Lobster and caviar for breakfast, aperitif amid the Picassos. This is St. Regis Singapore

Singapore is spoiled for choice when it comes to luxury hotels. The St. Regis is certainly one of the most popular choices, just think of the famous summit between Trump and Kim Jong-Un that took place right here in the Asian city-state, the Korean leader had specifically chosen to stay at this hotel, booking the presidential suite and two entire floors of the hotel.

Reservation

When I chose to stay at this hotel, I did so for several reasons. It is part of the Marriott family, so it was a great way to take advantage of my status in the Bonvoy program. Also, by booking via FHR of American Express, I was able to take advantage of additional benefits and accumulate ten times the Bonvoy points, as provided by the X10 bonus for bookings made through the travel portal Of American Express.

Among the Fine Hotels + Resorts options in Singapore, there was also The Ritz-Carlton, but I did not choose this property because it does not allow users to take advantage of status benefits, let alone accumulate points.

The cost for the two nights was not cheap at all: €890. I have, however, taken down partially the cost using 50 thousand Payback points, as the collection is expiring at the end of the year, it seemed like a clever way to use the points.

With this reservation I have accumulated 17,077 Bonvoy points, enough to a free night at the Sheraton Milano San Siro, and almost 9 thousand Membership Rewards points. 

Location

Singapore is very easy to get around, although traffic, as in all Asian cities, can be tremendous. High-end hotels are located in two areas. The Marina area that hosts the famous Marina Bay, but also many other top-notch facilities, and Orchard Road, the most famous street in the city and perhaps in all of Southeast Asia.

This hotel is right in the heart of Orchard Road, the shopping street and one of the busiest areas of the city, but it is also just a few minutes' walk from such a paradise as the Singapore Botanical Gardens, a UNESCO site since 2015.

Check-in

We arrived directly from the airport by cab (expense 34SGD) in just under 30 minutes. Unlike what we experienced at Bangkok, Singapore's butler did not immediately spring to open the door of our cab, and no porter took care of unloading the luggage, quite the contrary.

There was never anyone, or hardly anyone, even to open the front door, as if they had been saving on doormen.

The opulence of this structure can be felt from the outside with the Botero sculpture, but also from the marble and the huge chandelier in the lobby.

The reception desk is immediately on the left, at the end of the initial hallway. Of the three desks, only one was manned.

Compared to other check-ins, everything here has been very low-key And there was no pampering. Not the classic cool cloth to cool off from the hot/humid locale, much less a welcome drink.

Although I am Titanium Elite and the reservation was made through FHR, I did not receive any kind of upgrade, according to the receptionist there were no better rooms than the one booked (it was a basic room).

Having completed the paperwork, we were "shipped" to our room Without anyone accompanying us. 

The butler

The butler did not offer to unpack when the luggage arrived at the room.

Of course, the service is always there and free of charge, but you have to request it by phone. Actually, we never met the butler until we ordered coffee.

Free services include having clothes ironed or ordering drinks in the room.

We took advantage of this by ordering coffee and having two garments ironed.

But the strength of the butler at the St. Regis is to interact with the guest and help them with small/big needs, and I didn't see that here.

The works of art

This hotel is also a museum, which can be visited free of charge by guests: hanging in the walls or on display in the hallways and common areas is one of the best private collections in Southeast Asia, worth more than $ 7 million. If desired, the hotel offers a free, guided tour to guests.

There is a Botero sculpture at the entrance, as well as at the pool.

There are two paintings by Miró on the second floor, sketches by Picasso at the Astor Bar and a series of large landscapes painted with Chinese ink on rice paper by theSingaporean artist Chen Kezhan,

The room

Here is the room is basic, but In 9 out of 10 other hotels it would probably be a junior suite, even though we were only on the third floor (of 19) it is impossible to be disappointed.

The daytime view is of the pool and the buildings around, having an open view is a privilege for few in this area. While it is easier for facilities in the Marina area.

