I flew into Changi airport onbaord Singapore Airlines from Bali. With no bags to collect, I was able to zip through immigration and into a waiting taxi in less than 15 minutes. From here, it was a leisurely 30 minutes drive to my hotel.
For my layover of just under 24 hours, I had booked a night at The Westin Singapore.
Location & Classification
The Westin Singapore is located in Singapore CBD and takes up a large part of Asia Square Tower 2. It is 5 – 10 minutes by taxi from the Esplanade, Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Gardens By The Bay.
The Westin Singapore, Main Entrance
The hotel is a classified as a Category 6 property with cash prices starting at S$250. In terms of redeeming points, a standard reward room will see you part with 40,000 – 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, depending on the standard or peak/off-peak prices, as shown below.
A night at The Westin Singapore costs between 40,000 and 60,000 points
Arrival & Check-in
As the taxi rolled-up at the main entrance, a couple of kerbside bellhops quickly came in and took my small carry-on.
I walked up to the small reception on the ground floor and was advised that this was just a greeting point, and that I should proceed up to Level 32, which is where the check-in desks are located. So off I went to the lifts.
Ground Floor Arrival Desk, The Westin Singapore
I got off the elevator and stepped into the lobby which was quite stunning. Since my visit was just a few days prior to Christmas, it was decked out in festive colours and had the obligatory Christmas tree by the window.
Lobby, The Westin Singapore
Lobby, The Westin Singapore
The lobby boasted high ceilings and plenty of natural light. Then in the centre, up a couple of steps, there was a guy on the piano playing Christmas tunes.
There were views of the surrounding office buildings from the floor to ceiling glass windows.
Views from the lobby
The reception area was to the right off the elevators. There were 3 check-in desks, all occupied at the time (the photo below was taken at a different time). A few metres away, there was a table with couple of workstations for guests to use.
Reception, The Westin Singapore
After a small wait, I stepped up to one of the desks and was welcomed by the staff. I was advised that I had been allocated one of the suites, someting I already knew since I had applied one of my Suite Night Awards for this overnight stay, which had cleared a couple of days ago. I was also presented with a letter detailing my Platinum elite benefits.
Welcome Letter, The Westin Singapore
Anyhow, the suite wasn’t ready to move-in just then, so the staff sent me to one of the vacant rooms to rest, and assured that they will call me in about half an hour, which was when they expected the suite to be ready. It was about 4 pm at the time, already an hour past the standard check-in time, so I wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of having to wait further. But I was feeling tired and wanted a bed to rest, so I took the keys and went to the assigned room.
Well, half hour turned into 2 hours without a peep. So at about 6:15, I called the front desk and expressed my displeasure at the delay. I told the staff the long wait was stretching the limits of what was acceptable, particularly as I had used one of my SNA’s for the upgrade and was going to check out shortly after breakfast next morning. The staff could only offer an apology, so I asked to speak to the manager.
About 5 minutes later, I received a call from the manager who apologised and advised that the suite was now ready to move in. She offered to send someone to get the bags, which I politely declined since I was perfectly happy to carry my bag. The manager also advised that as a result of the inordinate delay, she will contact Marriott and have the SNA deposited back into my account, which, I guess was the least she could have done. So at 6:30, I finally got to my suite.
The Westin Singapore, Executive Suite
I was assigned suite no. 4434 on Level 44. This was a standard suite featuring separate living room and bedroom. As I stepped-in, the powder room was straight ahead.
Powder Room, Executive Suite, The Westin Singapore
The L shaped entryway led into the beautifully appointed living area. There was a large sofa along the wall to the right, and an oval shaped table.
Executive Suite Living Room, The Westin Singapore
Further down, a work desk and chair took up the corner space. Next to them, a massive, cushion-laden chair, upholstered in fine fabric lay.
Beyond these, there were partial views of the Singapore Port from large floor to ceiling windows.
Back in, there was a wall-mounted flat screen TV opposite the sofa. There was a shelf under the TV with a Nespresso coffee maker, capsules and some bottled water.
Living Room TV
Coffee maker and bottled water
The in-room minibar was under the shelf. It was well stocked with bottles & cans of beer, wine, vodka and soft drinks. Then inside the drawer next to it, you had provisions for making tea & coffee & some overpriced snacks.
