Still a tale of two hotels

We returned to the StR SIN for a one night transit.

Booked a base room via Mariott STARS and reached out to the property due to a service recovery offer from a few years ago. We also arranged hotel cars and were told the Bentleys are no longer offered so chose a E Class.

We entered the hotel, were escorted to sit down check in and there was a single agent looking after another guest.

Another agent appeared and she mentioned my name and handed him our folio and keys which were pre prepared. Stranegly, didn't receieve a piece of paper with STARS benefits like you normally do with Virtuoso, but I appreciated the swift check in as the hotel normally takes a good 10 mins.

I knew form the app the day prior that we had been upgraded to a Caroline Stor Suite. The hotel has 21 of these room types.

While the common areas of the hotel like the entrance and lobby are stunning I was shocked to see the room decor (despite knowing what previous stays were liked).

I've mentioned that it looks like a designer imagined what French Chic  looked like and got it all wrong. What's worse is everything is so dated. The furniture, soft furnishings and the frustrating remote control for the lights and curtains not to mention the ugly, multiple buttons.

That said, the room was a good size with a large living area and a view of the Botanic Gardens.

Welcome amneity was a botter of Sparkling, fruit plate and chocolates. We also receieved a card from the GM and Butler.

StR Butler service didn't disappoint with our morning Barista coffees delivered promptly.

The hotel tried to deny an earlier confirmed 5PM checkout only offering 2PM. I had indicated this request when booking the hotel car and it wook 30 mins for the hotel to confirm they would honour what we agreed. I think I made the mistake of asking Guest Services and not front desk.

As we planned to spend the day out, this had the potential to ruin the stay.

One serious negative was the outsourced pickup driver asked if we wanted "company from girls tonight." I found this offensive and disgusting and definitely not acceptable. When he realised we're a gay couple he then pivoted to "Trans or drag queens?"

I was tired after flying in at 21:30 otherwise I would have made a much bigger fuss of this, but emailed the hotel after the stay to say they shouldn't use this driver anymore.

 

Breakfast Eggs Benedict with ham were perfect and a good selection of Asian, Western and Indian favours ar breakfast.

We used our credit for Room service the next day and the food was of high quality and perfectly laid out on the table.

Overall the StR SIN rooms need a serious refurbishment. In 2023, the drab decor look like someone's grandmother's living room rather than a five star, lux hotel.

If I had paid the full amount for the Caroline Astor Suite I would have checked out.