I never thought I’d do a staycay here. But the recent Amex offer for Bonvoy properties in Singapore changed my mid when I realized that I am still in time to clock double elite nights – 2×2 is always good!
After all, since I’ve managed to be impressed by an Ibis recently, perhaps I will be too by a Four Points?
Address – 382 Havelock Road, Singapore 169629. Website.
Contact – Tel: +65 67329922. Email: reservation@fourpointssingaporeriverview.com.
Location – this property is located in the Robertson Quay neighborhood which contains a varied cluster of eateries/restaurants serving the mostly high-end clientele. Nearest public transport is a bus stop right in front of the hotel with the nearest MRT station (Great World – TE15) not operational yet.
Price – $212++ per night for a Guest Room (King) = $499nett booked under the MMF rate. I know I know, but since we are not going to see the super value kind of pricing we’ve seen in 2021, might as well.
Pre-arrival – there wasn’t so much of a pre-arrival since I booked this a little last minute, but I did reach out to the property to confirm that the elite benefits for Titaniums:
- late check out of 4:00pm
- welcome amenities
- welcome gift of 500points or daily breakfast
- 1x complimentary drink at Best Brew – which applies to up to 4pax you invite ie 5pax total and everyone gets their 1st drink free. If you are solo, you get 2x drinks.
Check In – Both front desk were occupied when I arrive about 330pm on a weekday and it took a while for me to be attended to.
The paperwork took a long time than expected as I needed to settle my room charges using the Amex offer but eventually it was settled within 20mins. They also asked for a copy of my MMF authorization form for records. Besides that, there was no proactive communication about upgrades so I asked, and was told that they have a Riverview Room available but near to elevator which I was fine with.
Room – My Riverview Room (22SqM) 2130, was understandably basic and adequately decent but clean (very important!) – no frills and good enough for a short stay cum mattress run even though it reminds me of an Ibis instead.
The room actually felt more spacious than it is, everything in one square of sorts. The King bed is in full view as you enter, flanked by 2 bedside tables with powerpoints and lighting controls available.
The bed faces the wall-mounted TV and the same corner holds a length of WFHotel desk space with sufficient powerpoints that comes with a see-through pull out drawer space. 1x sanitizing wipe is placed alongside 2x bottled water as well.
The fridge and coffee / tea sachets with cups etc is below this space, and even has a kettle as well.
Nestled against the window is a daybed offering a “river view” where you can stalk the neighborhood from a height – this comes with day and night curtains of course which are both pleasantly quite clean and not dusty at all.
A open concept wardrobe is laid out beside the bed and has basic stuff like hairdryer, safe, (thin) slippers, and ironing board.
Then there’s the cosy bathroom with a single sink but generous countertop space, a toilet, and a standing shower space – on rainshower here and toiletries are Active Bodycare branded in pump dispensers. I used my balance toiletries from JW so cannot vouch for the quality. Also, I’m not sure if its for hygiene purposes but the toilet rolls and tissue box were brand new and I had to unbox and place them myself.
A welcome note was placed in my room on the first evening, and a small slice of cheesecake on my second, though I found it a bit odd that it was simply placed in the fridge without any note of sorts. I didn’t even realize it was there until I wanted to chill something in the fridge – but nice of them still.
Elite Happy Hour – Platinums and above get to enjoy a drink on the house at Best Brew from 6pm-8pm daily – the space is actually quite nice with cushy seats as well as “proudly serving” Starbucks coffee. There is even a Starbucks vending machine in the lobby for purchases too.
The policy here is that you get 2x drinks if you are solo, or invite up to 4pax and every of you 5pax gets the 1st drink free. I suppose the theory is that big groups will order some bar bites or finger food and possibly get a second round too? A platter of nuts, chips, and dried cranberries is served alongside your drink order as well. I tried wines and beers and my honest opinion is better stick to their beers! I also ordered bites during one evening and they were just but feels a little overpriced at $13.90++ each even with the Bonvoy 20%. Service can be haphazard but if its just touch & go, then no real issues.
Breakfast – served from 6am-10am at Four Points Eatery, no bookings is required for my stay but I understand that bookings will be required during peak periods. The place was surprisingly buzzing at 7:15am / 8:00am on weekdays!
Assisted buffet was the format for my first morning – a team of roving staff to take your desired items for you from a decent spread of local (nasi lemak, indian curries, porridge, prata), western options (eggs, sausage, bacon, hashbrown), and the cursory stuff (cold cuts, cheese, yoghurt, fruits, breads & pastries). The pot brewed coffee was a little weak but I made it through one cup. Quality & quantity was also quite decent. On my second morning, self service buffet is back so business as usual, and this meant the coffee machines dispensing good coffee was back in action, yays.
Facilities – I never knew there was a pool on level 5 and a gym on level 3 and floated by to check it out.
The pool is super old school, dotted with sunbeds along the length and an un-manned towel counter onsite. No view as per se so no excuse for being distracted. In one corner of the pool level is also 2x washing machines and 2x dryers for guests’ use if need be.
The gym turned out to be a commercial gym of sorts, called SYN-EN3RGY, where paying members of the public can also access so I couldn’t venture close enough for decent shots (scared I get beaten up).
Check Out – had to settle my Best Brew dining charges but still fuss free.
In Summary,
While I had a decent stay and the room was perfectly okay, I can’t help but feel that at its current price point, the property does not present attractive enough value for elites. Even with the MMF rate, I think topping up a little more for Courtyard Novena where you get potentially get a full dinner during elite hours could be worth it. But then again, I was here for mattress running so ah wells.