Hotel Review: The Westin Singapore (Premier Room) - Affordable CBD Hotel with a View!
The Westin Singapore is one of the nicest Starwood Hotels & Resorts properties in Singapore. The hotel is located at Marina Bay and since the surroundings are comparatively quiet on the weekends, it provides travellers (and locals!) with the avenue to escape from the bustling city into an exclusive retreat. Take the lift up to Level 32 where the hotel lobby is located and let your experience at this beautiful property begin.
As mentioned earlier, the hotel lobby is located on Level 32, making it the highest hotel lobby in Singapore at the time of writing. You will find the Lobby Lounge and Seasonal Tastes (more on this later) on the same level but if you are heading to Cook & Brew, you will have to change the lift to get up to Level 33 (or take the stairs!). The check-in process was fuss-free - one of the perks of being a Starwood Preferred Guest I guess - and I was accorded a 4PM late check-out as per Gold benefits.
In the event where you have to wait for your room to be ready, the lobby offers expansive views of the Port of Singapore - feel free to make use of this opportunity to take plenty of photos. If you do intend to get a drink, check out the Lobby Lounge which offers a selection of wines, beers, Champagne and special cocktails - remember you can potentially save up to 20% off by quoting your Starwood Preferred Guest membership number. Craving for fresh seafood? Check out Neptune's Table (S$88++ per adult) for freshly-shucked oysters, Alaskan king crab legs, lobsters and half-shell scallops - oh, and if you do take advantage of the Neptune's Table promotion, your first glass of Champagne is complimentary too.
When I checked out The Westin Singapore, I stayed in a Premier Room (two levels up from the lead-in room category) which is approximately 40-50 sqm (depending on where your room is located). The room features an earthly colour tone of cream of brown to complement the simple yet plush furnishings and that impressive floor-to-ceiling window. There is a small area of space between the bedroom and the bathroom when you enter the Premier Room and if you head into the bedroom, you will definitely notice the 42-inch HDTV and the amazing seaview from your room.
If you are traveling for work, the Premier Room offers a ergonomic desk chair and huge word desk for you to get things done - I would personally switch the direction of the chair over to enjoy a seaview instead though! If you are an SPG Gold member (find out how here!), you will receive complimentary High Speed Internet Access - otherwise you may have to pay for this. By the side of the work desk, you will also find a bunch of connectivity options which include a USB port to charge your mobile phone or other devices.
Since I generally do a lot of writing during my hotel stays on weekends, I really appreciate a dedicated work space within the bedroom if it's not a suite. There is also a small chair by the window which allows you to relax and unwind over a cup of freshly-made coffee. You will not find a Nespresso machine in the Premier Room but you will find a French press for your coffee fix.
If you still aren't convinced about the view, here's a panoramic shot from the bedroom that might change your mind. As you can see, the Premier Room overlooks the sea and the Port of Singapore which is extremely therapeutic to watch (this is makes for a great time-lapse video if you are thinking about making one). On that same note, there are plans in place to consolidate all port-related activities to Tuas South from 2027 to free up prime land in the area for future mixed-use developments and residential projects.
If you are seriously considering my suggestion to sit by the window with a cup of tea or coffee, you would be pleased to know that complimentary JING Tea is provided in the room. In case you are unfamiliar with the brand, JING Tea is inspired by some of Asia's greatest tea cultures and they go beyond just selling the finest tea leaves.
I really enjoyed the Jasmine Silver Needle tea from JING Tea which is cultivated in Yun Kang and picked only in spring. Think about it as a blissful marriage between the famous Silver Needle white tea and the fresh jasmine flowers - it is also perfect for enjoying a good read by the window while trying to find your inner focus.
Also, unlike black tea, it is advisable to use 80 degree Celsius water instead of boiling water (just let it sit for a bit before pouring it over the tea bag) for the Jasmine Silver Needle tea to make sure you do not ruin the tea's delicate taste.
I also received some chocolate pralines and cookies as part of my welcome amenity - always a nice touch but I am personally one of those that enjoy a good old fruit plate (I know most travellers do not actually like it though!).
Finally in the bedroom, how can one simply ignore the Heavenly Bed (which was first introduced in 1999) that is synonymous to the Westin brand? Did you know that the Heavenly Bed comes with ten different layers of comfort (find out what they are here!) which features a plush duvet, a down blanket and fluffy pillows - there is also a bedside control panel which allows you to adjust the lighting at the touch of a button so you do not actually need to get out of this amazing place when you are ready to sleep.
