This was an impromptu staycay due to my expiring D$ and I figured why not since the refurbished rooms looks really great on sites I’ve visited. So off I went to have another whirlwind stay! I last visited the property in 2022 and it has since been refurbished extensively including some of the F&B so I was keen to float by these spots too to see what the exciting renovations are about.

Address –7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square Singapore 039595. Website.

Contact – Tel: +65 63368111. Email: enquiry.ppsin@panpacific.com.

Location – Located in the heart of the Marina area with sheltered access to Marina Square, Millennia Walk, and Suntec City, this property is super convenient for shopping, eating, and getting around via the Promenade Station (CC4 / DT15) which is a quick 5-mins walk away through Millennia Walk.

Price – $298++ = $350nett booked under the 11.11 Flash Sale for a Deluxe Room and I intended to use my D$ to offset the final bill. According to the GHA app, I figured a double upgrade will accord me an Executive Marina Bay Room which comes with access to Studio 26, a dedicated self-service space on the hotel’s 26th floor offering all-day refreshments.

Pre-Arrival – I reached out to the hotel to confirm on the double upgrade category (if successful) and to my disappointment was told that a double upgrade will only accord me the Premier Marina Bay Room – essentially the same room but without access to Studio 26. So I checked the property’s website and realized its because there is a “Deluxe Panoramic Room” category which is not listed in the GHA App. Bummer.

About 5days prior, I also received an invite to complete an online check in but clicking on the link ended up to a page where I was asked for passport details which I didn’t want to do so I abandoned the process.

Main Lobby – I stepped into refreshed lobby and was very impressed with the new look which in my opinion looks like a mix of Shangri-La and Changi Airport. But nonetheless very pretty indeed.

Check In – The main check in area had also been refreshed and carries the same classy atas vibe. I approached the 3 lengths of desks and was told that there is a wait to check in (ah those guys sitting by the side are all waiting) and to take a seat.

I asked if there is a special check in for Discovery members and was pointed to a private area with the words “VIP/Discovery Members Lounge” on the outside – this looks way better than its former life!

After a quick wait, I was attended to, thanked for being a Titanium member, informed that my 2-tier upgrade would have landed me a Premier Marina Bay Room but they were sold out (this checked out correct on the app so its fine). I was then offered a 1-tier upgrade to the Deluxe Panoramic Room but informed that this room type is not refurbished so I decided to decline. I also settled my room bill on the spot, using D$102 (=SGD137) so my total payment was for SGD212.

Room – I was assigned Deluxe Room 1523 and made my way via the inwards elevator – only floors 22nd and above gets to take the outwards bubble ones (boo) – into my 38SqM bright and modern room!

Everything in the room looked had a modern vibe, starting with the open concept wardrobe + mini bar space to the left of the hallway. It has the quintessential stuff, with the Nespresso capsules being the industrial type, and a fully stocked fridge.

The bedroom space is a spacious square of king bed (love the pop of green colors on the bed) accompanied by generously sized bedside tables with charging porta and lighting controls on both sides.

For chilling purposes, there is a couch + coffee table by the window offering views of the neighboring malls, as well as a wall-mounted TV above a work desk of sorts + chair.

Unfortunately, the gap behind the seat of the couch was peppered with food crumbs when I did my routine wipe – I had to leave the room soon after so I only called when I left the property to request for housekeeping to come by for a thorough cleanup and it looked done when I came back to my room thereafter, with the cushions neatly re-arranged.

In the name of being eco-friendly, complimentary water is provided in the form of refillable glass bottles and refill is via a drinking water tap in the bathroom.

Speaking of the the bathroom, its is surprisingly new-ish looking! Had assumed that bathrooms in general don’t get a lot of love from refurbishments in general. The design though is a tad unique – first time I’m seeing a luggage rack space inside the bathroom? The shower and toilet are in separate sections which was useful for multi-tasking within the cosy space.

Amenities were adequate and toiletries are pump-sized Balmain branded ones, but the body lotion was still the small tube.

The hairdryer packaging is also one of the fanciest I’ve seen – nestled in a luxurious brown box ready to be unboxed.

Lastly, I only realized I was missing my Titanium welcome amenity the next day and called to inquire about it and to their credit it came quick enough while I was out hunting for breakfast.

That same night, my TV refused to work and I had to call for someone to come fix it – and they did though still a glitch in what would have been a winding down night.

I later also spotted a mysterious stain on the outside of the door.

I so have to say as well, the view from the room is not so bad at certain times.

Refurbished F&B – I didn’t try any of them as this was a room-only stay but there is a new cocktail bar called Plume (website) which opens from 5pm-1am daily (food & drinks / cocktail menu) – couldn’t take pics as the place was closed at the time of my arrival.

Then there is Pacific Emporium (website) which opens from 8am-11pm daily (menu) – this used to be Pacific Marketplace which wasn’t super impressive and served expensive local food. After the facelist, it now serves a wider variety of nosh and the seating area transformed into a place which I would actually like to visit for coffee albeit an expensive one.

Service – Should have been a rather straightforward experience but not so, with the small unfortunate service blips. In particular, I don’t think elites should have had to ask for their welcome amenity – such things should by now be a standard SOP for a luxury hotel. I was also surprised that there was no service recovery for the sofa cleanliness incident – I mean I know it’s an area which is too easily neglected but should not have happened in a 5-star property in my opinion.

Check Out – Did an express check out as there were no one at the Discovery desk.

In Summary,

cannot decide if this is a “decent” way to knock off my expiring D$ but it is what it is but I did leave the properly feeling like it has nothing much going for it except the refurbished rooms.