This property was showing very good rates for some reason despite other GHA properties’ fluctuations. With some GHA properties in Singapore slowly being designated as SHN or SDF facilities, I decided to fill in one of my slots with this instead, despite it not being valid for a separate Local Experience accrual as its considered the same brand as Pan Pacific Hotel & Resorts. My second Service Apartment experience!

Address – 7500B Beach Road, Singapore 199592. Website.

Contact – Tel: +65 6678 8888. Email: enquiry.ppssbr@panpacific.com.

Location – This property may seem a bit ulu at first but it’s actually directly connected to Parkroyal Beach Road which means you are near Golden Mile / Haji Lane enclave which offers multiple of F&B choices. Nicoll Highway station (CC5) is a 500m (6-min) walk away as well.

Pre-arrival – I had to shift my booking to be one week later due to some unforeseen circumstances and the room reservations was kind enough to accommodate the change without penalty. There was no also pre-arrival email but I reached out to request for early check in and late check out as per my GHA Black benefits.

Price – $166.73++ = $178.40 for a 1-Bedroom Deluxe Suite booked under the “DISCOVERY Up to 40% Sweeter Savings” promotion which includes the follow:

• Daily breakfast for up to two persons per room (except Sundays and Public Holidays)
• Flexible 25-hours stay from time of check-in (subject to availability)
• Complimentary parking for one vehicle per room during the stay
• Special gift hamper upon check out

Check In – I arrived to an empty lobby at 9:30am on a weekday and was attended to quickly. At first, I was told the room is not ready and I was making plans to drop off my barang before skipping out for some errands but after a few minutes, I was asked if I needed a room with bathtub to which I replied not necessarily – and voila they found me a room.

Room – My 1-Bedroom Deluxe Suite, 1313, was a corner room and felt much bigger due to its design. Like all service apartments, you get a little kitchentte + dining corner, a living area, and your bedroom with an attached bathroom. The room is block-ish in its layout which made very clean cut lines where each area is supposed to be.

You’ll get your kitchenette to your left as your enter. This area contains many functional aspects of a home: a wet sink, a 2-tier fridge, a microwave, a washing machine, a fully stocked stash of pots & pans, plates, cups, glasses etc. There is also a kettle for boiling water + tea bags, as well as a Nespresso machine (3 capsules stocked upon arrival and any extras at $1.50 per capsule.

Side note: I don’t get the placement of the dustbin – I hope everyone is nimble enough to lift one leg then one toe to open it without stubbing yourself.

Fitted out against one side of the wall in this area is your dining table with 2 chairs which was my WFHotel spot when necessary.

The living area looked rather luxurious at one glance due to the warm color combination in velvety and cushy furnishings. It is a decent size I must say – a wide 2-seater sofa + 1 loungey chair, with a coffee table in the middle, and a random carpet. All thse faces the TV with a console below containing some hotel brochures as well as other need-to-knows. For your convenience, there is an-house phone at the side of the sofa. You also get a view of Nicoll Highway from here.

Because of the corner room layout, the bedroom has 2 full length glasses offering view of what’s going on outside as as well as the Plaza offices happenings. Your wardrobe is in this space offering the usual ironing board, bathrobe, slippers. The king bed itself turned out to be quite comfy, and faces a TV on a console which offers ledge space for your belongings.

The bathroom is rather basic with a sink equipped with Metis toiletries, a non-bidet toilet, and a shower space. Everything is erm functional I guess.

Later part that same afternoon, I was already given my ‘special hamper’ – wine!

Unfortunately, I then started to discover signs of shoddy housekeeping and maintenance issues. The fridge was yellow in some door corners, the dining chairs had small curly hairs on it, the floor feels slightly sticky at some parts, the kitchenette sink has a big wound, the Nespresso machine sprouted yellow water during my 1st rinse, the toilet countertop is spotty, a small stain on one of the pillow cases, another stain on the loungey chair in the living room, the bedroom curtain bears a mysterious splotch, and finally, a corner of the wall came off. Phew.

I felt cheated by the photos on the website – perhaps its just good lightings? I mean, I understand that this is a well aged property but the above just made me think what else has NOT been done in terms of cleaning the space properly. Definitely did not feel like chilling in this room, especially when I start to think how long has the carpet in the living room has been neglected for. Eeeeee.

Breakfast – I understand that during pre-COVID times, breakfast was served at the Pacific Lounge from 7:00am – 10:30am. During my stay, even though dine-in has been allowed for those fully vaccinated, breakfast is served via a takeaway box which guests have to collect at the lobby lounge area. I was given the ‘menu’ chit during check in and it safe to say there is not much choice.

I was actually quite surprised when I collected it as its quite hefty – and what a spread it was when laid out. The mee siam gravy was actually quite nice. You can also ask for coffee if you want and the staff will grab for you to be packed together with your food.

Other Dining – the property does not offer any dining options but you may want to try those at their sister property Parkroyal Beach Road. I did not as I was busy stuffing my face with other stuff.

Facilities – the Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre are both located on level 21 and you have to book a slot and obtain your access card from the front desk. The rooftop pool is actually quite nice – okay-ish length and daybeds scatted alongside the corridors – but can be cold and windy during rainy weather. This area is also closed when its raining as the area is not sheltered.

The fitness centre is smallish but at least you get a view (of the swimming peeps too) when burning off those calories. There were 2 pax in there during my visit so I wasn’t able to take any better angle of the space without looking like I was taking photos of them.

Service – Nothing to complain about – staff do try their best to make your stay comfortable where they can. My request for additional bottled water was quickly attend to as well.

Check Out – Painlessly completed at 1130am on a weekday as I had a lunch to go to (also didn’t feel like staying beyond that). I highlighted some of the above issues and the staff acknowledged them – I hope this means they will fix them?

In Summary,

I am really quite disappointed at the condition of my room. While I stayed here really to check it off my list more than anything else, this property did not do the Pan Pacific brand justice and I could not justify paying full price – actually, even what I paid for feels overpriced. The website pics also led me to expect a far more luxurious experience than this.

It’s easy to blame the state of room on the way guests use serviced apartments versus hotels but if Oakwood Premier AMTD can manage, I’m sure a Pan Pacific can. It’s not the staff’s fault as they do try their best so I blame it on management for not enforcing a reputable standard.

I also think it could be a luck of draw as I understand that another friend has no issues with his room. Ah wells. But solely based on the above, I wouldn’t recommend anyone to stay here.