Hotel Review: The Standard, Singapore (Standard King Pool View) - Cool Property, Not So Great Location
The Standard, Singapore joined World of Hyatt as a Category 5 property in 2025 (but it is actually a Category 4 property now), part of the broader integration of The Standard, StandardX and Bunkhouse brands following Hyatt's acquisition of Standard International in October 2024. Crucially, it is fully participating in the programme, so Globalists should expect a best available room upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability) and a 4pm late check out, on top of the usual points earning and redemption benefits. Location-wise, the hotel sits a little off the beaten track from the main Orchard and CBD hubs, but a complimentary shuttle service runs regularly, which took some of the sting out of the slightly inconvenient address.
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The property itself has a cool, laid-back energy that immediately reminded me of the Mondrian Singapore Duxton, all playful design touches without trying too hard. Check-in was handled reasonably efficiently, though I did not receive a room upgrade for this stay. As a Globalist, a 4pm late check out was offered regardless, which softened the blow slightly. Worth flagging for fellow points redeemers: the Standard Twin With One Twin Bed is the base room category here, and it is the only room type available for points redemptions. If you are hoping to redeem into one of the King bed rooms, you are out of luck. On a more positive note, the property moved down from Category 5 to Category 4 this year, which means Category 1-4 free night awards can now be used here, a meaningful win for anyone sitting on a stash of expiring awards.
The room itself is compact at 23 sqm, which is on the smaller side even by Singapore standards, but it has been furnished thoughtfully enough that it never feels cramped. The floor-to-ceiling window is the standout feature, flooding the room with natural light, and my room faced directly onto the Shangri-La apartments. This actually makes sense once you understand the property's layout, as the hotel sits sandwiched between the Shangri-La apartment block and the main Shangri-La hotel itself. A nice touch is the L-shaped sofa tucked by the window, which turned out to be a great spot to relax during the day, whether catching up on emails or simply people watching over the neighbourhood below. The room also comes with a 50-inch smart TV mounted on the opposite wall, and casting shows from Netflix or other streaming apps onto the screen was straightforward, a small but appreciated convenience for anyone who wants to wind down with their usual line up rather than hotel channels.
There was no welcome amenity to speak of, save for a handwritten note left on the terrazzo side table, a nice personal touch even if it did not extend to anything more tangible. I was staying for leisure rather than work, but it is worth noting that the room does not really offer a proper desk or work area beyond the window sofa. If you do need to get things done, the cafe on the lobby floor is a solid alternative. From experience, it tends to be quiet during the day, making it a decent spot to camp out with a laptop if the room itself is not conducive to work.
Amenities in the room are functional rather than lavish. There is a Nespresso machine sitting on a small marble ledge next to the minibar, paired with a couple of bottled waters, and a fold out luggage rack mounted on the wall nearby, a practical alternative to a proper wardrobe given the room's tight footprint. The whimsical red cabinet is a nice nod to the brand's playful design language, though storage space itself remains limited. It is clear that the design team prioritised character over practicality here, which is very on brand for The Standard, Singapore, but guests travelling with more luggage may find themselves wishing for a proper closet.
Opening the drawer of that red cabinet reveals a nice surprise, with a small stash of complimentary Nespresso capsules and a selection of TWG teas, along with sugar and creamer sachets tucked neatly alongside a corkscrew and cutlery. It is a thoughtful touch that elevates what would otherwise be a fairly standard in-room coffee and tea set up. I am not entirely sure whether an evening turndown service is offered as standard, as I did not have the opportunity to observe one during my stay, so this is worth checking with the front desk if it matters to you.
On the bed itself, I had booked the king configuration for this stay. Worth noting that if you have booked the twin room, whether for the cheaper rate or because you redeemed points, it is worth writing in ahead of your stay to request a king bed instead, as this seems to be something the hotel can accommodate on request. Despite the compact room size, I found the bed itself to be genuinely comfortable, and the overall design language, from the striped wooden headboard to the capsule-shaped wall light in a warm amber glow, gave the room a distinct character that I appreciated.
Despite being only 23 sqm in size, the boxy-layout of the room made it feel sufficient. Do note that instead of a proper wardrobe, a couple of hooks on the wall serve as the main storage for jackets and clothing, which fits the room's compact footprint but may feel limiting if you are packing more formal wear.
