26.09.2026
METT Singapore General Manager Marcel Li on how the hotel is building Singapore's new social rhythm
Marcel Li reveals how METT Singapore is transforming a century-old Fort Canning landmark into the city's most exciting lifestyle destination, blending heritage architecture with wellness, dining and social experiences that redefine boutique hospitality.
Photos courtesy of METT Singapore.
Words: Raja Izz
At the foot of Fort Canning Hill, where colonial-era architecture has watched over Singapore for a century, METT Singapore is writing its next chapter. The boutique property, home to just 84 rooms and suites, has spent the past year expanding its identity well beyond that of a traditional hotel, with the launch of Madison House and The Longevity Suite bringing a fuller expression of lifestyle and wellness to the address, alongside the arrival of L'Amo Bistrò del Mare, an Italian coastal dining concept making its Singapore debut. GC sat down with Marcel Li, General Manager of METT Singapore, to discuss how the property balances heritage with a next-generation lifestyle agenda, and what makes Fort Canning, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, one of the city's most distinctive settings.
Marcel Li, GM of METT Singapore.
METT Singapore describes itself as where "heritage meets high energy". As GM, how do you personally balance preserving Fort Canning's colonial character with pushing a next-generation wellness and lifestyle agenda?
For me, the balance begins with respect for the setting. Fort Canning is not simply a backdrop for METT Singapore. It is one of the city's most storied locations, and the building itself carries a sense of character that should be preserved rather than overwritten.
Our approach has been to bring a contemporary rhythm into that heritage context. The colonial architecture, surrounding greenery and historical setting provide the soul of the property, while METT Singapore introduces a more modern lifestyle energy through dining, wellness, movement, social programming and spaces designed for people to gather.
That is what "heritage meets high energy" means to me. It is not about creating contrast for its own sake, but about allowing the past to remain present while shaping experiences that feel relevant to how people live today. Guests can appreciate the history and calm of Fort Canning, while also experiencing the energy of a lifestyle destination built around connection, wellbeing and contemporary hospitality.
Madison House and The Longevity Suite have recently launched. Without giving too much away, what excites you most about what these will bring to the METT experience?
What excites me most is that Madison House and The Longevity Suite allow METT Singapore to extend beyond the traditional idea of a hotel. Increasingly, guests are looking for destinations that support the way they want to live, move, recover, connect and spend their time, rather than simply places to stay overnight.
Madison House brings a stronger lifestyle and community dimension to the property. It introduces a space where fitness, leisure, social connection and recovery can sit together naturally, creating a rhythm that moves beyond the guest room and into the wider way of life at METT.
The Longevity Suite adds a more advanced and intentional approach to wellbeing, reflecting how wellness is evolving from an occasional treatment into something more integrated, personalised and long-term.
This is also important because wellness and social connection are no longer separate parts of the luxury experience. Guests increasingly want destinations that allow them to move between performance, recovery, leisure and community in a seamless way. Madison House and The Longevity Suite help bring that philosophy to life at METT Singapore, creating an ecosystem where advanced wellness, fitness, hospitality and social vitality sit together within the same address.
Together, Madison House and The Longevity Suite allow us to create a fuller expression of lifestyle hospitality, where a guest can begin the day with movement, spend time by the pool, explore a restorative wellness experience, meet friends for drinks and stay for dinner, all within one destination.
METT Singapore Exterior.
Fort Canning has centuries of history behind it. What's a moment or detail about the site that still strikes you, even now that you walk past it every day?
What continues to strike me is the sense of contrast here at Fort Canning. We are right in the heart of Singapore, yet you are surrounded by such lush greenery and a real sense of calm. There is also something quite special about being part of a building with such an iconic heritage — this year marks its 100th anniversary — and knowing that we are adding another chapter to a site that has witnessed so much of Singapore's history. I think that balance between being deeply connected to the city while feeling wonderfully removed from it is what makes this place so distinctive.
METT Singapore's programming brings together dining, wellness, entertainment and social experiences. How do you see METT's role in Singapore's social calendar evolving beyond just being a hotel?
We see METT Singapore as a place that people return to for different reasons throughout the week, not only when they are staying with us. That is an important part of our role in the city.
A hotel today has the opportunity to become much more than an accommodation address. It can be a place for a midweek drink, a long lunch, a wellness ritual, a celebration or simply an easy meeting point between friends. These recurring moments are what create a sense of belonging around a property.
Our ongoing programming reflects that thinking. Ladies' Night Thursdays, Riveria Champagne Brunch on weekends and the Alice in the Garden City afternoon tea are all different entry points into the METT experience. Some guests may discover us through dining, others through wellness, music or events. Over time, our hope is that METT Singapore becomes part of the city's social rhythm, where hospitality, culture, wellbeing and connection come together in a way that feels effortless.
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L'Amo Bistrò del Mare at METT Singapore.
Bringing L'Amo Bistrò del Mare to Singapore for the first time is a notable move for the property. What convinced you that an Italian coastal concept was the right fit for METT Singapore?
L'Amo Bistrò del Mare felt like a natural fit because it captures the spirit we wanted to bring to METT Singapore: refined, convivial and full of life, without feeling overly formal.
Italian coastal dining has a warmth and ease that works beautifully within our setting. At Fort Canning, surrounded by greenery and slightly removed from the pace of the city, L'Amo brings a sense of Mediterranean generosity and relaxed sophistication. It is a restaurant that invites guests to slow down, share, linger and enjoy the moment.
The concept is also strengthened by the culinary direction of Chef Daniele Sperindio, our Director of Culinary and F&B, whose presence brings considerable depth to METT Singapore's dining identity. As a respected name in Singapore's culinary scene, with a strong foundation in Italian cuisine and a refined understanding of contemporary hospitality, Chef Daniele plays an important role in shaping L'Amo's expression in Singapore.
L'Amo also aligns with METT's belief that dining should be a social ritual. It can be many things at once: a business lunch, a weekend gathering, a celebration or a spontaneous evening with friends. That flexibility was important to us. We wanted a dining concept that would not only serve hotel guests, but also become part of Singapore's wider lifestyle and culinary scene.
From left to right: Padel courts by Madison House at METT Singapore, METT Singapore METT Suite Living Room.
With only 84 rooms and suites, METT positions itself as an intimate 5-star escape. What trade-offs or advantages come with staying boutique in a city where scale often wins?
Being intimate is one of our greatest advantages. With 84 rooms and suites, we are able to create an experience that feels more personal, more considered and more residential in spirit. Guests are not moving through a large, anonymous hotel. They are entering a place with a clear sense of identity and atmosphere.
Of course, scale has its strengths, particularly when it comes to volume and variety. But intimacy allows us to be more focused. It gives our team more opportunities to understand guests, anticipate preferences and create a stay that feels less standardised.
In a city like Singapore, that sense of space and calm is especially valuable. METT Singapore offers the feeling of being tucked away within Fort Canning's greenery, while still being close to the energy of the city. For us, boutique does not mean limited. It means intentional. Every room, restaurant, wellness space and social experience has to earn its place in the guest journey.