The Kempinski Hotels group is one of the oldest luxury hotel groups in Europe.
Founded in Berlin at the end of nineteenth century, the group has since expanded internationally and currently operates acclaimed five-star hotels all over the world.

In Singapore, the Capitol Kempinski Hotel is a beautifully conserved piece of neoclassical-inspired architecture and is perfectly situated in the heart of the city in the civic and cultural district.

From a fantastic in-suite dining experience to European cuisine galore, here are the reasons to stay at the Capitol Kempinski if you are looking to embark on a gastronomic adventure.

---

In-suite Experience

Upon arrival at the hotel, we were warmly welcomed by the Kempinski’s signature Lady in Red and the entire check-in process was very efficient and pleasant.

We had arrived at the hotel earlier than anticipated and were prepared for a short wait.
However, the staff instantly proceeded with the check-in process and ushered us to the adjacent dining area where we were offered coffees and pastries while waiting for the suite to be prepared.

Thereafter, we were promptly guided to the room and given a quick tour of the room and amenities.
Waiting to surprise us was a whole spread of beautifully arranged cakes, drinks, fruits and other snacks to kick-off the gastronomic adventure.

Keeping with the theme of the iconic Capitol Theatre, there was an assortment of popcorn and nostalgic sweets. 

And the surprises do not stop here.

During the daily evening turn-down service, the staff would sneak in a cocktail table (with helpfully measured out ingredients and a recipe) or some cakes and sweets to amp up your celebrations.

---

15 Stamford by Alvin Leung

15 Stamford, the anchor restaurant of the hotel, is helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Alvin Leung.
Elegant and intimate vibes, along with good food and drinks, makes this restaurant a favourite amongst couples and local celebrities.

The menu showcases Asian-style cuisine with a unique twist on local classics like Laksa, Chicken Rice and Pork Prime Rib ‘Bak Kut Teh’. 

Bak Kut Teh is usually pork ribs served in a herbal or white pepper soup.
Their version looks deceiving like standard barbecued ribs with a dark, rich glaze lathered over the top. But bite into the tender ribs and you will get a hit of the Bak Kut Teh spices well-infused in the meat.

The Ceviches, incorporating many Asian flavours and ingredients, such as yuzu (Japanese citrus fruit), gochujang (Korean fermented chili paste) and chincalok (Malaysian fermented small shrimp), are sure to excite your palate.

There’s also an extensive selection of steaks and other grilled meats and seafood.
Before the end of your meal you will find yourself scheduling your next visit and deciding which items you would like to try next.

Head to the bar situated just a few steps away for even cosier vibes, conducive for a quiet conversation, or for connoisseurs looking to sample the widest range of rum-based cocktails in Singapore.

In the morning, the 15 Stamford restaurant serves as the hotel’s breakfast area.

Breakfast is currently served à la carte buffet style with many of the usual suspects and also a few unique items such as super food juices and specialty spreads. Instead of butter, jams and preserves, you will be pampered with exotic options such as honeycomb, truffle honey and rich chocolate spreads.
They pair so well with the French toast or waffles but having the white chocolate spread on its own makes for such an indulgent breakfast experience.

We also appreciate that each dish is presented in small portions which allowed us to slowly sample a variety of different items.

On a side note, the hotel is making an effort at reducing unnecessary waste. 
They have done away with single-serve yoghurt cartons and plastic straws by replacing them with glass jars/bottles and bamboo or paper straws, which in fact also look fancier.

---

The Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski

Right next door to the hotel is the Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski.
The Arcade houses a theatre, restaurants, shops and a food court. The most notable to us was the wide variety of cuisines available, so your taste buds can travel all over the world without getting on a plane.

The layout of the restaurants on the first floor is one of a kind and ideal for the constantly hot and humid climate of Singapore.
The seating areas are mostly designed to give an al fresco feel while still being within the comfort of an air-conditioned building.

At the El Teatro, you will find yourself transported to Spain – with the boisterous red and white striped design invoking the brightly coloured dresses of Flamenco dancers and traditional bullfighting festivals.

You can sip on a fruity refreshing glass of red wine Sangria and nibble on some tapas while seated at the bar.

Craving for hearty German food? 
You will not be disappointed by Frieda’s rendition of iconic favourites like the schnitzel, roasted pork knuckle, grilled sausages and even Glühwein (available during the Christmas season).

The beautiful ‘garden’ ambience is sure to win you over. We spotted a few groups of friends spending the afternoon at the restaurant, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Our favourite restaurant at the Arcade is the La Scala, serving delicious Antipasti, al dente pastas, fresh seafood and authentic Italians pizzas.

We have so far tried the Margherita, Five-Cheese and their signature “La Scala” pizzas and all of them were incredible.

Worth a mention is the attention to detail such as offering different brands of sparkling water with the different cuisines – Gerolsteiner at the German restaurant and San Pellegrino at the Italian restaurant – which we thought was a really cute touch.

Getting tired of European cuisine?
You can also get burgers, sandwiches, shakes and fries while sitting in a booth reminiscent of the 50s at the Broadway American Diner.

We particularly like the crispy curly fries which comes with a variety of different toppings, such as Mentaiko mayonnaise and nori.

With so many excellent food and beverage options on offer, the hardest part is deciding what to have and then wondering what you may be missing out on.