Sofitel’s So Singapore leaves Accor to become Hotel Telegraph

When one luxurious door closes, another glides open – and that’s certainly the case in Singapore, where the So Singapore is set to become the Hotel Telegraph as of September 28, 2022.

The new name is a tribute to the building’s heritage: it first housed the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company from 1927, later becoming the Cable and Wireless Building and in 1995, housed the Telecommunications Authority of Singapore.

And with the new name comes a new alliance: the property leaves the Accor family to join the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World group.

Accor has been approached by Executive Traveller for comment.

Viva Land Group, which recently bought the So Singapore for S$240 million, says it will reposition the Hotel Telegraph “as the luxury hotel of choice for both business and weekend travellers."

It’s no accident that Viva also owns the 21-storey Robinson Point office tower next door, with Viva managing director Alfred Ong noting  “we see several possible synergies between both properties (and are) considering a potential redevelopment of Robinson Point.”

Hotel Telegraph will retain the swish look of So Singapore's 141 rooms and suites.

Conveniently straddling the edges of Chinatown and the financial district, the boutique property is across the road from the Lau Pa Sat food centre, with two stations for the MRT Downtown line just minutes away.

“Nestled in the heart of Singapore’s CBD, Hotel Telegraph offers business travellers a centrally-located home away from home in which both C-Suite visitors and junior executives can enjoy a comfortable place to rest and host business meetings,” Viva says. 

“Also located within walking distance are some of the city state’s best restaurants and nightlife, Hotel Telegraph also a perfect place to extend one’s stay and unwind after a business trip.”

The Hotel Telegraph will retain the So Singapore’s 134 rooms and suites, “each designed and furnished with today’s modern traveller in mind.”

At the other end of town, the iconic Grand Hyatt hotel will close on September 19, to emerge from a multi-million dollar makeover cocoon in the first quarter of 2023.