In October 2024, I checked into the Club Marina Bay Room at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. Part of the Marina Square building complex which also houses Pan Pacific Singapore and PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, the hotel recently concluded an extensive six-month transformation in 2023 (reportedly to the tune of US$100 million), with new room categories introduced and various dining spaces revamped entirely. The 510-room luxury hotel is minutes away from Promenade and Esplanade MRT Station, a short walk away from destinations such as Suntec City, Singapore Flyer, Esplanade Theatre, Raffles City and as well as 20 minutes from Changi Airport by car.
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore is one of the few hotels in Singapore to be rated five stars by Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards 2024, an accomplishment shared with Raffles Hotel Singapore, Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore and Capella Singapore. Other notable properties in the area include Conrad Centennial Singapore, JW Marriott Singapore South Beach and The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.
The UTW (“Under Ten Words”): Reimagined icon embraces Singapore heritage, revamped club lounge is sensational.
The must-dos (if any): Luxuriate in your room, enjoy the kaya toast at embu, go for a Vintage Vespa sidecar tour, spend the entire day at HAUS 65.
MANDARIN ORIENTAL, SINGAPORE
The bayside hotel boasts a distinctive fan-shaped concrete facade which pays homage to the brand’s logo and a soaring grand atrium design with a core of glass elevators courtesy of the late architect John Portman (who is also behind the design of Conrad Singapore Orchard). The hotel’s extensive renovations were led by Principal Designer Jeffrey Wilkes of interior design firm DESIGNWILKES (who also designed Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok and Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve), and the refreshed interiors draw their inspirations from quintessential Singaporean traditions and elements such as Peranakan-style architecture and vibrant colour tones, Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid motifs as well as batik patterns. Those who are accustomed to the hotel’s former Eastern-tinged austerity may, when seeing for the first time the grand atrium’s new watermelon and pistachio coats, giant cuddly lion mascots and the dramatic oriental pagoda roof of the iconic Morton’s The Steakhouse’s external bar lounge, find the proceedings almost iconoclastic. It’s certainly different.
Different room types now sport different colour schemes – for example, Marina Bay-facing rooms are decked in cooler colours; rooms with views of the South China Sea have warm tones reminiscent of the morning sun; and city-facing accommodations feature lush botanical prints.
Wellness facilities are located on the 5th level. The hotel has a fully-equipped fitness centre which offers both indoor and outdoor exercise areas as well as an expansive outdoor swimming deck with a 25-metre outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by lush landscapes and private cabanas and offering direct views of the bay area. Elsewhere, The Spa on the same level has six treatment rooms and a spa menu featuring manicure and pedicure services along with advanced facial treatments by Swiss Perfection and Biologique Recherche.
The hotel also offers specially curated local experiences for guests, including their popular vintage Vespa sidecar tours, guided cycling tours and heritage river cruise rides along the Singapore River (guests have to make their own way to Boat Quay for embarkation).
CLUB MARINA BAY ROOM
Decked in cool shades of blue, the 34sqm Club Marina Bay Room boasts stunning panoramic vistas of Marina Bay through floor-to-ceiling windows, with window-side seating available for taking in the glorious, shimmery views. The wall is adorned with batik patterns, while the traditional wooden cabinet with jade artefacts add “oriental” to the proceedings. The hotel’s new signature fan – designed by acclaimed Singaporean artist Hans Tan as part of the hotel’s ‘Exceptionally Singapore’ relaunch theme – greeted us from the bed.
The minibar comprised a variety of snacks, including chips and hotel-branded packets of nuts, while the fridge was stocked with sparkling tea, white wine, still and sparkling water as well as other premium canned beverages. The fun part? Everything in the minibar (even the wine) was included within my package. It is rare that a complimentary minibar in Singapore is ever quite so luxurious.
The bathroom – my least favourite part of the room – comprised double vanities, a fairly cosy enclosed rainfall shower space as well as a standalone bathtub which faces the room’s windows overlooking the bay (you can appreciate the views from the tub should you draw the bathroom window blinds). Bathroom amenities are courtesy of Spanish beauty brand Natura Bissé, and presented in pump bottles.
DINING
Breakfast is served at embu, the hotel’s all-day dining concept which has replaced the former Melt Cafe. Taking its name from local evergreen tree Tembusu, the lush garden-style space serves a buffet breakfast comprising the usual cold cuts and pastries, Western breakfast sides, dedicated egg and Laksa stations, Indian delicacies such as Mix Vegetable Curry and Roti Prata, a DIY Nasi Lemak section with Butterfly Pea Rice, Pandan Chicken, Fish Otah and Sambal Quail. The revelation here is their freshly made Kaya Toast, a fluffy, fragrant and buttery affair with the type of kaya that played it more homemade Hainanese than hotel factory-line.
