- The Rimowa Quest: Introduction
- Review: ANA First Class Chicago to Tokyo Narita
- Review: ANA Suite Lounge Tokyo Narita
- Review: Thai Airways First Class Tokyo Narita to Bangkok
- Review: Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Review: Singapore Airlines Silver Kris Lounge Bangkok
- Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class Bangkok to Singapore
- Review: W Sentosa Cove Singapore
- Review: Hilton Singapore
- Review: Singapore Airlines The Private Room
- Review: Singapore Airlines First Class Singapore to Seoul Incheon
- Review: Singapore Airlines Silver Kris Lounge Seoul Incheon
- Review: Singapore Airlines First Class Seoul Incheon to San Francisco
For our second and third nights in Singapore we decided to stay at the Hilton. For whatever reason just about everything in the city was sold out for the weekend, and the cheapest rates anywhere else seemed to be over $400USD per night. The Hilton, however, had rooms available using their “points and money reward” option, which cost 24,000 Honors points plus $122SGD per night. Not bad given what the alternatives were.
We took a taxi from the W Sentosa Cove in the early afternoon and arrived at the Hilton at around 2PM. The Hilton is located right in the center of the action on Orchard Road, and is a tired-looking building from the outside.
Hotel entrance
The lobby feels as generic as humanly possible. We proceeded to the reception desk, which is just inside the door on the right.
Hotel entrance
Lobby
Lobby
The agent working the reception desk was incredibly friendly. She acknowledged my Diamond status and explained the club lounge was closed due to renovations. Instead we’d get breakfast in the restaurant and appetizers in the lobby bar in the evening. We had two rooms, so she assigned them next to one another on the 21st floor.
Lobby and reception desk
Hotel directory
The hotel hallway felt “fresh,” though there was already a loud jackhammer noise in the hallway. It only got worse once we entered our rooms and realized we were directly below the club lounge, which was being renovated. So we headed back down to reception and explained that the rooms were too noisy. They were extremely apologetic, and instead assigned us rooms on the 12th floor. She apologized profusely that the rooms weren’t next to one another, though (as if we cared).
The 12th floor was also renovated.
Hallway
I was assigned room 1225, which was located about halfway down the hallway.
Room 1225
Room location
The room was pretty bland and standard. There was an entryway, and immediately to the left was the bathroom.
Entryway
The bathroom featured a single sink, toilet, and shower.
The toiletries were standard Hilton branded ones, which are pretty “bleh.”
Toiletries
Physically the room was reasonably nice, at least as far as “standard” renovated Hilton rooms go. The room had a comfortable king bed, a desk with a rolling chair, and a seat in the corner with an ottoman and side table.
Bedroom
King bed
Bedroom
Chair and ottoman
Desk
TV
The room featured views of some greenery and surrounding buildings.
View from room
There’s a rooftop swimming pool on the 24th floor of the hotel. There’s also a gym on the 23rd floor.
Rooftop pool
Pool
Pool and hotel
View from pool deck
View from pool deck
In the morning we had breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, Checkers.
Restaurant and bar
The spread is good compared to hotel restaurants in the US and Europe, though compared to most spreads in Asia I thought it was pretty sub-par, both in terms of variety and quality.
Restaurant
Restaurant
Cereals
Breakfast buffet
Water and fruit
Pancakes and french toast
Quiche and waffles
Breakfast buffet
Pastries
Bread display
Hash browns and bacon
Breakfast buffet
Samosas and naan
Dim sum and noodle bar
In the evenings a portion of Checkers was partitioned off for guests with executive lounge access, so I assume the spread was similar to what you’d find in the lounge. I took a look at the spread one night, though Singapore is such a phenomenal food city that I saved my appetite for places outside the hotel.
Temporary lounge in restaurant
Happy hour drinks
Hors d’oeuvres
Hors d’oeuvres
Dessert and fruit
Hot items
Before I mention my “beef” with the hotel, let me say that all the employees I interacted with were incredibly friendly. Almost too friendly.
Also, most people love staying on Orchard Road, since it’s sort of the 5th Avenue of Singapore with all kinds of amazing shopping, restaurants, etc. Personally I prefer to be near the Marina, because I far prefer the ambiance and restaurants of Clarke Quay, for example. So in terms of location I actually prefer the Conrad, which I realize puts my in the minority.
I won’t beat a dead horse, though there was something a bit off with the juju of the hotel. I wrote about it in this post. There are ceramic statues in front of the hotel, which are typically a bad sign about the history of a hotel.
