singapore staycation

It is easy to categorize the The Westin Singapore as a “business hotel.” Located squarely within Singapore’s central business district, the SPG property has the regional headquarters of several banks and multinationals right at its doorstep. But to dismiss it simply as such would be a travesty. The property boasts of a stunning infinity pool and a jacuzzi overlooking the bustling seaport, to name a few bells and whistles. The lobby which is situated at the 32nd floor – is the highest hotel lobby in the country and affords guests with plenty of sumptuous views.

the westin singapore lobby – highest hotel lobby in singapore

If you are staying here on a weekend, you will find The Westin Singapore relatively quieter as the bulk of its guests are business people. The lack of warm bodies is great news for leisure travelers as well as locals on a staycation. As a Category 6 SPG property, rates are also markedly cheaper (you can click HERE to compare for the best rates) during weekends compared to its peers – the St. Regis Singapore and W Singapore Sentosa Cove.

view from the lobby

The hotel has two sets of elevators. The first takes you from the ground level to the meeting rooms and ballroom and to the lobby at the 32nd level. The second takes you from the lobby to the guestrooms – with the pool / fitness area and club lounge somewhere in between. The first thing you’ll notice as you get to the lobby are the sweeping views of the business district as well as the seaport (one of the world’s largest) in the distance.

westin singapore lobby lounge

I arrived in the hotel around 3 hours prior to standard check-in time so it was expected that my room wasn’t available yet. The front desk associate was proactive in getting my number and she promised to inform me once my room was ready. While I have often been disappointed with hotels elsewhere as I never get a callback and often have to keep checking the room status myself – I did receive a call from The Westin Singapore at around 1:30PM that my room was ready.

I stayed in one of the hotel’s Premier rooms. It is not often made known but the layout of the Asia Square building where the hotel is situated in means that the rooms don’t all look alike. Not even those in the same category. Some of the rooms for example have the bathrooms facing inward while other rooms have the bathroom facing outward, with the bathtub facing the window. I can only name one other hotel in Singapore with such a stunning backdrop for a tub and that is the Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore. The Westin Singapore offers you the same at about 2/3 of the price!

For a relatively new hotel, the room cuts are surprisingly huge. The Premier rooms range from 40 to 50 square meters and come in a warm shade of brown juxtaposed with cream for a calming feel. I also loved the carpeting – fluffy but not too furry for people susceptible to allergies like me.

The furnishings are on the light side – you won’t find clutter here – but are relatively upscale. A 42″ inch LCD TV is set directly opposite the bed while an iPod dock graces the bedside table along with a small bottle of lavender balm as a non-invasive sleeping aid. The Westin Singapore is one of the very few hotels in Singapore I’ve seen offering a form of sleep aid – the other being the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport.

The room is large enough such that you will find a sofa set at the end of the room. For folks who need to get some work done, the work desk comes with a stationery set as well as plenty of power outlets to charge one’s devices. Owing to its location, the desk is obviously styled with the business traveler in mind. It is huge and of the usual rectangular shape. The hotel also provides a Handyphone which allows guests to call selected countries for free and obtain internet access while in Singapore.

One notable difference with the Premier rooms is that these are located in the SPG floor. Instead of the standard Nespresso machine, you get a French press coffee maker.

As mentioned previously, the Premier room comes in different cuts. My personal recommendation is to write in to the hotel to request for one which has a tub facing the outside window for a really luxurious experience.

bathroom

Regardless whether your tub faces in or out, I found the bathrooms at The Westin Singapore to be among the most appealing. The hotel advertises that it feels like a personal spa and I must say they are not exaggerating in that aspect. While I normally relegate the bathroom as a place to do personal business, I certainly did not mind lingering longer in here with its clean and plush marble fittings.

At the centerpiece of the bathroom is the standalone tub which offers marvelous views of the city. While I don’t imagine business people to have plenty of time to have a nice, hot bath; I highly recommend going for one here while watching the world pass by down below. How’s that for a business hotel?

infinity pool

The 35th floor is the de facto wellness center of The Westin Singapore. I dropped by to see the infinity pool – a breathtaking but underrated place to have a dip. While views of Marina Bay have been blocked partially by the surrounding buildings, the pool experience here is still rather surreal especially when considering the open spaces.

gym

jacuzzi

In the same floor, you will find the fitness center (which also has a gorgeous view) and the in-house spa, Heavenly Spa by Westin. While the latter comes with its own set of signature treatments, not many people know that the jacuzzi inside the spa is free for in-house guests to use. In case your room doesn’t come with a tub facing the window, you can choose to have a relaxing soak here complete with massage jets.

My stay also came with breakfast and this is served in the all-day dining outlet, Seasonal Tastes. I’m more familiar with the venue for its cheap lunch buffets to draw in the office crowd but in the morning, it takes on a different vibe with weekend staycation-ers occupying more tables than business folk.

The morning meal offerings are spread across various counters. Of note is the extensive salad / greens counter – a nod to Westin’s focus on wellness – as well as daily fresh juice offerings (look out for the berry smoothies!). There is also a modest Japanese counter which I don’t usually see for breakfast. For something heavier, there is an eggs station where staff members whip up your choice of omelets and sunny side up.

Verdict

All in all, I found The Westin Singapore offers the best value for money among the SPG luxury hotels in Singapore and even when taking into account the wider umbrella of luxury Marriott hotels in the country.  Other than the more affordable rates, the location is also ideal for leisure and sightseeing – with iconic sights such as the Marina Bay Sands or Gardens by the Bay one station away while the buzzing streets of Chinatown are only a mile from the hotel.  The property is likewise an apt venue to feel pampered with its spa amenities permeating various elements of the stay. I will certainly be back.

Reservations: Compare the best prices HERE