So here I am, back for more champagne guzzling. Yays.
I decided to write a quick review for this stay mostly because it was a different room type I was accorded. So I won’t be repeating most of other info I wrote in my initial experience here.
ADDRESS – 7 Raffles Avenue Singapore 039799. Website.
CONTACT – Tel: +65 6337 8888. sinrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.
PRICE – $644.40 for 2pax in a Club Deluxe Kallang with a complimentary upgrade to Club Deluxe Marina, booked during their 25% Anniversary Sale. Stacked with my SRV vouchers of $100, I ended up paying about $540 for the stay – not cheap by staycation standards but a good deal by Ritz’s (or so I think).
** Check out its more recent prices on TripAdvisor here **
PRE-ARRIVAL – 4 days prior to my stay, I received my pre-arrival email from the guest relations team but interestingly enough, the note was slightly different than the one I got from my Jan stay and it was also not from the Club Concierge like previously. The email did not include the club menus for my days of stay and was lacking that extra bit of warmth in comparison. I had to reply to ask for a copy of the menus and took the opportunity to request for an early check in (12nn) and late check out (4pm) which they very kindly accommodated.
CHECK IN – My check in experience this time was much better. We were spotted by a staff after exiting from the carpark lifts and I could hear her walkie-ing to her colleague to expect ‘Arrival of Ms Poh’ while escorting us to the main check in area – a great start! The actual check in was painless and took 15mins and the staff exited from the partitions to hand me my key cards.
ROOM(S) – We were upgraded to a Club Deluxe Suite 2716 (72SqM) due to my special occasion and the room was just amazing. I mean the base rooms were spacious enough but this was a whole new level to me. Draped in the same beige / wooden tones, the space was divided into 3 main areas which can be separated by doors: living area, bedroom, and bathroom.
Living Area – Can I just say how incredible a panoramic view of the Marina area on level 27th is? The full length windows are simply amazing and I can totally understand now why some would pay extra for it. The space itself is fitted out with a long sofa and chairs more than enough to fit 4-5pax, a huge TV, the work desk containing your ports / power points, and the mini bar equipped with a nespresso machine for your caffeine fix.
Bedroom – this space has it own hexagon window, a TV, and 2 sitting areas alongside the huge king bed which gave me a rather good night sleep this time.
Bathroom – the infamous bathtub which I tried this time, double sinks, and separate shower and toilet area. There was also a walk-in closet of sorts for you to stash your clothes.
We also got some special in-room amenities due to the special occasion – BUBBLES!
Some shot of slightly crappy but quite lomantic views from the room at night.
CLUB LOUNGE MEALS & SERVICE – Having completed my 2nd Ritz Club experience following this stay, I have to say the Club team really provides consistently great service! Each and every one makes you feel welcome every time you step in and nothing is too difficult for them. This time, I got my own little QR code table standee – yay! Food and drinks are proactively offered and always encouraged, complete with warm and enthusiastic service. Jithra, Lingessh and Michelle in particular were stellar individuals who really go out of their way to ensure you are always smiling (or maybe its those bubbles I was guzzling). With 5 meals, there is honestly so much food to plough through that you will literally waddle on your depart.
Breakfast (8:00am to 10:30am)
Light Snacks (11:30am – 2:00pm)
Afternoon Tea (2:30pm – 4:30pm)
Cocktails & Hors O’ oeuvres (5:30pm – 7:30pm)
Desserts & Cordials (8:00pm – 9:30pm)
AUGMENTED REALITY TOUR –
The property now offers this rather fun AR self-guided tour thingy for all in-house guest – you can trigger various AR experience at different spots in the hotel which by scanning the QR code in that locale. I had a bit of an issue getting all of them – probably an user problem. Bah.
Lifted from the hotel’s site here:
Be the first to experience the world’s only augmented reality hotel art tour at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, where visitors will be able to interact virtually with art pieces by renowned artists such as Frank Stella and Dale Chihuly. View the experience here.
Watch butterflies fly out of the overhanging “Cornucopia” in the hotel lobby, or spot the white beluga whale in front of “Moby Dick” in the Stella Gallery. While tickets to the “Future World” exhibition at the nearby ArtScience Museum extend the museum-going experience.
From the hotel’s site
CHECK OUT – Check out was done painlessly and swiftly at 4pm.
IN SUMMARY,
The Ritz Club staycation is honestly a dangerous experience to get used to. I would come back in a heartbeat if the price works for me. How about I try the weekend menu next time? Hehe.