The bathroom in the Premier Room offers expansive view of the sea and the Port of Singapore (much like the bedroom) and it comes with a rain-shower, a free standing bathtub and a floating sink. If you are looking to protect your modesty, you would be pleased to know that the controls to an automated roller-blind can be found near the entrance of the bathroom.
If you have been to another Westin-branded property before, you will find the familiar Fragrant White Tea bath amenities here at The Westin Singapore as well as plush bathrobes and slippers to complete the luxurious bath experience.
While a free-standing bathtub is not uncommon amongst luxury hotels in Singapore, I really enjoyed the bath experience at The Westin Singapore and it really has to do with the view and location more than anything else. If you are staying here on a weekend (like I did), you will definitely find peace in the hotel's surroundings - gazing out to the sea and a quiet sea port is strangely therapeutic.
After a relaxing soak in the bathtub, I decided to check out the famous infinity pool at The Westin Singapore which is located on Level 35. The outdoor infinity pool (photos below!) allows hotel guests to unwind after a long work day (if you are here on business) in the middle of the city. Since it was pretty crowded when I got there, I decided to head to the gym - located on the same floor - instead for a quick workout instead. It is worth noting that the 24-hour WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio offers a set of workout attire (at a nominal fee of US$5) for you if you do not have yours on you. The outfit consisting of a top, bottom, shoes and socks (yours to keep) is provided by New Balance.
Since I did not have Executive Club access during my stay at The Westin Singapore, I decided to head out of the hotel in the evening for some food and what better place to head to than the famous Lau Pa Sat (located just ten minutes walk away!). I have to admit that even though the area is literally swarming with tourists, Lau Pa Sat remains to be one of my favourite places to enjoy a dinner on weekends - the streets are brought to life in the evening with great food, the clinking of beer jugs and the smokiness of the famous satay.
If you do (and you definitely should) decide to order Satay at Lau Pa Sat, you will almost definitely be given a menu with a few sets to choose from. Do note that you may also order them a la carte if you wish to save some money (just avoid the prawns!). The good thing about Singapore is that you are not likely to get ripped off as menu prices are often displayed so order way - be sure to try other local dishes while you are there too!
Taking a slow walk back to The Westin Singapore after that rowdiness at Lau Pa Sat may be enjoyable but making my way up to Level 35 to find an empty swimming pool is even better! Even though the view from the pool is now semi-obstructed by new developments, you can still see the National Stadium (perfect for fireworks displays) and the iconic ArtScience Museum from the pool.
I returned to a made-up room when I got back (evening turndown is available upon request) and was rewarded with a really peaceful view of the Port of Singapore. I know I have mentioned the view a number of times in this article already but honestly, this is something to experience for yourself. There is just some kind of strange satisfaction when there seems to be so much space around you - perhaps it was the level that I was at or maybe it was just due to the fact that the area is usually filled with people and traffic.
Breakfast is served at Seasonal Tastes (The Westin Singapore's signature dining venue) which features a live interactive kitchen concept. Since one of the wellness pillars of Westin is to 'Eat Well', you will notice a SuperFoodsRx logo at the bottom of some dishes to denote a healthier option. If your room rate does not come inclusive with breakfast, you may wish to check out The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill for the new weekend brunch menu (with free-flowing Prosecco for a nominal fee) as it is not located too far away - approximately 5-7 minutes away by Uber.
If you are lucky enough to be given a table at the end of the restaurant, you will have a view of the National Stadium (which as I have mentioned earlier, is perfect for watching the National Day fireworks). Otherwise fret not as the sea view is also tough to beat.
The Westin Singapore could very well be my favourite Starwood property in Singapore - I have stayed at the Sheraton Towers Singapore, W Singapore Sentosa Cove and the prestigious St. Regis Singapore. I really love the peace and quiet around The Westin Singapore on weekends (perhaps because I am here on a staycation) since it gives me that sense of space that is so often hard to find in Singapore. The product itself is perfect - the rooms are beautiful, the view is impressive and the pool is just such a joy to be in.
The Westin Singapore
12 Marina View, Asia Square Tower 2, Singapore 018961
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