Conrad Singapore Orchard hotel review: A foodie hotel destination
Am I pleasantly surprised at the food offerings available within Conrad Orchard and want to actually revisit all of the restaurants? Absolutely.
Introducing Conrad Singapore Orchard, the latest gem in Singapore's hospitality scene by Hilton. Nestled a little off Orchard Road, Conrad Singapore Orchard took over Regent Singapore in 2022 and gave the property a much-needed hardware upgrade. It's exciting to see how the group has transformed the tired design of an obviously older property and refreshed it for guests.
Situated in verdant surroundings closer to the Botanic Gardens than to Orchard, the hotel's 445 newly designed guest rooms offer understated luxury and tranquility. Open spaces are punctuated with green additions and artworks. From the outside, it looks like minor cosmetic upgrades have been done.
A night's stay in the Deluxe Suite (converted from two Premium rooms of Regent's era) and a whirlwind visit to multiple food and beverage establishments later, here's what we felt about the refurbished Conrad Singapore Orchard.
Understated in-room luxury
Check-in was efficient, and in no time at all, I was sweeping into the 81sqm Deluxe Suite that comes with a balcony, and a separate living and sleeping area.
The space is light-coloured, warm and welcoming. Do I want to fall straight into bed and sleep the day away? Yes, especially with an extensive pillow menu with more than 10 options for you to select from.
A spacious counter houses glassware, the Nespresso machine, a precise-heating kettle and most importantly, a 3M filtered water tap.
In the walk-in wardrobe, you can find an ironing set, a digital safe, a Dyson hairdryer and a plush bathrobe. Head into the toilet, which surprisingly does not have a tub even in the Deluxe Suite – you'll have to upgrade yourself all the way to top of the line to see a tub. For the rest of us, we still get to enjoy Byredo's Mojave Ghost shampoo, conditioner, and body wash provided in the bathrooms. They're hands down one of the best scents I've encountered in hotelier's house toiletries.
In addition, Club access is at the Executive Lounge at Level 11, where three meal presentations are offered daily.
Breakfast: 6.30 a.m to 10.30 a.m
Afternoon tea: 2.30 p.m to 4.30 p.m
Evening cocktail: 6 p.m to 8 p.m
While we can all rest on Conrad's laurels—the rooms aren't going to be terrible by any standards, with a good night's sleep reinforcing that—but it's the food options that truly add to its overall appeal.
Incredible restaurants and bars that actually live up to their name
From vibrant Italian fare at Basilico to sophisticated Cantonese cuisine at Summer Palace, there are 10 restaurants and bars offering you a journey through food. It's one of those hotels where you don't even need to leave the hotel for quality meals.
Hotel-owned F&B establishments
Basilico
Status: Basilico is one of those Holy Grail-type destinations you have to visit at least once in your life. While the breakfast spread was a hearty affair, the buffet dinner is where it shines. There's a good mix of soul-fulfilling pizza and pasta, international dishes, seafood, artisanal cheese, and decadent desserts to try, on top of the most decadent cheese room you'll ever encounter.
Summer Palace
Status: Just reopened, Summer Palace presents an elegant Cantonese culinary journey in a serene imperial garden setting, inspired by its namesake.
Dulcetto
Status: As an artisanal pasticceria and all-day mercatino, it's a great place for a mid-day break. I stopped by for some icy treats to cool down on a hot day.
Tea Lounge
Status: Probably the best high tea semi-buffet in Singapore, and from what I observed, it is pretty popular with those in the know about the spread this Tea Lounge offers. Don't miss the seafood porridge!
Manhattan
Status: Manhattan Bar, once crowned winner of The Best Bar in Asia on the World's 50 Best list, ranks consistently against bars all over the world. The cocktails are serious, but you can certainly let your hair down.
F&B tenants
Seoul
I recently checked out this place at my friend's behest and have never looked back since. Traditional Korean cuisine meets modern grill and is married with top-of-the-line fresh meats. You can go for a la carte, but the true value lies in the premium buffet, where cooked dishes, better meats and marinated raw crabs are part of the spread.
Shoukouwa Shinjidai
For a sophisticated dining experience, Shoukouwa Shinjidai offers kaiseki-inspired cuisine with an innovative edge. I enjoyed an omakase session there immensely, mainly due to the fact that the chefs, while skilful, don't take themselves overly seriously, which makes for a more relaxing omakase experience. You'll rock to the carefully curated menu with a smashing playlist,
Other tenants include Park90, which is a tea lounge by day and a wine bar by night. Known for the extensively curated wine list sourced from local partners, negociants, and chateaux around the world, Park90 is the place to be for wine aficionados. To experience Edomae food culture, head to Tenshin, known for their tempura with fresh ingredients straight from Japan’s Toyosu Market. There's also a hidden lounge The House Bar tucked away in the hotel, serving up craft cocktails and curated bites.
I mean, just looking at the list alone, you know you're getting a well-rounded plethora of restaurants to impress. But what I'm truly impressed about is the quality of meals I've gotten in many establishments within the hotel, whether sponsored or out of my own pocket.
Peripherals
Programmes for guests
Savour the offerings of the hotel's serene sanctuaries, where an outdoor pool glistens, a fitness haven beckons, and tranquil lounges await your repose. Delve into bespoke encounters, such as the Edible Garden Walk, where nature intertwines with the soul, fostering profound connections within; or a Morning Intention class, where a gentle yoga session will ease you into the day.
Room starts from S$359++. The King Deluxe Balcony Suite starts from S$629.
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