Make the most of every hour: A look at Conrad Singapore Orchard's unique local experiences
It’s common for travelers with limited vacation time to want to squeeze in as many activities and sights as they can to make the most of their holiday. In a country like Singapore, staying in a central spot like Orchard is a smart move. You're just 30 minutes from Changi Airport and close to everything, from shopping at Dempsey Hill to cultural spots like Fort Canning Park.
But what if you find yourself with an hour or two to kill before your next meeting or flight? That's where the Conrad Singapore Orchard comes in.
Inspired by founder Barron Hilton, the new Conrad 1/3/5 program offers thoughtfully curated experiences designed to fit into a 1, 3, or 5-hour window. It’s the perfect way to get a taste of local culture (and discover the hotel as well) without a major time commitment.
“At our hotel, this concept is expressed through our ethos of living locally and bold discoveries of culture and cuisine,” Thomas Hoeborn, general manager at Conrad Singapore Orchard, said. “These touchpoints embody our hotel's approach of inviting guests to ‘live local’ and discover the city differently.”
Cheese infusion workshop
In a one-hour cheese infusion workshop at the hotel’s Basilico, Chef Luca Beccalli opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of cheese. "We are not making cheese, we are just modifying and experimenting," he began, sharing his passion for bringing an authentic taste of Italy to Singapore.
We started with a tasting of traditional Italian cheeses. The burrata was presented in a variety of ways: with freshly made pesto; with a squid-ink coating and shrimp; or simply with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper alongside sweet Italian tomatoes.
The true highlight, however, was the hands-on portion of the workshop.
Chef Luca challenged me to create my own Gorgonzola “cake." I stacked two layers of Gorgonzola slices, covered them with rich white chocolate, and added freshly-grated truffles, creating a surprisingly decadent combination.
The experience was both creative and personal, and to top it all off, I got to take my creation home in a vacuum-sealed bag!
Peranakan experience
If you have five hours to spare, the Living Peranakan experience should not be missed. About a 20-minute drive from Conrad Singapore Orchard, you’ll find The Intan, a private home museum in Joo Chiat owned by antique collector Alvin Yap.
This private Peranakan home proudly showcases the nation’s largest collection of beaded shoes. Yap explained that the beads were sourced from France with Western designs, which Nyonya women then intricately embroidered onto the shoes to flaunt their status in society subtly. The house is also a treasure trove of other Peranakan artifacts, including unique tiles, classic Nyonya tiffin carriers, and colorful traditional costumes for guests to try on.
What truly makes a visit memorable is the chance to immerse yourself in the culture. Yap hosts engaging activities like afternoon tea, private traditional meals, and tile coloring workshops.
A must-experience is the private meal, where Yap serves cherished recipes from his mother’s kitchen. The feast includes Ngoh hiang spring rolls (minced pork spring roll), Babi Pongteh (pork cooked in fermented soybean paste), savory sauteed mixed vegetables, chicken curry, and a layered dessert reminiscent of sapin-sapin. The meal is served with blue pea flower-infused rice, lending a vibrant blue color.
As Yap explained, “Peranakans love to make things complicated. The more complicated, the more we value our guests.”
The stay
At Conrad Singapore Orchard, the focus is entirely on your personal comfort, ensuring your stay feels more like settling into a residence. This is achieved through the interiors of the rooms and suites, featuring a soft, neutral color palette and local botanical artworks that remind you of a beach house.
They also take comfort seriously, as you'll find special touches like the "Sleep-to-Wake" ritual—offering a sound bath, steam bath, tea, and a pillow menu—and locally curated mini-bar selections.
The hotel's commitment extends to sustainability, too. Beyond the rooftop solar panels, you'll find clever details right in your room: full-sized Byredo bath products to minimize waste, and a canvas “Give it Forward” laundry bag that invites guests to fill with unwanted items, which Conrad will arrange for the donation to a local charity.
A celebration of food within the hotel
Just like any residence, all your dining needs are effortlessly met right here. Conrad Singapore Orchard houses 11 restaurants and bars, including the Tea Lounge, Manhattan Bar, East47, and Summer Palace.
At the Tea Lounge, Executive Sous Chef Atish Pawar shared that every dish has an element grown locally in Singapore. The afternoon tea menu is seasonal, with themes that change quarterly. Currently, they are celebrating berries and citrus, but with a French Riviera influence.
A standout dish is their laksa, which is made with a house-braised fish stock that takes 36 hours to prepare. Chef Atish notes that many places use pre-made paste, but their version is an old-school recipe from a chef who has been with the property for 35 years. The special paste uses fresh laksa leaves and is reduced to create a rich, umami flavor. (Tip: You can order a bigger bowl of laksa separately as it is part of their ala carte menu!)
Don't miss the savory delights: the Smoked Duck Candied Orange Quiche and Smoked Salmon Avocado Sandwich. For dessert, try the Raspberry Peach Tart or the Lemon Blueberry Choux Puff. Pair any of these with a pot of tea—from classic green, white, or rooibos, to their uniquely local Singapura Spice blend, which features green tea with mango, pineapple, curry leaves, and lemongrass.
Meanwhile, one MICHELIN-starred Summer Palace boasts a four-decade legacy. The authentic Chinese restaurant honors its heritage with traditional artifacts and design inspired by Beijing’s Summer Palace, while also introducing a unique beverage program. This includes a tableside martini trolley and a curated selection of rare Chinese wines and tea, all overseen by a dedicated tea sommelier.
A personal favorite is the Chen Yu Luo Yan, a bird’s nest broth with fish maw, dried scallops, and ginseng soup created for women. According to executive chef Liu Ching Hai, it has multiple health and nutritional benefits, such as helping calm the mind and nourish the blood. “It is also beneficial for the spleen, stomach, and lungs… and helps improve eyesight and beauty, while fortifying the immune system.”
Another must-try is the Steamed Chilean Sea Bass with Oatmeal Green Pepper Sauce. The dish achieved a perfect savory-sweet balance, where the freshness of the fish met the umami and caramelized sweetness of the sauce. As a tea enthusiast, I found the curated tea pairings—especially the Cold Brewed An XI Guan Ying King—to be the perfect complement to every meal.
And since you're in a city with a vibrant cocktail scene, make sure to visit the award-winning Manhattan Bar and the newly-opened Andy Warhol-inspired East47.
Manhattan Bar takes you to New York City with its "Seasons in Manhattan" theme, exploring how culture and climate influence the Big Apple throughout the year. Each cocktail tells a story, and non-alcoholic options are available. Highlights from the Spring menu include Meet Me Halfway, a Met Gala-inspired, refined whiskey sour laced with pear liqueur, lychee rose, honey, and peach. Where the Boys Are, on the other hand, is a spring break tribute featuring tequila and mezcal, brightened with citrus, plum, and blackberry. From the summer menu, try the Harlem Shake, which is a blend of rums, coconut cream, pineapple, and lime.
For an intimate experience, check out East47, a 12-seater cocktail studio. Their "Guilty Pleasures" menu, channeling Andy Warhol's rumored junk food obsession, transforms nostalgic treats into playful yet sophisticated cocktails. Try unique creations such as the Pizza Manhattan (featuring whisky and Gorgonzola pinot noir) or the Yoshiaki Highball, which is essentially "sushi in a glass.”
Whether you're traveling for business or need a quiet place for relaxation, every space, every restaurant, and amenity at Conrad Singapore Orchard—enhanced with the signature Conrad 1/3/5 program—is designed to anticipate your needs.