hockeyinsider

The pool is better at the Marriott. It also gets sunshine, unlike the J.W. Marriott. As for the shopping, the stores at Suntec City are fairly middle-of-the-road. Certainly not many high-end stores.

For my travel, the J.W. Marriott has a better location.

With all of that said, I don't think it is practicable to walk from the J.W. Marriott to the shopping along Orchard Road, except at night. The heat and humidity make it a difficult walk during the daytime for most people.

joakgarp

That's true though. The heat and humidity is a killer sometimes. Can advice to use Singapores MRT which is veery efficient and spot less clean. We loved it. If not there's uber or that other cab company Grab to use.
​​​​​Esplanade Station is right at the JW and gets you easy to Orchard Road with the station Dhoby Ghaut. No transfers are needed with the orange line.

So wanna go back to Singapore right now but that will be for next years travel. If I can convince my other half.

C17PSGR

Well ... its only like a 20-30 minute walk on a straight shot or a 5 minute MRT ride from the JW to Orchard Road. (although I'll confess I'm not a shopper). There is an MRT underneath the JW.

fly046

The JW must have some of the best location for the Singapore Formula 1 GP. It's literally next to Padang and a 15-20 minutes walk outside the cordoned off area to Gate 1 that wasn't congested even on race day.

The board has been quite helpful prepare this trip. Thanks. A few more details that I did not see before:

The Toto toilet was unexpected. However it did require pressing the power button on the side. The remote doesn't seem to do this.

I spent a couple minutes looking for a power outlet near the bathroom sink until I found out the mirror is movable and the outlet is behind it.

I have to say the design is growing on me. Not my style but there is a consistency about it that I can appreciate.

Kacee

I wouldn't do it at night either. Not with the humidity.

ATWBY2020

Thanks to everyone for valuable suggestions.
I do believe $850 is not worth of premium for JW ( though i would like to stay there ) , for now i have booked the Tang Plaza ( SGD 588 extra for third adult i assume its the charge for rollaway bed ).
But before booking , quick call to front desk revealed that premier deluxe guest room is kind of small for extra rollaway bed but she also mentioned after booking call us back so we can upgrade if possible ( not sure even it is possible to get upgrade so early ) .
I will keep you all posted .

Regards

hockeyinsider

Just out of curiosity, is there a specific reason you are going to Singapore? Singapore is a great city, but it's expensive and none of the legacy Marriott properties are known to be particularly good with suite upgrades for eligible elites.

If you wanted a similar experience -- albeit one that is a little more authentic and less globalist, cosmopolitan -- you might consider Kuala Lumpur. Great shopping, cheaper hotels, great food.

ATWBY2020

Nothing in particular ( for singapore )
We're thinking about Phuket ( and other places like bangkok on the way back from our India trip ) using marriott vacation points but not available for the year end dates.
Again we wanted to celebrate new year in new city and singapore fit into that on the way back - from BOM to USA connecting at SIN ( scored some better pricing on airline in Business ) . Also one more destination to strike off from the bucket list ( ATW - Around the world ) .

May be next time Kuala Lumpur / Bangkok / Japan

Cheers

xar

Singapore is great! Hope you or your family loves Disney since Orchard Road will be decked out in that theme during your stay
Ref: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...cters-10683218

Singapore_Air

Check-in:

The check-in was quick but not particularly friendly.


Executive Lounge:

I really dislike the seating layout of the Executive Lounge. I don't have my own pictures so the ones below are from the Marriott website (linked due to large resolution). The seating is extremely open and therefore there is little privacy. There are two strange translucent box areas with a table and comfy chairs in each. There is also a common dining table and some two seated sofas in the corner of the lounge with a very low coffee table. The seating arrangement was very annoying.

https://cache.marriott.com/marriotta...8-hor-wide.jpg
https://cache.marriott.com/marriotta...9-hor-wide.jpg

Breakfast in Executive Lounge:

The breakfast is decent but there is only one chef on the egg and noodle station working as fast as he could - his effort could not be faulted. Really the management should have two chefs on call for breakfast.







Studio Room:

I booked a Studio Room and appear to have been given a Studio Room with no upgrade. I didn't query this.

The bathroom amenities have been downgraded from a year ago - previously it was Jo Malone and now they are Aromatherapy Associates.



Infinity Pool:



Gym:



Afternoon Tea at Executive Lounge:



Food at Happy Hour at Executive Lounge (Day 1):




Live station: Honey-baked ham ciabatta. Not a very inspirational offering. More effort required.


Food at Happy Hour at Executive Lounge (Day 2) - changed items only:




Live station: Honey-ham quesadilla. More tasty than the night before but again, more effort could be expended. No Mexican accompaniments like guacamole or sour cream.


Drinks at Happy Hour at Executive Lounge:

The drinks selection has been downgraded since a year ago - there is no more Taittinger Brut Réserve.



Conclusion:

It would be unfair to say the hotel is not decent but there are many areas that could do with improving and I suspect this is due to the tone from the management. The downgraded bathroom amenities and champagne (now prosecco) in the Executive Lounge are unwelcome changes.

There was also a fire on the morning of the second day which was not handled very well by the hotel and resulted in a blackout for over an hour (including no operational lifts) not helped by a passive aggressive concierge.

xar

joakgarp

Is the pool still ice cold? Considering a change to Westin due to this.

xar

Yes the pool on the 18th floor is still freezing cold. Suggest to warm up on the treadmill, shower and then jump in.
The mid floor pool, while still cold is somewhat bearable if you visit in the afternoons.

Singapore_Air

I was SPG Gold and Marriott Gold under the old program.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joakgarp

Is the pool still ice cold?

Yes but personally I warmed up after about 5 minutes.



There's a mid-floor pool ?!

Hipplewm

It is on the 6th floor in the area I think above the spa - If you are on the 18th floor pool and go to the edge of the pool and look over - you can see it below. IIRC