We review The St. Regis Singapore: newly refurbished, expect a delightfully modern take on Gilded Age glamour

When it comes to hotels in Singapore, there are plenty of options, from tiny, locally-built boutique boltholes to grand dames and international names. But one luxe hotel has been quietly building a dedicated following over decades, and it’s now ready to step into an all-new era following a full facelift. We recently checked into The St. Regis Singapore to get a taste of New York glam in the heart of the Lion City.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Review of The St. Regis Singapore

Hotel snapshot

Hotel name: The St. Regis Singapore
Location: Tanglin
Address: 29 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247911
Number of rooms and suites: 299
Brand: St. Regis (Marriott International)
Date opened: 2007
Design style: New York’s Gilded Age with a contemporary spin
Family amenities: Welcome gifts for kids, in-room amenities like kids’ robes, bath kids, and tepees on request, kid-friendly menus, babysitting services
Wellness facilities: St. Regis spa with wet lounge, and 24-hour gym
Prices from: $500SG per night, depending on room and season

The arrival

Arriving at the revamped St. Regis Singapore, two things become immediately apparent: its location is unassuming, and it lives up to the brand’s reputation for opulence.

The hotel sits within the Tanglin neighbourhood, in a quiet, almost hidden spot between Orchard Road, the Botanic Gardens, and the Embassy District. And stepping into the lobby, the St. Regis’ signature design ethos—sumptuous, Art Deco-inspired luxury—is rendered in white marble, glittering chandeliers, polished mirrors, geometric lines, plush furniture, and gilt-framed art.

St. Regis signatures

As you’d expect, the Singapore outpost carries all of The St. Regis’ famed traditions and rituals. There’s the Bloody Mary cocktail reinvented for each hotel—here, the Straits Mary gets a local expression with bak kwa-infused bourbon, chilli padi, and sweet gula melaka syrup—and the daily Champagne sabrage by the grand lobby stairs, where guests gather to enjoy an aperitif to kick off their evening.

And of course, there’s the 24-hour butler service. Admittedly, I didn’t call on the butler too frequently, just enough to bring coffee and newspapers in the morning. But, after requesting warm milk and cookies one evening, the two teacups of milk and one cookie apiece that showed up seemed somewhat less than hospitable (or am I just a cookie fiend?).

Gilded Age boltholes

Like the rest of the hotel, The St. Regis Singapore’s 299 guestrooms and suites are luxuriously appointed and created with a touch of Art Deco flair. Our Astor Grand Deluxe room features calming tones of aqua in the plush carpet, heavy drapery, and cosy sofa and armchair, and touches of old-world glamour in the wood panels above the bed, geometric lamps, and touches of brass. There’s even blue-hued, nature-inspired wallpaper, reflecting the lush Botanic Gardens framed through the room’s floor-to-ceiling windows.

Alongside the supersized twin beds draped in soft white linens, a spacious workdesk, plenty of space to relax, and a well-appointed minibar, it’s the perfect blend of sumptuousness and function.

The marble-clad bathroom, though somewhat tightly laid out, is equally grand. A standalone roll-top bath dominates the space, flanked by a spacious, well-lit double vanity and a rainforest shower stocked with Sodashi products. In a thoughtful move, there’s also a full-sized bottle of REN’s facial cleanser by one of the basins, an amenity rarely seen in other hotels, and one that impressed me greatly.

Food and drinks

You certainly won’t go hungry while staying at The St. Regis Singapore. The hotel retained its wildly popular Cantonese restaurant, Yan Ting, giving it a slight visual refresh in keeping with the rest of the property. And, of course, the daily Afternoon Tea, another popular St. Regis ritual, is available at The Tea Room.

We ventured into two of the hotel’s venues during our stay, though the experiences were starkly different. An evening at the sleek St. Regis Bar was a highlight. Capturing the essence of 20th-century Manhattan, the moody space features plenty of deep-hued panels, plush banquettes, and low lighting.

More importantly, there are exquisite cocktails. I recommend the bourbon-forward DOF.01 and the vodka-laced Citadel Cold Open, which are both potent and delicious. They also serve well-executed, upscale bar bites. My favourites were the Chilli Crab Padi Mary, Focaccia, and the Ruben Sandwiches.

The heart of the hotel’s culinary offerings, though, is at Sophia, the verdant, glasshouse-inspired restaurant that sits off the lobby. For breakfast, I was impressed by the incredibly decadent semi-buffet that caters to just about every taste—there’s fresh fruit and pastries, local bites, and made-to-order hot plates (including an incredibly rich French toast).

In the evening, Sophia’s menu draws on time-honoured recipes from 11 Italian regions. The Carpaccio di Gamberi and Burrata starters were solid, though the pastas are less so—the Rigatoni alla Carbonara was oversalted and featured very little sauce. In fact, there was a lot of confusion throughout the meal, which detracted from the experience, but we’re putting it down to an off day, as we’ve heard glowing reports from other foodie friends.

Is there more?

Of course, the hotel has a full suite of wellness offerings to complement every stay. I spent two blissful hours at the St. Regis Spa, indulging in an incredibly relaxing and restorative 60-minute Aroma Massage and enjoying the heat circuit of Finnish saunas, eucalyptus-scented steam rooms, and Jacuzzis. There’s also time for a quick workout in the well-appointed gym and sunbathing by the outdoor pool.

There’s also an intriguing art collection, which our butler unveiled on an hour-long tour. Most of the pieces come from the property owner’s personal collection, and encompass a variety of artists, from well-known locals and under-the-radar Asian painters to famed stalwarts of the art world.

There are grand sculptures by Taiwan’s Li Chen and Singapore’s Anothony Poon by the driveway; a Frank Gehry sculpture in the entrance hall; Picasso lithographs in the bar; and a host of framed oil paintings by local artists to bring a sense of place.

Frequently asked questions: The St. Regis Singapore