Starwood properties in Singapore: reviews

[Keith009]

St Regis, Singapore
Tanglin Rd

This is a fairly new property and the majority of taxi drivers do not really know where it is, so best to have the hotel address handy.

The extremely modern facade of the hotel stood in stark contrast with the very ornate decor. The contradiction didn't end there - taipeiflyer mentioned that they played techno music in the gym.

Stayed here for 1 night, and crashed in with taipeiflyer and HRH cousinoftaipeiflyer. taipeiflyer used Cash and Points for the room - fantastic value (think it was 9000 pts and USD150/night) considering the BAR of SGD450ish. We did not get the massive suite that jhm wrote about but nonetheless it's still a decent sized room for 3 people.

Had a nice big LCD in the bedroom however I think it's broken as neither of us could figure out how to turn on the sound. It also couldn't really be turned off either, the best we could do was get it down to a blank screen.

I like the bathroom best of all - despite the decor it was a massive bathroom and rather functional. There's even a small TV in there. Amenities by Remede as previously mentioned - love the smell of the shampoo.

The service was pretty good; I love the efficiency. But as mentioned previously by a few people, the service can get rather 'much.' An entourage greeted us whenever we appeared at the lobby, and there was always someone insisting on carrying even the smallest of bags for you and an employee or two dedicated to pressing lift buttons on your behalf. And as in some hotels I've stayed at in Thailand - people to escort you to toilets. I thought it was all hilarious initially but then it got a bit annoying after a while. I'm not sure I require that level of attention. We also had a mini send off party... I suspect HRH got mistaken for royalty.

So far the best of the crop in SIN as far as SPG is concerned. Will come back if I am short of stay credits and the price is right.

 

[Alanslegal]

QF009,

Did taipeiflyer have elite status? Was the room upgraded?

Correct me, but just from viewing the photos, it appears like a standard St Regis SIN hotel room.

 

[Keith009]

QF009,

Did taipeiflyer have elite status? Was the room upgraded?

Correct me, but just from viewing the photos, it appears like a standard St Regis SIN hotel room.

He's also SPG PLT- dont think it was upgraded. Then again cousinoftaipeiflyer who isn't even an SPG member had checked into the room the day before so that might have been a factor.

 

[drron]

As this is a Singapore thread i will post my review of the Sheraton towers singapore here.When we first went to Singapore in the 70s we often stayed at Sheratons.the first was the long defunct Century Park Sheraton on Nassim Hill.We first stayed at the Towers a few months after it opened and stayed 7-8 times until the late 80s.Then it was an all Towers hotel and everyone got free breakfast,free laundry and an invite to the managers reception.
Times have changed.Now only some rooms are "Towers Concept" rooms.I doubt there is much physical difference-you just get all the previously mentioned addons for a much higher price.They have however added a lounge this year which platinum members get access.I was aware of the limitations.This was a last minute switch from the Hilton due to a bit of a fall from grace of hhonors but also to take advantage of the last quarter promo from SPG.It was also over $S300 less per night than the St.Regis.
Checkin was efficient.We were offered a poolside "towers concept room" however it was a smoking room.We looked at it and no smoke smell so we stayed put.
They list 7 benefits locally for platinum members but all come from the lounge access.You get breakfast-scrambled eggs,1 asian dish,turkey bacon and 1 other that varied-not exciting.Pretty good Bircher muesli though.limited fruit and pastries.Replenishment was often slow.
In the evening nice snacks but limited choice,small amounts put out and again resupply slow.Alcohol is served to you.Staff are good and friendly.
Also use of 2 computers for free but limited to 30 minutes-though 1 other guest hardly left one of them.
Is it worth it?Depends on the price.a week out it is worth a check as on starpicks you can often get this for ~$S250.As long as you realise even if upgraded you do not get the addons of the Tower Concept rooms.Still OK for us as very close to the Newton MRT station and Newton Circus hawker centre.

 

[Keith009]

St Regis, Singapore
29 Tanglin Rd

I stayed here for an overnight layover in Singapore, as this hotel is simply superb value for a Category 5 SPG Cash + Points redemption at USD90 + 4800 points. As I was spending less than 24 hours in Singapore, I felt uncomfortable paying anything more than USD150. I might not be too big a fan of St Regis, but after all I only need a clean comfy bed for some shut eye. So the Cash + Points option was a no brainer; considering it's regular rate of almost S$400, the Cash + Points option was virtually the equivalent of snatching candy from a baby.

The location of the hotel is also fantastic, just around the corner from Orchard Rd. Yes it's a bit like staying at Chadstone but personally I only have 2 main goals on any trip - shop till I drop, and drink till the last drop - the location of the St Regis is great for either of these!

On the other hand, perhaps I've been well spoilt by the homely service and edgy decor of the New Majestic, and the pampering of the Four Seasons - there wasn't much to like about the St Regis, value aside. The St Regis brand aspires to rival such ultra luxe names as the Four Seasons, the Shangri La etc. Leaving subjective opinions of decor and style aside, the service was a hit/miss and lacked the personalisation and warmth of what you'd expect from a top dollar hotel brand. It's almost as if they've taken the comments about 'too much' service to heart, and ended up with a rather perfunctory set of staff on the whole.

As my taxi drew up at the entrance of the St Regis (ps - the best way to direct taxi drivers here is to make reference to "that new hotel on Tanglin Rd"), a tired looking porter opened the door and wearily welcomed me to the hotel. He then proceeded to show me to the check in desks, where I was taken care of by a v nice check in agent. Said porter vanished, leaving my bag standing unattended in the middle of the lobby, which I'd only realised at the end of the check in process.