Mini bar
Later in the evening when I returned to my room, the housekeeping had left a small in-room welcome gift and a note.
My in-room welcome gift was a snowman sculpted in white chocolate 🙂
Access to the bedroom was through the two doors located on either side of the wall, which separated the living area & the bedroom. As you enter, there was a large, 2 door wardrobe on the left. Inside, you will find an iron, iron table, a luggage shelf, robes and a few hangers.
Executive Suite Wardrobe, The Westin Singapore
Then you had an electronic safe and a drawer with 2 pairs of slippers inside.
There was another TV along the window, with the large king bed placed directly opposite from the TV.
Bedroom TV
Bedroom, Executive Suite, The Westin Singapore
The bed was extremely comfortable, it had several pillows and a soft doona.
Executive Suite King Bed, The Westin Singapore
Executive Suite King Bed, The Westin Singapore
Few things are worse than having to tip toe around the room in the middle of the night trying to find the light buttons. So I was happy to see that the lighting controls and a universal power outlet was positioned just above the bedside and within easy reach.
Beside Table, with light controls just above
Light controls and power outlet
Past this and on the far corner, there was another chair (same as the one in the living area) and a cute little table.
Access to the bathroom was back near the wardrobe.
Executive Suite Bathroom, The Westin Singapore
It featured double sinks and a deep soaking tub by the window. The toiletries and bath products were from heavenly by Westin spa, a common brand you would find at most Westin properties.
Bathtub
Executive suite bath amenities, The Westin Singapore
The shower and toilet were on the other end from the bath tub, and it’s side by side positioning with a see-through glass partition may not be to everyone’s liking. I found the temperate control and water pressure in the shower to be excellent.
Executive Suite Shower & Toilet, The Westin Singapore
At this point, it was 6:30 and I still wanted to check out the executive lounge before heading out for dinner.
Executive Lounge
The lounge, or Westin Club, as it’s formally called is located on Level 35. It was good size with lots of seating. Evening drinks and canapes are served daily from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Executive Lounge, The Westin Singapore
Executive Lounge, The Westin Singapore
The buffet was set up to the right and my gosh it was a lavish spread. There was soup, a great selection of salads, fried chicken, pork belly, rice, poppadums and so on. I will let the pictures speak.
Lounge Buffet, The Westin Singapore
Then on another buffet station where the drinks were, there was a massive container loaded with fresh prawns.
Speaking of drinks, you had all kinds of beer, soft drinks, fruits juices, wine, whisky, vodka and champagne.
Happy Hour Drinks at the Executive Lounge, The Westin Singapore
The fruits and desserts were on another side near the windows. The choice was enormous and once again, I will let the pictures speak.
Executive Lounge Desserts, The Westin Singapore
I only sampled a little bit of the offerings, since I was planning to head out to dinner later in the evening.
My modest snack at the lounge
To cut the long story short, even by Asian standards where the drinks and canapes often act as dinner substitute, this was much more over the top. Shame I was only here for a night 🙁
Breakfast
I usually make a room-only booking at Marriott properties, particularly where they have a lounge, since my Platinum elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program entitles me the use of lounge where they serve breakfast every morning.
Technically speaking, elite members are not entitled for the restaurant breakfast which invariably offers a much bigger selection. That said, in all my travels in Asia, I have always been offered the choice of eating breakfast in the lounge or the restaurant, wherever I fancy.
At the time of check-in, the staff had explained me about my lounge entitlement but didn’t say whether I could choose to eat breakfast in the restaurant. So next morning, just a I was preparing to head to the lounge for breakfast, I decided to make a quick call to the front desk, who advised that I was welcome to eat breakfast at Seasonal Tastes, the hotel’s main restaurant on Level 32.
Seasonal Tastes is on the lobby level, on the other side from the reception desks. As you come down in the elevators from the floors above, it is to the left.
Seasonal Tastes Restaurant, The Westin Singapore
Seeing me walk-in, one of the staff members came and greeted me and escorted me to my table, which was a corner table with nice views.
