Consisting of a double letter 'D' rendered in metallic brown and natural-wood brown, the logo resembles an ancient Chinese coin or gateway. It was designed to evoke a feeling of Chinese antiquity, taking the cue from the architecture and interior of this hotel developed by Tang Choon Keng Realty who also founded the adjoining C.K. Tang department store.

Officially opened in 1982, the pagoda-cum-skyscraper facade of the hotel by Chao Tse Ann was modeled after the Imperial Palace of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The interiors were by Don Ashton who was known for his many hotel designs in Asia and Europe.

The hotel was later renamed the Singapore Marriot Tang Plaza Hotel.