Conrad Centennial Singapore {SGP}
Oct 19, 2019, 8:33 am
#646
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 1,153
I stayed 2 x 2-night stays this week. I have Diamond status. Booked a base (deluxe) twin room each time. Both stays were upgraded to an Executive Twin on 29th and 30th floors with a Marina Bay view. Both were low numbers 3006, and 2902, which I believe offer the best views, although presumably all views are similar from bay side of the building. Room 2902 is on the corner and had a small window at the side providing bonus view to the northwest of the city.
On the first stay I didnt need, nor was I asked if I needed a late check out. On the second stay I again didnt really need a late check out but they asked if I knew what time I was checking out, I said close to 12pm (standard time). They proactively offered a 2pm checkout which I accepted.
I'm not a drinker or much of a socialiser, so I dont care much for lounges other than for dining. My one visit to the 31st floor exec lounge for breakfast was pleasant but it feels a bit cramped and underwhelming. Oscar's Restaurant is MUCH better for breakfast in my opinion and has a much larger selection. I thought it was odd that there are zero snacks available outside of published breakfast/afternoon tea/cocktail times. Literally nothing - no jar of cookies, etc. My wife discovered this during her solo visit one afternoon.
I was spoiled at the Doubletree in Shanghai the week before - its lounge had a massive buffet for dinner- we had a full dinner there each night. Plenty of snacks around at off peak times. I get that the Conrad is trying to be classier perhaps, but the downside is the lounge is much less practical overall. All just my opinion. I understand that many people get good value from the Conrad's if you like to have several drinks each night.
We also ate dinner at the Oscar's buffet on 1 night (after an exhausting day out we just didnt feel like venturing out again) - pricey at about $70 USD a head, but it was good quality. Fine selection of perfectly cooked meats and fish. On 2 other nights we went to the nearby mall/hawker center (right next to Fountain of Wealth) for a very good/very cheap dinner - about $7 USD each for some wonderful Asian dishes.
Overall very impressed with the stay. Treated well throughout. Housekeeping did a fine job. Concierge saved me one night when my car service to Malaysia cancelled on me at short notice. Concierge made several calls and had me a car within 30 mins.
Room 3006
Corner room 2902
Marina Bay
Gardens by the Bay just visible on left in distance
Marina Bay
Lobby
Marina Bay
Conrad from mall across street
Lobby
Nice view
Marina Bay
Welcome letter
Conrad Bear.
Our Bonus view from corner room looking to north-west of city.
On the first stay I didnt need, nor was I asked if I needed a late check out. On the second stay I again didnt really need a late check out but they asked if I knew what time I was checking out, I said close to 12pm (standard time). They proactively offered a 2pm checkout which I accepted.
I'm not a drinker or much of a socialiser, so I dont care much for lounges other than for dining. My one visit to the 31st floor exec lounge for breakfast was pleasant but it feels a bit cramped and underwhelming. Oscar's Restaurant is MUCH better for breakfast in my opinion and has a much larger selection. I thought it was odd that there are zero snacks available outside of published breakfast/afternoon tea/cocktail times. Literally nothing - no jar of cookies, etc. My wife discovered this during her solo visit one afternoon.
I was spoiled at the Doubletree in Shanghai the week before - its lounge had a massive buffet for dinner- we had a full dinner there each night. Plenty of snacks around at off peak times. I get that the Conrad is trying to be classier perhaps, but the downside is the lounge is much less practical overall. All just my opinion. I understand that many people get good value from the Conrad's if you like to have several drinks each night.
We also ate dinner at the Oscar's buffet on 1 night (after an exhausting day out we just didnt feel like venturing out again) - pricey at about $70 USD a head, but it was good quality. Fine selection of perfectly cooked meats and fish. On 2 other nights we went to the nearby mall/hawker center (right next to Fountain of Wealth) for a very good/very cheap dinner - about $7 USD each for some wonderful Asian dishes.
Overall very impressed with the stay. Treated well throughout. Housekeeping did a fine job. Concierge saved me one night when my car service to Malaysia cancelled on me at short notice. Concierge made several calls and had me a car within 30 mins.
