Arrived at Parkroyal by taxi from Changi airport costing about $18SGD. Greeting at reception was not as expected, asking for a cash deposit of $600SGD and coughing the whole time we going through the procedure by a female staff member, not impressed. My wife and I were only staying two nights and the excess deposit covered incidentals such as mini bar useage, phonecalls, but was excessive to say the least. Another staff member resolved the issue quickly by asking for credit card and now waiting for the amount to be reimbursed to my credit card as I paid cash on check-out. The hotel foyer is very nice and modern, and the concierge staff very polite and helpful and assisted with our luggage to our room. We were given a room on the second floor a long way from the lifts and down the very end where all the construction was going on. In fact at the end of the hallway it seemed you could just keep walking to the outside as there was a sheet of hardboard there. When we entered the room we first thought it was someone else's room as the bed was messy and a pillow looked liked someone had been lying on it. The porter immediately rang reception and said he would be bringing us back to reception to be allocated another room as this was totally unsatisfactory. The view from the window was construction and...Arrived at Parkroyal by taxi from Changi airport costing about $18SGD.
Greeting at reception was not as expected, asking for a cash deposit of $600SGD and coughing the whole time we going through the procedure by a female staff member, not impressed.
My wife and I were only staying two nights and the excess deposit covered incidentals such as mini bar useage, phonecalls, but was excessive to say the least.
Another staff member resolved the issue quickly by asking for credit card and now waiting for the amount to be reimbursed to my credit card as I paid cash on check-out.
The hotel foyer is very nice and modern, and the concierge staff very polite and helpful and assisted with our luggage to our room. We were given a room on the second floor a long way from the lifts and down the very end where all the construction was going on.
In fact at the end of the hallway it seemed you could just keep walking to the outside as there was a sheet of hardboard there.
When we entered the room we first thought it was someone else's room as the bed was messy and a pillow looked liked someone had been lying on it.
The porter immediately rang reception and said he would be bringing us back to reception to be allocated another room as this was totally unsatisfactory. The view from the window was construction and building site, and the room had the old box type TV set! Even the staff could not explain what may have been happening in that room.
On returning to reception we were greeted by a male staff member who profusely offered apologies and said he would upgrade us to a room on the fourth floor a non smoking floor with card access.
To get onto the floor from the lift lobby you needed to use your room card to open the sliding doors to gain access to the hallway.Then again using the card to get into your room. The hall way was very nice with a fresh aroma as did the lifts, overall nicely presented.
I noticed we were in an adjoining room but the room was quiet, no traffic noise and sleeping was good.
The rooms are small or the one we had was, but typical of hotel rooms in Singapore.
We were impressed and certainly happier with the room, that had a front hotel view, was closer to the lifts, a big improvement to the second floor.
LCD flat screen television included the ABC Australia network and about 28 channels. A radio and clock beside the bed, mini bar with snacks in the drawer under the bench where the kettle is, toiletries, complimentary water and sweets and a daily newspaper delivered to your door, iron and ironing board, slippers and robes available.
Wifi was connected without a problem and had no problems with drop outs or connection being lost.
The wifi was a free service from the hotel. Good seating and a big chair with desk in room and the beds were extremely comfortable.
The pool was closed, which was disappointing as it was extremely hot, even locals were complaining about the heat! Going by shuttle to the Parkroyal on Kitchener for use of the pool seemed pointless and a lot of time wasted.
I enquired about the shuttle services and was told it only goe's between the two hotels not to any parts of the city for drop offs. However, the shuttle would drop you off on route, but you needed to make your own way back to the hotel.
I certainly thought the shuttle arrangement was disapppointing and not for guests to get anywhere.
A city busstop is right in front of the hotel, the hotel is two blocks away from central city Bugis area, and a block away from North Ridge. Orchard Road in the other direction would be about 15 minutes away by cab.
Taxi to Vivo City from Parkroyal was about $10SGD and to Sentosa Resorts World about $15SGD. Depends on traffic buildup and if its peak time or non peak, and all taxis have a flag fall starting at $3.20SGD. At your destination the meter speaks to you with the amount to pay. There is no haggling for taxi fares either. All metered only.
Taxis are the prime source of transport in Singapore, and readily available from the front of the hotel. The MRT seems confusing, and even taxi drivers try to rip you off and not give you your change if they can get away with it. Thats nothing to do with the Parkroyal, but just the way it is in Singapore.
Opposite the hotel across the overhead walkway will take you direct into Arab Street, lots of restaurants, a 7/eleven and an electronics store. About ten minutes away is Bugis Markets or by taxi $7SGD. Drivers told us they were used to short trips, as Singapore is so small!
Behind reception and through the back walkway you head onto Parkroyal Plaza, there is a convenience store open until 10.30pm each night, plus a pharmacy, post office, travel agent and furniture store!
On checking out we spent the day in the city area until time to leave for Changi airport about 6pm and had remembered I had left my power adaptor in the wall in our room. It took over half an hour for someone to get it and bring it to reception.
The hotel has nice restaurants, we received a $20 off voucher if spend more than $50 in the hotels Chinese restaurant, did not go to breakfast, but overall...despite the ups and downs would certainly stay again but there are obviously several room types be specific what you require on booking.More