewalk, it is also accessible from within the hotel. Club 21 is now available in several countries, but its origins lie in Singapore, where it marked the beginning of Christina Ong’s business empire, COMO Group.
COMO Hotels and Resorts have been present in various countries since 1991, and after 30 years, it has finally opened in its home country. It was not just about timing, but about finding the perfect space to redefine modern luxury.
Project Data
COMO Metropolitan Singapore
30 Bideford Road Singapore COMO Orchard
Singapore 229922
T: +65 6233 3888
www.comohotels.com/metropolitansingapore
Company Name
COMO Hotels & Resorts
Number of Rooms
156 rooms & suites
Room sizes
Como Suite 97 sqm, Metropolitan Suite 57 sqm, Emerald Room 36 sqm, Cairnhill Room 28-36 sqm
Site Area
2006.9 sqm
Gross Floor Area
14,637.89 sqm
Total floor
19
Architecture Consultant
Otto Studio
Principal Architect
Paola Navone
Interior Design Consultant
Atelier Ikebuchi, Modellus Novus
Principal Designer
Koichiro Ikebuchi, Preeti Sriratana
Lighting Consultant
Creative Lighting Asia (Equipment) Pte Ltd
Landscape Consultant
Ortus Design Pte Ltd
M&E Consultant
Squire Mech Pte Ltd
Civil & Structural Consultant
RSP Architects Planners & Engineers Pte Ltd
Main Contractor
Dragages Singapore
Interior Contractor
Nam Hong Builders Pte Ltd
Started Construction
TOP in 2020
Soft Opening
September 2023