The newly-opened METT Singapore has assuredly transformed Fort Canning into a Mediterranean-inspired sanctuary where heritage, wellness, and world-class dining converge. Opening its doors in late 2025, the property marked the debut of METT Hotels & Resorts in Southeast Asia.
Nestled on the historic grounds of the former Fort Canning Hotel, the property blends colonial charm with contemporary sophistication, offering a Mediterranean-inspired oasis for the modern traveller. For Philipp Knuepfer, Chief Operating Officer of Sunset Hotels & Resorts, the choice of location as the flagship Asia Pacific location was deliberate.
“Fort Canning reflects the METT spirit—a destination that is warm, energetic, and soulful, where both locals and travellers can gather, celebrate, and socialise,” he says. “Its deep historical significance, natural beauty, and central location provide the ideal foundation for a property that embodies meaningful connection and lifestyle-driven hospitality.”
COLONIAL VIBES
Philipp Knuepfer, COO of Sunset Hospitality Group.
METT Singapore occupies a heritage-listed site that has evolved from royal grounds to Singapore’s first botanical garden, later serving as a cultural landmark. The 84 light-filled rooms and suites overlook lush parkland and the city skyline, offering a sense of space, serenity, and elegance.
Designed by Jeffrey Wilkes, the interiors honour the property’s rich history while reflecting contemporary taste. “We approach heritage properties with a careful, strategic mindset, ensuring that their historical value is preserved while implementing modern standards of luxury and operational efficiency,” Knuepfer explains.
Life at METT Singapore is designed around a dynamic lifestyle philosophy. Guests move seamlessly from sunrise padel matches and immersive wellness experiences to sun-soaked afternoons by the pool, and evenings enriched with music, culture, and conviviality. The property also introduces Madison House, a private members’ club for social vitality, and The Longevity Suite, a cutting-edge wellness haven where biohacking meets holistic indulgence.
“Luxury hospitality today is defined by experience rather than excess,” Knuepfer reflects. “Guests want a complete lifestyle journey that engages all their senses and connects them to a sense of place. They value authenticity, design, gastronomy, wellness, and social connection in equal measure. METT was created to meet these evolving expectations.”
CUISINE AND WELLNESS
Culinary experiences are central to the METT Singapore vision. Under the guidance of F&B Director Daniele Sperindio, the property offers four distinctive concepts, beginning with L’AMO Bistrò del Mare, celebrating premium Italian seafood, and the Canning Bar & Lounge, where coffee, cocktails, and conversation converge.
Recent phases ART di Daniele Sperindio, a contemporary fine-dining destination, and HANU, an upscale Korean grill, have joined its F&B portfolio. “Dining is at the heart of the METT experience,” Knuepfer emphasises. “Each venue reflects our belief that life’s best moments happen around the table.”
Wellness is equally integral, combining performance, recovery, and social vitality. Outdoor padel and pickleball courts, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, Reformer Pilates and Aerial Yoga classes, alongside spa rituals featuring cold plunge, sauna, and steam experiences, create an immersive wellness ecosystem.
“Fort Canning reflects the METT spirit — a destination that is warm, energetic, and soulful, where both locals and travellers can gather, celebrate, and socialise” – Philipp Knuepfer
“Wellness will continue to be a defining factor in the future of hospitality,” Knuepfer notes. “Guests increasingly seek environments that support healthier, more mindful lifestyles, influencing everything from hotel design and dining concepts to digital and social experiences.”
SETTING A STANDARD
Every aspect of the guest journey is personalised, with dedicated Guest Experience Ambassadors and tailored room setups that respond to individual needs. “Across our lifestyle resorts, METT focuses on authentic, human-centred hospitality where guests feel recognised, not just served,” Knuepfer says.
Launching a hotel in Singapore’s competitive market was no small feat, but revitalising a heritage property allowed METT to establish a new benchmark for lifestyle hospitality in Asia Pacific. “Bringing the METT lifestyle to Singapore is an opportunity to create something truly special—a space deeply rooted in connection, wellbeing, and the joy of living well,” Knuepfer explains.
Looking ahead, METT Singapore marks the beginning of an ambitious expansion for Sunset Hotels & Resorts across Asia Pacific, with developments in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Globally, METT is set to grow in GCC countries, South Asia, Europe, and North Africa.
“Our philosophy of ‘Celebrate Life’ captures the essence of modern hospitality—creating spaces where guests can recharge, connect, and enjoy life through exceptional dining, holistic wellbeing, and authentic human connection,” Knuepfer reflects.
Since opening, METT Singapore has promised more than a stay. Rather, it presents a curated lifestyle experience where heritage meets high energy, social connections flourish, and wellness is seamlessly integrated into luxury. With thoughtfully designed interiors, world-class dining, and holistic wellbeing, the hotel establishes a new rhythm at Fort Canning, setting a benchmark for contemporary lifestyle hospitality in Southeast Asia.
