Capella Singapore

This was my first trip to Singapore, and I initially thought getting around the island would be inconvenient, so I booked two hotels. I stayed at Capella later, but it turns out transportation is incredibly convenient. There's a hotel shuttle that takes you off the island, and taxis are readily available. The hotel boasts several swimming pools, and the beach is just a few minutes' walk away. Universal Studios and the S.E.A. Aquarium are both nearby, about a 10-minute bus ride. They offer complimentary afternoon tea around 3 PM. The hotel is clean and tidy, and the staff even thoughtfully helped me hang my clothes out to dry – a really nice touch, thumbs up! Breakfast was perfect, and you absolutely must try the Kee Restaurant downstairs.

I'm a big fan of the Capella brand, so I definitely wanted to try their original property. The hotel is incredibly tranquil, and the common areas are rarely crowded, making it feel like a secluded paradise. The sea view room is very spacious, offering a direct view of the Strait of Malacca. With the ever-changing weather, watching the boats go by offers a different experience each time. You can also take a short path directly from the hotel to Palawan Beach. The complimentary pandan coconut cake and chocolate pastries upon check-in were exquisite and delicious, showing a thoughtful touch. However, the bathroom lacks a sliding door and connects directly to the toilet, which leads to water splashing out – not the most practical design, and it's a shame there's no bidet. The breakfast is absolutely top-notch, semi-buffet style with a wide and impressive selection of à la carte items. Every main dish and beverage was amazing. The linens are incredibly comfortable, the towels are thick and soft, and there's a good variety of pillows with different firmness levels. The gym is a bit small, but the upside is that it's usually empty. There's a convenient shuttle bus to Universal Studios and VivoCity every 15 minutes. The service wasn't particularly outstanding, and frankly, it fell short compared to what I've experienced in China. The biggest flaw was during check-in when the staff member mistakenly gave me the wrong room number. After several failed attempts to open the door, they used a master key and walked into someone else's room – I was utterly mortified! Overall, despite the minor issues, the positives far outweigh the negatives, and it would still be my first choice.

The Capella living room offers complimentary snacks and refreshments daily, and the service is excellent. We were even able to check in early, around 10 AM.