-
Stats
My stay at the Sofitel Singapore City Centre was just okay. Nothing really wowed me. I expected more for the hotel, considering the good amount of money I paid and it being a flagship Sofitel.
Check In
We arrived in the afternoon and were escorted to the lounge for check-in. A cold towel and undrinkable sweet juice were offered. I had booked a luxury club room and we received just that. All five suites were taken.
I know that the upgrade benefit depends on availability but I was of course disappointed. Nothing about the upgrade – or the lack of it – was, however, mentioned before I asked about it. A humble and proactive apology for not being able to offer the upgrade for the obvious reasons would have been appreciated.
The amount of suites was also surprisingly small. I learned that the hotel still have five top floors under construction even though it has opened its doors almost half an year ago.
Room
A guest experience manager led us to our room. We got a corner room far away from lifts as is my preference. However, the room wasn’t on a high floor even thought it was sold us as a high-floor room. This is because all high floors has some electricity issues. Thus, the club rooms shouldn’t be advertised and sold as a high-floor rooms when they in fact are located on the middle floors.
The room itself was nice and spacious. In addition to comfortable king size bed and writing desk, it had armchair and large bathroom with both tub and shower but one sink only. Toiletries were Lanvin. I would have expected Hermes for a flagship hotel.
Other amenities included Nespresso machine, TWG teas, Bose audio system, complimentary snacks such as juices, chips, olives, and cereal bar, for example. The hotel also provided with a complimentary mobile phone with free calls and wifi which is common in Singaporean hotels so nothing really new here.
The modest welcome amenity was a few chocolates and a tiny bottle of that super sweet juice that was also served in the lounge a moment before.
Service
Some staff was kind and helpful, some just indifferent. Lets take the turn down service as an example. It wasn’t done properly: wet towels not changed, amenities not filled, and bed prepared for one person only despite us being two.
When I called to housekeeping and introduced myself the agent on the phone ended the call by calling me by my partner’s name. Newspaper wasn’t delivered to the room despite it being a standard benefit at Sofitel. Small details are important.
I requested late check-out at 2pm and it was refused at first because the hotel was running ”very high occupancy”. When I checked Accor’s website, all rooms were for sale, including the club rooms where we were staying and at a reasonable price for the same day booking. Again, I had to express my disappointment before the request was approved and the two extra hours were given.
Also, the hotel felt very empty, almost deserted at times, especially at breakfast.
The club rooms includes free laundry for two items daily. However, I was told that this benefit starts from the second day only. Only after I reminded them that I’m staying for three nights and I can’t send my dirty clothes to the laundry the day I’m checking out, they let me send four clothes in one day but not two the first day…
No pre-arrival email correspondence, no one asked at any point how is our stay, and no guest satisfaction survey received after the stay.
Dining
We only had breakfast at the Racines restaurant so can’t comment on dinner or lunch. All in-house guests receives a coupon that entitles for 15% discount on dinner. Breakfast was excellent, both quality and variety.
The lounge was cosy but the food selection very limited and similar every day. It consisted of cold cuts and cheese mainly, plus tiny warm bites. I would have been fine with that if I had received the lounge access as a benefit but now I paid for it, lots of money. At least they had champagne, drinkable Duval-Leroy.
Afternoon tea was slightly better.
The lounge, the restaurant and the bar all closes early: between 10pm and 10:30pm. After that, the hotel is dead. When we wanted to use our welcome drink vouchers near the closing time, bartender refused to take our order. We were advised to come back the next day which we did and used the vouchers for lychee martini that was recommended by the bartender.
We found it weird that the hotel only serves Nespresso capsule coffee, everywhere. I’m fine with it in my room but not in the lounge or the restaurant. I missed strong French press coffee.
Overall
The hotel is centrally located and conveniently connected to MRT station. The pool area is relaxing with direct access to the lounge but no sauna or steam room.
