Introduction Parkroyal on Pickering is a modern, unconventional and quite excellent option for staying in Singapore. The hotel is very green - not necessarily purely in the environmentally friendly sense of the word, but rather in the sense that vegetation is being used as decoration throughout the hotel. Boasting enough plants and trees growing from various parts of the building to outfit a medium-sized park, the hotel truly appears like an oasis in the city.Combined with the modern architecture, this has the unusual effect of rather than generating a rugged cabin-in-the-woods vibe, the hotel evokes the feel of a futuristic, late 21st century skyscraper in a science fiction movie. This theme is continued throughout the hotel to great effect, merging lush vegetation and high-tech amenities. Check In Check in was efficient and painless. While a bellhop extracted our luggage from the Uber, one person checked passports and ran the credit card, while another staff member appeared with a welcome drink. Another party, which arrived after, us was asked to wait in one of the many comfortable chairs that are scattered throughout the impressive lobby, rather than having to stand around.Following check-in and the usual barrage of information about breakfast options and times, pool hours, and the amount of free dry cleaning included in our rate (?), we were lead up to the room. Room Rooms are accessed from an outdoor walkway. The ubiquitous vegetation that defines the character of this hotel makes it seem like entering a cabin in the wilderness. This also gives the impression of more privacy for each room.The rooms are modern, minimalistic yet not under-furnished, and high-tech. There's a soaking tub right by the window, a walk-in shower, a comfortable bed, TV, and enough space to deal with more than a week's worth of luggage. Due to the generous usage of wood paneling, the rooms manage to convey the feeling of being closer to nature than one would expect from a hotel located in a major city. The colors are light, and combined with the large windows make the rooms appear large and airy. Service Service is, in one word, excellent. Staffers are very friendly throughout, and take the time to chat with guests. This is especially true for the wait staff in the Orchid Lounge, which seem genuinely excited whenever someone enters the room. After a day, they would also recognize us, and ask how the previous day was, what was on the agenda for today, and so forth.They did this without making it seem like the conversations were forced. Instead, the staff manages to convey a genuine interest in their guests' wellbeing. Our glasses and cups were never allowed to be truly empty; somewhere around the second-to-last sip of champagne a waiter would materialize and ask if they could offer a refill. Dining A restaurant is located right next to the lobby, however we never actually used it. Having booked an Orchid Club room, we had access to the Orchid Lounge, which offers free of charge a breakfast buffet, tea time snacks, as well as a cocktail hour.The buffet is generous and combines Asian and Western food options, including an omelette station. There's a full bar as well. In the afternoon, tea time includes finger food, sandwiches, spring rolls, dumplings and more. Between those food options, it is entirely possible to feed oneself without having to pay a single cent extra. The food is of high quality, and a large variety of dishes is offered. While there are some staples, options vary by day. Location The hotel is located within walking distance of the Chinatown subway station, and is just a few minutes by Uber to major attractions such as Clarke Quay or Gardens by the Bay. On the negative side, the vicinity to Chinatown involves some pretty potent smells wafting throughout the outdoor portions of the hotel during meal times, as the scents of people cooking in their apartments are carried towards the hotel by the winds. While the AC filters them out indoors, the open concept layout means that you're definitely going to notice them as you're walking around the hotel. Pool The fantastic infinity pool deserves its own section. Located on the fifth floor, the pool area includes cabanas, a garden walk, a jacuzzi and a pretty decent poolside dining menu. There's also a gym / fitness center, and a spa. Overall In summary, PARKROYAL on Pickering is a great option for your stay in the city. Between the fantastic staff, the great pool and the overall "nature sci-fi" feel of the hotel, it's an excellent place to relax after a day of work (or play) in Singapore. If it's in your budget, definitely go for the Orchid Club rooms, as the spacious lounge offers a great place to unwind or get some work done, while sipping on rather well-made cocktails.