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.

Barista Bruno, hard at work.

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.

Bruno the barista beside the dynamic art of 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.

The creations of Cedric Golet.

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.

Space and light in a master suite.

Follow your nose to the ground floor and first Asian outlet for French pastry chef Cedric Grolet beyond his Paris and London stores. Pretty flower and fruit-inspired cakes are on display in glass domes and pastries from the oven attract morning crowds daily.

Open for breakfast and afternoon tea, Como guests get to jump the queue. It’s another ideal way to start the day. Bruno won’t say a word.

Rooms from $415 a night.

Como Metropolitan is at 30 Bideford Rd, Singapore. See comohotels.com 

Jane Reddy travelled as a guest of Singapore Airlines. See www.singaporeair.com