One of the few good staff members I encountered during my short stay was the very nice check in agent who led me to my room and whom I had a nice chat with. Suites were all booked up, and as a result I only got upgraded to a Grand Deluxe Room. I didn't mind so much for such a short stay. I'd let the pics do the talking but suffice to say - the St Regis Singapore's room decor was a little schizophrenic and incoherent in trying to blend some stylised modern bits and pieces with its overrall Old World theme. I had a some macaroons to welcome me to the hotel, but the welcome note was a generic computer generated one rather than one addressed to me personally. Other than that, I like the new hotel 'feel' as the property was still spotless and still had that new hotel smell. The room was also rather well appointed and functional. However some of the electronic lighting controls didn't work too well and required a few hard presses before the desired lights' setting was achieved.

20 mins after my arrival at the room, my butler dropped by to asked if I'd like anything. I didn't have anything for him and so simply thanked him and wished him a goodnight.

Because I didn't get a suite I was given complimentary broadband internet which was most handy. I also got free brekky but didn't manage to get up in time for it. And that is why perks like free breakfasts don't do much for me.

Probably my favourite feature of the hotel was Astor Bar, where the lovely bar manager remembered me from last July! The drinks here were great on the whole, especially that Pink Kanel champagne concoction which was topped with Krug. However - the mojitos still lost out by a long way to those of the Four Seasons'; the St Regis mojito was rather bland whereas the Four Seasons' version was a lovely burst of lime and mint flavours balanced delicately with rum. The bar was quiet on a weekday but I had a lovely time discussing various coughtail recipes with the staff. Again the schizophrenic nature of the hotel's ambience and lack of attention paid to little details - dancey style club music was played at the bar. Whilst I far prefer this to the usual 5 star hotel grand piano ambience - the incoherence and lack of thought given to the hotel's theme was rather noticeable.

 

[Keith009]

mojito

Singapore Sling, and a taste test of their unique take on Long Island which they hoped to enter into a coughtail competition

The way the phone system was set up was most irritating. Apparently I'm supposed to contact my butler for all things under the sun that I'd normally call the front desk for (or some central service hotline such as Service Express at Westins or Whatever/Whenever at Ws), such as wake up calls and porter services - however calls to the butler went unanswered and reached a voicemail system. I had no time to flaff around the voicemail and hence tried to reach the front desk directly. But there was no such option, and the only way to get the front desk was to call the operator and ask to be connected to the front desk! Similarly, it was impossible to reach the concierge on the phone as the line was engaged each time I tried to call in. I voiced my concerns upon check out only to be met with an apologetic but ineffectual response that the "system is set up in a way that your butler and concierge takes care of you directly", well it'd be nice if I could actually reach them!

The concierge desk was manned by a rather affable man who unfortunately did not have much of a clue. I feel bad panning him as he was really nice - but I did not appreciate being given the hard sell on the hotel's inhouse restaurants when I was clearly looking for recommendations on local restaurants outside the hotel.

On the whole, the St Regis isn't entirely unpleasant but despite what its marketing and brand positioning suggests, its service standards fall far short of what I'd expect from a luxury hotel. Which is v disappointing for what's supposed to be the flagship Starwood property in Singapore. About the only reason I can recommend this hotel to anyone is the extremely good value Cash + Points redemption, as the redemption level is really darn good compared to what the hotel is charging for a fully paid stay. And probably the v nice bar - but you could visit the bar without staying there anyhoo. If I had to pay regular rates, I'd definitely go back to the Four Seasons or the New Majestic, or check out the other favourites in Singapore.

 

[drron]

Sorry keith i should have posted my review of the St.Regis singapore before now.My view is that one of the good points of the St.Regis is it's proximity to Iggys at the Regent where we enjoyed a fantastic lunch.4 courses for $S55 but we both paid the $S10 supplement for the foie gras.Just a couple of pictures to whet your appetite-

My Waygu burger.

My entree of pork belly with mushroom.

And the foie gras.
As to the hotel I also found the check in agent very good but no upgrade but free internet and breakfast plus 6pm checkout instead.There was also as a plat benefit wine tasting in the evening though we did not get around to this.The room is much as QF009's pictures.I most appreciated the shower-

Fantastic for those aching joints!
The service I found was a little cold or haughty.We both decided it was not for us.Breakfast was reasonable but you had to order your hot items-when it arrived it was fairly obvious much of it was in warming trays in the kitchen.The bacon was so charred it came out black both days.
So unless they have really cheap rates i would be looking elsewhere-on this trip I got a rate of $S300 so OK value.

 

[Keith009]

Thanks for the tip about Iggy's, $55 for all that sounds like truly amazing value!

Unless I'm doing another Cash+Points stay at the St Regis in future, I think I've given up on Starwood in Singapore.

There's also going to be a W coming up in Singapore but it'd be in Sentosa of all places! :-|

BTW for a little more than S$300 you could get some v nice hotels in Singapore, such as the MO (never stayed there but friends rave about it), Conrad or the Pan Pacific Marina Bay. Or the New Majestic for something different. No SPG benefits of course but personally I think I get much better service at the NM and FS with zero status than SPG PLT at the SR.

 

[drron]

QF009 the SMH today has an article on food in Singapore-
Hawkers and haute cuisine
Interesting that Iggys has been named in the top 50 restaurants in the world.Dinner is $S195 so lunch there at $S55 is a steal.