stephem

I agree with you on this. When I tried the StRegis in San Fran I really hoped that was the direction they were taking the brand, it's stylish but not that busy look. I was so disappointed on walking into the St Regis here in Singapore, it's sooo busy. Not sure what or who they were aiming for with this decor.

imakinov

Just had a stay last weekend, I thought bit pricey in SG but deal I got was very good.
Booked lowest price on the spg.com, upon arrival upgraded to 6th floor, but was non smoking(Astor Suite) so I requested smoking room, and been upgraded again to Executive suite on the 17th floor on corner.

*Wine tasting was invited but time too early/short
*Butler service is good, but I didn't really like the taste of coffee served. This is one of my biggest disappointment.
*Breakfast at grand floor was inclusive and was OK
*Internet was not free(unlike Le Méridien SG)
*Interior was OK(not quite my taste but much better than one in Conrad)
*Home theatre is nice but seemed complicated to use for me.
*Check-in was smooth, but check-out had long queue, nobody assisted until desk cleared and extra staff just kept smiling at me

Will I return again? Most likely as long as price is under S$500 nett

Nobby

I'm not sure if their default offering in drip coffee, but you can ask for whatever type of coffee you want -- espresso shots, latte, long black, cappuccino, etc. If their regular stuff is drip that would explain it!

imakinov

Nobby, it was not drip, but rather indonesian/vietnam style coffee
I did not know that they also have L'express or latte etc.

Kagehitokiri

BTW Nobby, you couldnt get a better negotiated rate with an uninterrupted stay?

mario33

The new rich from China,Vietnam and Russia, I guess

Guy Betsy

Some may say its a small thing.. but if I feel uncomfortable, why stay there?

I've cancelled my stay at the St Regis SIN for end of the month. Maybe I'll check out the hotel while I'm in SIN if I have the time...

seanthepilot

GB, the hotel is really worth a stay IMO. I was really happy I did this winter. It may be worth it to reconsider.

I am 100% positive that if you check out the hotel, while not a guest, you will come away with a completely different impression. They seem to have 2 sets of service rapport. One for guests, and one for 'not guests'.

Earlier this year, I walked into the St. Regis. My intention to obtain an email address for the general manager, Director of Op, or Human Resources to write a very complimentary letter regarding my previous stay. I was dressed well and requested the information at the check-in desk. They were not busy with other guests.

The staff was stuffy and pompous. My small errand seemed trifle to them. I was handed the business card of the night office asst manager, who came out to peek at me from the back, but mustn't have had enough time to smile or even say hello. A very different treatment than when I was checked in as a guest.

I ended up not writing the letter and tossing the business card.

I'll follow up with a short report on my stay ASAP, a very different experience.

** Also noticed the SPG50 rate of S$400+ was bookable ** A great rate for this property.

mario33

You should have asked for the email address while you were a guest.

I am not sure how other hotels would react when someone (non-guest) walks in and asks for the email address of all their senior management. I would be very suspicious if I work behind the front desk, but then I am no hotelier ....

Guy Betsy

Ok. I'll think about it.

kevino

"The staff was stuffy and pompous. My small errand seemed trifle to them. I was handed the business card of the night office asst manager, who came out to peek at me from the back, but mustn't have had enough time to smile or even say hello. A very different treatment than when I was checked in as a guest.

I ended up not writing the letter and tossing the business card."

That is no way to treat a moderator.

Nobby

I did manage to negotiate a good rate, but this was based on volume of nights between me and my colleagues, and the beginning of a relationship with our company, which brings a lot of business travelers through. It was based on a minimum of x nights during a specified period of time, which we significantly surpassed once word got around within the company about the hotel, and everyone who came to Singapore started staying there. Unfortunately I can't disclose the rate we got, because that's the nature of these things -- no hotel is willing to cut a deal if they have to start giving that rate to all and sundry. But it was a bulk corporate discount arrangement, not a long continuous stay discount.

Nobby

Also, this website has some good, much larger pictures of the rooms, to give you an idea of what it's like. It was a lot more helpful for me when I first started investigating the place than the pictures on the official website, even though they're clearly publicity photos

Picture 1: the living room of the standard suites
Picture 2: The "wide and short" rooms facing the woods, in Double configuration (I don't like these rooms as much). They have a LOT of closet space, if that's important. The bathroom feels a lot smaller, and I didn't like the decor as much. Though some other colleagues really liked it because they loved the couch style and view. Half of the non-suite rooms are these.
Picture 3: The bathroom. Yes, it really is that big (this is the bathroom in the "long and wide" room), and that is a TV above the bathtub
Picture 4: The "long and narrow" rooms. I love these, this is what I always got. The view is just of another building, but I love the room itself. Feels very large and open. These are the other half of the non-suite rooms

jhm

Or the photos from my two stays in the first week or so of opening which were linked in post #1 of this thread:

seanthepilot

The St Regis Singapore opened shortly before the January SIN Do, and I had the chance to talk to flyertalkers that had stayed there. They spoke of a few opening ripples, but had very positive things to say about the hotel.

