There were several different hotels on my radar when I booked my first trip to Singapore.
I could stay at Raffles Singapore, Regent Singapore, Courtyard Singapore Novena, or the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview, all of which are budget friendly. As I narrowed down my options, I decided to go with the voco.
It was my first time staying at a voco property, and it was affordable with points, which made it even more appealing.
Designed with budget-conscious travelers who prefer boutique properties in mind, this voco outpost seemed like a solid alternative to other chains' cookie cutter brands with low price points. The vibe I was looking for when I was in Singapore was the unstuffy, inviting atmosphere that draws you in from the moment you arrive.
I decided to stay at the property for three nights. I was relieved to find that I had made the right decision when I arrived.
There are seven things I learned about voco Orchard Singapore and why I would choose it again.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
Despite its budget friendly price point, some aspects of voco Orchard Singapore make it feel luxurious. Within a five-minute walk of the property, you can find outposts of Four Seasons, Shangri-La, St.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
There are upscale boutiques on nearly every corner along the boulevard. Four malls are within a block of the hotel and you could easily get your retail therapy fix without stepping foot outside.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
Forum, Far East and Tanglin are more affordable malls that are within walking distance. Coffee shops, casual restaurants, and massage parlors can be found at these malls.
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The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
The property is close to some of the most popular attractions in Singapore. The Gardens by the Bay is a 10 minute drive from the hotel, while the Singapore Botanic Gardens is only six minutes away by car. You can easily reach other parts of the city from the closest station, which is 10 minutes away.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
A first timer's guide to Singapore.
When I travel, I look for ways to use my points and miles in a smarter way. I knew using points was the way to go since I saw I could book my three-night October stay with a little more than 100,000 points.
When booking with 102,000 points, it was like paying $510 instead of $857.
I would have paid $286 for a night's cash rate. Depending on when you book, you can find rooms for as little as $250 per night, which is a much lower price point than other comparable properties.
I expected to find a fully updated look despite its new name and brand affiliation.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn two days before I arrived that I was going to be upgraded to a larger room because of my Diamond status.
I was assigned a high floor room instead of the standard king bed room. The accommodations can be found on the 16th floor.
I appreciated the spaciousness of the floor plan when I entered my room on the 15th floor.
Inside the main room, which had a neutral color scheme with pops of yellow in accent pillows and plaid carpet, was a comfortable king-size bed, a stand for suitcases, and a glass desk that might have been leftovers from the hotel'sHilton days.
The look and function of the room made me happy. The clean lines of the nightstands and entertainment unit created a modern feel despite their tired, light-wood finishes, and a number of must-have conveniences were available, including a mini fridge and a 55 inch smart TV.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
As a business traveler, I was thrilled to find everything I needed to work remotely from the room, such as five charging ports by the desk and a Nespresso machine that I could use to stay awake. I was thankful to have the two layers of shades as they made it easier to go to bed early and take a nap while adjusting to a different time zone. The complimentary bottled water, which could be thrown in the recycling center after use, and a provided kettle for making hot tea were both appreciated.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
The bathroom was just as good as the rest of the room, with all the amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel. The amenities like dental and shaving kits and plant-based toiletries from Brooklyn-based Apotheke were nice touches.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
My experience with hotel breakfast buffets has been lackluster at best over the years, especially as a traveler with a restricted diet, so I decided to book the cheapest I hgone rewards member rate instead of paying more for the same room I regretted that decision very quickly.
When checking in, I added one breakfast for 30 Singapore dollars, since I was curious about the buffet. The wide spread, which is available every day between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m., was the best buffet I have ever eaten. I had to return to the front desk to pay for the rest of my stay because it was so delicious.
Don't eat bagels or watery eggs. You can choose from a variety of dishes from Singapore, India, the U.S. and more at the breakfast buffet. There was a made-to-order omelet bar, fresh cheeses, multiple kinds of fruit and juice, lunch meats, a selection of cereals and traditional Singapore food. premade lattes and iced coffee were available, as well as the option to make your own beverage from the waitstaff.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
The section with dairy- and allergy-free items was the highlight for me. There were a variety of options in this section, from full-size white bread to mini banana nut and chocolate muffins.
Depending on when you visit, the buffet may be slightly different. I ate after the restaurant opened because I was jetlagged. There were a lot of dairy- and gluten-free items to try. When I returned at 8 a.m. on my second day, the white bread and oat milk were out of stock, so I put myself a bowl of cornflakes.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
The buffet was of the highest quality. It was easy to get a full day's worth of food in Singapore.
The hotel breakfast strategy is related.
Lunch and dinner are served on certain days and evenings. The cost of seafood and meat entree was more than double the cost of a 2 to 2.4-pound steak.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
il Cielo is an Italian restaurant located inside the hotel.
il Cielo is a rooftop restaurant that is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. I grabbed takeout on my second night because I couldn't get a reservation for any night of my stay and I wanted to eat out. The summer peach salad and arrabbiata pasta were good, but not great, and you should spend your money elsewhere.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
The hotel is home to a restaurant that has been awarded a star rating. According to the restaurant's website, Iggy's serves modern European dishes with an Asian twist. Lunch tastings can be had for as little as $107 and as much as $198. The price for dinner includes an additional charge for wine. Maine lobster is one of the highlights on the menu.
I was not able to eat there due to the fact that the space was limited and the bookings were filling up fast. You can request a table as far in advance as you want.
You can get a snack from the small bakery off the lobby. Everything I saw at D9 cakery looked delicious, even though I didn't indulge my sweet tooth here.
Room service is available from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. I tried it on the first day after I arrived at the hotel.
I ordered a room service burger with a fried egg, tomato, and lettuce, along with fries, ginger beer, and a side of fruit, because it was comforting. I ordered a cup of tea when I got to Singapore after 35 hours in the air. The total was over fifty dollars.
It arrived 10 minutes after I received a pop-up message saying it would take 30 minutes.
The meal was overpriced. The burger and fruit were bland. The meal fell flat due to Singapore's abundance of great dining options. It was supposed to help me refuel on short notice.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
Since it's hot year-round in Singapore, you'll want to take a dip in the rooftop pool, which is open every day between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. The 40-foot pool is located next to il Cielo and is surrounded by lounge chairs. Even if you don't use the pool, you should check it out.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
The fitness center on the 23rd floor is open 24 hours a day. The gym has treadmills, rowing machines, spin bikes and ellipticals and an open area for mat work. I found the facility to be large with plenty of room for multiple people to work out in the open area while walking on a treadmill.
The Points Guy is Caroline Tanner.
There is a spa on the premises that offers a variety of treatments. Guests can borrow bikes from the front desk on a first come, first served basis.
My interactions with the hotel staff were painless. The people from the hostess to the maids were very nice.
The front desk always helped me with a smile, even if they were checking me in or giving me a late checkout. The concierge offered to carry my bag when I arrived and after I left.
My experience with cleaning was one of my favorites. I found a pleasant surprise when I came back to my room after it had been cleaned. The rubber owl on my pillow was a nod to the property's mascot and a symbol of tranquility and peace. I will never forget the first time I received a bath toy and note during a hotel stay.
Whether you're a sophisticated shopper, traveling for work or in town for an epic solo vacation, chances are you'll enjoy staying at voco. While it lacks family friendly amenities like a kids club and a waterslide at the pool, it has just enough leisure amenities to keep guests content after a day out on the town or working remotely.
The breakfast buffet and friendly staff are some of the highlights of my stay. The hotel is one of the first things I mention to my friends and family when I talk about my trip. I want to try out another voco property in the future and stay here again.
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