I find the hotel not so good value for money. I stayed for three nights and paid almost 300 euros per night with the super sales rate! I might give it another chance but I’m not rushing back.
Hotels you may also be interested in
-
Sofitel So Singapore
35 Robinson Road Singapore, SG 068876
4 Reviews | 75% Recommended 75% Recommended 4 Reviews -
The Westin Singapore
12 Marina View Asia Square Tower 2 Singapore, SG 018961
3 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 3 Reviews -
-
PARKROYAL on Pickering
3 Upper Pickering Street Singapore, SG 059413
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
1 Fullerton Square Singapore, SG 049178
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
Marina Bay Sands
10 Bayfront Avenue Singapore, SG 018956
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay
177a River Valley Road Singapore, SG 179031
3 Reviews | 67% Recommended 67% Recommended 3 Reviews -
Four Points by Sheraton Singap...
382 Havelock Road Singapore, SG 169629
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
5 Raffles Avenue Marina Square Singapore, SG 039797
2 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 2 Reviews -
Raffles (Singapore)
1 Beach Rd Singapore , SG 189673
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Sin...
7 Raffles Avenue Singapore, SG 039799
5 Reviews | 60% Recommended 60% Recommended 5 Reviews -
Conrad Centennial Singapore
Two Temasek Boulevard Singapore, SG 038982
6 Reviews | 83% Recommended 83% Recommended 6 Reviews -
Mercure Singapore Bugis
122 Middle Rd Singapore, SG
2 Reviews | 50% Recommended 50% Recommended 2 Reviews -
InterContinental Singapore
80 Middle Road Bugis Junction Singapore, SG 188966
3 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 3 Reviews -
Andaz Singapore
5 Fraser Street Singapore, SG 189354
2 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 2 Reviews -
Hilton Garden Inn Singapore
3 Belilios Road Singapore Singapore, SG 219924
2 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 2 Reviews -
Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road Singapore, SG 228211
4 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 4 Reviews -
The Vagabond Club, A Tribute P...
39 Syed Alwi Road Singapore, SG 207630
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
hôtel vagabond, Tribe Portfol...
39 Syed Alwi Rd , Singapore
3 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 3 Reviews -
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
190 Orchard Boulevard Singapore, SG 248646
4 Reviews | 75% Recommended 75% Recommended 4 Reviews -
The St. Regis Singapore
29 Tanglin Road Singapore, SG 247911
5 Reviews | 60% Recommended 60% Recommended 5 Reviews -
Le Meridien Singapore, Sentosa
23 Beach View Singapore, SG 098679
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
Novotel Singapore on Stevens
8 Stevens Road, #01-01 Singapore 257878 Singapore, SG
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
22 Orange Grove Road Singapore, SG 258350
1 Reviews | 0% Recommended 0% Recommended 1 Reviews -
Mercure Singapore On Stevens
Orchard District, 28 Stevens Road, #01-02, 257878 Singapore, SG
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
Courtyard Singapore at Novena
99 Irrawaddy Road Novena, SG 329658
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
Ibis Styles Singapore On Macp...
401 MACPHERSON ROAD Singapore, Singapore SG 368125
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
Mercure Bugis
122 Middle Rd , Singapore SG
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Reso...
2 Bukit Manis Road Sentosa Singapore, SG 099891
3 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 3 Reviews -
Hilton Singapore
581 Orchard Road Singapore, SG 238883
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
Swissotel The Stamford
2 Stamford Road Singapore, SG 178882
2 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 2 Reviews -
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Joh...
12 Jalan Ngee Heng Johor Bahru, MY 80000
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
ibis Styles Batam Nagoya
Jalan Yos Sudarso Bengkong Laut Batam, Batam ID
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews -
Renaissance by Marriott Johor ...
No. 2, Jalan Permas 11 Bandar Baru Permas Jaya Masai, MY 81750
1 Reviews | 100% Recommended 100% Recommended 1 Reviews
280 Comments