During my stay, I managed to try embu’s weekday dinner buffet. The spread comprised a Seafood Colosseum featuring sashimi, sushi and fresh seafood on ice, including Freshly Shucked Seasonal Oysters; Signature Laksa and roasted meats such as Crackling Pork Belly and Honey-glazed Pork Char Siew; pastas prepared the way you like; carved fish and meats such as Slow-roasted Lamb and Whole Baked Atlantic Salmon; an extensive Indian spread comprising Indian specialties such as Butter Chicken and Tandoori Salmon; Asian dishes such as Tom Yum Goong, Red Curry Beef, Stir-Fried Kam Heong Crab, Chicken Curry, Cereal Prawns and Dried Chilli Chicken; and an extensive selection of sweets such as Espresso-soaked Ladyfingers Chocolate Cup, Clementine Yoghurt Mousse and Guava Coulis with Peach Mousse.
Famed for their dimsum brunch, Cantonese restaurant Cherry Garden offers both set and a la carte menus. The Steamed Pork Siew Mai with Baby Abalone was a standout from the dim sum menu, while the Charcoal-Roasted BBQ Meat Platter (roasted duck, roasted crackling pork belly, honey-glazed crystal char siew) was a delectable and value-for-money choice. There was a seasonal Teochew menu on offer, and I was enthralled by the aggressively seductive and unabashedly wok hei smokiness of the Wok Fried Hor Fun with Preserved Radish and Hong Kong Kai Lan.
Offering live music and impressive views of the skyline, MO Bar serves dainty afternoon tea sets as well as a cocktail menu which draws inspirations from Singapore’s ideologies (the fruity Skyscraper and minty, creamy Urban ’87), landmarks (the bourbon-based The Henderson Wave and rum-based Helix) and heritage flavours (Ice Lemon Tea, Kopi Siew Tai, White Rabbit). I did not order a drink (was suitably Ruin(art)ed for the night, ahem), but came to redeem my welcome drink coupon.
One of the most established steakhouses in the country and a gold standard destination for date nights as well as anniversary celebrations, Morton’s the Steakhouse is known for its quality steaks and romantic vibes. I once had the 8oz. Centre-Cut Filet Mignon, and the roasty, intimately juicy steak surrendered to the bluntest blades with ease, blushing a brilliant pink as I revealed its most private bits. Diners can opt for various enhancements such as Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops or Cold-Water Lobster Tail, or order a variety of side dishes such as Creamed Spinach or Sauteed Brussels Sprouts to accompany their steak experience.
Rounding up the list of F&B concepts are ground level patisserie The Mandarin Cake Shop and the Lobby Lounge; poolside Italian concept Dolce Vita and the adjacent alfresco lounge BAY@5; and the new Japanese fine dining concept Zuicho.
HAUS 65
The former Oriental Club Lounge on the 21st floor has been transformed into HAUS 65, an elegant space which plays like a palatial oriental residence with a library, wine room, and multiple lounge areas. The full wine and cocktail menu is available all day until 7pm (!), meaning one needs not wait til evening hors d’oeuvres to flash flood free-flow Ruinart champagne. The cocktail menu comprises options such as Classic Gin Martini, Lychee Martini, Singapore Sling and Old Fashioned, while a variety of reds, whites and roses are showcased on the wine list.
Access to HAUS 65 is available to guests booked in a Club Marina Bay Room and selected suites. Aside from the various food presentations, club guests also enjoy complimentary use of the chauffeur-driven HAUS 65 Car on weekdays – the car will drop you off at any destination within a 2km radius from the hotel. Further, club guests get complimentary access to Mandala Club, the private members club set along Bukit Pasoh Road which comprises multiple dining concepts as well as a variety of social and fitness spaces. Aside from being able to book tables at restaurants not open to the public, you also have access to the club’s calendar of cultural, culinary and artistic events – October 2024’s calendar featured events dedicated to Instagram engagement and outreach, Indian fashion and breast cancer awareness.
Champagne breakfast is a semi-buffet affair is served from 6:30 to 10:30am. Mains are served a la minute, with courses such as Avocado Cheese Toast (burrata cheese, pomegranate, poached egg, sour dough toast), Kaya Toast & Onsen Egg (two slices of toast with butter and kaya jam, served with onsen eggs), Eggs Benedict (with your choice of spinach or smoked salmon), Nasi Lemak (fragrant steamed coconut rice served with spicy fish paste, sunny side up egg, crispy chicken, roasted peanuts and ikan bilis), Singapore Wanton Noodle Soup (egg noodles in superior chicken broth, prawn wantons and green vegetables) and Chee Cheong Fun (steamed rice noodle roll with white sesame and sweet sauce).
From 2pm to 4pm, a selection of savouries and sweets are presented to guests as part of afternoon tea. Evening cocktails with hors d’oeuvres commences at 5pm, with the buffet being substantial enough to constitute dinner – think Black Pepper Udon, Apple Yam, Roast Duck, Sausage and Sauerkraut, Vegetable Frittata, Cajun Chicken and Steamed Chicken with Black Fungus and Chinese Sausage.
CONCLUSION
The renovations have certainly allowed the property to more fully tap into its potential as an ultra-luxury force to be reckoned with, and my latest stay was a marked improvement from my previous visit back in 2019. An essential part of the stay was HAUS 65, which was sensational with its gorgeous spaces, Ruinart indulgence and food presentations, easily rivalling The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore for offering the most luxurious club lounge in the country. A stay at the reimagined Mandarin Oriental, Singapore is not complete without HAUS 65.
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
5 Raffles Avenue
Marina Square
Singapore 039797
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