ITUATED on a tranquil tropical island, linked by a causeway to yet another sleepy island, you can’t get farther from the madding crowd – yet close enough to shopping, neon, and business – than at the Capella Singapore. This restored colonial heritage building, once a proud setting for toe-tapping military galas, sola topis, and brisk chota pegs, once more beckons visitors to go splendidly AWOL. Set in 30 verdant acres of Sentosa Island prime sea front, in an auspicious figure eight design, the graceful Capella is one of the best Singapore heritage hotels.

Glide, don’t walk, into cool interiors. Staff is welcoming and disarmingly unobtrusive. This is more a stately home than hotel. From the white marble and dark wood libraries of the main building, rooms extend outwards in two sweeping curves of modern yet complimentary wings, seamlessly, and discretely appended. Rooms are large, starting at 77sq m, with high ceilings and a neat side balcony. Arranged in resort style, twin vanities and a “walk-through”

wardrobe sit behind the bed, which faces floor-to-ceiling windows and views over the ocean. Décor is modern with any awkward necessities hidden by smooth curves of dark furniture. Expect touchpad lighting (with regular everyday switches for the uninitiated), swivel LCD television, iPod docking station, free WiFi, and complimentary daily-replenished soft drink mini-bar. The hotel cascades down a hillock towards the sea, with open views.

Dine in-room on a neat side balcony, pick at choice Chinese morsels, or browse Cassia restaurant with its modern Chinese cuisine and avant-garde design. Capella is among the best Singapore hotels for meetings and its signature Auriga Spa has carved out a niche with novel “lunar cycle” therapies. Manicured grounds include 53 pools, three of which are cascading, with a shallow pool for youngsters – surrounded by sun loungers. Downtown is just ten to fifteen minutes away, that is if Sentosa Island’s two championship golf courses aren’t sufficient distraction. Tour all this in the comfort of Capella’s Mercedes fleet or in a Rolls Royce Phantom.