This is one of Singapore’s newest luxury hotel which opened its door just before Christmas. The entire hotel isn’t entirely completed just yet so this soft-opening has only added some 300 rooms to Marina Bay area but once completed, it will be a mega property with some 600 rooms and several more restaurants and bars!
Those who know me well would know that I have always been a die-hard Hilton loyalist but I could not resist checking this new property out – and so I did. The hotel certainly has a WOW factor because as the cab pulls into the porte-cochère, I was greeted by a very large water fountain and a huge floor to ceiling digital art display. I was promptly escorted to the reception desk and was quick to notice that this was an arty-farty hotel which would resemble a Marriott Edition or Autograph Collection hotel.
My room was not ready when I checked-in. As I was a Marriott Rewards Gold Elite member, I was then escorted to the Executive Lounge on the second level. It was a very comfortable lounge but my only complaint is the lack of comfy sofas! In my opinion, there were way too many dining chairs. The coffee was excellent, and whilst the range of snacks were limited, it isn’t too often that one finds a live kitchen and fruit juice bar (or wall!) in an Executive Lounge of a hotel.
Way too many uncomfortable chairs in the lounge! It does little to make the lounge cosy and comfortable. Way too ‘hard’ if you get what I mean.
Limited selection of cakes and sweets.
My favourite “room” in the lounge! A small private area in the middle of the room where you can hold some ‘private’ informal meetings.
A rarity in hotel lounges – a LIVE kitchen!
I had just enough time to take a few photos before a lady then escorted me to my room. Won’t bore you with details but I shall let the photos do the talking….
This must be the highlight of the room! Very thoughtful.
Early the next morning, I woke up early because I was very eager to check out the infinity pool. It sure did not disappoint – nothing beats a chilly dip in tropical Singapore with a view to match. It was so relaxing, I could have sat in the pool in the pool all day.
Instead of breakfast at the lounge, I went to the main restaurant – Beach Road Kitchen. The restaurant was huge and the buffet spread was amazing. It had a “provision store” concept where items were placed in different sections on a wall.
The hotel is not fully operational just yet and the team is probably still too new to deliver the best of Marriott hospitality. There were a few hiccups but I am guessing they were just teething problems. I can’t wait to return to check out the new restaurants when they open later this year!
