Preface: Sent packing from KIX so into SIN and BKK.

Status: Diamond.

Rate: Using a FFN.

Transportation: I took a cab. Less than $20 SGD. I see you can take a shuttle for $9 SGD.

Parking: n/a

Check-in: I arrived early so I had decided in advance to be happy with whatever I received. I did inquire about a upgrade and was told it had already been done to a junior suite. Escorted to room to complete check-in. I asked about Club and was told my keys were already coded for access. No amenity offered. Upon arrival into the "suite" told it was a deluxe room with "open concept". Read that as a large corner room facing Scotts Road. That being said the street can easily be heard because the windows were not replaced when the renovation was done.

Perks: As noted above. A box of chocolate was delivered.

Lounge: The Lounge was ok. I went up this afternoon and for the evening offerings. It is a decent size. This evening there was sushi, humus (spelling ?) with flat bread, dessert, shrimp salad, cheese and crackers etc.. No hot item and the spread is nothing at all in compare to Hong Kong. I thought the attitude of the staff had something to be desired. They had this attitude going like this place was the Four Seasons, Ritz or St. Regis. Certainly it is not. You can get bottle water here since there was none in my room comp..

Room: "Open concept". You enter onto marble which turns quickly to carpet. To your right you have a chair with ottoman followed by a desk with chair. Along the two sets of windows you have a shelf. This is followed by a small tv on a pedestal. The bed is at a angle with the closet behind it. You have a dressing table area with chair followed by a small closet with mini bar set-up. Fresh fruits were delivered twice to the room. The counter has ants.

Bathroom: The floor is marble. You have a separate shower, tub and toilet room. Single basin sink with cheapy Hyatt amenities. I found the bathroom in terms of clean something to be desired also.

Internet: $25 SGD for 24 hours. Free in Lounge.

Gym: not been

Spa: not been

Eating venues: not been

Local markets and area: This and FFNs is the reason why I am here. You are in the center of everything close to Orchard Road. SanDiego1k put me onto Paragon. I went to a quick yakitori place and it was pretty darn good. I spent less than $10 SGD and was happy happy.

Negatives: The hotel and rooms may have been renovated but there are way to many things to remind you that the shell is old. I am not impressed but frankly I was not expecting much. This is my first time here in years of coming to SIN. There must have been a reason for this being my first. I would never pay there rate.

Closing: I would stay using FFNs but would not drop points for this place. IMHO. You are advised.