There was no iron in the room during my stay, though I understand one is available upon request from housekeeping.
The view from my room looked down onto the pool deck, and it is a genuinely striking one, with the freeform pool framed by rows of umbrellas and lush landscaping below. From my limited experience with The Standard brand, having only stayed at the Bangkok property before this, the pools do seem to be a consistent strength across the brand. They always seem to strike that balance between looking good in photos and actually being pleasant to spend an afternoon at, and this one is no exception.
The bathroom is arguably the most visually striking part of the room, with bold orange and cream striped tiles running floor to ceiling and a statement circular backlit mirror above the sink. It is a departure from the neutral palette in the bedroom, and it works well, giving the space a distinct personality without feeling gimmicky. The vanity is compact but well laid out, with a single sink, a shelf for toiletries, and a walk-in shower visible through the mirror's reflection. Storage is again on the minimal side, though a small shelf beside the sink and cubby space below help make up for the lack of drawers.
The shower itself continues the same bold orange and white striped tiling, with a rain shower head overhead and a handheld shower on a sliding rail, along with a built in seat and a set of full sized amenities lined up on a small ledge. There is no bathtub in this room category, which is fairly standard for a room this size, but the shower alone is spacious and well pressured, more than making up for the absence of a tub if a proper soak is not a priority for your stay.
Consistent to what you would expect, bath amenities come in bulk sized pump bottles rather than the usual miniature single-use bottles - a shampoo, conditioner and body wash set mounted directly on the shower wall. This is a sustainability conscious touch that more hotels have been adopting, and it works well here, cutting down on plastic waste without compromising on the actual product quality.
Breakfast is served at Kaya, the hotel's restaurant located on the ground floor, which functions as an all-day dining venue outside of breakfast hours. As a Globalist, breakfast here is complimentary, a perk that alone goes some way towards offsetting the lack of a room upgrade on this stay. The format is a la carte, and unlimited servings of everything on the menu are included, which is a fantastic setup as it means you can order as many rounds as you like without worrying about a fixed buffet spread. Portions are kept intentionally small, so this actually works in your favour, allowing you to sample a wider variety of dishes across multiple rounds rather than committing to one large plate. The staff here deserve a special mention too, cheerful and consistently on top of orders, with coffee refills offered proactively throughout the meal.
Kaya, incidentally, is normally a contemporary Japanese izakaya restaurant on the second floor of the hotel, so it makes sense that you will spot some Japanese influenced dishes on the breakfast menu too. Beyond that, there is a good mix of Western and Asian options that cater to a fairly broad clientele. Some of my favourites were the fried chicken waffle and the laksa, both of which were surprisingly well executed for a breakfast setting, along with the ochazuke, which was a nice nod to the restaurant's Japanese roots. I also appreciated that there were decent vegetarian and healthier options on the menu, which is not always a given at hotel breakfasts.
The Standard, Singapore is not going to win on location alone. Being sandwiched between the Shangri-La apartments and hotel means it is a bit removed from the main Orchard strip, and unless you are happy to stay in and make full use of the property, you may find yourself relying on that shuttle more often than you would like. That said, the pool more than makes up for it, and it is genuinely one of the better ones I have encountered on this side of town. There is also a gym on site, though I did not have the chance to check it out myself. From what I understand, it is outdoors and on the smaller side, so manage your expectations accordingly if a proper workout is part of your travel routine.
Overall, I liked my stay here. It is great that Singapore finally has a Category 4 property to call its own, especially now that the hotel has moved down from Category 5. That said, I would not necessarily call this the best use of a free night award if you have the flexibility to choose elsewhere. Properties like Grand Hyatt Fukuoka or even The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon offer arguably better value for the same certificate. Still, if your award is close to expiring and you find yourself in Singapore, this is a perfectly solid option to fall back on. Rates through luxury advisor channels can sometimes undercut the standard World of Hyatt rate, so it is always worth a quick comparison before booking direct.
The Standard, Singapore
12 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258353
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The Mondrian Singapore Duxton nails the location and the design, but the rooms are compact and the Executive Room premium is hard to justify. Here is why I would book the base room instead.