In general I’m a big fan of the Andaz brand. After Park Hyatt, it’s my second favorite Hyatt brand. Andaz properties mostly have modern and minimalist designs that I quite like, so I’m excited when new Andaz properties open.
The new Andaz Singapore opens later this year, and looks promising to me. Singapore is a hotel market I have a hard time getting excited about. There are a decent number of points properties, but none that I really love, so I’m hoping that the Andaz will be as nice as it looks, in which case it may be my new go-to hotel in Singapore.
I’m planning to be in Singapore twice early next year (in hopes of flying Singapore’s new A380 Suites Class), so I figured I’d book in a couple of flexible stays at the Andaz. I looked up the number of points required, and was pleasantly surprised. I had the choice between a free night redemption for zero points, or a Points + Cash redemption for zero points plus 210SGD.
After careful deliberation, I decided that I’d be willing to forgo the elite qualifying nights, and decided to book a free night award (in this case, quite literally a “free night” award). The next page showed a “summary of charges,” and confirmed the rate. So did the confirmation page, after booking.
But alas, when I checked my Hyatt account, 25,000 points had been deducted. So it appears as if this is a Category 6 property, and no one is getting a free stay here. 😉
At the rate of 25,000 points per night I’d rather make a revenue booking, and I suspect the price of those will only go down. As of now there are only “standard rates,” though I imagine they’ll also eventually have some promo rates available.
So yeah, if you’re eyeing a stay at the Andaz Singapore, don’t get too excited about the seemingly great value of redeeming points…
If you're into local culture, try Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong. Location ain't fantastic in terms of public transport but it's near enough to the airport and town by taxi/Uber and it's in a heritage district with much good local food. Hotel itself has much local touches and modern conveniences including infinity pool, rain shower, round bathtub in Suite room etc.
I would add to the mix the Sofitel So beside Lau Pa Sat in the CBD – for those that need to be in that part of town for work or whatever else it is a very nice boutique option in an area without many of those
@John - Grand Hyatt is a good location up near the main junction of Orchard and Scotts Road, so close by to shopping. I personally find the hotel a bit dated though.
@Alvin - Le Meridien is the old Movenpick hotel I believe; it's just a rebranded older property and not "new" per say.
@Lucky - The Andaz is in a great location in Bugis in a brand new mixed use development called...
@John - Grand Hyatt is a good location up near the main junction of Orchard and Scotts Road, so close by to shopping. I personally find the hotel a bit dated though.
@Alvin - Le Meridien is the old Movenpick hotel I believe; it's just a rebranded older property and not "new" per say.
@Lucky - The Andaz is in a great location in Bugis in a brand new mixed use development called Duo (shops, offices, condos, etc.). It's also next to the Arab quarter which has Haji Lane which is incredibly cool with a lot of local boutiques and coffee shops.
There's also a spectacular cocktail bar called Atlas in the New York Art Deco "Batman Building" next door to Andaz (actual name is Parkview Square but we locally refer to it as the Batman Building). Atlas has over 1000 gins in stock and a three story tower of alcohol in a building with decor that fits in in the Great Gatsby more so than somewhere in Asia.
You could also try the W Sentosa Cove if you want something different and out of the city. It's down near the ritziest marina in town and some of the most expensive houses in Singapore.
I also second @David about the Warehouse Hotel. Cool space. The forthcoming Duxton Club (former Berjaya hotel) is also opening in November and an SPG property. Should be good as they've been renovating it for over a year.
+1 @ David's recommendation.
The Warehouse hotel opened earlier in the year as an independent boutique hotel, but just joined Design Hotels and SPG. It is right across from Robertson Quay, so great location with lots of restaurants to choose from. Another SPG option, the Four Points Sheraton is also a 2 minute walk from the Warehouse hotel. Not the best SPG option in town, but in a good location nevertheless.
The Intercontinental...
+1 @ David's recommendation.
The Warehouse hotel opened earlier in the year as an independent boutique hotel, but just joined Design Hotels and SPG. It is right across from Robertson Quay, so great location with lots of restaurants to choose from. Another SPG option, the Four Points Sheraton is also a 2 minute walk from the Warehouse hotel. Not the best SPG option in town, but in a good location nevertheless.
The Intercontinental Robertson Quay is right across the Singapore river as well, it will open later this year, reservation already open it seems.
http://theshutterwhale.com/blog/2017/4/5/intercontinental-singapore-robertson-quay-now-taking-reservations-from-01-september-2017
I am living in Singapore, Tiong Bahru neighboorhood, which has an awesome selection of different cafes and is in walking distance from the Warehouse hotel (or just Uber it), go check it out Lucky!
@Lucky I think you would enjoy the new Warehouse Hotel that opened not too long ago. It's a nice, modern Starwood design hotel.
Andaz Singapore is located at a pretty good location.
Short walking distance to 2 different subway (MRT) line.
Hotel stays in Singapore are generally more costly as compared to the rest of South East Asia. Anything below 300SGD for a 5 star hotel is a pretty decent price.
Hotel Vagabond seems like a decent Starwood Tribute Portfolio option, it would be a really interesting read if you ended up trying it out for your other stay. If you're staying for multiple nights, the Le Meridien Sentosa seems intriguing too. Just throwing them out there for you to have a look...
Hotel Vagabond. Without hesitation. Service is top tier. Hotel is quirky in all the right ways. Excellent bar. Well appointed rooms. Oh and SPG.
Can anyone comment on the location for a first time visitor to Singapore? Was thinking about booking the Grand Hyatt as an alternative.
@SINJim guess its a UX bug and the booking engine knows the right points..seems like they should fix the site to show correctly then. Thanks for checking, I have >25K points so couldn't try it myself but if it had worked I'm sure I could have found some friends to open an account and make some "free night" reservations :)
@ryan. I have 21,700 points so I tried to book for zero points and on the last page it said, "something went wrong."
Wonder what would happen if someone had <25K points in their account, if the booking at 0 would go through still...;)