Iīve found the location of the Fairmont hotel to be very convenient, itīs literally on top of Raffles shopping center and across the street from the famous Raffles hotel. The hotel is about 5min away on foot to Orchard Rd. and maybe 10-15min to the Marina Bay Sands complex. Besides, public transport is very good and taxis are cheap (compared to the western world, not so much compared with other Asian places)

The lounge concept at the Fairmont SIN is slightly different:

- most Fairmont hotels have a Gold lounge. "Gold" is marketed as a "hotel within a hotel" and access is very restrictive. You need to book a Gold room or Gold suite to get access and thereīs no way to access via upgrades/status (just to put things in perspective: Iīve been upgraded to some very nice suites over the years, but not once have I been upgraded to a Gold room or received lounge access). Service and food quality tend to be excellent, though the selection and quantity can be somewhat limited IMO (think of a buffet consisting of high-end canapes rather than a substitute for dinner). Thereīs only a honor bar, no comp. drinks

- at the Fairmont SIN thereīs an "executive club". Obviously guests booking an executive club room/suite have access, but also all guests staying in a suite get comp. access (which includes guests upgrading to a suite^), the lounge (located on the 23rd floor) definitely is bigger than most Gold lounges, and isnīt as nice/exclusive, the food isnīt as aspirational, which is fine with me (think bowl of pasta bolognese rather than seafood canapes), but selection is larger (4-5 hot breakfast items in addition to excellent continental spread in the morning; 3 hot items at night), plus you get comp. drinks from 5p.m.-8p.m.^

It may not be the very best hotel in the city, but the value proposition tends to be good and Iīve been very happy with my stays overall.