Hotel Review: Pan Pacific Singapore (Harbour Studio) - 2016 Revisit
The Pan Pacific Singapore is one of the first few hotels that got me started on the whole weekend staycation habit in Singapore. It is an expensive hobby but once you earn enough nights to become a DISCOVERY Loyalty Black Member, the stays get increasingly 'cheaper' (in terms of greater value) and spending that amount of money (especially when you spend it on the right credit card) becomes justifiable in some sense.
I spent my Christmas Eve back in 2015 in the Pan Pacific Singapore's Pacific Harbour Studio which is easily one of the nicest rooms I have stayed in Singapore. In 2016, I decided that it would be a great idea to revisit the Pan Pacific Singapore's Harbour Studio (one that I used to stay quite a bit back in 2015) on Christmas Day since I had a long weekend away from work. Being a DISCOVERY Loyalty Black Member has its perks - your check-in documents are usually prepared beforehand and therefore you can generally bypass the snaking queues and get to your room (or suite!) a lot faster.
Measuring 46 sqm in size, the Harbour Studio is not to be confused with the Pacific Harbour Studio - in most international hotels, this would generally mean a Harbour Studio with Pacific Club access (or equivalent) but here at the Pan Pacific Singapore, the Pacific Harbour Studio is a different room type altogether. The spacious rooms have an open-concept design and they are generally located on the upper floors of the hotel, extending an expansive view of the famous Marina Bay from the comfort of your own room.
One of the major perks of being a DISCOVERY Loyalty Black Member is a 9:00AM early check-in and a 6:00PM late check-out. While these benefits are not guaranteed, I have had a lot of successes with it. I arrived in my Harbour Studio slightly before 12:00PM and had this impressive view of the Marina Bay and beyond waiting for me - the curtains are also automated so you can always leave the remote handy by the bed to open or close them as desired.
As part of the Christmas festivities, the delightful team at the Pan Pacific Singapore had also arranged for a beautiful box of festive goodies to be placed in my room - thank you very much for that!
One of the things that I always end up doing during my stays is writing or simply editing of photos - therefore, high-speed internet and a decent-sized work desk is always crucial to me. The Harbour Studio here at the Pan Pacific Singapore comes with a large executive workspace - there are also various connectivity outlets here which includes the option to connect mobile device(s) to the TV for your convenience. You will also find a handy phone in the room which is complimentary to use and bring out - enjoy unlimited mobile internet as well as free international calls to 15 countries (I did have an issue trying to get the mobile hotspot to work though!).
The Harbour Studios here at the Pan Pacific Singapore also comes with a separate seating area (which I personally like to call the real mini bar) which have higher chairs to take in the amazing view over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. A Nespresso machine is found here as well and complimentary coffee pods are provided (replenished at turndown). Alternatively, teabags are provided by TWG Tea and can be found in one of the drawers under the wine glasses.
One of the things that stood out to me during my first few stays at the Pan Pacific Singapore is the beautifully-designed bathroom. Not only did I like the contemporary design, I love how the tub looks out to the bedroom (there is an option to close the automated blinds, of course) and how there is an option to watch the TV while enjoying a good soak since the bathroom comes equipped with an integrated speaker.
The deep Kaldewei tub is also perfect for a relaxing soak and there is even a separate rain-shower (thankfully no shubs here) that is equally rejuvenating after a long afternoon out in the heat. Bathroom amenities are "em-brace" branded and provided by the Vanity Group for Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts.
The Pacific Club at the Pan Pacific Singapore is easily one of the best club lounges in Singapore - it offers Champagne breakfast in the morning, a decent afternoon tea and one of the best evening cocktail experiences in Singapore. If you are the type who enjoys a couple of drinks in the evening, I would highly recommend purchasing access to the Pacific Club (especially if your room rate does not already come with breakfast). Since it was Christmas day itself, the food during the evening cocktails consisted of roast beef, honey-glazed ham and various other hot food and desserts.
I started off with a glass of eggnog before going for my standard beverage here at the Pacific Club - a glass of Laurent-Perrier. I usually opt for the Brut but there is also the Brut Rosé here (they do not have the Rosé at the Pan Pacific Orchard though!). Similar to my experience in 2015, Christmas carollers came by during the evening cocktail hour to serenade guests on this very special day.
It is easy to fall in love with the Pan Pacific Singapore especially when a view like that awaits you in your bedroom after multiple glasses of Champagne. The Pacific Club is really an experience on its own and if you ask me, no stay at the property is complete until you have spent an entire day in the hotel and the Pacific Club. The staff at the Pacific Club (tip of the hat to Rafael, the Club Manager) always ensure that the stay is perfect and that you feel right at home.
Pacific Club guests have the option of having a full buffet breakfast down at Edge (which has an amazing spread!) or a more private and exclusive Champagne breakfast at the Pacific Club. There used to be the option of having breakfast in-room as well but I was not informed about it during this stay so I cannot be sure whether or not it is still being offered. Since I got up pretty early, I decided to head down to Edge for a full buffet breakfast experience instead - just make sure you arrive before 9:30AM to beat the morning crowd unless you are willing to stand in line.
The spread at Edge is pretty amazing and it is easily one of the best buffet spots in Singapore (even for lunch and dinner). If you are an early-riser, I would definitely recommend going down to Edge for breakfast unless the idea of a Champagne breakfast appeals to you (it is way too early for Champagne even for me). The coffee here at Edge is pretty mediocre so my tip for you is to enjoy the food here and grab a better coffee at the Pacific Club once you are done.
As a DISCOVERY Loyalty Black Member, I am given a 6:00PM late check-out - Pacific Club guests are generally offered a 2:00PM late check-out upon availability but having that extension to 6:00PM makes the stay feel that much longer. Having stayed at so many hotels over the last couple of years, I dare say the DISCOVERY Loyalty Black status is the best elite status to have in Singapore for staycations - even top-tier guests in other international hotel loyalty programs do not get such a late check-out.
The Pan Pacific Singapore remains to be one of my favourite hotel in Singapore and depending on what I am after that weekend (sometimes I prefer to stay in Orchard since it is nearer to places I need to be), the hotel is definitely one of the best in the Marina Bay area. I have gotten so many emails from international visitors asking me for my opinion on where the stay in the area and so many times, people seem to ignore the fact that there is a reasonably-priced and yet superior property that do not necessarily possess the massive influence that other major hotel brands may have. If you have the appetite to pay for an impressive suite in the Marina Bay area, why not check out the Pan Pacific Singapore instead?
Pan Pacific Singapore
7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, Singapore 039595
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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.