Three things I wish I had known when we arrived:
1) The beds are hewn from rock but you can ask for a mattress-topper. With which the bed became comfortable. So, one uncomfortable night then a good night’s sleep for the rest of the holiday;
2) 09.15 is not a good time to go to 3rd floor buffet restaurant Edge for breakfast. Nor anytime after 09.00. Unless you like long queues to be allocated a table. But 08.00-08.30 proved to be fine; and
3) The hotel will on request empty the minibar. Which matters as it is one of the annoying sort which charges you if you dislodge a can or bottle from its place - meaning you cannot use the minibar to store your own cold items.
One suggestion for improvement which I would make to the hotel concerns breakfast. Although the buffet is extensive covering hot and cold Western food and bakery, salads, and juices plus Chinese; Japanese; Malaysian; and Indian food stations, two things could be improved. These are: the fresh fruit selection which was generally only melon and dragon fruit, occasionally pineapple - this could be much more varied as evidenced by the wide range of fruits displayed in the supermarket; and the breads were mostly variants on white crusty loaves (or sliced basic bread for the toaster) - when, occasionally, an interesting loaf of bread arrived, such as tomato or squid ink, it was very...Three things I wish I had known when we arrived:
1) The beds are hewn from rock but you can ask for a mattress-topper. With which the bed became comfortable. So, one uncomfortable night then a good night’s sleep for the rest of the holiday;
2) 09.15 is not a good time to go to 3rd floor buffet restaurant Edge for breakfast. Nor anytime after 09.00. Unless you like long queues to be allocated a table. But 08.00-08.30 proved to be fine; and
3) The hotel will on request empty the minibar. Which matters as it is one of the annoying sort which charges you if you dislodge a can or bottle from its place - meaning you cannot use the minibar to store your own cold items.
One suggestion for improvement which I would make to the hotel concerns breakfast. Although the buffet is extensive covering hot and cold Western food and bakery, salads, and juices plus Chinese; Japanese; Malaysian; and Indian food stations, two things could be improved. These are: the fresh fruit selection which was generally only melon and dragon fruit, occasionally pineapple - this could be much more varied as evidenced by the wide range of fruits displayed in the supermarket; and the breads were mostly variants on white crusty loaves (or sliced basic bread for the toaster) - when, occasionally, an interesting loaf of bread arrived, such as tomato or squid ink, it was very quickly sliced up by the next few guests.
We were pleased with our choice of room - a balcony deluxe on the 13th floor. Plenty of space for hanging clothes and storing the suitcases. Excellent walk-in shower. Balcony very private (actually good for hanging any hand-washing of small items which you might choose to do). Partial view of the Marina. A second suggestion for improvement to make to the hotel - the two armchairs are way too low for comfortable sitting.
The hotel has a couple of excellent attributes which would make this a hotel we would recommend to friends:
1) The location is brilliant. Walkways from level 2 of the hotel direct into two malls (the larger, Suntec City, is extensive and has its own navigation app, and a good choice of restaurants including the super Din Tai Fung). Three minutes walk from the hotel door to Promenade MRT station which is on two lines with quick and cheap transport around Singapore. Ten minutes walk to the Esplanade Theatres or to the Helix Bridge. Six minutes walk to the Neuron e-scooter parking place by Makansutra Hawker Centre - if you have a good sense of balance, these are enormous fun, easily rented via the Neuron app, and a great way to circumnavigate the Marina or go to the Gardens by the Bay. Not allowed on roads but you may travel up to 15 kph on footpaths and up to 25 kph on cycle paths.
2) The swimming pool is excellent. Fairly quiet for a big hotel and we found that it was always possible to swim lengths unimpeded (along the diameter of the semicircle formed by the adult pool - around 25 metres, I’d guess). When we did spend time at the pool, we always managed to get two adjacent sunbeds. Note though that: the sun does not reach the pool area until about 11.30 because the hotel building blocks the early morning sun; and it is not deep - great in that most adults will never be out of their depth, less good if you like to swim actually under the water. There are changing rooms with lockers and showers. Iced water free from a dispenser - or there is a pool bar for drinks or snacks. A very nice place to spend the afternoon or just to “recuperate” before dinner after a busy day’s sightseeing.More
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