Room 3006
Corner room 2902
Marina Bay
Gardens by the Bay just visible on left in distance
Marina Bay
Lobby
Marina Bay
Conrad from mall across street
Lobby
Nice view
Marina Bay
Welcome letter
Conrad Bear.
Our Bonus view from corner room looking to north-west of city.
Last edited by FlyingHighlander; Oct 19, 2019 at 6:58 pm
Oct 19, 2019, 2:38 pm
#647
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,105
An Email from the finance department of the hotel sheds more light.
Dear Passy777
Greetings from the Conrad Centennial Singapore! Thank you very much for your messages, which was received by our Reservations Manager and via Facebook.
Your room booking is confirmed at Conrad Centennial Singapore for December 2019, 1 night under confirmation number xxxxxxxxxx
Conrad Centennial Singapore has implemented a new form of online payment via credit card, should guest opt to make payment prior to arrival or for any room booking that requires advance payment.
This is through a third party company named “Pure Payment’ which helps us to facilitate the online payment via credit card. The main reason is to protect credit card holders from any fraudulent transaction; when using “Pure Payment”, an OTP(one time pin) will be required prior to charging your credit card.
However, we fully understand your concerns and appreciate your feedback. We have shared your experience and feedback with the relevant departments and will review on areas to communicate better to our guests.
We have proceeded to charge the room charge of S$###### including taxes to your Master credit card on profile xxxx xxxx xxxx Attached, please find a copy of the charge slip for your reference.
We thank you for your understanding on this matter and please let us know if you need any other assistance.
Assuring you of our best attention at all times.
It still seems strange being requested to pay for my stay by this method when I have already ‘paid’ for in with the normal online booking process.
Dear Passy777
Greetings from the Conrad Centennial Singapore! Thank you very much for your messages, which was received by our Reservations Manager and via Facebook.
Your room booking is confirmed at Conrad Centennial Singapore for December 2019, 1 night under confirmation number xxxxxxxxxx
Conrad Centennial Singapore has implemented a new form of online payment via credit card, should guest opt to make payment prior to arrival or for any room booking that requires advance payment.
This is through a third party company named “Pure Payment’ which helps us to facilitate the online payment via credit card. The main reason is to protect credit card holders from any fraudulent transaction; when using “Pure Payment”, an OTP(one time pin) will be required prior to charging your credit card.
However, we fully understand your concerns and appreciate your feedback. We have shared your experience and feedback with the relevant departments and will review on areas to communicate better to our guests.
We have proceeded to charge the room charge of S$###### including taxes to your Master credit card on profile xxxx xxxx xxxx Attached, please find a copy of the charge slip for your reference.
We thank you for your understanding on this matter and please let us know if you need any other assistance.
Assuring you of our best attention at all times.
It still seems strange being requested to pay for my stay by this method when I have already ‘paid’ for in with the normal online booking process.
Oct 19, 2019, 2:53 pm
#648
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
An Email from the finance department of the hotel sheds more light.
Dear Passy777
Greetings from the Conrad Centennial Singapore! Thank you very much for your messages, which was received by our Reservations Manager and via Facebook.
Your room booking is confirmed at Conrad Centennial Singapore for December 2019, 1 night under confirmation number xxxxxxxxxx
Conrad Centennial Singapore has implemented a new form of online payment via credit card, should guest opt to make payment prior to arrival or for any room booking that requires advance payment.
This is through a third party company named “Pure Payment’ which helps us to facilitate the online payment via credit card. The main reason is to protect credit card holders from any fraudulent transaction; when using “Pure Payment”, an OTP(one time pin) will be required prior to charging your credit card.
However, we fully understand your concerns and appreciate your feedback. We have shared your experience and feedback with the relevant departments and will review on areas to communicate better to our guests.
We have proceeded to charge the room charge of S$###### including taxes to your Master credit card on profile xxxx xxxx xxxx Attached, please find a copy of the charge slip for your reference.
We thank you for your understanding on this matter and please let us know if you need any other assistance.
Assuring you of our best attention at all times.
It still seems strange being requested to pay for my stay by this method when I have already ‘paid’ for in with the normal online booking process.
Dear Passy777
Greetings from the Conrad Centennial Singapore! Thank you very much for your messages, which was received by our Reservations Manager and via Facebook.
