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starwood

Hotel Staycation Review: W Singapore Sentosa Cove – Feeling Cool in this Enclave for the Rich & Famous

December 8, 2020 by Bino 2 Comments

W Singapore – Sentosa Cove stands as a true getaway from the hustle and bustle of Singapore, with a location that is relatively intimate, relaxing and far from the maddening crowd. This is considering that the resort island where it is situated is more known for lively attractions such as Universal Studios and Adventure Cove Waterpark. With a setting right at the playground of the rich and famous, this W property’s Sentosa Cove location not only creates an atmosphere perfect for a hideaway but also one that is thankfully not touristy.

Part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, this property is a Category 6 for SPG members, effectively tying it with St. Regis Singapore and Westin Singapore. While the W’s sister hotels in the country are all city hotels, getting here’s an easy cab ride from Vivocity which took less than ten minutes for me. Shuttle buses also run from here to the hotel every hour or two. You can check out the shuttle bus schedule here.

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Filed Under: Hotels Tagged With: singapore staycation, SPG, starwood, W hotels

Hotel Review: Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu – Superb Downtown Location

April 3, 2018 by Bino 1 Comment

The Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu is one of the most established hotels in the state capital of Sabah. Located right smack in the city center, just across the seafood and handicraft markets and just a few steps away from the nightlife district; the property is one of a handful of SPG properties in East Malaysia. During a return trip to Kota Kinabalu, I managed to check out the Le Meridien for a couple of nights.

Kota Kinabalu is not a particularly large city but the hotel lobby is more in keeping with large city hotels. It’s hip and happening, with an illuminated ceiling, furnishings decked in gold and plenty of mirrors.

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Filed Under: Hotels Tagged With: hotels in kota kinabalu, le meridient, marriott, SPG, starwood

Hotel Review: The Westin Singapore – Of Stunning Bathtubs & Infinity Pools

September 15, 2017 by Bino Leave a Comment

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

Filed Under: Hotels Tagged With: marriottw, singapore staycation, SPG, starwood, westin

Hotel Review: St. Regis Kuala Lumpur – Ultra Luxurious Hotel in KL Sentral

April 7, 2017 by Bino Leave a Comment

Opened in 2016, the St. Regis Kuala Lumpur is a 208-room hotel located near the bustling KL Sentral in the Malaysian capital. It had been a while since my last visit to Kuala Lumpur (I had also stayed in a hotel near the area then, the Hilton Kuala Lumpur). The St. Regis is probably the most high-profile hotel to open in the city for a couple of years so it was no question that I was to check out this property during this visit.

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Filed Under: Hotels Tagged With: kuala lumpur hotels, SPG, st. regis, starwood

Cook & Brew at the Westin Singapore – New Lunch and Dinner Menu

March 20, 2017 by Bino Leave a Comment

Cook & Brew, the gastro-bar at Level 33 of Westin Singapore, has recently revamped its lunch and dinner menu with modern Asian-inspired specialties. You can expect pad thai flavours, for instance, with fries and beef carpaccio with Korean flavours. Recently, I was invited down to Cook & Brew for a media tasting – not my first time at Westin Singapore but my first time in this F&B venue.

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: starwood, westin singapore

Seafood From the Heart Dinner Buffet at The Kitchen Table, W Singapore – Sentosa Cove

March 23, 2016 by Bino Leave a Comment

The Kitchen Table at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove competes within a dining scene where seafood buffets are becoming a dime a dozen affairs. Thankfully, they’ve managed to put a twist into this ever popular buffet theme. I’m not talking about the sustainable sourcing practices of this property though that’s one thing you’re bound to remember after reading their marketing collaterals. To be honest, I came in expecting a run-of-the-mill buffet with the usual cold and grilled seafood items but left pleasantly surprised. Due to the restaurant’s collaboration with celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita, Seafood From the Heart is not your typical seafood buffet. During my staycation at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, I found out exactly why.

The design concept of the F&B outlets of any W hotel is always quite decadent and it was no exception when I entered The Kitchen Table. I didn’t even notice what the “concept” was exactly until a staff member pointed me to look upwards and see how the ceiling was actually designed as an upside down kitchen!

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: seafood buffet, singapore buffet, SPG, starwood, w singapore

The St. Regis Singapore – The Most Luxurious Hotel in Singapore

August 29, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

I’ll start off by jumping straight to the point – the St. Regis Singapore has got to be the most opulent hotel in Singapore. Situated in Tanglin Road which is just a few minutes away from buzzing Orchard Road, there is an air of grandeur in this Category 6 Starwood (SPG) property that prevails in just about every aspect, from the in-house brunches where they serve all-you-can-eat caviar and lobsters to the personalized butler service in every room. Of course, there’s also the extensive collection of sculptures and artwork from the likes of Fernando Botero, Cheong Soo Pieng and Marc Chagall scattered around the property. If there is one thing that this property wants guests to remember, it is undoubtedly the unmatched luxury.

check-in counters at st. regis singapore

One thing that always impresses me about Starwood (SPG) is how effectively this hotel chain segments its various brands. Each has a distinct personality. When I stayed at the W Bangkok last year, the vibe was unmistakably hip and happening so coming to St. Regis Singapore and witnessing its unabashed luxury definitely made for a wonderful contrast.

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Filed Under: Hotels Tagged With: best hotel in singapore, luxury hotel in singapore, singapore staycation, st. regis, starwood

W Bangkok – An Extraordinarily Hip Hotel in the Thai Capital

November 16, 2014 by Bino 3 Comments

Stepping into the lobby of W Bangkok in Sathorn after an evening flight from Thailand’s rural heartland, the contrast between countryside charm and youthful decadence could not have been any more apparent. Still decked in rugged shorts and sandals, I entered via the hotel’s automatic sliding doors that revealed lounge chairs, a DJ booth and purple lighting. With a large W greeting me as I entered, I knew I was in for a unique experience.

lobby of W Bangkok

W Bangkok has the distinction of being well-situated for both business and pleasure. Visitors are often spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding where to stay in Bangkok but the location of this hotel is hard to beat. The gleaming office towers of Sathorn Road is just a short walk away and so is the infamous night market and nightlife district of Silom. For folks who come to Bangkok for shopping, the trendy and upscale malls of Siam are just a short ride away from Chong Nonsi BTS station.

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Filed Under: Hotels Tagged With: best hotel in bangkok, boutique hotel in bangkok, SPG, starwood, W Hotel Bangkok, W hotels, where to stay in bangkok

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Who Wanders Here?

BinoHi, I'm Bino, a part-time wanderer and a Singapore-based travel blogger. In this site, I share with you my top travel itineraries. Along the way, I also provide travel guides and tips, recommendations on awesome food to try and impressive hotels to stay! Read More…

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