What Happened to the Marco Polo Hotel in Singapore

The Marco Polo Hotel in Singapore, a landmark at the junction of Tanglin and Grange roads, opened in 1968 as Hotel Malaysia and was demolished in 1999, replaced by the Grange Residences condominium. This article traces its history, from its architectural significance to its eventual closure, drawing on archival records from the National Library Board Singapore and contemporary press reports.

Last checked: 2026-07-23

Former name: Hotel Malaysia (1968-1973) · Later name: Omni Marco Polo Hotel · Opened: 1968 · Renamed: 1973 · Demolished: Late 1990s · Location: Tanglin Circus, junction of Tanglin and Grange roads, Singapore

What happened to the Marco Polo Hotel in Singapore?

Originally built as Hotel Malaysia, the 10-storey, 300-room property designed by Alfred Wong Partnership opened on 9 April 1968. It was described as the Republic’s first purpose-built international hotel. In 1973 it was renamed the Marco Polo Hotel, and on 1 March 1989 it became the Omni Marco Polo Hotel.

The hotel closed in July 1999 and was demolished later that year, according to the National Library Board Singapore. A contemporary report in the South China Morning Post described the site as a 603-room landmark on a 166,941‑square‑foot plot, targeted for a 340‑unit condominium.

Today, the site is occupied by Grange Residences, a residential development. The bottom line: The hotel was demolished in 1999 after 31 years of operation, and no trace remains.

Why was the Marco Polo Hotel demolished?

The exact reason is not publicly documented, but the South China Morning Post reported in 1996 that redevelopment plans were underway, converting the hotel into a residential block. The property was likely sold for redevelopment as the hotel market shifted.

When was the Marco Polo Hotel in Singapore torn down?

The National Library Board records state the hotel was torn down in 1999, following its closure in July that year.

Which hotel did Taylor Swift stay in Singapore?

The Marco Polo Hotel was demolished in 1999, long before Taylor Swift’s visits to Singapore. Contemporary reports indicate she has stayed at the Capella Singapore on Sentosa, but that information is not part of the verified sources for this article. For readers interested in current luxury options in the Orchard area, our guide to hotels in Orchard provides a starting point.

Which hotel did Trump stay in Singapore?

The 2018 North Korea–United States summit was held at the Shangri-La Hotel, a different property. The Marco Polo Hotel had been demolished 19 years earlier. No verified source in this article confirms the exact hotel used by the Trump delegation, but it was not the Marco Polo.

Where do celebrities stay in Singapore?

Today, high‑profile visitors typically choose luxury hotels in the Orchard area, Sentosa, or the Marina Bay district. The Orchard Parade Hotel is one option near the former Marco Polo site. The tourism board’s official listings and review platforms detail current celebrity‑friendly properties, but those are outside the scope of this article.

Is Marco Polo a luxury hotel?

The Marco Polo Hotel in Singapore was not classified as a 5‑star property in the sources reviewed. However, AWP Architects states it was ranked the fourth Best Hotel in the World by Executive Travel magazine and received the 1983 Singapore Institute of Architects Award for Design Merit. The Marco Polo brand operates luxury hotels elsewhere, but those properties are unrelated to the demolished Singapore hotel.

“Built in 1968, Omni Marco Polo Hotel, also known as Marco Polo Hotel, was one of Singapore’s famous landmarks.”

— National Library Board Singapore

“SINGAPORE’S Omni Marco Polo Hotel’s fate has been sealed.”

— South China Morning Post, 1996

Timeline of the Marco Polo Hotel Singapore

• 9 April 1968: Opens as Hotel Malaysia.
• 1973: Renamed Marco Polo Hotel.
• 1 March 1989: Renamed Omni Marco Polo Hotel.
• July 1999: Hotel closes.
• 1999: Demolished; site later becomes Grange Residences.

Alternatives in the area

The former Marco Polo site at Tanglin Circus is now a residential development. For travellers seeking accommodation in the same district, the Orchard Road area offers numerous hotels, including the Orchard Parade Hotel. These are current operating properties near the historic location.

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