Guardian statue
Guardian statue
Explanation sign
So of the hotels I’ve stayed at this was my least favorite and I wouldn’t return. The hotel itself is fine — it’s a generic Hilton — but as far as Hilton properties I prefer the usually similarly priced Conrad, and if I’m staying on Orchard Road I far prefer the St. Regis. But there was something about the “spirit” of the hotel (or more accurately, me listening to a couple too many stories about the hotel’s history) that prevented me from having a nice stay. Yeah, I realize I’m starting to go a bit nuts…
I think you should have checked out and raced back to the W. That place looks sensational (and apparently had better karma). But a dilemma--how does one smuggle the W's large (over 4 oz.) shampoo in one's carry-on? ;-)
I find the "bleh" Peter Thomas Roth toiletries to be better than any offered by the various upper-midscale brands that Hilton competes with. What are Marriott, Renaissance, Sheraton, Westin, Hyatt, et. al. using these days?
Omg another botched stay in Singapore. Anytime you are at the Hilton and you have any issues just tell the front desk you know Mr ong. usually good for an upgrade. you really don't seem to know your way around Singapore - or the real singapore
Two words where you should stay next time - Fullerton Hotel
As much as I like your blog, I just realised that you are clueless about international travel and culture. You need to worry less about the toiletries in a hotel and or the menu in when flying premium class and read more history and anthropology books. Get a real, more balanced life. Complaining about the statues in the front of the hotel is just pathetic. Sorry!
Agree definitely not as good as the Conrad, but given how dreadful some of the breakfast spreads are in US Hiltons (and in the case of NYC ones at comparable if not higher prices) I don't think it's that bad. I was a bit surprised about the ending of the article I must say - I'm afraid it does sound a little bitty nutty :-P
the breakfast spread looked pretty extensive to me...guess no ice cream or pizza ranks it lower.
@ Spanky -- LOL! Appropriate comment given your username.
Surprised you didn't see any of the "ambiance" that spills over from across the street - Orchard Towers. Can have a negative effect on the hotel.
Stayed at this hotel once last year. Like you I had also heard about the stories prior to my stay and thus also slept with the lights on. While the hotel itself is fine I didn't feel I would like to return. I don't really get how the hotel can charge the same rate as the Grand Hyatt nearby, which is so much better in every aspects. The location does command a premium but it is definetely not a five-star hotel like it always claims itself to be.
Lucky- a bit of movie trivia history- there was a Peter Bogdonavich film in 1979 (that was banned in Singapore till only recently) about an American (played by Ben Gazzara) who set up a whore house in Singapore (at what is now the York and Goodwood hotel grounds) to serve the american forces who where fighting in SE Asia at the time (paid for by American tax dollars of course). That Hilton was where he...
Lucky- a bit of movie trivia history- there was a Peter Bogdonavich film in 1979 (that was banned in Singapore till only recently) about an American (played by Ben Gazzara) who set up a whore house in Singapore (at what is now the York and Goodwood hotel grounds) to serve the american forces who where fighting in SE Asia at the time (paid for by American tax dollars of course). That Hilton was where he got pics of a visiting American senator using a local male prostitute... Anyway, it might be worth a watch on one of your next long trips... it's called Saint Jack.
I'm guessing Peter Bogdonavich was probably a bit before your time :)
WoW, someone went camera happy.. Nice. How was the weather? Was it super warmish? The food looks yummy
We recently spent several nights at the Hilton and several at the Sheraton nearby. We found the Hilton to be very pleasant, clean and comfortable, and loved the breakfast in Checkers. Could it be that you are becoming incredibly spoiled ;-)
...one more thing... PCB13 discount code worked for me at the Conrad Centennial... :D
The Conrad Centennial is absolutely better than this Hilton... I was contemplating choosing Hilton over the Conrad but decided to change and now that I see this post, I am glad I chose to stay at the Conrad last year. Room, lounge, view, food and services are excellent!
Only reason I think the Hilton is the same category as the Conrad is the location...Conrad is hands down better in everything else in my opinion.
I just got back from 8 nights at this hotel. I did not get the "off" vibe you got but I can say it could have been a Hilton in any city in the world. It was fine as a work hotel, but if I was coming back for pleasure, it would not be my first choice.
"Yeah, I realize I’m starting to go a bit nuts…"
Just a bit?