A five star hotel in Singapore's Civic and Cultural district, The Capitol Kempinski occupies two restored landmarks, the neoclassical Capitol Building of 1933 and the Venetian Renaissance Stamford House of 1904. Richard Meier led the restoration and Jaya Ibrahim shaped the interiors, so the mood is formal without being stiff. It suits you if you want heritage architecture and a central address. Breakfast is available rather than built into every rate, and stay packages add in room breakfast and lounge access.

There are 155 rooms and suites, running from the 32 square metre Classic Room to the 82 square metre Grand Family Room, which interconnects a Grand Deluxe and a Classic Room for five. Expect air conditioning, an Apple TV or Chromecast, a work desk with universal sockets and a safe. Heritage Rooms add a glass enclosed balcony and Terrace Rooms a private outdoor terrace with skyline views. Connecting rooms can be arranged in the Grand Deluxe category.

The Heritage Tour is led by Jean, the hotel's own Heritage Curator, and walks the history of Stamford House and the Capitol Building. The Vintage Sidecar Tour covers the Civic District from the seat of a sidecar. Beyond that the pool, the Fitness Centre and the spa carry the day, and the Capitol Theatre sits within the same integrated complex alongside the Capitol Singapore mall.

The outdoor Saltwater Relaxation Pool sits enclosed within a wall of greenery, which keeps it quiet despite the address. The Fitness Centre carries cardio equipment and weight machines. The Thai Spa Signature handles the treatment side, with traditional Thai therapies rather than a broad international menu, and changing rooms sit alongside. Kempinski's Lady in Red, the hotel's guest relations host, is on hand through the day, and pool and beach towels are laid out by the water.

15 Stamford Restaurant sits under an ornate stained glass ceiling and serves international plates a la carte, with a Tropical Sunday Brunch of grilled seafood and free flowing Taittinger. The Bar at 15 Stamford pours rums and cocktails including the signature Plantation 1840. The Lobby Lounge serves afternoon tea beside commissioned artwork, and The Private Room takes smaller groups under large windows with audio visual equipment fitted.

City Hall MRT connects to the hotel by underpass through the Arcade, which also reaches the Capitol Singapore and Raffles City malls. Chijmes, the National Gallery, the Singapore Art Museum, Victoria Theatre and the Parliament building are all a short walk. Changi Airport is 19 kilometres away, about twenty minutes. Singapore runs warm and humid year round, between 22 and 35 degrees, with high humidity and rain through the year.