This hotel may be in a Green Building (LEED Platinum--Core and Shell), which is really good, but the staff should not be.

Stayed at this new Westin property right after New Year's and thought the property was generally very nice, even if the staff was too green, especially as it has been open since November. Still, compared to the Sheraton in Singapore, this seems to be a good choice.

The biggest failure was with the Dining Room staff, which were generally clueless, in particular in the morning. Housekeeping had some serious issues too.

I do not mind getting my own water or coffee, actually in some ways I prefer it, but when it is not self-service, I expect to at least once be asked if I want any. I was never (at least after sitting down) asked if I wanted any. When I did it took some time. I asked for a pot as I did not want to keep asking and it was done somewhat reluctantly. Even when asked for water, it took a long time and got hot water (which may have been a communication problem), but then took more time to get cold water. Never asked if I wanted refills of water or coffee (except possibly at dinner for the water). I do not think it was a matter of the staff being green. I do not think they were trained. Further, they generally did not seem eager to please, at least in the morning. At the dinner buffet, some of the staff was a bit green, but eager to please and some offered extraordinary service.

Special thanks to P. She is a star. She could tell that I was straining my eyes using my laptop and came over with great courtesy and told me there was a way to adjust the type size. I happened to know that (and for my own reasons did not do so), but that she cared and reached out with great tact and knew what to do is superb service.

The easiest way to get refills of Splenda an Equal was to take them from adjacent tables. That should not be the case.

Plates almost never cleared even when obviously put aside for clearing.

I did like being offered a breakfast dining option in the main dining room without having to give up points.

Minor point. If the hotel wants to be looked at as a first class dining room, napkins should (at least most of the time) be refolded when one goes to the buffet.

Even if the quality of the service in the dining room left a lot to be desired, the quality of the food was very high. I think there should have been a bit more selection for the dinner buffet, but that is a minor quibble. Also, the January price of S$55 net for the dinner buffet is relatively reasonable. The normal higher rate just would not be worth it, especially when you consider Singapore dining options.

One time I put the sign outside my door saying Do Not Disturb and also turned on the Do Not Disturb light as I did not want my room made up then, as I did not want anyone to disturb things in my room at the time and I was going running and wanted my room cleaned after I came back and showered. Housekeeping ignored the signs and made up the room anyway. I called up to note that. Anyway, not that I cared that much to have the room cleaned up again, but Housekeeping should have offered to straighten up the room again (which I probably would have declined).

Further, one time housekeeping turned the thermostat way down, when I obviously intentionally set the temperature at a much higher temperature so i came back to a cold room.

There apparently was a problem with the plumbing. Whenever I was running the water in the sink or taking a shower, the drain under the sink started to back up on the floor. I called to have this fixed and apparently they came up to fix it, but the next day, the problem reappeared.

When I entered to room, the lights did not work so I had to find my way around in the dark to turn on the lights as there is not a light switch near the door.

The TV menu choices are very good and there is an excellent choice of worldwide TV (including many news channels). Very user friendly and liked being able to see them with picture-in-picture.

The Internet was fairly easy to sign into and seemed to be fairly speedy, but I usually had to sign in each time I turned my computer on which is very annoying. Might have to do something with the VPN I was using, but that still should not happen.

The English of some of the personnel at Service Express was not always that good.

The personnel in the lounge seemed to be pleasant, but a bit green. More interested in getting your room number than finding out if you needed anything. At one point I took some items from the very nice evening buffet and did not have the proper utensils, but was never asked if I needed a knife, fork, napkin or anything else.

Although I was not upgraded to a suite at check-in as I understand none were available, I asked if I could be upgraded on my following days if one became available, which I imagine one did as it seemed to be a slow weekend. No one ever got back to me on this, and I admit I did not follow through as I was satisfied with my upgraded room and did not feel like moving, but it would have been nice to have been offered.

The infinity swimming pool, which I did not use is stunning. The fitness club is very average if not below. Not enough of a choice of equipment. Also, the jogging map was not that helpful.

Subject to the following, I thought the decor in the rooms and the hotel was very nice.

Two decor points that I admit are somewhat personal and unlikely to be changed. First, I would put TV/radio sound in the bathroom (if not an actual TV). Also, and this is a matter of opinion, although the room looked nice, some of the faux wood panels were obviously very fake and looked it. In fact, looked pretty cheap, Even if real wood is not used, there are nicer quality plastics to use, which were, in fact used for some parts of the decor.

Very nice chocolates left in my room and nice cookies with the turn-down service.

The hotel is very close to the Lau Pa Sat Hawker Center which was not open at the time I was there. Also, it is part of Asia Square, which has an excellent Food Garden with super choices. Unfortunately, very few are open on weekends.

All in all, there were lots of faults (as well as some good points), and with effort, this could be a nice Starwood property in Singapore. I bet it will be.