With two decades of experience across Asia, the USA, and the Caribbean, and having worked with premier luxury brands like Four Seasons Resort Nevis in the Caribbean Islands, the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the world in Krabi, Thailand, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives, Anantara Resort Maldives, and Mandarin Oriental Hotels in Boston, Bermuda, and Manila, Ruby Garcia took on the role of General Manager at COMO Metropolitan Singapore to launch the first COMO property in the brand’s country of origin.
Over the past two years, she has successfully opened and operated the hotel despite initial manpower challenges, maintaining service excellence and operational efficiency. She also established partnerships with world-renowned culinary experts, including COTE Korean Steakhouse and Cedric Grolet, to introduce innovative dining experiences at the hotel—their first collaboration outside of the US and Europe—marking a significant expansion into Asia.
In an interaction with Ruby Garcia, she highlights the two-year journey of COMO Metropolitan Singapore.
As COMO Metropolitan Singapore completes two years, how has the journey been?
As we celebrate our second anniversary, I can confidently say the journey has been both inspiring and transformative. From the very beginning, our mission was to introduce a new standard of contemporary luxury in Singapore—one that blends wellness, design, and exceptional service. Over the past two years, we’ve brought that vision to life. Like any new hotel, we’ve faced challenges, particularly as global travel patterns continue to shift, but every challenge has made us stronger, more agile, and more in tune with what modern luxury travellers are seeking. The best part, however, is that we’ve truly enjoyed the journey, embracing every moment of growth and learning along the way.
Your hotel not only comprises luxury accommodations but also an exclusive wellness centre and fashion retail. How does such a combination work?
At COMO Metropolitan Singapore, our integrated approach is very intentional — it’s about offering a holistic lifestyle experience, not just a place to stay. The combination of luxury accommodation, wellness, and fashion retail reflects the COMO philosophy: that true luxury lies in well-being, self-expression, and meaningful experiences. Our guests don’t just check in for a room — they come for a curated experience. They may begin their day with a tailored wellness program at COMO Shambhala, explore mindful eating through our restaurants with global dining concepts, and find inspiration through fashion and design at Club21. Each element enhances the others, creating a space under one roof where every detail fosters a deeper connection to personal well-being and self-expression.
COMO has created a niche for its COMO Shambhala wellness and COMO Shambhala food. While these are popular in resorts, how do you gauge its success in a city hotel?
That’s a great question, and one we’ve been very mindful of. COMO Shambhala has been leading preventative health in the hospitality industry for over 25 years, with sixteen locations worldwide.
COMO Shambhala has always had a strong identity in our resort properties, where guests often come specifically for rest, renewal, and deep wellness immersion. But what we’ve seen at COMO Metropolitan Singapore is that the appetite for wellness and mindful living extends just as strongly into urban life.
In a fast-paced city like Singapore, our wellness offerings are resonating with both international travelers and locals. Whether it’s a short business trip, a wellness-focused staycation, or simply a desire to maintain a balanced routine while on the move, guests are increasingly seeking out experiences that nourish both body and mind.
This urban flagship of our global luxury wellness company occupies the literal and metaphorical ‘heart’ of COMO Orchard—an 800+ sq m haven dedicated to nurturing the brand’s core mantra that ‘Wellness Begins Within’.
COMO Shambhala Cuisine has been incredibly well received. People are more conscious of what they consume, and our philosophy of clean, nutrient-rich, and flavorful food has found a strong following even outside of a resort context.
Ultimately, the success lies in relevance, and I believe we’ve shown that urban wellness isn’t just a trend, but a necessity. Our goal is to make well-being accessible, even in the heart of a bustling city.
How do you utilise technology and innovation to make the property guest-friendly?
From the moment a guest books with us, digital innovation plays a role. By integrating technology into our offerings, guests can curate their stay with COMO to their needs, from the convenience of mobile check-in and check-out with a digital key to the ease of booking COMO experiences from their phone.
We offer pre-arrival communications that allow guests to customize their preferences, from room setups to wellness bookings. Our in-room technology is intuitive and user-friendly, allowing for smart control of in-room blinds and entertainment, all designed to enhance comfort without complexity. And of course, there’s Bruno, our robot barista—an entertaining way for our guests to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee.
What about sustainable practices in your hotel?
Sustainability is a key pillar of our operations at COMO Metropolitan Singapore—not just as a trend, but as a long-term responsibility to our guests, our community, and the environment. We’re proud to have received EarthCheck Silver Certification, which reflects our adherence to globally recognized standards in sustainable tourism.
This certification is a significant milestone. It means we’re actively measuring and reducing our environmental impact across energy and water use, waste management, and operational efficiency. We’ve implemented initiatives such as smart in-room systems to reduce energy consumption, eliminated single-use plastics in guest room amenities, and optimized our laundry and water treatment processes.
Receiving the EarthCheck Silver Certification validates the efforts of our entire team and motivates us to continue pushing toward higher benchmarks in sustainability. It’s an ongoing journey, and one we’re committed to evolving with purpose.
With Singapore celebrating its diamond jubilee year (60th year), any specific plans during this year?
Singapore’s Diamond Jubilee is a monumental occasion that celebrates six decades of resilience, growth, and community spirit. At COMO Metropolitan Singapore, we’re truly proud to be part of this journey. To honour this milestone, we have curated special menus at our restaurants, offered room packages, and planned events including the opportunity to view the fireworks display from our rooftop exclusively.
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