Wanting some recommendations please on 4-5 star hotels in Singapore for a 2 day 'drop and flop' after a busy month in Europe. Budget $300-400/night. Have stayed in Singapore many times but seem to always gravitate towards the Swissotel and whilst nice, want to try something different. Great pool area would be welcome and something close to the MRT would be a bonus.
I'd recommend the Intercontinental Robertson Quay. It's a new hotel which I believe opened in the last 18 months or so so everything felt fresh. The hotel doesn't feature 'Grand Gestures' like double or triple height lobbies so its give a more boutique feel than others. I found the lounge very enjoyable and not too busy, it is a mix of indoor and outdoor and we appreciated the choice between air-conditioning or not. The lounge had great mix of cocktails, and their high tea is a nice experience. However it is set on the lower level so depends how much you value a view of the skyline. There is a pool, it is not as extensive as some other hotels. Again this is at a lower level which may or may not be an issue for you.
The hotel is about 800m from Fort Canning MRT and a little further to Clarke Quay MRT, which is a bit of a stroll in the heat. The staff were great and couldn't do enough to help, for example providing all day access for myself and my partner to the club lounge after we had checked out as they knew we had a 9pm flight. We have no IHG status and we didn't ask for this perk.
I'd also second the Park Royal on Pickering that Fatty reccomended above.
Park Royal on Pickering. The architecture is very interesting with a lot of mini gardens throughout the building. Rooms are not huge but felt very....'zen'.... with use of timber decor. The infinity pool is nice too with a view of the city. It's in-between Chinatown and Clarke Quay MRT stations so only a couple of hundred meters away.
Also look at Andaz By Hyatt. New-ish hotel very modern with a nice rooftop infinity pool and bar. Very close to Bugis station as well.
"Great pool area would be welcome and something close to the MRT would be a bonus."
With this in mind got the perfect place, Hotel Jen Orchardgateway (situated on Orchard Road), it has an infinity pool and direct access to MRT below. You dont have to go out in the heat to get to the MRT.
Some good recommendations here, although I'd agree with you, the Swissotel is hard to best - a great hotel in a superb location. Intercontinental Robertson Quay sounds worth checking out but as noted, not super-handy to an MRT station. Pan Pacific is always well regarded but could be outside your budget range. Hotel Jen Orchard Gateway definitely worth a closer look, it's built into the top of a shopping mall so you can be get 100% hermetically-sealed from the searing SIN heat and humidity. It seems less well-known than many of the big name hotels but I know plenty of people who've stayed here and enjoyed it.
I stayed at the Sofitel Singapore City Centre last year, and I really enjoyed my stay there. The hotel is less than 2 years old, the customer service is excellent, it sits on top of Tanjong Pagar MRT, and the pool area is very nice too.
I have to go with the Intercontinental in Bugis Junction. The lounge is great place to while away the late afternoon, the Unerground station is 3 minutes walk. Bugis Junction has excellent food offerings and is attached to the building via a covered walkway (in the event of rain). Taxis are a pain at times, especially around the end of day as they are mostly pre-booked so trying to hail one is difficult to say the least. Access to an Underground is great :) the rooms are really comfortable :) The heritage rooms are by far, my favourite. I stay here at least 3 times a year..
I’ve always enjoyed the Fullerton Hotel particularly if you can get a room upgrade to include the balcony overlooking the bay, although I can’t vouch for the pool area. Fullerton Bay is also excellent and has a very nice pool area and adjacent bar overlooking Marina Bay. Both are close to MRT and a very reasonable leg stretch to all of the relevant Quays and the food and beers on offer. Either however might blow your budget but hey, you can’t take it with you.
I second the Intercontinental (old one Middle road) it has been my go to for the last 3 years (with one exception)
I may be a bit old fashioned but this is what I want in a hotel
Advance booking on a Suite is about 430SGD, so a regular Club room should be perfectly in your range (Always get a club room for included breakfast, afternoon tea and cocktails)
If you are going to be there on the weekend join as an Ambassador, which will get you one weekend night free and an upgrade. that costs 200USD first year, and you don't get the advance rate, only full flex, but it will work out a little cheaper and you have the upgrade plus a year of membership
The Swissotel is nice & the Hilton has a nice Exec lounge, but the rooms are nothing special. Conrad is a bit out of the way for me personally.
Last time I stayed at the older Intercontinental and admittedly returning quite late at night, it seemed to me that the lobby was full of working girls.
