Hotel Review: Conrad Centennial Singapore (Executive Room) - Reduced Offerings at the Executive Lounge but Still a Great Stay
In case you do not already know, Conrad Centennial Singapore has started accepting leisure bookings (i.e. staycations) since 16 December 2020. I have been back to the hotel a handful of times since its reopening and it is a great property to take advantage of the Points Unlimited global promotion for additional Hilton Honors points.
Click HERE to check out the best rates for the Conrad Centennial Singapore!
Bedroom
Executive Room - Conrad Centennial Singapore
On all my stays here at the Conrad Centennial Singapore since 16 December 2020, I have been accorded an upgrade into an Executive Room as a Hilton Honors Diamond member. There are actually very limited Centennial Suites available here on the property and to be honest, I don't think I have ever been upgraded once throughout my stays here. With that said, all the refurbished rooms here are a delight and I am happy with all of them (especially those located in the corner since they come with an additional window).
Bedroom
Executive Room - Conrad Centennial Singapore
All of the rooms here at the Conrad Centennial Singapore have roughly the same size (approximately 40 sqm) but Executive Rooms come with access to the Executive Lounge located on Level 31. If you are lucky enough to be assigned a room on the same floor, you will be able to access the lounge easily. With that said, in accordance with Safe Management Measures, hotel guests with access to the Executive Lounge (regardless of whether you have booked an Executive Room/Suite or whether you have Hilton Honors Diamond status) will have to pre-book a timeslot for Afternoon Tea and Evening Drinks (more on this later!).
Bedroom
Executive Room - Conrad Centennial Singapore
If you have been to the Conrad Centennial Singapore, most of the in-room experience remains the same. Evening turndown was offered on most of my stays (even though you will have to request for it) but on one occasion, I was told that the service has been temporarily suspended due to Safe Management Measures. Similar to other luxury hotels in Singapore, hotel guests will find a personal care kit in the room which comes with two disposable masks, two alcohol wipes, a mask holder, as well as a small bottle of hand sanitizer.
Welcome Amenities
Executive Room - Conrad Centennial Singapore
Instead of the usual fruit bowls, hotel guests now get a variety of snacks as their welcome amenities - I don’t think these amenities vary based on your membership tier. Now I have reviewed the Executive Room and the Centennial Suite extensively at the Conrad Centennial Singapore on various occasions so I will not go into the room and space that much in this article.
View from Bedroom
Executive Room - Conrad Centennial Singapore
There used to be two Executive Lounges at the Conrad Centennial Singapore but the one by the pool has been converted into a Kids Club which is suitable for children between the ages of 3 and 10. The only Executive Lounge that remains is located on Level 31 and it is open from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily with two meal presentations:
Afternoon Tea
Executive Lounge - Conrad Centennial Singapore
Afternoon Tea: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Evening Drinks: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
As mentioned earlier, hotel guests are currently required to book a one-hour slot to access either meal presentations so you will have to decide whether you want the 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM timeslot for Afternoon Tea. For Afternoon Tea, the last order for food will be 15 minutes before the end of your pre-booked timeslot so do try to get in early if you can - you will be expected to leave the Executive Lounge at the end of your time slot (this is somewhat enforced on weekends). When I was there over a weekday, I was told that I could continue staying in the lounge if I like but food will not be served after my pre-booked time slot (4:00 PM). That was fine by me but I did find it a bit strange since there was only one other occupied table when I was there.
Beer used to be part of the Afternoon Tea menu when I stayed over in early January 2021 but this has been removed from the menu at the time of writing. With that said, I have been offered a glass of wine during the Afternoon Tea meal period on a few occasions so you might just get lucky if you ask nicely. People tend to misconstrue my words completely so I have to state explicitly that alcohol is not offered officially during the Afternoon Tea timeslot.
Evening Cocktails and Canapés
Executive Lounge - Conrad Centennial Singapore
Evening drinks in the Executive Lounge are served between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM but you will be required to pre-book a one-hour time slot at the time of check-in. As far as I know, hotel guests are unable to pre-book these timeslots before arriving at the property so you should definitely try to book it upon arrival to get the timeslot you want - I would personally go for the later 7:00 PM time slot since it gives you a little more time to enjoy your last beverage (even if the last order is at 7:45 PM).
The food menu for Afternoon Tea and Evening Drinks alternate each day with a variation for even- and odd-numbered dates. Apart from the usual non-alcoholic beverages that are served, guests can choose from a rather extensive list of alcoholic beverages during the Evening Drinks session - wines, spirits, whiskys, aperitifs, cocktails, and beers. Prior to the whole COVID-19 situation, Laurent-Perrier Champagne was served at the Executive Lounge (on a request basis) and this has been an open secret for the longest time. As far as I know, you can no longer opt for the Laurent-Perrier Champagne (but please correct me if I am wrong), and asking for 'Champagne' at the lounge will result in a glass of sparkling wine from Chandon.
Obviously, nothing beats a self-serve buffet station but that is simply not possible at this time due to government regulations. With that said, I do appreciate the variety that the Conrad Centennial Singapore puts together for Afternoon Tea and Evening Drinks - the food items can be replenished upon request so feel free to ask for a second helping if there is something that you enjoy especially.
Since the Executive Lounge at the Conrad Centennial Singapore opens from 3:00 PM only, breakfast will only be served at Oscar's. Similar to the other two meal presentations, hotel guests will be required to pre-book a time slot for breakfast at Oscar's but as far as I know, this can be done way ahead of schedule. There are four different one-hour time slots available on weekends but only three on weekdays (where fewer guests are expected) - pick from 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, or 10:00 AM (weekends only).
There are quite a number of main dishes to choose from but if you do not know where to start, I really enjoyed the Eggs Benedict (which was previously served on brioche) on an English Muffin - do note that there is only one poached egg in each serving. The Sticky Glutinous Rice with Chicken Wrapped in Lotus Leaf is also delicious and I would highly recommend it if you are feeling hungry. A smaller kid-friendly breakfast menu is also offered for those staying with children so there is actually something for everyone.
Swimming Pool
Conrad Centennial Singapore
If you are using your complimentary room night voucher from the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card, do note that you will not receive any of your Hilton Honors Gold or Diamond perks with this stay. As a Hilton Honors Diamond member who stayed two nights at the Conrad Centennial Singapore (the first being a paid night and the second being a free night from my American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card), breakfast and lounge access was both not extended on my second night despite being "upgraded" to an Executive Room on Level 31.
Corner Room
Executive Room - Conrad Centennial Singapore
The average room rates at the Conrad Centennial Singapore have gone down quite a bit this month and obviously, the travel industry has been hit the hardest so it is completely understandable that hotels are trying to reduce overhead costs.
If you are planning to stay in, you should consider booking a luxury travel advisor rate (which is pegged to the Best Available Rate) - weekday stays can go as low as S$260++ and weekend stays typically hover around S$310++. By booking a luxury travel advisor rate (you can use a platform like HoteLux or ClassicTravel) you will get some guaranteed benefits like USD 100 property credit and complimentary breakfast on each stay - this makes it extremely worthwhile if you are staying for just one night! If you have The American Express Platinum Card, the Conrad Centennial Singapore is part of the Fine Hotels & Resorts Programme and you will be able to enjoy a USD 100 property credit as well as a 4:00 PM guaranteed late check-out.
Conrad Centennial Singapore
2 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038982
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The JW Marriott Auckland is still refurbishing its guest rooms and suites (with an expected completion date in November 2024). I stayed in a Deluxe Room (non-refurbished) and have found the experience to be lacking of a typical JW Marriott property.