Hotel Review: Four Seasons Hotel Singapore (Four Seasons Executive Suite) - Refurbished in 2018
The Four Seasons Hotel Singapore is home to one of the most impressive Chinese restaurants in Singapore and this is also where you will find the first L'Occitane Spa in Singapore. What is more important to take note however is that this luxurious property has only just recently completed a massive renovation of rooms and suites to reflect a brand new colour palette that is inspired and influenced by the nearby Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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I was recently invited by the Four Season Hotel Singapore to check out the newly-renovated rooms and suites. The Four Seasons Executive Suite here at the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore is positioned here as a junior suite and it features a massive 75sqm of floor space. The Four Seasons Hotel Singapore offers some of the largest guest rooms in Orchard and you would be surprised to find out that even the lead-in category rooms (Deluxe Room) here measure 49 sqm in size. If you hold an American Express Platinum Charge Card and above, the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore participates in the Fine Hotels & Resorts programme and booking this special rate means you will get to enjoy a room upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability), daily breakfast for two people, early check-in (subject to availability), guaranteed 4:00PM late check-out, complimentary WiFi, unique amenity as well as a USD 100 F&B credit which can be utilised during your stay. Honestly, booking this rate for one night stay (i.e. staycations) makes a lot of sense since the USD 100 F&B credit is awarded once each stay.
Located adjacent to the entrance of the Four Seasons Executive Suite is a guest powder room which is essentially a half bathroom where your guests can utilise without having to walk through your bedroom. While most of us probably do not have guests (so to speak) during a staycation, it is also great if you have children or if you are staying as a couple since it alleviates the bottleneck in certain situations.
The living room of the Four Seasons Executive Suite is massive and it features what I think is the largest LED television that I have ever encountered in a hotel room (or suite!). The 65-inch LED television is also on a wall mount so you can adjust it fairly easily to suit the different seating positions - you can also tilt it so you can enjoy some entertainment while sitting by the window.
The plush sofa in the living room of the Four Seasons Executive Suite has room for at least four adults (even though in reality there is a lot more space) and it can also be converted into a bed from my understanding. I really like the peranakan-inspired wall behind the sofa which puts together the evocative elements of Singapore's multicultural heritage through a soothing pastel blue and a composition of Peranakan tiles.
For my welcome amenity, I received a plate of fresh tropical fruits alongside a glass bottle of Evian. While many people do not appreciate fruits as a welcome amenity, I am actually one of those travellers that do. I also received a note from the hotel to welcome me which I thought was a nice gesture - this is also something you get if you book the FHR Rate.
You will also find a coffee machine here in the living room of the Four Seasons Executive Suite and even though it is not a Nespresso- or illy-branded one, the hotel actually provides six coffee capsules (replenished in the morning and during evening turndown) which are complimentary for you to use. The Lavazza coffee capsules were actually pretty delicious and I was quite surprised since I was expecting them to have the same standards as the Nescafe Dolce Gusto ones which are terrible.
If you do not enjoy coffee or you simply want to enjoy a caffeinated beverage in a different form, TWG teabags are provided in the room as well (there is also Chamomile for those of you sensitive to caffeine). What I thought was interesting was the inclusion of less-popular teas (at least where a chain hotel is concerned) like Yunnan FOP and Lung Ching Chinese teas.
In between the massive living room and the bedroom is a smaller sitting area for two adults where you can not only enjoy the view of Orchard Boulevard but also some programs on that massive television. This is also where I ended up working from (on my articles) since it was fairly close to a power source.
Since the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore is located on Orchard Boulevard instead of Orchard Road, the view from the suite does not look out directly to the shopping strip (even though you are able to see it from the side). Some people do not know this but the building is actually directly connected to the Hilton Singapore (which is located on Orchard Road) via a walkway - this way, you can still enjoyed a covered (and air-conditioned) walk to the famous shopping strip.
I really like what the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore has done with the bedroom in the Four Seasons Executive Suite. From my understanding, guests who have stayed in this suite have previously complained about the lack of natural lighting and so, as part of the massive renovation process, the hotel has included an adjustable wooden blind on the bedroom doors (photo of this later!). There is also a small dressing table by the side and of course as you would expect, the bed is dreamy and everything you need for a good night's sleep. I actually went online to check out the possibility of buying one after my stay there!
Universal power outlets as well as USB charging ports can also be found on the side of the bed so you do not need to experience any separation anxiety with your devices before bedtime. I also really liked the backlit buttons which are great in the dark - too many times I have managed to push the button for master lights (which turns EVERYTHING in the room on) instead of the night light when I am trying to get to the bathroom.
For those of you who enjoy listening to your own playlist in the room, there is a portable bluetooth speaker by Bose that you can use during your stay. In fact, because of how portable it is (and how large the suite is), it actually makes sense to bring it out if you have friends over or place it in the bathroom if you are enjoying a deep soak in the bathtub.
As mentioned earlier on, the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore has included an adjustable wooden blind on the main bedroom doors as well as the wall on the side and this allows natural daylight to filter in during the day. One of the major advantages of this over a glass door is that it not only mimics the design elements of a Peranakan shophouse but also it allows you to adjust the amount of light that you want - perfect for those who are suffering from jetlag or simply wish to catch up on sleep during the day.
