Singapore 2018: The Hotels of a Historic Summit

In June 2018, a sitting American president met a North Korean leader for the first time, and Singapore's hospitality was on full display. Two hotels played starring roles: a garden-city classic near Orchard Road and a secluded island resort.

Shangri-La Singapore

Set amid lush gardens on Orange Grove Road, close to the Orchard Road shopping district, the Shangri-La is famous among diplomats as the home of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier defense summit. Barack Obama stayed here in November 2009 when Singapore hosted the APEC summit, holding meetings at the hotel between sessions. President Donald Trump arrived here on the evening of June 10, 2018, and stayed until the summit, meeting U.S. Embassy staff and their families at the hotel.

The president occupied the Shangri-La Suite, reached by private elevator and complete with personal butler service, a private workout room, marble bathrooms, and a Jacuzzi. Ordinary guests can enjoy the hotel's tropical gardens and resort-style pools, a rarity in the center of the city.

Capella Singapore

On the morning of June 12, 2018, President Trump and Kim Jong Un met at Capella Singapore on Sentosa Island for their landmark summit. The resort was chosen for its seclusion and privacy, and its setting is part of the story: two of its colonial buildings were built in the 1880s for British officers stationed on the island, and they are now joined by contemporary wings by the architect Norman Foster.

Capella remains one of Singapore's most serene escapes, with rainforest gardens, peacocks wandering the lawns, and villas with private plunge pools.

Plan your stay: Explore more hotels in Singapore

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About this guide: Presidential connections are drawn from public sources, including official White House schedules, presidential and historical archives, and reputable news outlets, as well as the hotels' own published histories. Hotel names, ownership, and amenities may have changed since publication. This information is provided for general interest, is not guaranteed, and should be independently verified. Hotelaholic is not affiliated with or endorsed by any U.S. president or government agency.