Hotel Review: Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview (Premium Room) - Cheap Property for Mattress Runs
The Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview opened officially back in 2016 and it was refurbished and re-branded from an existing hotel. It is also currently the cheapest property under the Marriott International chain in Singapore (which makes it great for mattress runs if you are trying to keep your elite status for another year). Located along the Singapore River in Robertson Quay, the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview is only a short drive away from the CBD, city as well as various attractions, making it an affordable option for travellers who are visiting the city.
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I have stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview a number of times as a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member but I have never once gotten a suite upgrade here (no issues since upgrades are subject to availability and the last thing any elite member should do is to pull the DYKWIA card). I typically get an upgrade into a Premium Room from the lead-in Deluxe Room as a Platinum Elite member. There are five main room categories here on property and apparently there are only a few 1 Bedroom Suites (which is why elite members do not get upgraded as easily here).
The Deluxe Rooms and Premium Rooms here at the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview are generally the same - they both measure approximately 22-23 sqm each and the main difference is the view. The higher-priced Premium Room faces the Singapore River while the Deluxe Room features a city view so if you are really here on a budget, you might not wish to pay a premium for that river view. The lowest Advance Purchase rate that I have seen at the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview is S$146++ and that is about as cheap as it gets for chain hotels in Singapore. The Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is located a short stroll away but for approximately the same price, I would pick a bigger refurbished room over a smaller but newer room (there are also additional perks as a Platinum Elite member but more on that later). The Hilton Garden Inn Singapore Serangoon does have a similar price point on low-demand weekends but I would very much prefer the Robertson Quay area for the laid back vibes as well as the excellent range of restaurants.
The Premium Rooms here at the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview
Guests will also be able to use the Handy Phone located in their rooms for the whole duration of their stay - you will be able to take this out and enjoy unlimited mobile data and calls to selected countries on this. With that being said, most international travellers are savvy enough to buy a SIM Card (which is incredibly affordable for visitors) or roam from their mobile phones. The Handy Phone option is a nice touch but honestly, I am personally not convinced that people actually use them (I have never seen anyone holding it outside?!).
The Premium Room that I stayed in at the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview come with a king size bed but twin beds can also be arranged if that is desired. The firm mattress may not come with plush bedding (you should not be expecting that since the room rate is so low) but it is actually quite comfortable. With that being said, the mattress is definitely on a firmer side so you should consider whether that is something that you would be comfortable with (plush bedding comes with a price, obviously).
What I do appreciate about the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview is the availability of universal power outlets in the room. The hotel was refurbished back in 2016 and they have made it a point to install universal power outlets in each guest room (whereas luxury hotels built in 2016 have chose not to). Light switches can also be found next to the bed so you can turn them off when you are ready for bed without having to step out of your comfort zone.
The bathroom of the Premium Room is practical and it does not come with anything fancy. With that said, it does look pretty good for a refurbished hotel and basic amenities are provided if you require them - you may also request for additional products (e.g. toothbrush) if you cannot find them in the bathroom.
It also comes with a shub (an in-built shower and tub combination) which is probably a thing of the past. Newer hotels have moved away from this and refurbished rooms typically convert shubs into standing rainshowers to save on water and maintenance. It goes without saying that more luxurious suites still feature a free-standing bathtub but shubs are really slowly being phased out across the whole country.
Bath amenities are provided by Activ Body Care which I believe is a hotel supply brand that has been created for Four Points. The Activ Body Care range of products offered in the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview smell like a cross between a man's deodorant and something that you would expect your teenage son to use. Now we know that Marriott International will be eliminating single-use shower toiletry bottles soon and let's just say these will not be missed by me (I do like the Bliss Spa branded ones provided in W Hotels though!).
Complimentary drinking water is also provided in bottles (which I would expect them to remove at some point in an effort to reduce single-plastic waste) but tap water is potable in Singapore so feel free to drink them. While I do not encourage the use of single-use plastics, having a bottle can be quite convenient when you are an international traveller since bringing your own bottle might be tough.
Teabags and freeze-fried coffee are provided in the rooms (no coffee machine here unfortunately) and takeaway cups can also be found in the drawer if you wish to enjoy your hot beverage outside of the room.
What a lot of people do not necessarily know is that Platinum Elite (and higher) members get to enjoy complimentary drinks at Best Brew in the evening. As you should already know, properties under the Four Points brand are not required to provide any executive lounge (or equivalent) so this is really an initiative from the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview to delight top-tier guests. If memory serves me right, free-flowing wines and beers are offered to Platinum Elite (and higher) guests from 6PM to 8PM daily. A small selection of bar snacks were also offered but if you are looking for something a little more substantial, the food menu looks great and the price is really quite reasonable (you will also enjoy 20% off F&B discount as a Platinum Elite member).
While my room rate did not come inclusive of breakfast, I had the option (as a Platinum Elite member) of either complimentary breakfast for two adults (for the whole duration of my stay) or 500 points as my welcome amenity. The breakfast is obviously the most sensible option since 500 points are not worth much and you are much better off with a full buffet breakfast here for two adults (especially if you are staying for more than one night). Honestly, I was quite impressed with the selection here at Four Points Eatery during breakfast and while you will not find anything premium here, it was certainly better than the Four Points by Sheraton Auckland where I stayed for two weeks earlier this year.
As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, I have a guaranteed late check-out of 4PM and this is crucial for the weekends since it really helps me to stretch out my stays. In contrast, I have almost-never been proactively offered a late checkout as a Hilton Honors Diamond Member. I do love the Conrad Centennial Singapore a lot (I have stayed there seven times this year alone) and I know that they have recently started to offer Diamond members a late check-out but having a guaranteed benefit takes a lot of uncertainty out so I definitely appreciate that (and that is also why I am keeping my Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status next year).
One thing that not many people realise about the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview is how good the food actually is. I am not talking about the buffet spread over at the Four Points Eatery (let's just say there is a reason why this restaurant is offering up to 50% off on Eatigo) but the a la carte menu at Four Points Eatery (as well as the In-room Dining menu) has a few gems actually! My personal favourite is the Old Time Bak Kut Teh which is absolutely delicious. In fact, if you have been to the Riverview Hotel (prior to the re-brand), you might have had this dish before and apparently the hotel owners have kept it as there is a steady stream of customers that come back for this dish.
I cannot quite remember how much the Old Time Bak Kut Teh costs in the in-room dining menu but it was rather reasonable (under SGD 30 I believe). Do note that if you choose to be lazy (like I was) and have it sent up to your room, you will not be able to take advantage of the 20% F&B discount that Platinum Elite (and higher) members getto enjoy - you should also tip the guy that brings your food up to you - so make sure you put on your shoes and go downstairs to the Four Points Eatery for that discount.
While the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview is not somewhere that I would frequent for a luxurious weekend away (because it is not), I have found it to be great value. Most of my weekend stays in Singapore cost anywhere between S$400 to S$500 a night so getting a room here for less than half the price of that makes it an interesting (and somewhat attractive) option. Honestly, a weekend stay at the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview is a steal if you are a Platinum Elite (or higher) member since having two hours of drinks can easily cost you S$100 for two.
Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview
382 Havelock Rd, Singapore 169629
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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.