Certain hotels come with a bag of tricks. There are legacy hotels—your St Regis; your Conrads; your Hiltons. Others capitalise on their place in a historic location. Some cloak themselves with a theme like the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (ゴジ ラ!) or the Henn na Hotel (robots!). Pullman Singapore Hill Street ticks all the boxes.

Developed and owned by EL Development, a local realty and investment company, the French multinational hotel brand takes up residence along Hill Street. As a major road, Hill Street is home to several landmarks like the Central Fire Station, the Armenian Church and the Old Hill Street Police Station, just to name a few. George Pullman, for whom Pullman Hotels and Resorts was indirectly inspired, was the designer of the Pullman sleeping car. Pullman Singapore Hill Street takes Pullman’s sleeping car and translates it into a modern context of its structure.

Outside the hotel’s entrance is a reproduction of the classic Pullman sleeping car, which serves as a luggage-holding area. The Pullman Porters will greet you and act as guides to the goings-on in Singapore. Cross the threshold and you’re flanked by vintage suitcases. To check in, take the antique-styled elevators to the third floor where the front desk and automated kiosks await. On that same floor, you have the 24-hour gym, executive lounge and swimming pool (another pool—an infinity, natch—is located on the rooftop.

Pullman Singapore Hill Street is home to 350 rooms, all modelled after the private railroad cabins. Space is always prized in a sleeping car, even more so than a hotel room in Singapore. To present a feeling of expansiveness, the rooms have open-concept wardrobes and floor-to-ceiling windows. Remnants of a sleeping car are reflected in the polished fixtures and brass lining that are set against dark wood with vintage accents. Bathrooms have separate showers and toilet spaces but what stood out was the Grohe Grohtherm SmartControl. I might have stood in the toilet for several minutes, staring in awe (or was it confusion?) at the control trying to ascertain what the valves do. But once I figured out how to work it, it was the best shower I’d ever had. I didn’t want to step out, even when my skin went raisin and my wife gently rapped the door, asking if I was ok.

LIKE MANY OTHER HOTELS, PULLMAN Singapore Hill Street inserted many eco-friendly features into the hotel stay. Solar panels were installed on the roof, along with an irrigation system for efficient water management.

Hotel rooms usually come with complimentary bottled water but not at Pullman Singapore Hill Street. Every room comes with water filters so it’s safe to drink from the tap and if you’re staying at the Studio Suite, you’ll have access to the Wells The One water purifier. There are in-room sensors that adjust the aircon temperature control and go into an energy-saving mode that cuts the lights and TV.

Pullman Singapore Hill Street also excels in its fitness centre. It’s well-stocked with exercise equipment like Concept 2’s rower and SkiErg machines, along with your conventional treadmills and dumbbell weights. Outside, you have a power sled, coupled with battle ropes for your range of motion and workout.

There are three restaurants and bars—Madison’s, MOGA and El Chido (for this write-up, we’ll concentrate on Madison’s and MOGA). Madison’s is inspired by a New York delicatessen, MOGA is a modern Japanese izakaya/ cocktail bar and El Chido is a Mexican rooftop bar.

Madison’s was able to capture, or, at least come really close to, the New York menu. The Reuben! Reuben! (so good you’ve to say it twice, I supposed) brings back memories of my meal at a NY deli. Corned beef slices with Emmenthal cheese stuck between two pieces of toasted wheat are enough for lunch.

At MOGA, you have your usual sushi rolls and sashimi to pick at (try the sandos too) but it’s the cocktail menu that edged out between the food and drinks menu. Our favourite is the Shinjio Sour—a white peppercorn infused Kakubin whisky that’s balanced out by a lemon balm tea—and the Wasabi Smash— a picker-upper that is a Bulldog gin that’s given a personality of green shiso, basil, lemongrass and a tab of wasabi that gives it the turn of the unexpected.

The Pullman Singapore Hill Street is a lovely place to stay and made more memorable by the story, attentive staff and amenities. It’s a rare example that other hotels might want to take a gander at; like planets being pulled towards the sun, bewitched by its orbit.

Pullman Singapore Hill Street is located at 1 Hill St, Singapore 179949.