Upon my arrival in the room was waiting for me a birthday cupcake and a fruit basket. A much appreciated courtesy, especially since my birthday was 48h past.

At the entrance to the room is the bar cabinet with a coffee machine (but isn't it more convenient to have the butler bring it to you?). I expected the same abundance that I had found at the St. Regis in Bangkok, instead was a sad empty and dusty piece of furniture with a note inside explaining how, because of Covid, it was emptied, if you want to just ask.

The rest of the room is one large room with a huge glass wall. There are two sofas: one placed to the side and able to accommodate 6 people and a second in front of the bed.

Bed that is a king double, with an amazing mattress and soft topper.

The bathroom is a mini apartment. All marble with two sinks on opposite sides and a double bathtub in the center. Toilet and Shower are separate on the opposite side of the toilet.

The bathroom also houses a walk-in closet.

The TV screen was not modern or of gigantic size, but there is a dolby surround system from Bose in the room, as well as a bluetooth speaker from Geneva, stuff that has never happened before in a hotel room.

The whole room is controlled from the pushbuttons on both bedside tables. From curtains to lights, everything at your fingertips and all effortlessly.

Environmental Sustainability

Unfortunately, I saw little attention in the hotel to environmental sustainability. The bathroom was full of small plastic containers.

There are also many plastic bottles in the room, free of charge, for guests.

Pool and SPA

On the second floor of the facility are the hotel's pool and spa. I must say that I am a fan of both of these options when I travel. It's so nice to be able to dive into the pool after a long day around town, or relax in the jacuzzi or sauna.

Too bad the hours of these services are almost at the office level. The spa closes at 7 p.m. and so does the pool.

Speaking of the swimming pool, it is not large and it is also not well located, since Is in the midst of many skyscrapers. This can be good (you get shelter from the sun) or bad (you don't get sun). What is certain is that if only 10% of the guests decided to go to the pool, there would be no room for anyone. There are a number of "soaking" loungers and others in the shadier area.

There is also a small gymnasium overlooking the pool, nothing fancy but at least you avoid running into the humidity of the city.

On the opposite side of the facility is the SPA. There is an entrance fee, even for hotel guests. Access for two hours costs 30SGD, Fortunately, Titanium members are granted free admission. The main part of the SPA is dedicated to the treatment rooms. For other guests, the area is divided into two, two mirrored rooms for guests by gender.

There is an indoor and an outdoor jacuzzi pool. Each area has a sauna, showers and a relaxation area. It's just too bad that if you travel in pairs, you can't be together.

Breakfast

Even here I would have expected something different. The problem is that the restaurant on the ground floor is small, so there is a risk of queuing if you arrive during peak hours.

Service is mainly at the buffet. There is a cooking station where noodles are prepared and then you are given a card from which you can choose what you want.

I have no idea about the cost of breakfast, since it is free in FH+R reservations, but it would also have been free because of my status in the Bonvoy program.

The buffet offers quality products, but there are no fresh squeezed juices and juices, the whole offer is "industrial." In a 5-star hotel it would be logical to find at least freshly squeezed juice.

For breakfast I ordered, for the first time in my life, an omelet with fish.. With shrimp, lobster bisque and caviar.

I also wanted to taste other products, including French toast with roasted banana.

Food & Beverage

The hotel is also home to a number of other locations. Immediately from the entrance is the Astor Bar.

This space also serves as a lounge between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Guests can enjoy free aperitifs with a selection of snacks and cocktails prepared by knowledgeable bartenders.

Then on either side of the reception desk is a pastry corner and on the gymnasium floor is a renowned Japanese restaurant, which I did not have time to try, however.

Room service was quick and accurate, too bad about the quality of the products (especially the strawberry milkshake).

In conclusion

Is it a five-star hotel? Yes. Does one breathe in the pampering and luxury of the St. Regis? No.

Hotels at this level fight guests with their teeth, the butler at the St. Regis is famous for being "The Service" that no one else can offer, but at this hotel I got the impression that Butler Service was on vacation.

• fine hotels + resorts