A few weeks later, I found myself in Singapore without a hotel room. The hotels I usually stay at, SPG & Hhonors were sold out, which presented a perfect oportunity to book a room with points at this hotel.

I should add that until I stayed here, I thought that the 5+ star hotel and the price associated would be overkill. Having worked 20 years in 4/5 star hotels, I thought I'd seen it all. Little did I know that in less than 24 hours, my whole idea of service perfection would be altered. The St Regis really proved worthy of the challenge.

I called the SPG line, booked the room and jumped in a limo to the hotel.

The greeting was as expected. More staff than needed were there to greet me, help with my bags, and escort me to check-in. The doorman asked my name. I'm attributing the fact that he forgot it a minute later to be some of the new opening jitters. Better to not ask a guests name, than forget it. Didn't phase me though.

The check-in was friendly and efficient. The agent seemed new at his tasks and fumbled at attempts to be perfect. I don't need verbiage to be scripted perfectly, so I calmed him by telling him to relax and check-in was completed an instant later. The check-in agent made sure to point out that as a Platinum, they had upgraded me to a Suite room, explained the dining options. Breakfast was not included, but they offered a wine tasting later in the day. They offered a late checkout, also without me asking. I replied that 4pm would be just fine.

He passed me back to the doorman that greeted me. He continued to escort me to my room.

I've read many comments on the decor of the hotel and the rooms. The lobby seemed a little too open/empty, but they carried off the look perfectly (it's just not my style) BUT, I really was impressed by the room. The colors didn't seem to loud or distastefull as they may appear in the photos. The sitting room was lovely, the bedroom amazing, and the bathroom was more than I could have immagined, amenities and all.

On the way to the room from the elevator I had a chance to meet and was introduced to my butler. They offered me coffee, which I accepted... and we toured the room. My butler offered to un-pack and hang up my luggage, I declined.

The remote control/electric drapes gave me a bit of grief through my stay, but everything else was perfect. Large flat screen TVs in both rooms we a nice addition.

Once in the room, there's not a whole lot to say. The room was great, clean, quiet, and relaxing.

Through my stay, it was the interaction with the staff that made a big impression on me. A few examples:

Of course the greeting I recieved everytime I entered the hotel was great. They'd ask if there was anything they could do, instead of just saying hi and smiling.

The offer for assistance came across genuine each time it was offered. No matter what staff member was the one engaging the conversation, they seemed to be genuine and have the time and authority to follow through on the service. It wasn't just words... or that was the impression.

*I asked about money exchange. They decided and elected one of the staff to walk with me to the exchange booth. Dispite my assurances that just a simple set of directions was enough, the two of us went wandering off to change money together.

*Stuck in traffic the next afternoon, it was obvious that if I wanted to freshen up, I would be late for my 4pm check-out. Arriving at the hotel, I asked for a time extension It was approved in the blink of an eye, without question. A manager I'd observed in the lobby through my stay overheard my questions for late checkout. She came over, introduced herself and immediately offered check-out as late as I needed. I thanked her and said I needed to freshen up and finalize some airline ticketing, that I wouldn't need to much time. I was told to take as much time as I needed.

*Getting to the room, it was being torn apart and cleaned. That messed up my shower plans. The butler was right on the scene. I asked why they needed to clean my room, since I'm just about to check out. Her reply was that they wanted me to freshen up in a clean room, that it was no trouble whatsoever. She recommended the spa and pool on the lower level if I was in a hurry to shower.

The Spa/pool was just as great; the staff super nice; the facilities impressive, again. Pool a little small, but nice. I freshened up, had a swim, ordered a drink, and made some calls to the airlines. Figured my room would be ready, so went back up to pack and head out.

*Butler was concerned that my eraands/business wasn't finished. I asked her for some coffee and if she could find a travel agent that could issue the tickets I needed (many agencies I visited in SIN couldn't issue tickets or recommend one that could) She came back with the address of a complex in ChinaTown that would still be open on Friday evening to issue tickets.

*Checkout fairly uneventful, but the surge of concern that my needs were met, that I got a taxi to take me where I was going, and so on was a nice way to wrap up my stay.

I stayed less than 30 hours at the St Regis, but they put on a show for me. Nothing more than they offer for every guest, I'm sure. But enough to impress this diamond. Very happy to have had the experience.

I hope this report doesn't raise people's expectations too much at this hotel. As with every hotel, their ability to meet every guests needs will vary with thier availability, staffing levels, etc.