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I've stayed at the Westin and eaten at the Laguna. Based on the little I've seen of it I concur - at the same rate it's a no-brainer unless you're traveling with young children (in which case the Westin has a waterslide etc... but since they're right next door you could just walk in and use it either way!).

With respect to the Westin Singapore vs JW South Beach, South Beach is much more in the heart of things - the Westin is located in the new financial district and there isn't much to do there as a tourist. Westin is a short walk from Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands, but South Beach isn't much further from those and is much nearer to a huge assortment of places to eat and shop, and is very near public transport as well.

Zorak

This came up on the SPG site for me today -- isn't it about time they updated this misleading photo?

Still a great pool though.

vg247

How is the location, lounge breakfast benefits and Platinum recognition here compared to the Sheraton Singapore?

We have been to Singapore a few times and have only stayed at the Sheraton - enjoy being close to Orchard Road, close to central dining options but found that we cab a lot anyway and would appreciate to know if this hotel is worthy of trying.

I'm seeing that using points is the equivalent of the St Regis as well, so if that's the case I may stay at the St R (currently booked already at Sheraton)

Many thanks for your valued feedback experienced guests..

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My two cents:

Pros of staying at the Westin:
It has a lounge and much better views, and in my limited experience/anecdotally, better upgrades for plats. The pool is a nice touch. It's close to Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands if you're into that.

Cons:
It's further from most things (apart from GbtB and MBS and the Financial Centre)

Pros of staying at StR:
The room amenities and fittings (e.g. toiletries, bathtubs) are much more luxe (vs the standard Westin amenities), butler service (if you like it), much better breakfast including whatever the local bloody mary was called, and you can walk to Orchard Road, closer to most other things as well.

Cons:
Generally poorer upgrade track record? No lounge?

Pros of staying at the Sheraton:
It's cheaper than the other two? Not too far from decent food.

Cons:
Rooms are dated to say the least. Lounge and breakfast offerings are inferior to Westin and breakfast is far inferior to StR.

Between the Westin and the StR if you're using points and enjoy being close to Orchard Road I'd stay at the StR any day. Between Westin and Sheraton I'd say it depends on how price sensitive you are.

Hope this helps!

vg247

Most extremely helpful sir, thank you very much. How's the Westin lounge breakfast compared to Sheraton for Platinums as a perk, is the food quite varietal or just the plain continental breakfast? From their website, it sounded like just a plain lounge and not full extravagant breakfast venue like at other SPG's in Asia..

We are up to trying new places and the Westin is a contender if it's more likely to provide upgrades, we wouldn't mind having to travel further if staying here as we cab everywhere mostly anyway.

Then at similar price points the St Regis is tempting if the upgrades and breakfast perks are anything like the St Regis Osaka for example.

Starwood Lurker

Curiosity has gotten the better of me, so I need to ask, "What is it about this photo that is misleading?

TIA

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, LLC

[email protected]

Zorak

There's now a large building in the way I don't have a photo of my own, but there's one near the bottom of this review from August 2016 (construction was still ongoing during my visit in January):

http://theshutterwhale.com/blog/2016...e-premier-room

(search for "Outdoor Infinity Pool")

vg247

Yikes, there goes the view- thanks for the pix Zorax

jaejaez

Based on your comments so far, I would pick the St. Regis.

1. Better breakfast
2. Unlikely to upgrade but their standard rooms are quite spacious and well appointed (although some here don't like the color palette etc)
3. Good location near Orchard road and Botanical Gardens

The only downside for me is the lack of lounge and the seemingly lackluster evening drinks (if it is still there at all). Otherwise, it is a luxurious property with great facilities (don't miss the Sauna) and one of the better butler service programs I've seen.

vg247

Thank you, Jae- we never had any bad experiences from St Regis hotels so I'll give that a thought.

1readyset2go

Looking to book here right around the time of CNY (Feb of 2018). Not sure how much that will impact a stay?

My other question is the differences between Deluxe, Premier and Grand Premier rooms. I am gold if that matters. I was going to book on points which is 20k per night for the standard room. I am seriously considering the Grand Premier if others thought it to be a bit nicer or have a superior view. Its only a few thousand point difference and this is for a vacation with the wife and we would love to have a nice view.

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I think the location depends on what you're after. The Westin is great for visiting the Marina Bay area (including Gardens by the Bay & Marina Bay Sands), financial district and Chinatown area.

The Sheraton and StR are near Orchard Road. StR is in my view better located at one end of Orchard Road and near the Botanic Gardens. Orchard Towers is right around the corner which may be a minus to some. Sheraton is closer to public transport (Newton MRT), but not near much of note itself (apart from Newton Hawker Centre, which is a terribly overpriced tourist trap and best avoided unless you have a local friend who can help you navigate it). Again, not very useful since you'll probably take a cab; I've found it slightly easier to get cabs at the StR than the other two.

Upgrades vary - some plats have reported zero upgrades at all three. I've yet to be upgraded at the StR and haven't stayed at the Sheraton since becoming plat. At the Westin I've had an executive room but not a suite. But on average the rooms are much nicer at the Westin and StR than at the Sheraton, whether you're upgraded or not.

Lounge breakfast is better at the Westin than at the Sheraton. Both are fairly limited, but the Westin's lounge is nicer, newer, and has better food both in terms of quality and quantity. Both pale in comparison to breakfast at StR, which in my experience plats get free at StR even without giving up the 500 points. On the strength of this point alone I'd go for the StR if the price is about the same to you.

I don't remember SIN hotel prices going up much around CNY - most people either get out of town to visit relatives or avoid the whole circus. And so far the PRC tourists which are a mainstay of the local high-end tourism market are less likely to come during CNY than during Golden Week. My guess is if you're booking this far in advance it should have minimal impact, really.

As for rooms/views/upgrades - as Gold I think you have a decent chance of being upgraded to a good view if you specifically ask for it at check-in and are visiting during low season. But if you want to be sure and the points aren't a huge concern then of course you can spend some to be safe.

sandyph

Singapore is a ghost town during CNY (though it's getting better in recent years), but still expect 80% of shops/restaurant to be closed in the morning-noon of the 1st day.

markis10

Hopefully the Lurkers superpowers will see that building removed and the view restored by close of business tomorrow, I have faith

I don't suppose they can fix the Accor advertising for the Novotel Surfers Paradise which seems to show a very modern hotel building, pity it's the Hilton! On a serious note, chains do need to keep an eye on what their pictures portray, although same could be said for many a fast food menu.

1readyset2go

I will actually be here Feb 12-15, and will be leaving for BKK on the 16 which is the start of CNY.

We will want to do the typical touristy things like Gardens By The Bay and such as this is our first time in SIN. Having said that how good are the concierge's when it comes to dinning recommendations here? I know there are los of great places to eat but I am a bit overwhelmed right now.