Hilton Mattress Run Schedule:

1. Day Stay @ Hilton Singapore (SGD161)
2. Day Stay @ Conrad Centennial Singapore (SGD195)
3. Day Stay @ Hilton Garden Inn Singapore (SGD117)
4. Day Stay at DoubleTree By Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok (THB1754 = SGD76)
5. Day Stay @ Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok (THB2,304 = SGD100)
6. Stay @ Millennium Hilton Bangkok (THB3,500 – SGD151)
7. Stay @ Conrad Bangkok (covered by Amex KF Ascend voucher)
8. Day Stay @ DoubleTree By Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok (THB1754 = SGD76)

Stop no. 2 for my mattress run was @ Conrad Centennial Singapore, which I’ve stayed twice pre-furbishment. I remembered this as a property which has an excellent Executive Club Lounge and good service to boot, but at the same time, rooms were a little dated.

There was also so much talk about the atas reurbishments and of course for having 2 Executive Lounges due to possible influx of Diamonds. Was super excited to check it out!

Address – 2 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038982. Tel: +65 6334 8888. Website

Location – Connected to Millennia Walk and linked to both Suntec City and Marina Square which gives one plenty of shopping and food options. Transport wise, the property has sheltered access to Circle Line’s Promenade Station and has a bus stop right outside. Rather convenient for tourists.

Prior to arrival – the day before, I saw that my booking for a King Deluxe was upgraded to a King Executive room. Still no suite upgrade for this new Diamond.

Check In – A mixed bag unfortunately. I approached front desk but was not offered to be checked in at the lounge. Via the Hilton app’s Conrad conciere service, I requested to be placed on the same floor as the Lounge on 31st floor, was confirmed by the Executive Lounge team via email, but was offered 30th floor and told nothing was indicated in the system when I enquired. I was also asked if I would like a letter listing the Executive Lounge benefits, to which I said yes to –  it would have been much better if they had proactively offer as it kind of made me feel like day room Diamonds deserve less.

Would also have been better if the letter was personalised to each guests instead of just addressing it generically. Many little things made for a shaky start indeed.

Price – My day room (12noon – 6pm) was SGD$165++ = SGD$195. For what it’s worth, I feel it’s actually fair value as you get afternoon tea, evening cocktails, plus coffee, tea, cookies all day long.

Room – Executive King room 3013 was spacious standing at 40SqM and looks a whole lot different from prefurbished. An entire length of daybed adds a super modern touch, with the clean and comfy King bed alongside it. Most modern hotels nowadays do not have work desks, and in this instance, it is substituted with  a round coffee table with a fruit platter + a box of pralines on it. Am not sure if it was supposed to be a Diamond amenity as there was no Diamond welcome letter versus Hilton last week. I was particularly amused by the in-room dining booklet as it was an actual printed book instead of loose pages in a binding. I wonder about the logistics of changing the menu. The all important Conrad bear was there too of course.

Bathroom was your classic marble tiles, accompanied by a set of Shanghai Tang toiletries. The Conrad rubber duckie was there but lying awkardly inside the tub when I spotted it. Interestingly enough, when I came back after afternoon tea, housekeeping had placed another set of Temple Spa toiletries too. I must looked either very big sized or in dire need of 2 showers.

Executive Lounge(s) –

Step into our Executive Lounge on Level 31 and experience an exclusive residential ambience, accompanied by sweeping views of the Civic district and the Marina Bay. Our second lounge, the Lounge by the Pool is perfect for families with its strategic location next to the swimming pool. Offering a casual setting in a radiant yet serene environment, the Lounge by the Pool is the ideal spot for lounging and enjoying a quiet time with your loved ones.

The highlight of my stay. Opened from 06:30am – 11:00pm, they offer 2 very different ambience and I can see how they cater to completely different crowds.

31st floor: Now adorning a completely new look and notches above the past, the lounge offers multiple window view options as well as bigger sofa seats in the middle, looking like a very atas living room of a Crazy Rich Asian. Another 3 different looking sections of the lounge offers more seatings and more window views, complete with 2 big communal tables as a option. Window seats get snapped up really quickly so come early! It is also designed that guests meet the Executive Lounge reception team as you exit the lifts which I have mixed feelings about. The section where the F&B is at is behind closed doors partition which is only opened up during meal presentations so the outside of those hours, you get staff hovering around asking you for drink orders.

4th floor: poolside casual lounge with a family ambience. Alot more outdoorsy feel because of the natural light coming through the glass panes and more suited for parents whose kids are frolicking in the pool outside.

Lounge F&B – Afternoon tea (2:30pm – 4:30pm) is becoming really tough for people who tries to abstain from carbs. If you must know, I cheated with 3 delicious cookies. Scones, sandwiches, tea cakes were afternoon tea choices. Come evening cocktails (5:30pm – 7:30pm), the spread is replaced with more hearty selection comprising hot soup, chicken drumlets, kuay pie tee (a local dish of braised turnips in pastry cups), corn, varying salad options including a delicious thai beef salad, cheeses, cold cuts, fruits, nuts, olives. Definitely makes for a meal. On the alcohol front, you’d see champagne, wines, liquors, beers. It is also one of the busiest lounge I’ve ever seen so come early or risk being seated at one of the big communal table.

Service – Generally okay and Gajen from the Executive team made me forget the shaky start to the day. Staff especially on the 31st seemed eager to provide good service but at the same time struggles a little with the surge of crowd especially during evening cocktails. Polite smiles throughout nonetheless.

Facilities – I had a tour of the gym and spa facilities and saw the busy pool but was bummed that there was no steam room or jacuzzi which I had expected. Reminder to self to check next time!

Pool

Spa reception

Spa treatment room

Reading table inside gym

Spa waiting area

Gym

Check Out – Swift and painlessly completed at the Executive Lounge on 31st floor.

It was a great day stay but I can’t help but notice the difference in treatment with regards to Diamond recognition. If Hilton Singapore can present Diamond amenities in person with a welcome card, I would have expected Conrad to also do the same and perhaps better. Maybe Diamond fatigue is a real thing at this property.