At Conrad Singapore Orchard, expect new guest rooms and suites, and experiences like an edible garden walk, cheese-infusion class and barrel-aged cocktail session
What’s the story?
It took over a year for Conrad Singapore Orchard to launch, since the rebranding was reported in late 2022, and when it opened its doors in January 2024, it didn’t feel like much had changed. Walk in and you will see the same design by the late John Portman, the same beautiful atrium and the same restaurants and bars. But look closely and you will spot the little Easter eggs (nature, art, a vermouth-inspired bar, the list goes on) that make any stay here a refreshing one. Onward and upward, we suppose, and never forget your history.
What’s the crowd like?
Mostly happy couples and families on staycation.
The best room?
There are 445 guest rooms and suites, with select rooms merged for extra space. To make its guests feel at home, the rooms have been designed to reflect botanical-inspired, residential living. There are floor-to-ceiling windows and plantation shutters implemented, along with illustrations of native flora by Singaporean artists.
As for the best room, it depends. Do you want a large space (210 square metres to be exact), walk-in steam shower, kitchenette and private balcony with a triple bay extension? Then the King Conrad Suite is for you. It also connects to two separate guest rooms with their own entrances.
But if you are bringing a furry friend, a room on level four or five would suit you well. We stayed in the King Deluxe Suite, an 81-square-metre space that was perfect for two adults and a golden retriever; for a fee, the hotel accepts pets weighing 34kg and under. It came with two private balconies, a separate living area, two large smart TVs (the caveat is they sync only with Android phones), a bathtub, and access to the executive lounge. Additional perks, as you will find in any room, include a filtered water dispenser, sleep-to-wake ritual and extensive pillow menu that includes a hugging pillow for the lonely hearted.
Please tell us the service is good.
From the men at the front door to the room service, the staff is typically ready to please. Ask and you shall receive; we requested for a carrot for the dog and it was—as amusing as it sounds—promptly delivered on a silver platter.
What else is there to do besides hanging out in my room?
There’s an outdoor circular pool if you are craving a dip. If not, sweat it out at the gym that’s packed with Technogym equipment (yep, that’s the stuff) and personal trainers from Trapeze Rec Club, a holistic wellness club in Tanjong Pagar. You can also sign up for yoga by the pool, guided cold plunges to reset the body, and for a fee (S$400 for two adults and two kids), a highly entertaining edible garden walk by an expert arborist. You will stroll through Orchard Road and the Singapore Botanic Gardens, learn about the different local flora and end the walk with a delicious picnic.
Other activities include a barrel-aged cocktail experience at Manhattan (S$158 per person) and cheese infusion class at Basilico (S$60 per person). As you can tell, there’s plenty to do, even for a hotel that’s missing a spa… something that won’t change in the near future.
Are the restaurants worth their salt?
Absolutely. There’s no reason to leave the hotel for food. Have breakfast at Basilico, an Italian restaurant with a delicious walk-in cheese room; lunch at the Tea Lounge, where there’s everything from laksa to cakes and Peranakan kueh; have an aperitif at Manhattan; continue with dinner at the revamped Summer Palace (that has a Michelin star, by the way); then return to Manhattan for more drinks. Want to bring your dog along? Dolcetto is a pet-friendly pasticceria that serves delicious Italian pastries, breads, pizzettes and tipple. Any time from 3pm to 8pm, there will be select wines and cocktails going for S$12 flat.
Do also check out the tenants at Conrad, such as Park90 if you love wine, and Shoukouwa Shinjidai if you’re game for sushi.
Conrad Singapore Orchard
1 Cuscaden Road,
Singapore 249715
Tel: +65 6733 8888