Your room booking is confirmed at Conrad Centennial Singapore for December 2019, 1 night under confirmation number xxxxxxxxxx
Conrad Centennial Singapore has implemented a new form of online payment via credit card, should guest opt to make payment prior to arrival or for any room booking that requires advance payment.
This is through a third party company named “Pure Payment’ which helps us to facilitate the online payment via credit card. The main reason is to protect credit card holders from any fraudulent transaction; when using “Pure Payment”, an OTP(one time pin) will be required prior to charging your credit card.
However, we fully understand your concerns and appreciate your feedback. We have shared your experience and feedback with the relevant departments and will review on areas to communicate better to our guests.
We have proceeded to charge the room charge of S$###### including taxes to your Master credit card on profile xxxx xxxx xxxx Attached, please find a copy of the charge slip for your reference.
We thank you for your understanding on this matter and please let us know if you need any other assistance.
Assuring you of our best attention at all times.
It still seems strange being requested to pay for my stay by this method when I have already ‘paid’ for in with the normal online booking process.
Oct 19, 2019, 3:21 pm
#651
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,652
It's a transaction fee scheme. Somehow paying direct saves them in fees through their processor.
I've seen this before at other hotels. It's legit, but purely a money-saving technique for the hotel.
When you make an advance purchase, it's not automatically charged to your card as you would think.
I've seen this before at other hotels. It's legit, but purely a money-saving technique for the hotel.
When you make an advance purchase, it's not automatically charged to your card as you would think.
Oct 19, 2019, 11:19 pm
#652
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Singapore / Bangkok
Programs: SQ, BA, QR, Marriott Titanium & LT Plat, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Accor Plat, AmEx Cent
Posts: 444
Slightly OT, but after many months of pondering and asking staff, I’ve not found an answer as to why after all of the investment and renovations, the carpets in the elevator remain as pre-refurb. They are worn and old and surely could be replaced? Image below of the old carpet vs the new carpets immediately outside the elevators at the lobby. Very much a first world problem I know, but it’s one of the first impressions, and a tired one.
Otherwise, it’s very much business as usual having just completed another 10 day stay. New staff uniforms I think, some new menu options, lounges pretty much same as always (minus the LP), new fluffy towels (new rotation of towels and bedding) and still very comfortable all round. For overall consistency, hard to beat. I did notice a number of coach tours, which tends to slow everything down, but no major impact.
Otherwise, it’s very much business as usual having just completed another 10 day stay. New staff uniforms I think, some new menu options, lounges pretty much same as always (minus the LP), new fluffy towels (new rotation of towels and bedding) and still very comfortable all round. For overall consistency, hard to beat. I did notice a number of coach tours, which tends to slow everything down, but no major impact.
Last edited by EGW1; Oct 19, 2019 at 11:28 pm
Oct 20, 2019, 3:07 am
#654
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 415
"I was spoiled at the Doubletree in Shanghai the week before - its lounge had a massive buffet for dinner- we had a full dinner there each night. Plenty of snacks around at off peak times."
Which DOubletree in Shanghai were you staying at?
Which DOubletree in Shanghai were you staying at?
Oct 20, 2019, 5:36 am
#655
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 1,153
889 Yanggao Nan Road Pudong, Shanghai 200127
Exec Lounge on the ground floor of the tower we stayed in (theres an East and a West tower. I actually never did figure out what tower I was in - the signs seem to conflict each other!).
Oct 20, 2019, 8:00 am
#656
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
Slightly OT, but after many months of pondering and asking staff, I’ve not found an answer as to why after all of the investment and renovations, the carpets in the elevator remain as pre-refurb. They are worn and old and surely could be replaced? Image below of the old carpet vs the new carpets immediately outside the elevators at the lobby. Very much a first world problem I know, but it’s one of the first impressions, and a tired one.
But seriously, these elevator carpets have been worn out for years. Both inexplicable and inexcusable.
Oct 22, 2019, 8:13 am
#657
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,559
I don't think I've ever paid attention to elevator carpets in hotels before.
Unless there's a spill or something, it's not a thing I particularly care about.
Unless there's a spill or something, it's not a thing I particularly care about.
Oct 22, 2019, 11:01 pm
#660
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
Just kidding
I've "only" stayed at the Conrad 3 times since the refurb but didn't notice the state of those carpets at all!