My Breakfast Table
The breakfast area was massive, which was not surprising for a hotel this size, and had tonnes of seating.
Seating at Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Singapore
Seating at Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Singapore
Seating at Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Singapore
As you enter, there is the bread and pastry stand to the left. Again, the range and variety far exceeded what you would see at most hotel breakfast buffet’s.
Bread & Pastry Stand, The Westin Singapore
The croissants were inside a warmer to keep them hot and crispy. Talk about attention to detail 🙂
The only way to serve croissants 🙂
Then, on a table opposite to the stand, you had all kinds of breakfast cereals and a selection of milk in glass bottles.
Breakfast Cereal, The Westin Singapore
Further down, there were 2 buffet stations with sliced and whole fruits. They were laid out on a bed of ice to maintain the freshness. Next to them, you had various fruit juices & infused water in dispensers.
Fresh Fruits
Juice Stand, The Westin Singapore
Beyond this, there were several food stations with pretty much every conceivable breakfast dish that you could imagine (within reason of-course :). I will let the pictures speak.
Breakfast Buffet, The Westin Singapore
Hot Breakfast Items, The Westin Singapore
Hot Breakfast Items, The Westin Singapore
Soup
Hot Breakfast Items, The Westin Singapore
Hot Breakfast Items, The Westin Singapore
Hot Breakfast Items, The Westin Singapore
There was an egg station and a noodle station which were particularly popular and had hordes of hungry diners queueing up to get their fill.
Egg Station, The Westin Singapore
Noodle Station, The Westin Singapore
I helped myself to some spicy noodles, couple of hasbrowns, naan and little bit of chicken curry. Yum 🙂
My Breakfast at The Westin Singapore
My Breakfast at The Westin Singapore
Tea and coffee were served on the table and I had a cappuccino which was pretty good too. All in all, this was a very high quality breakfast and I only wished I was staying here a little longer.
Other Facilities
The hotel has a pool, an outdoor terrace, a spa and a gym, all located on Level 35, just off the executive lounge.
Access to outdoor pool and deck area
The pool was deserted on the day of my visit due to persistent rain, but would be great to splash around in on a nice sunny day. There were views of high-arises all around.
Pool, The Westin Singapore
The outdoor terrace, besides plenty of sun loungers also had loads of cafe style dining tables and chair. I was later advised by one of the staff that should they wish, guests are able to bring food from the lounge and sit and eat over here.
Sunbeds, The Westin Singapore
Outdoor Furniture, The Westin Singapore
The reception at the heavenly by Westin spa was unattended at the time of my visit, but in any case, I am not a big fan of hotel spas. I believe there are better facilities out there.
Spa Reception, The Westin Singapore
The gym, or Westin Workout Fitness Studio, like they call it was right next to the spa. This was one of the nicer hotel gyms I had visited. As you came in, to the left, there were towels & some bottled water along the wall.
Gym, The Westin Singapore
Further down, there were lots of cardio & resistance training equipments and free weights.
Gym, The Westin Singapore
Gym, The Westin Singapore
Gym, The Westin Singapore
Then on one end, you had the stretching/warm up/down section with yoga mats and medicine balls.
Gym, The Westin Singapore
There were only 2 or 3 people on the morning I was there, and I had a good workout.
Lastly, a point about the wifi. Everyone who books directly through Marriott get free wifi. In theory at least, elite members have access to premium wifi, which is suppose to have much faster speeds. In practice though, I have lost count of the number of hotels where internet is painfully slow & makes it very difficult to work efficiently.
This was another point where the hotel stood out. I tested the speed at one point & was blown away. Both the download and upload speeds were close to 200 mbps. I took the screenshot at the time which it seems I deleted accidentally 🙁
In any case, due to the extremely short nature of my stay, I never got around to doing any work. The point though, stands.
In Conclusion
The Westin Singapore is your typical business hotel located at a convenient spot for business travellers. Having said that, it shouldn’t deter you from staying here on a leisure trip. Except for the issues I had when I first arrived, the hotel exceeded my expectations in all departments.
Singapore has far too many gorgeous hotels to stick with any one. However, should the circumstances dictate, I would be very happy to return to this property.
Have you stayed at The Westin Singapore? Leave a comment below.
