Hospitality
The St. Regis Singapore has one of the finest private art collections in Southeast Asia, with sculptures, paintings, and prints by prominent foreign and local artists dotting the property. Would you believe Pablo Picasso?
The St. Regis Singapore is the hotel North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stayed at during the historic Trump-Kim Summit 10 June – 12 June 2018.
Like Kim, I spent two nights at the hotel during a trip to Singapore in 2016. My review of the hotel follows:
The St. Regis SIngapore is one of the best places to stay in Singapore. It also has an outstanding art collection. A 5 star hotel, it is located in one of the Lion City’s most prestigious neighborhoods.
From the outside, the St Regis looks like a modern hotel. Once inside, however, the property has a classic European elegance, with touches of chinoiserie. The hotel rooms and suites and many of the public spaces feature silk wall paper.
One of the hotel’s hallmarks is its extensive collection of quality art, which starts with sculptures at the entrance and continues with more sculptures, paintings, and prints scattered throughout the property.
Original works of art even grace the walls of some of the hotel’s pricier suites.
The hotel is within 15 minutes on foot of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Orchard Street is also just a short walk away.
Accommodation
The hotel has 299 rooms and suites, measuring from 50 to 56 square metres. Wi-Fi is complimentary.
Some suites have separate living rooms and balconies. One suite has a wrap-around terrace and a whirlpool tub.
I stayed in room 1512, an Executive Deluxe Room, with an impressive entry way, a comfortable king size bed, a spacious working space, two sofas, and a 42-inch flat screen television.
The large marble-clad bathroom had two sets of sinks and vanities as well as both a bathtub on feet and a spacious rain shower.
One of the things I liked best was the full-length mirror in the shower – but it did remind me that I’ve got to spend more time at the gym.
The mirror was coated with a substance that prevented it from fogging up, which made shaving in the shower a joy!
I really wish I could have a mirror like that installed in my shower at home!
The hotel didn’t have an Executive Floor, but it did have butlers. While there was a coffee-making machine in the room, I preferred to have a butler bring me my perfectly brewed cuppa – several times a day.
If there is one suggestion I could make, I think the butlers should put their mobile phones on silent mode when they are walking through public areas or in guest rooms. I found the beeping and chatter a bit intrusive.
Food + Beverage
The hotel has 6 food and beverage outlets. I had breakfast each morning in Les Brasserie Saveurs, which serves contemporary French cuisine.
Restaurant Review Is Coming
I had dinner on my first night at LaBrezza, a stylish Italian eatery serving classic Italian dishes with a contemporary twist.
Restaurant Review: LaBrezza at the St Regis Singapore
I had lunch on my final day at Yan Ting, which is Chinese for Imperial Courtyard.
Restaurant Review: Yan Ting at the St Regis Singapore
Located in the lobby, the Drawing Room serves beverages and light fare in elegant surroundings.
Shinji by Kanesaka is a Japanese restaurant serving traditional sushi and sashimi omakase in contemporary contemporary Japanese surroundings.
After being taken on a tour of the hotel’s art collection, I enjoyed cocktails at the Astor Bar, which serves more than 50 types of cocktails along with wine, spirits, and champagne.
Facilities
The hotel has an infinity swimming pool measuring 26.9 metres by 11 meters. It is open from 6 am to 11 pm daily.
Unfortunately, I was too busy during my two-night stay to go for a swim.
The hotel has a fitness room, and cardiovascular equipment has individual television sets and earphones. Personal trainers are available at an additional fee.
The spa offers a full menu of spa treatments. Hotel guests have access to the hot and cold dips, sauna, and steam rooms even if they don’t book a treatment. I used the spa twice, but I didn’t have a treatment.
The hotel also has an indoor tennis court. Too bad I don’t play tennis!
Unique Selling Proposition
Five star hotels are much of a muchness. They usually have spectacular lobbies, excellent food and beverage outlets, a sybaritic spa, a fitness room, meeting facilities, an indoor or outdoor swimming pool depending on the climate, and, of course, comfortable rooms.
What sets the St Regis Singapore apart is its stellar art collection, reputedly one of the best private art collections in Southeast Asia.
Included are sculptures, paintings, and prints by world-renowned artists such as Spain’s Pablo Picasso, Colombia’s Fernando Botero, and French Expressionist Marc Chagall.
There are also paintings by local artists representing the Nanyang School, whose works combine Western oil painting techniques with traditional Chinese calligraphy and brush-painting.
Click here for more photos of the art collection at the St. Regis Singapore
The hotel offers a 30-minute tour of its artworks each afternoon. Tours are complimentary for hotel guests. They are limited to eight people on a first come, first served basis.
This was particularly meaningful to me because I timed my visit to coincide with Singapore Art Week and spent most of my leisure time exploring Singapore’s art museums and attending two of the art fairs that took place during my visit: Art Stage Singapore and Singapore Contemporary.
Peranakan House Museum
The hotel also offers aficionado packages, which take hotel guests by Bentley to off-site attractions.
Because of my interest in art and heritage, I was taken by Bentley to The Intan, a house museum showcasing Peranakan culture.
The hotel offers a special room package that includes accommodation, a visit to the museum, and other benefits. Contact the hotel’s concierge for more information.
To be honest, I thought The Intan was one of the most interesting places to go in Singapore! It really gave me insight into this very fascinating city.
Where
The St. Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Road, Singapore. Telephone: (65) 6506 6888.
Talking Points
An increasing number of hotels are displaying original works of art in their public areas? How do you think this enhances to guest experience?
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