Review Conrad Orchard Hotel Singapore, a safe second-hand refurbished

In the world of large hotel chains, it is normal to see facilities move from one brand to another. Hotels are not owned by the chains, but of real estate companies that decide from time to time which group to affiliate with, it is also not uncommon for the same real estate group to have facilities participating in different and apparently competing insignia.

The past 24 months in Singapore have seen a couple of housecoat changes and Hilton has been the star of this reshuffling. The world's second-largest chain turned off the sign on the historic hotel in Orchard Road, the hotel reopened today as Voco (IHG Group) and then (re)lit less than a mile away in what had been a Mandarin for 30 years, the new Hilton Orchard.

The same thing happened to this Conrad, the second hotel of this sign in the city. For years the iconic property was a Regent Hotel and has now passed from IHG to Hilton.

Reservation

The novelty intrigued me,  the alternative was the new Aloft, yes I know it's like choosing between a Porsche and a Cupra, but they are the two main innovations in town and it matters little if one is 5 stars and the other 3.

In the end, however, curiosity about an iconic hotel prevailed., because of its shape, history, and the fact that it opened at Christmas 2023 after a multi-million-euro makeover.

I booked cash since I needed to make a little bit of cash and I opted for the X2 rate at about 300€. for one night, the last in the hotel of my world tour.

I had not yet activated the collaboration with the exclusive team of ACIblueteam otherwise I also could have used their assistance and add points and benfit thanks to Hilton Impresario.

Of course one might think, "belin, but you spent a lot." Given that Conrad is a 5-star property and that hotels in Singapore, like life, are not cheap I preferred to think in terms of accumulation and reuse. This reservation alone made me accumulate more than 18 thousand points, enough to sleep a free night in hundreds of Hilton hotels around the world.

Location

We are located on a parallel to Orchard Road., we are not in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Singapore's most famous street, but it is still within less than a 3-minute walk.

It is located right in front of the St. Regis where I recently slept on a trip with Marika. Within walking distance are the Edition, another 5-star hotel in the Hilton family, and the Four Seasons, basically the way of 5-star ultra luxury.

Check-in

As soon as I arrived in front of the majestic entrance, an attendant picked up my luggage and escorted me to the check-in counters.

Strangely, no lounge registration is offered, only at the traditional desk, but it matters little in this case. My intention was to go to the room and then take a walk along Orchard Road.

The room

Being Diamond the upgrade to an executive plan is almost mathematical, sure sometimes it only results in a high floor, but it's still better than paying for it. My room was not in the front, but on one of the two wings that support the terraces. In fact I was practically at the end of the corridor, 1102.

Large and modern room, certainly not having touched the masonry, the flaws of 70s/80s structures remained, i.e., very bad soundproofing, especially if it is communicating and there is a child in the other room who wants to play. Yes the room may be modern, but doesn't inspire me with the luxury I expect from a Conrad, there is no search for detail, there is no cue that reminds me of being in one of the 3 5-star brands in the Hilton chain.

There is a bed with an excellent mattress, also because it has a few nights on its springs, the classic mega screen. A small table for working and a sofa where you can relax, but without watching the TV, which is in front of the bed and cannot be swiveled.

Cute bedside tables with built-in wireless charging outlet, power outlet and USBc port, from here you can tell it is "modern furniture" and not vintage.

Cute bar cabinet, with integrated drinking water sink, but really all little luxury. If we were in a Curio or Doubletree type of facility it would be top, but we are in a Conrad.

Even the bathroom has nothing wow about it, and then we are in Asia, I don't remember a 5-star hotel without the Japanese tablet.

Pleasant welcome gift, a pampering I now expect every time I enter the room.

5-star room service with pillow menu, room review with bedtime preparation and "special" tea bag to have sweet dreams in a truly dreamy bed.

The structure

The hotel has 440 rooms, spread over 12 floors. Striking is the pyramidal, or perhaps it would be better to say terrace shape.

Once inside, one is left open-mouthed admiring the construction. The panoramic elevators leading to the floors go up and down like plungers, on either side two spiral staircases take guests to the second floor, which houses the pool and gymnasium in addition to bars and restaurants.

Inside it houses several restaurants, the executive chef is Italian, his name is Luca Beccalli and met him while having breakfast at Basilico restaurant. I have to say. there is a lot of Italy in this hotel with a bistro called Dolcetto (where I also found Virginia Amaretti that are made in SAVONA).

There is a famous New York-inspired bar called Manhattan, a pool bar, and much more.

Comparing the photos from when he was Regent to now, it is evident that at the structural level not much could be done, the work affected the rooms and I guess the common areas, although as I was confirmed by the chef, the restaurants never stopped.

The lounge is on the 11th floor and, in keeping with tradition, offers breakfast in the morning. Snack in the afternoon and dinner in the evening. It is not very large compared to the number of potential guests, but the food offerings were adequate.

On the second floor is the gym, all brand new and all made in Italy by Technogym. The only downside (not for me) is that it is strangely not open h24.

Next to the gymnasium is the swimming pool. This too like all the rest of the public spaces is not large, in fact.

True. if you want to go to the pool in Singapore you book the Marina Bay Sands and not the Conrad, but it is also possible that with potentially 1,000 guests a hundred would be taking a dive at the same time, and the feeling would be like on a cruise ship on a day sail.

Food & Beverage

I had dinner in the lounge. I didn't feel like going out and I didn't want to be late because . I was supposed to board the world's longest flight the next morning., but first I wanted to get to the airport early enough to review lounges and take a look at any News at the world's best airport. The offer was average, certainly inferior to that of the Hilton Singapore, again a renovated hotel with million-dollar investment.

As mentioned there is the Manhattan, renowned for cocktails, and on the ground floor a pizzeria and a tea room. All really elegant.

In the morning I had a light breakfast for the same reason.

The chef, I met him by pure chance because passing me in front of the buffet, he suggested I try a local recipe with a twist from Italy, And he also offered me a real cappuccino and not vending machines.

Thank you Luca, but from a 5-star I expect a bartender for everyone not because I was lucky enough to cross paths with you.

Buffet in the norm, I didn't taste much, but I still noticed. a proposal again inferior to the Hilton, which I remind you is a lower category than Conrad and incomparable to what the neighbor proposes St. Regis, which also has an a la carte menu at breakfast, and I had gotten caviar and lobster, I understand that size imposes choices, but Conrad should be the top.

In conclusion

I expected something better, also because SGD 500-plus is a significant price for an off-season period. Probably if it had been a "simple" Hilton or a Curio my assessment would have been less severe.

• Hilton Honors