Took up the opportunity to have a quick getaway at one of my favorite staycay spots during COVID times and stacked this with some expiring credits to burn via an OTA. Double yays. Fond memories from my previous experience made me super excited to come back – and this stay ended up to be one with many “first”.

Address – 190 Orchard Boulevard Singapore 248646. Website.

Contact – Tel: +65 67341110. Email: reservations.sin@fourseasons.com.

Location – nothing has changed of course – the property is somewhat a neighbour to Hilton and is now a closer walk to Orchard MRT with a new station exit completed in the last 2 years. Still an unsheltered walk though so umbrellas can be obtained from the hotel’s bell desk as you walk out.

Price – The rate was a staggering SGD$740 for a King Club Room for 1pax (price is different if 2pax) booked via a travel site I had expiring credits with so it was “only” a cash outlay of SGD$420 for this stay. Not too bad considering it is supposed to be one of the best club lounges in Singapore.

Pre-arrival – 3 days out, I recieved a generic pre-arrival email. I also emailed the hotel to request for early check in at 12nn, late check out at 3pm, as well as shamelessly ask for a complimentary plushie to add to my hotel plushie collection. The times were subject to availability but the plushie was accorded. YAY.

The team also sent a greeting via the Four Seasons app after I did the online check in which I thought was quite proactive of them

Getting There – Arrived via a private hire on a weekend close to 11am and the driveway was busy so there was no door opening nor assistance with luggage.

Check In – I was immediately checked in, and super happy that my room was ready on the spot – a great stray to a chillax staycay! The staff was very efficient, and I was heading to my room in no time. I also realized I had not taken any pics of the hotel lobby and its surroundings but no loss as well since nothing much has changed.

Room – I was accorded Club King Rom, City View (49SqM), 1701, and was right by the elevators but no issues with noise as far as I recall. The room was as awesome as I remembered from 2021 in mostly mint condition and very well maintained. Shall not repeat my review but great room and great space for a solo staycay – the kind of room I can stay in the whole day.

Mini bar was well stocked with expensive stuff with some not displaying any prices (sneaky!) and thankfully multiple complimentary water for drinking.

Bathroom was similarly still awesome though I have to point out that of the shower parts in the bathroom was falling out although still operable. Toiletries saw a new brand too – it was Grown Alchemist ones (bye bye L’Occitane I miss you).

Later in the afternoon, some treats were delivered to my room with a welcome note which I thought was a nice touch.

I also came back to my room that evening to find the promised Lion mascot sitting patiently on the bed. Awww thank you!

Four Seasons Executive Club Lounge – this was my KPI for this staycay and my first ever Four Seasons Club experience. Saw rave reviews about it from many respectable travel gurus so I (and my appetite) was really geared up and ready to go!

The club is located at a corner of level 3 where the gym, pool, and a casual cafe called The Pool House was located. This meant there was one reception for all these facilities and no dedicated team for the Club which was kind of weird (more on that later).

The space itself was surprisingly small, with perhaps 7 tables of 4pax total indoors (not sure of the outdoor seats are part of the lounge) – in a classy / intimate ambience of sorts complete with awesome sofa seats and TV screen to chillax with.

The F&B area is set up on one end of the space, with all-day refreshments and snacks available daily from 11am to 10pm – simple snacks like nuts, fruits, coffee, tea, and non alcoholic drinks were available.

But what I wasn’t told is that wines, champagnes etc which were set up in a fridge alongside the non-alcoholic options were available all day too – so I ‘wasted’ 2 hours of not knowing this. Sobz.

This selection saw 4 whites, rose, a Prosecco, and Ruinart Brut, beers – all day. I think the only other club lounges in Singapore where I’ve seen alcohol on offer all day is Ritz and Mandarin Oriental which I still have fond memories of.