BJ01
BJ01
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 07 Dec 2015
Total posts 57
Wanting some recommendations please on 4-5 star hotels in Singapore for a 2 day 'drop and flop' after a busy month in Europe. Budget $300-400/night. Have stayed in Singapore many times but seem to always gravitate towards the Swissotel and whilst nice, want to try something different. Great pool area would be welcome and something close to the MRT would be a bonus.
Thanks in advance.
fatty
fatty
Member since 24 Feb 2015
Total posts 62
Swissotel / Fairmont at Raffles City is hard to beat for location and connectivity.
Theresnormissin
Theresnormissin
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 14 Oct 2016
Total posts 161
I'd recommend the Intercontinental Robertson Quay. It's a new hotel which I believe opened in the last 18 months or so so everything felt fresh. The hotel doesn't feature 'Grand Gestures' like double or triple height lobbies so its give a more boutique feel than others. I found the lounge very enjoyable and not too busy, it is a mix of indoor and outdoor and we appreciated the choice between air-conditioning or not. The lounge had great mix of cocktails, and their high tea is a nice experience. However it is set on the lower level so depends how much you value a view of the skyline. There is a pool, it is not as extensive as some other hotels. Again this is at a lower level which may or may not be an issue for you.
346
346
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2017
Total posts 55
I like the Park Royal on beach Road - stayed many times, no complaints at all.
jianga
jianga
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 Feb 2015
Total posts 144
Park Royal on Pickering. The architecture is very interesting with a lot of mini gardens throughout the building. Rooms are not huge but felt very....'zen'.... with use of timber decor. The infinity pool is nice too with a view of the city. It's in-between Chinatown and Clarke Quay MRT stations so only a couple of hundred meters away.
Aidan
Aidan
Member since 05 Dec 2018
Total posts 95
"Great pool area would be welcome and something close to the MRT would be a bonus."
hakkinen5
hakkinen5
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 20 Aug 2014
Total posts 206
Pan Pacific is great. One of the most amazing breakfast spreads. If you nab a Saver rate, it'll just fit in your budget.
Mjkcan
Mjkcan
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 14 Jun 2017
Total posts 65
Seconded orchard Jen. Also Naumi.
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,021
Some good recommendations here, although I'd agree with you, the Swissotel is hard to best - a great hotel in a superb location. Intercontinental Robertson Quay sounds worth checking out but as noted, not super-handy to an MRT station. Pan Pacific is always well regarded but could be outside your budget range. Hotel Jen Orchard Gateway definitely worth a closer look, it's built into the top of a shopping mall so you can be get 100% hermetically-sealed from the searing SIN heat and humidity. It seems less well-known than many of the big name hotels but I know plenty of people who've stayed here and enjoyed it.
desafinado74
desafinado74
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 12
I stayed at the Sofitel Singapore City Centre last year, and I really enjoyed my stay there. The hotel is less than 2 years old, the customer service is excellent, it sits on top of Tanjong Pagar MRT, and the pool area is very nice too.
tungaroa
tungaroa
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Jul 2017
Total posts 1
I have to go with the Intercontinental in Bugis Junction. The lounge is great place to while away the late afternoon, the Unerground station is 3 minutes walk. Bugis Junction has excellent food offerings and is attached to the building via a covered walkway (in the event of rain).
Taxis are a pain at times, especially around the end of day as they are mostly pre-booked so trying to hail one is difficult to say the least. Access to an Underground is great :)
the rooms are really comfortable :) The heritage rooms are by far, my favourite. I stay here at least 3 times a year..
Waz wandering
Waz wandering
Member since 27 Jan 2018
Total posts 5
I’ve always enjoyed the Fullerton Hotel particularly if you can get a room upgrade to include the balcony overlooking the bay, although I can’t vouch for the pool area. Fullerton Bay is also excellent and has a very nice pool area and adjacent bar overlooking Marina Bay. Both are close to MRT and a very reasonable leg stretch to all of the relevant Quays and the food and beers on offer. Either however might blow your budget but hey, you can’t take it with you.
Notso Swift
Notso Swift
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Member since 06 Oct 2016
Total posts 32
Sutty
Sutty
Member since 12 Apr 2017
Total posts 10
You would be hard pushed to go past Royal Plaza on Scotts 👍👍. Brilliant position great condition ( club lounge excellent )
travelalot
travelalot
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 28 Jan 2016
Total posts 11
Last time I stayed at the older Intercontinental and admittedly returning quite late at night, it seemed to me that the lobby was full of working girls.