Suite: Club Marina Bay | Size: 34 square metres | Price: From about A$680 per night |Details: mandarinoriental.com
The Suite
With unobstructed views over the bay, my Club Marina Bay Room was the perfect spot to watch the nightly laser light show on the water. The earthy colour scheme of olive green, cream, deep browns and burnt orange with timber accents on the wall was calming and highlighted the spectacular view outside. Top marks for the bed and luxury linens. There is a comfortable chair and ottoman and a timber desk in front of the window. The ensuite, though on the smaller side, had a glass wall allowing natural light in so it didn’t feel cramped. Access to the newly renovated Oriental Club on the 19th floor is a nice perk.
Locale
Across the street from the bay, the Mandarin Oriental is close to several attractions. From the hotel, you can walk to the Singapore Flyer (Ferris wheel), the National Gallery, shopping at Marina Bay Sands and the Gardens by the Bay nature park. There are dozens of dining options close by and public transport is a breeze with two train stations about a 10-minute walk away.
Look and Feel
The fan-shaped hotel is designed by John Portman and while the lobby feels a tad moody with its dark timber and deep burgundy finishes, the guest rooms are full of natural light and the rooftop pool area is one of the best I’ve seen in an urban hotel setting. The 25-metre pool looks out over the city skyline and is beautifully landscaped with lush green gardens, fountains, private cabanas, semi-submerged pool lounges and a bubble-jet kids pool. It’s a great spot to cool down when you need a break from exploring in the heat of the city, and if you are staying mid-week you are likely to have the place to yourself.
Eat in
There are seven dining options, from casual lobster rolls by the pool to contemporary Japanese at Teppan-Ya or a steak from Morton’s steakhouse. The extensive breakfast buffet at Melt takes up three large rooms and has everything from Singaporean specialties to delicious house-made roti, spicy curries, freshly baked pastries, custom-blended juices and of course eggs, waffles and pancakes all made to order. There is both indoor and outdoor garden seating.
Treat Yourself
The small spa has six spa suites, two couples’ rooms, a communal relaxation room and a manicure and pedicure area. Treatments can be customised and the menu also features great options just for men like the Alpha Male, a three-hour experience including a private steam, exfoliating body treatment, deep massage and facial.
Special Touches
As a tea drinker, I always enjoy the welcome tea basket on arrival. The specially insulated basket keeps the pot of signature tea hot for hours – always a great start to my stay.