Hotel Review: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel (Studio Room)
The Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has one of the best locations in Singapore - it is right smack in Orchard Road and it is connected to the MRT station via underground pathways and shopping malls. I have previously stayed here in an Executive Room and the beautiful Pool Terrace (the latter room-type is of my favourites in Singapore) and since I have gotten my SPG Gold status linked to Marriott Rewards Gold (which gives a guaranteed lounge access), I have decided to book a stay here on one weekend to check out the new Executive Lounge.
Click HERE to check out rates of the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel!
I booked the most basic Deluxe Room and was accorded a one-level upgrade into the Studio Room for my weekend stay at the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel. During my check-in, I actually enquired on the possibility of upgrading my room into the Pool Terrace (for a fee of course!) but I was told that they were fully occupied that weekend. In any case, I was happy to check out the Studio Room which was a room type that I have not actually stayed in before. The first thing you will notice if you have stayed in an Deluxe Room (or an Executive Room) before is the small walkway in the Studio Room that leads you to the bedroom - something you do not get with the lead-in room category.
The Studio Room (38sqm) is also slightly bigger than the Deluxe Rooms (32sqm to 34sqm) since it comes with a smaller work area, a dressing area and a bigger bathroom. I tend to spend most of my time during hotel stays in Singapore to catch up on work and therefore I truly appreciate it when a decent work area is provided (otherwise, I usually just head up to the Executive Lounge to get things done).
Considering how this is just one room category above the lead-in room category, I think that the semi-partitioned work area is a nice touch. I understand that there are travellers who criticise this as it does seem a little unnecessary but I did personally like the distinction between work and rest. There are also two chairs here so even if you do not use it for work, you can still use it as a small dining area (there's plenty of food to buy back in Singapore!).
Located right next to your bed is a comfortable two-seater sofa and a bowl full of tempting snacks (you would probably be less tempted once you see how much they cost). The sofa does not convert into a sofa bed in case anyone was thinking about it. I really like how much natural light the Studio Room enjoys - I can't remember for certain but there were at least six different window panes that offer a pretty impressive view of the iconic Orchard Road.
The Studio Room also comes with a 46" LCD screen with a range of cable and satellite channels for your personal entertainment. While 38sqm does not sound like a lot of space, the Studio Room makes use of it perfectly so it actually feels larger than it actually is.
There is a small dressing area that separates the bedroom from the bathroom - you will find a small dressing table here too! The wardrobe which is located in the dressing area can be accessed from the small walkway on the opposite site as well - this makes it easy to get dressed once you get out of the bathroom and also when you are leaving the room. There is also plenty of space for you to hang your clothes so even if you are here for a week or so, you do not have to worry about having insufficient space for your clothes.
One of the things that got a lot of people excited about when I shared some photos and videos on Instagram Stories during my stay was the existence of a double shower. The bathroom of the Studio Room comes with a double sink and a double shower, making it perfect for couples who do not wish to share during the morning. Bathroom amenities are provided by THANN (Aromatic Wood scent) which I personally do love a lot - the Marriott mobile app also allows you to request for more if required.
Like most room types here at the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, the bathroom does not come with a bathtub (if you are looking for one, the Pool Terrace is a truly beautiful one that features a standalone tub).
After settling into my room, I decided to check out the refreshed Executive Lounge of the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel. As I have mentioned previously, the only way I was getting access to the Executive Lounge was due to my Marriott Rewards Gold Elite status (which I got from simply having SPG Gold). If you do not have any SPG status, remember it is super easy to get it in just one stay when you pay for an eligible stay with a World MasterCard - the promotion ends on 14 July 2017 and your status should be valid until the end of February 2019 (which means you will probably get status with the new Marriott loyalty program next year) if you get it now.
As far as I know, the Executive Lounge here at the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel offers one of the most generous cocktail hours in Singapore (with the exception of the Valley Wing in the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore which offers all-day Champagne). The cocktail hour runs from 5:30PM to 9:30PM and you will get to enjoy free-flowing beers, wines and spirits (no Champagne though, unfortunately). Canapés (which make for a light dinner) are served during the first two hours and desserts are served in the last two hours.
The Executive Lounge also serves a really good Singapore Sling so make sure you order that during cocktail hour - having four hours of unlimited drinks is truly a dream (especially in Singapore) and paying for the cheapest room and getting access to this lounge makes it so much better!
In case you do need the bathroom in between drinks, there is one that is conveniently located inside the lounge - in fact, I was so impressed by how good it looks that I knew I had to take a photo of it. I absolutely love the marble floors, walls and more importantly, that spotless full-length mirror!
Guests with executive lounge access here at the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel are given the choice of having breakfast the next morning at either the Executive Lounge (which offers a smaller variety) or the Marriott Cafe (which offers a full buffet spread). I opted for the latter choice since I woke up pretty early - the Marriott Cafe gets crowded from 9:30AM based on experience so if you do enjoy peace and quiet while having breakfast, make sure you get there early! I love the spread here at the Marriott Cafe during breakfast and they do serve a huge variety of food that ranges from Asian delights (which is personally, my favourite), healthy salads, the usual eggs and plenty of desserts (even for breakfast!). Remember the Club Marriott membership gives you a flat 30% off here even if you are not staying in-house!
Since I had plenty of work to catch up on that weekend, I ended up spending the entire afternoon at the Executive Lounge (Marriott Rewards Gold Elite members get a late check-out at 4:00PM here so there is more time to use the facilities and stretch your stay). I did manage to use the swimming pool briefly (for photos, click HERE!) but it started to rain shortly so I took that as a clear sign for me to get back to work. The lounge is actually pretty quiet in the afternoon and actually really conducive to get things done.
With so many hotels to choose from in Orchard and Somerset, the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel is one of my favourites for getting work done. While the Studio Room was nice, I would highly recommend upgrading into the Pool Terrace for approximately S$100++ more instead. The location of the hotel is perfect for those who wish to spend time shopping in Singapore but the refreshed lounge at the hotel is really one of my favourites in Orchard Road. The generous four-hour happy hour in the evening is also something to look forward to each night.
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
320 Orchard Road, Singapore 238865
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Swissôtel The Stamford offers stunning views of Marina Bay and a prime City Hall location, making it an excellent choice for international visitors. While the L65 Lounge serves substantial evening food, the limited alcohol selection might not suit all guests, but the hotel is still a great option for those wanting to experience Singapore’s iconic sights.