Can a robot make a coffee as good as a barista? At this hotel it can

For those who need their early morning espresso served without the chit-chat before the day can truly begin, consider checking-in at Singapore’s new Como Metropolitan where the barista Bruno is the real silent type.

Bruno is, in fact, a two-armed robot working 24/7 in the airy sixth floor lobby lounge where guests can watch his white arms of steel tamp and froth in precise and mesmerising fashion. Neither a flat white, as good as one made by a human barista, or local pandan latte, ordered through an iPad, is too much trouble.

Alternatively guests can fix their gaze on the giant video artwork Floral Dive, consisting of changing petals, leaves and colours by Norwegian artist Thomas Hilland.

Opened late last year in a new building that was envisioned as residential by another developer before the pandemic changed its fortunes, there is space, light and a sense of a (stylish) home in the 156 rooms and suites with wall-to-wall windows and blonde wood floors; suites have separate living and dining areas. Head to the rooftop for sunset laps or drinks at the SkyBar.

Located on Bideford Road and five minutes’ walk from Orchard Road’s shopping and eating strip, it’s the hotel group’s home country debut led by Christina Ong, whose global wellness and fashion arms are also housed within the Orchard building.

Como Shambhala for guests and city residents alike offers spa and fitness treatments including yoga, sound healing and Pilates while over two floors Club 21 fashion retail includes the designed-in-Berlin, made-in-Italy face mask brand, aka glasses, Kuboraum.

All-day dining meanwhile is entirely possible in Como Cuisine, an industrial space designed by Italian architect Paola Navone, serving acai smoothie bowls, masala dhosas and lobster rolls.