The bathroom here in the Four Seasons Executive Suite has not been given the same level of renovation as the living room and the bedroom. As such, you will probably see plenty of familiar elements if you have previously stayed in one of these suites. With that being said, the bathroom is still really nicely done up and the bathtub is not only wide but deep as well. Double bathroom sinks also ensure that couples (and family) staying together are able to prepare (for bed or a night out) concurrently without having to wait. At the end of the bathroom is where you will find the toilet which also comes with a bidet on the side - you can also exit this bathroom into the living room directly but the one-way door only allows you to open from the inside.
As you would expect the hotel with the first L'Occitane Spa in Singapore to have, bathroom amenities in the Four Seasons Executive Suite (as well as the other guest rooms here) are provided by decently-sized L'Occitane amenities which smells delightful. I particularly liked the shampoo as well as the bar soap and the hotel has done a great job at replenishing these during the evening turndown service (even though I have not gone through the entire bottle yet).
I remembered the first time that I visited the One-Ninety Bar and it was nothing like that I expected (in a good way). From the outside, the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore does not look like the most happening hotel in Singapore but once you step in to the hotel, the vibe is entirely different and they have actually managed to compartmentalise the space to create the right atmosphere for the right venue. The One-Ninety Bar is located on the lobby level and it serves up classic, creative as well as handcrafted cocktails. For those of you who prefer an al fresco area, there is also one that you can access from the main area.
Sitting in the resort-style outdoor Terraza of the One-Ninety Bar amidst lush foliage is truly quite a relaxing experience (so long the weather isn't terribly hot). I ordered some Spicy Tuna Tartare which was served on wanton chips as well as the Signature 190 which is made with Monkey 47 gin, cochi amaro vermouth, east imperial tonic as well as thyme - it was refreshing and tasted like a cross between a negroni (without the bitterness) and a G&T which are two of my favourite drinks.
I retired back to the suite after drinks and dinner at the One-Ninety Restaurant (which has an excellent Market Fresh Semi-Buffet offer at night) and was greeted with this view of Orchard Boulevard. While it was not particularly impressive (like looking out to Marina Bay for the first time at night), I did enjoy the peace and sense of calmness that it brings. Orchard Road is probably most well-known for the crowd and energy but looking at it from afar when it is nice and quiet is a different experience altogether.
The next morning, I returned back to the One-Ninety Restaurant for breakfast and it had a different vibe altogether. I have been to the One-Ninety Restaurant on numerous occasions on my own but I have never been there for breakfast. Even though the venue does not really enjoy any natural light, it does feel different and I actually prefer the atmosphere in the evening. Now remember that Four Seasons Hotels do not typically have an executive lounge or a club lounge so even if you are staying in a suite, you will be having breakfast in the restaurant (even though it is sometimes possible to opt for in-room dining depending on the rate that you book).
While I was having my breakfast, the restaurant manager (who remembered me from last night) actually brought out a small plate of carrot cake for me. He remembered that one of the main courses that I ordered from the previous night was a local dish and therefore, he thought that I would be interested in a plate of carrot cake and boy was he right!
Hotel guests who are enjoying breakfast at the One-Ninety Restaurant can order eggs done to their liking but more importantly, I found out that you can typically ask for anything reasonable. Of course asking for a Shakestack from Shake Shack would not be possible but if you were somehow craving mangoes and they weren't on the buffet spread, feel free to ask one of the friendly restaurant staffs and they might be able to work their magic for you.
I really like the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore - the newly-renovated Four Seasons Executive Suites are incredibly spacious and beautiful but most importantly, they are tastefully furnished and I would love to go back to that dreamy bed. While a room night here in this property may not be cheap, combining it with the right promotion (and the right credit card) can turn an ordinary weekend into a luxurious one. I will definitely be looking into booking the FHR rate since it comes with USD 100 of dining credit (as well as complimentary breakfast) and that is perfect for those weekend stays where you do not wish to leave the hotel. The service on-property is also stellar but one staff stood out in particular - Ivan, who seemed to be a favourite amongst hotel guests, was truly impressive throughout and he has made the stay so much more memorable.
The Shutterwhale stayed as a guest of the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.
The Four Seasons Singapore is part of the Virtuoso network and booking a Virtuoso Rate (essentially the Best Available Rate) will give you exclusive amenities like property credits (typically USD 100), room upgrades and complimentary breakfast. These perks can only be accessed when you book with a Virtuoso advisor and The Shutterwhale partners with ClassicTravel.com to bring these perks to you at no additional charge. Most importantly, you can still earn elite-qualifying nights and points if the hotel participates in a loyalty program (e.g. Marriott Rewards).
Booking Link: Four Seasons Singapore
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
190 Orchard Blvd, Singapore 248646
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The Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara offers an excellent Club Millésime experience with comfortable rooms and well-maintained facilities, catering to both business and leisure travelers. The newly-opened Pavilion Damansara Heights Mall adds a variety of dining and entertainment options nearby, perfect for those who prefer not to venture too far from the hotel.