Around the World in a Week, Part Six: The Grand Hyatt Singapore

Around The World In A Week

More from this series:

• Around the World in a Week, Part One: The Planning Process
• Around the World in a Week, Part Two: TPA-IAD on United in First Class, Lufthansa Senator Lounge IAD
• Around the World in a Week, Part Three: IAD-NRT on ANA in First Class
• Around the World in a Week, Part Four: ANA First Class Lounge NRT and NRT-SIN on Singapore Airlines in First Class
• Around the World in a Week, Part Five: The Crowne Plaza Changi
• Around the World in a Week, Part Six: The Grand Hyatt Singapore
• Around the World in a Week, Part Seven: Singapore
• Around the World in a Week, Part Nine: BKK-NRT on Thai in First Class, NRT-ICN on United in First Class
• Around the World in a Week, Part Ten: The Hyatt Regency Incheon Airport
• Around the World in a Week, Part Eleven: The Park Hyatt Seoul
• Around the World in a Week, Part Twelve: Seoul
• Around the World in a Week, Part Thirteen: Asiana First Class Lounge ICN, ICN-FRA on Asiana in First Class
• Around the World in a Week, Part Fourteen: The InterContinental Frankfurt
• Around the World in a Week, Part Fifteen: Lufthansa First Class Terminal and FRA-SEA on Lufthansa in First Class
• Around the World in a Week, Part Sixteen: Conclusion

While cabs in Singapore are relatively cheap, I decided to take the subway to the city. Singapore must have one of the most efficient subway systems in the world. Despite needing to transfer twice, I made it to the Grand Hyatt about 30 minutes after leaving the Crowne Plaza, for a mere $1.80SGD, or about $1.30USD.

The hotel is only two blocks from the Orchard Road subway station, which is quite convenient. The exterior of the hotel is rather rundown.

Hotel exterior

The lobby made a much nicer impression, and did indeed feel more “grand.”

Lobby

The reception desk is located towards the elevators, where I was immediately helped.

Reception

The agent explained that the room they had reserved for me wasn’t available yet, but they could put me in a different room on the 8th floor with a pool view instead. He mentioned it was far from the elevators. Given that I just wanted to check in and explore Singapore, I went with that option. The agent informed me I would have access to the Grand Club, which is on the 15th floor. It’s worth noting that I redeemed a Hyatt “Big Welcome Back” night for my stay, which is a great value at this property, as the revenue rate was around $450SGD.

My room was in the back tower, so I proceeded down the long hallway to the elevators.

Hallway

Tropical elevator area

I had to enter my key to access the 8th floor, as seemed to be the case for all floors. Once on the 8th floor the hallways were fresh and I headed towards my room, 892. As it turns out it was indeed the last room on the floor, so it was quite a hike.

Elevator area

Hallway

The room itself was somewhat unique in that it had wood floors. You don’t see that very often in hotels. The room was a decent size, with a king bed, desk overlooking the pool, and good sized bathroom with tub and shower. The room had a bit of an odor, though.

Room entrance

Floor plan

Room

TV

Desk overlooking pool

View from desk area

View of bathroom

Sink

Shower and tub

Toilet

As a Diamond I get free internet, and both the wireless and wired internet are free. Unfortunately the wireless is extremely slow, so I had to use the wired internet.

As you can see from the view from my room, the pool is quite nice with plenty of lounge chairs. And the gym was really nice as well (proud to say I visited it once).

The Grand Club is located on the 15th floor, and I visited one evening for evening cocktails, which are served from 6PM to 8PM, and for breakfast, which is served from 6:3AM to 10:30AM. The club itself is quite large, though it doesn’t really boast any views, which is often one of the nicest things about lounges.

Grand Club

Evening spread

In the evening beverages are served by the wait staff, while there’s a buffet set up with cheese, vegetables, a couple of two hot dishes, shrimp, salad, sushi, etc. Overall it was a decent spread by Hyatt standards, though a bit sub-par to most of the international InterContinental club lounges I’ve used.

Evening snacks

Dessert

The morning spread was a bit more disappointing, with breads, pastries, cereals, yogurt, fruit, and scrambled eggs. Overall it was sufficient but nothing spectacular.

Breakfast spread

Breakfast

The Diamond welcome amenity was a box of chocolates and a couple of apples (which I had to follow up on to receive). Now maybe I’m confused, but I was under the impression that as a Diamond you get a food AND beverage amenity at international Hyatt properties, not a food OR beverage amenity. Ultimately I probably wouldn’t have consumed the bottle of wine, but it just seems to be very inconsistent at international properties. At least a bottle of water would be nice.

Diamond welcome amenity

Would I return to the hotel? Using a free night certificate, absolutely, but otherwise I’d go back to the InterContinental, which I stayed at last time. It’s nicer and typically priced cheaper than the Grand Hyatt.