I have been to Singapore a couple of times but each time there has always been something I wanted to go back and see. Therefore, I find myself with a couple of days here before I start my journey back to the UK.
Another hotel booking moved from IHG to Hilton - this time to the Conrad. Hilton have 2 hotels in Singapore but I picked this one as the lounge is supposed to be very good (don't forget I get free Lounge access with my Diamond Hilton card) and it is in the Marina area which is where I wanted to go back to.
Taxi
Taxis in Singapore are a really easy and cheap - very safe too so no need for hotel car here!
Check in
The lady checking me in was superb - she was super friendly and when looking at my passport realized I was checking in on my birthday - a big hug and happy birthdays followed - really sweet. I was soon dispatched to my upgraded Executive room overlooking the Marina - despite booking the cheapo economy room in the basement!
I got delivered a lovely little birthday cake, a hand written card and some chocolates from the expensive store in the hotel.
Room
I booked a King Classic room and got a King Executive overlooking the Marina - what a view. I could see the Singapore Flyer, Raffles and pretty much all the sights I wished for. The bed was huge and super comfy (although no pillow choice...!). Wall to wall views of Singapore Marina was the best part.
The bathroom was also very good with a separate shower and bath (plus Conrad duck).
If I had a complaint is that is was quite a warm room with the expanse of windows and the dial on the air con appeared to do nothing!
Amenities
These were Aromatherapy Associates and were a great size. Plus they were refilled daily despite me obviously snaffling them away. I ended up with enough to do me until Christmas!
Executive Lounge
This lounge had a great view - it was on the 31st floor and had all around views. The food and drink selection was also great - snacks changed every evening. I would not put it in the outstanding category as some reviews had given it but it was a great location and did the job nicely. I could not get any proper champagne though – despite asking for it by name. Maybe the hotel no longer serves it in the lounge?
Restaurants
For my birthday I decided to venture out of the lounge and treat myself to a proper meal - so I went to the Golden Peony which was a highly thought about Chinese restaurant in the hotel. When there is a McLaren F1, Ferrari and Maserati in the parking spot for this place, you know you are in good/expensive company!
I ordered the lobster hot and sour soup and that was outstanding - very tasty! For mains I had a chicken and cashew nuts with chili sauce - again that was wonderful. Then the restaurant brought me a desert for my birthday - it was absolutely disgusting but I had to eat it as the staff were all watching and cheering. I cannot describe the horror of this - chilli sauce (looked like jam) with a salty dumping that had a fig something in the middle. This took all my acting to look happy to eat. A lovely thought, just not to my taste at all!
For breakfast, I could eat in the Executive Lounge or Oscars - their dining buffet restaurant. On the first day I chose Oscars - big mistake. It was packed and very disorganized! I queued while a girl asked me 5 times if I wanted to eat outside - still no - and then proceeded to forget about me while seating others! Once I got seated they poured me an orange juice which was average but they were stingy with the portions. The buffet itself was pretty expansive - but they did not seem to be able to keep up with the amount of people wanting fed. I asked for a vegetarian omelet - which came with ham. Poor show if I had actually been vegetarian. I also tried to have some of the savory stuff but those bowls were constantly empty - so good for the diet I guess. It was just manic and in the end I left fed up. The following day I had breakfast in the Executive Lounge and that was a far better affair. No omelet but the rest was all good and eaten in a peaceful environment.
The hotel had a busy vibe to it - a lot of conference people as there is a conference center just across the road. It is well placed for the marina and things like the Singapore Flyer and the Gardens on the Bay - and the F1 track if you are so inclined to visit during that period! I have previously stayed in the Intercontinental Singapore and that was outstanding - a beautiful building and rooms. I have also stayed at the Crowne Plaza at the airport - another wonderful hotel. In all honesty - I would probably go back to either of these rather than the Conrad in future. Just a bit too corporate for me!