This was an impulsive booking as I (and my weighing scale) had just recovered from my Shang Valley Wing indulgence the week before. But I had to when I saw the rate. Furthermore, I last stayed at this property in 2010 (!) and was curious to see how things have evolved, for good or worse.

Address – 29 Tanglin Road Singapore 247911. Website.

Contact – Tel: +65 65066888. Email: stregis.singapore@stregis.com.

Price – $287++ = $337.80nett booked via Hotelux which gives me USD100 dining credit as well as other benefits which I would already have as a Platinum Elite: welcome amenity, breakfast for 2pax, room upgrades, early check in and late check out. This is a steal compared to pre-covid times.

Pre-arrival – There was strangely no pre-arrival email but I did receive a chat message with an offer to check in at 10am – to which I requested for 11am instead due to work matters and was confirmed on the spot.

Location – In the ulu(-er) end of Orchard, the property enjoys a somewhat exclusive spot (ie a bit inaccessible) along the famous stretch. The unsheltered access to non-hotel food options was a bummer, which leaves you with only private-hire vehicle or un-glam umbrella options should it pour during your stay. The nearest MRT is Orchard (NS22) but its a good 10mins walk away so perhaps a bus option will work better for you.

Getting There – I took a 10min hitch from Cityhall and alighted by the main drop off lobby.

Check In – 3 days prior, I did an in-app check in and saw that my Executive Deluxe King was upgraded to Grand Deluxe King, Botanic Garden View. On the night prior, the app showed that my room was further amped up to the St. Regis Suite (yays to 4-tier upgrade!). A sit-down check in was processed at the front desk and I was given all the necessary welcome letters and my elite benefits explained accordingly. A return voucher of $50nett was also presented to me to offset my next stay and I was told it applies to Best Available Rates only.

Room – St. Regis Suite (room 401) was gorgeous and almost too much space at 80SqM! The door opens up to your “bar counter” and 3 separate entrances: living area, bedroom, and toilet (which leads into the bathroom proper which you can access from the bedroom too).

The bar counter contained water, coffee and tea sachets and plenty of cups & glasses to use for a 1-night stay.

The living area as draped in luscious red tones and evoked a sense of old school opulence. A huge TV (no chromecast but smart) and desk which doubles up as a work desk, sofa and chairs to chill in, and a fantastic bose system to listen to (try it!). I had to work for most of my stay and I have to say the “work desk” set up is not optimum, especially with the TV so close if you have your laptop there.

The bedroom had the same huge smart TV, a king bed, and a dressing counter.

The bathroom area starts with a wardrobe corridor which leads into the fancy atas marble-marble-everywhere double sinks, bathtub, shower, and toilet. Toiletries were Remede Spa brand and were really nice!

It should also be noted that the room description includes “complimentary cocktails” but I was told this is the same as the Platinum Elite’s Aperitivo Hour so take note that the two benefits don’t stack.

Welcome amenity was a elegant box of pralines which were quite nice:

Platinum Elite Aperitivo Hour is a nice gesture from the hotel which do not have a Club Lounge – it is a platter of 4 small canapés and 1 glass of alcohol drink per pax (you pick from a list on the welcome letter), served to your room any time between 4-6pm and non-refillable. As I was only returning to the room after work, I ask my butler to have them placed in the room at my preferred timing and it was super punctual. It was quite nice to come back to your room and chill out to this.

In-room Dining – the in-room dining menu can be found on the TV or in the booklet on the living area. I spent all my USD100 dining credit on in-room dining on 2 occasions and pleased to report that the chef does take special requests for no noodles / rice for the asian selection. Super tasty stuff! The Nasi Goreng kosong, Char Kway Teow kosong, Cesar Salad with Chicken Breast, and Nicose Salad were all delicious and flavors on point.

Butler service – this time I tried the butler unpacking & pressing service and it was both done very efficiently and the butler, Santha, cannot be more polite. Wasn’t sure if I should be feeling just that little bit useless just sitting there while the unpacking is in progress but I figured the butler has seen stranger things.

There is also something very indulgent about the being able to order coffee & tea to your room at any time of the day and I made sure I made full use of that too. Strong coffee, accompanied by a chocolate praline. – what’s not to like! Though….I wanted cookies but the hotel seems to be out of them for the 2 whole days I was there. How can.

Breakfast – I was the first at Brasserie Les Saveurs (breakfast menu here) at 7:30am on a Wed morning and was seated immediately. I was brought a bread basket of 4 types of carbs and a fruit platter, and my order of main course, the Epicurean Omelette, was swiftly taken, with the staff pro-actively recommending to add bacon and sausage to the dish. Dish was presented beautifully but flavors were a bit flat for me. Nothing stood out as something worth seconds, and I actually wished instead of a bread basket, they would have a bread trolley brought around for guests to pick from instead to avoid wastage. Service was fantastic though, with the staff letting me know that I can ask for smaller portions of eggs next time if need be.

Facilities – I checked out the Wet Lounge in Remede Spa which was complimentary for Platinum Elite members (all other in-house guests have to pay $30++ for a 3-hour access) and found the space quite peaceful for zoning out (and very marbled). The steam room, sauna, and heated lounge chairs were nice and hot but the hydro pools were not hot enough to boil myself – semi warm waters is just weird to me.

The Fitness Centre was a little smaller than I expected but seems to be adequately equipped for a regular workout.

Tropical Spa Pool looked nice as well but didn’t try. Because, sun.

Service – Shining examples with the butlers and at breakfast, and other times nothing to fault except for one occasion where I was in the lobby waiting for my grab to arrive and was curtly asked “Can I Help You Mdm” by a staff who seem to assume that I’m not an in-house guest perhaps based on my dressing. Quite disinterested, he went back to chatting with his colleague after hearing that I’m waiting for transportation. I am comparing only because of my experience at Clan Hotel where the team at the pickup / drop off point proactively asked for the vehicle number, offered me to take a seat while they kept a lookout for the car and came to get me accordingly. Such a simple act which can make so much difference.

Check Out – I decided to do a manual check out as I wanted to confirm that my in-room dining charges were offset correctly. Indeed, the amount was reflected correctly and I was emailed my folio within 5mins of leaving the property.

I was however a little disappointed by the lack of proactiveness when I was queuing for an available counter to check me out. Both counters were occupied and it was a standing wait of 10mins with luggage + laptop bag in my hands. Despite a number of staff being present at the lobby, they were more interested in chatting with each other. For a St. Regis, I would have appreciated at least some assistance with my luggage while I stood to wait.

In summary,

Beautiful room and a very well maintained property. That being said, due to the lack of a Club Lounge and if without the Star promotion of USD100 dining credit, I would veer towards spending on other Bonvoy properties for more value. *ticks St. Regis off my list*