Just what you would expect from the Conrad (Conrad International Centennial Hotel Singapore)

Member Name: Purdypops

Product:	Conrad International Centennial Hotel Singapore
Date:	08/01/06 (194 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great leisure facilties pool and gym and wonderful executive floor

Disadvantages: Hotel is one of the more expensive in Singapore

Our main holiday trip this year took us to Bali Indonesia for a ten night stay and then to Singapore for a further 5 nights. During both of these trips we were lucky enough to enjoy the luxury comfort and service of the Conrad Hotels.

In Singapore we checked in to the Conrad Hotel for 3 of our 5 nights staying - we had previously booked into the Swissotel Merchant Quay booked via Travelocity but we missed the Conrad which we had grown very used too during our stay in Bali.

The Conrad Centennial Hotel in Singapore can be found at

Two Temasek Boulevard
Singapore

Tel: 65-X-6334-8888
Email: Singaporeinfo@conradhotels.com

There are 509 rooms in the hotel, on over 31 floors of the hotel.


Its location is in the business district of Singapore but is in close proximity to shopping mall of Suntec City and public transport meaning nothing is too far way. Changi International Airport is around a 20 minute drive from the hotel also. The closest MRT is within walking distance and as with all things in Singapore it is clean safe and extremely efficient. Cabs are continuously available outside the main lobby also.

First Impressions

To be honest l was probably under whelmed - l was expecting a glittering hotel outshining all the others - but in this area a lot of the big name chains are to be found Marriot and so on. Also due to the positioning of the Conrad - it's in a courtyard type area which is swamped by the Suntec Convention Centre & Malls its hard to pick out where exactly the Conrad is.

Lobby

As with all Conrad hotels the theme carries through - now this is more of a business hotel with the previous hotel we stayed in at Bali being a resort catering for tourists more. Still the décor theme is similar - dark wood, quite ambience and staff who blend into the background yet are by your side should you require assistance. There were many contemporary pieces of art - strategically placed here and there the most notable being a large red abstract piece set beside an extravagant winding stair case to the first level. The lobby was well air-conditioned which was great after coming from the outside sweltering heat of the day.

Staff & Customer Service

In the interests of this opinion l can only really compare this Conrad to the sister hotel we stayed in the year previously in Bangkok which again was more of a business hotel. The hotels are on par for the standard of accommodation and facilities offered but in my mind Bangkok wins hands down (previous review does exist!). The Thai staff was less assured than the more western in style and nature Singaporeans, this self effacing nature of the Thais and their constant smiling faces and genuine willingness to help could do nothing but endear them to you. Now please do not assume that l found the staff in this Singapore hotel anything but helpful and pleasant - it's just they had a much more brusque and western manner - lm assuming because of the so many close similarities between the UK and Singaporean lifestyle. For example when we checked in to the Bangkok hotel - we were immediately ushered to our room and the manager checked our details in our room and showed us the facilities personally. In Singapore we were merely directed to the Executive Floor where our room was located and told to check in with the Executive Floor desk - just as efficient but less personal. For me these personal touches over and above the call of duty stick in my mind and make the trip more memorable.

The Room

As l stated we were on the executive as my other half is a Hilton Honours Diamond card holder so it does have its advantages! The Executive Floor sets guests paying this rate of members of the club apart from all the other hotel guests and affords that little bit more luxury. We had the full use of the executive room - fully stocked with all national and international papers, web access, superb views across the city, there was a full hot and cold breakfast service each morning, in the afternoon - afternoon tea/coffee and exquisite cakes were served and between 5pm -7.30pm pre dinner cocktails and canapés are available. There is a dedicated executive floor desk to deal with all queries and to check guests in and out.

Our room itself was lovely. I must state it had a wonderful view - we were opposite the Dancing Fountain at Suntec City Mall - which every evening put on a wonderful show using animation, flashing messages and all to music - so top marks to the show. The room was adequate in size (not as big as that in Bangkok) with a large bathroom with separate roll top bath and shower and delicious smellies too! Our bed was huge - nearly taking up the entire room - and simply divine when resting weary legs! I swear l lost Paul in it!! The décor again was the standard dark wood and contemporary style l love about the Conrad chain.

Facilities

The hotel is well equipped for all types of visitor, with health and fitness lounge and outdoor pool, fine dining, bars and business centre.

The fitness club includes a well equipped gym which l did not use - l was on holiday! There is a relatively decent sized outdoor pool in a rectangular shape. There are sunloungers aplenty and bar service to cater for guests needs. I did use the pool and surrounding areas and a nice touch was that barman once he saw you arrive was he brought you down a huge glass of iced water which was regularly replenished and a chilled flannel to mop a heated brow!

Also in your room is a jogging map for those mad enough to follow such a pursuit in the sweltering heat!

There are restaurants and bars for all tastes - Oscars Café & Terrace which is for snacking and is open 24 hours; as l said previously a pool patio bar for poolside drinks; The Golden Peony - offering up high class Cantonese food and the Lounge Bar - for afternoon teas and cocktails after dark.

Rates

You can book the hotel at a variety of internet websites but 9 times out of 10 it's just as cheap to book direct at the hotel website as we did. This can be found at www.conradhotels.com. At the time of writing this review l did a room reservation check to give you readers an idea of prices.

For a 5 night stay in March for 2 adults in a King Bed Executive Floor Room you are looking at £200 a night - so far from cheap. It is worth checking dates as if there are conferences on you will find rates jump a lot, there were no standard rooms available at the start of March 2006 therefore it very well could be a convention is in town. We paid nowhere near this price more like £100 a night for the same period of time in June 05.

Conclusion

The Conrad Centennial in Singapore is an excellent business hotel, it's rated at 4 stars in this section of Ciao of which l would disagree - the calibre of the hotel is definitely worth 5 stars. The staff and service are great; it's a contemporary hotel and is well located in Singapore's business district close to transportation links and the airport. If the rates are right l would definitely recommend staying in this hotel.

Heather ©

Summary: Huge bed that you can get lost in!