DOWN FOR THE WEEKEND IN SG
SMART STAY AT CONCORDE HOTEL SINGAPORE
Heading down to Singapore for the weekend, most of us wouldn’t consider activating roaming for three days. Because we’re lazy cheapos and our fabulous vacation pics can wait to be uploaded when we’re back at the hotel. Or just back. So, one of the biggest perks — a fan favourite — of staying at the Concorde Hotel in Singapore is the complementary smartphone. It’s no iPhone, not even an Android equivalent, but it does grant you unlimited internet and calls, overseas included. “Whuttt?! I can really take this? Outside and all? And call home for free?” YES. You’ll have no problem staying in touch with friends and family or looking up things online 24-hours a day while you’re in SG, making you feel just like home. A request within reason we do have about the basic smartphone, however, is for hotspotting to be allowed. Instagram queens will feel. Another reason to choose the Concorde is its prime location. Situated right on Singapore’s shopping belt Orchard Road, the hotel has its own bus stop and is conveniently between Dhoby Ghaut and Somerset MRT stations. Walk down the road towards Somerset, you’ll run into an endless line of malls, including Takashimaya, Paragon, ION and many smaller ones in between. Dhoby Ghaut, on the other hand, connects you to tonnes of attractions via three metro lines. As for the hotel’s own charms, capsule lifts in the lobby set an old-school classy tone for the place. With a total 407 rooms, ranging from Deluxe rooms (B4,792) to the Jade Suite (B51,832), facilities only go up to the 9th floor, beginning from the 3rd floor lobby. The pool and gym on the 4th floor are utilitarian more than luxurious, while the rooms are luxurious at standard — nothing you haven’t seen before in terms of design.
If you’re willing to spend, the privileges attached to Premier Club rooms (B6,952) upward really makes the stay worthwhile. Via direct booking, you can opt for the Club Indulgence package, which gets you — in addition to a room that’s got enough space for twirling around in — 30 bucks worth of F&B credit a night, access to the exclusive Premier Club lounge where there’s more food and drinks, complimentary facials, discounts and more. The Spices Bar is where you’ll have your international breakfast and can cash in your dining credits in an Asianthemed stunner of a dining room. Our Peranakan lunch there, handled by Executive Chef Sunny Goh, was delish, this coming from a non-enthusiast for Sino-cuisine who was also requesting vegetarian: a chef’s nightmare. But whether you’re VIP or just an IP, the staff have a very down-to-earth approach to customer service. For my recent stay during Singapore’s famed F1 and concerts week, I received a lot of great personal advice about concert-going, all of which checked out when I went to experience it myself. (It was Queen, and I had a blast.) The staff were also on high-alert about my dietary restriction, asking me constantly if my meals were tasty enough, which was highly appreciated.
Concorde Hotel is located on 100 Orchard Road, Singapore. Visit singapore.concordehotelsresorts.com for more information or to book.