Club guests have a choice of having breakfast in the club from 6:30am-10:30am or One Ninety which has a full buffet spread which I opted for but I tried the rest of the sessions:

Afternoon Tea (2:30pm-4:30pm)

This was served in a tier and saw a handful of savory / sweet selections alongside some scones which were sadly not the best I’ve tried so I’d say this was only average.

Evening Cocktails (5:30pm-8:30pm) or Gin’O’Clock

This session is where the Club completely exceeded my expectations – I saw quality proteins instead of cheap carb fillers presented in small plated bites: beef cubes, stingray, tofu, scallops, char siew, alongside awesome butter chicken, cold appetisers, a selection of sweets, and even some fruits.

BUT the star of the night were caviar on offer – CAVIAR. Never have I seen this on offer at any Club Lounges and I could not believe it – I later found out that this is on rotation so definitely not an everyday affair so I think I pretty much lucked out. They also actively replenished the tin so I unabashedly finished 6 whole tins of it by myself. I mean I was the ONLY pax throughout (also first time for me) and I supposed someone had to appreciate the food? Heh.

During this session, red wines, different gins were also brought out alongside other spirts where you are welcome to attempt to make your own or simply order from the staff. There was also pre-made Espresso Negroni which I didn’t know how to appreciate.

I do have to highlight though that I found the service system really weird here. I suspect the property was going for the whole living room vibe hence the thought process is for guest to help themselves to whatever was available ie self-service. Maybe so they don’t seem intrusive?

In any case, this meant there was no dedicated staff in the Club Lounge and instead, I soon realized that I had to walk out of the lounge and approach the central reception for level 3 if I wanted service outside of the sporadic walk-throughs by the team. My 3rd “first time” during this staycay was having to open an entirely new botte of Ruinart by myself when I wanted more bubbles.

This was made more strange by the fact there was no coffee machine / tea available for self-serve in the space which meant even requests for that meant having to walk out of the space to be able to get one. When staff did appear, the service was awesome though.

I couldn’t understand what the positioning was – its not that I cannot get my own drinks but at this price point, I expect a certain level of service which I felt was lacking in this Club Lounge.

Facilities – I didn’t revist their pools but took time to properly enjoy their Fitness Centre which was hands down the prettiest and well-equipped hotel gym I’ve ever come across.

Apart from the most gorgeous gym entrance ever, the space itself is huge and has an enormous selection of machines to fit in more than a proper workout. The equipment was super well maintained and kept so clean that I spent a good 2 hours there one my check in day, then another hour on the next. I’d have no issues working out every day if this was my every day gym!

I also managed to try to the steam room and sauna which was a new experience as these weren’t functioning when I stayed in 2021 – great strong steam indeed!

Breakfast @ One Ninety – served from 6:30am-10:30am, the space was still quite peaceful at 8:00am on a Sunday. The space itself has also benefitted from the renovations and now carries the same bright garden theme with spaciously set out tables – a welcome change from the usual hurried ambience of other major chains.

The spread itself I thought was great – not the largest but rather focused on providing a moderated selection of quality food presented in a classy (non-mass market) set up.

I appreciated that the egg selection is via a printed egg menu, ordered tableside and served to your table which makes the breakfast experience somewhat nicer. I went for the Truffle Eggs en Cocotte and while I couldn’t really taste the truffle pieces in it for some reason, fresh fried eggs can’t go too wrong.

Memorable picks from the spread were the cutest-ever dino tuna mayo toasts, a delicious detox green juice, and white passion fruits from the kitchen.

Service – apart from the weird Club Lounge service system, the rest of my experience was very good, from concierge who offered me printed info on the nearest Yakun, to quick and accommodating requests via the in-app chat. The property also very kindly accorded me a 4pm late check out when I requested.

Check Out – seamlessly done at 4pm on a Sunday.

In Summary,

Great to finally tick a Four Seasons Club experience off on home ground, and despite the blip about service at the Club, the top notch F&B offered in the evening more than made up for it!