Mandarin Oriental, Singapore

In October 2024, I checked into the Club Marina Bay Room at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. Part of the Marina Square building complex, the hotel recently concluded an extensive six-month transformation in 2023 (reportedly to the tune of US$100 million), with new room categories introduced and various dining spaces revamped entirely. MANDARIN ORIENTAL, SINGAPORE The bayside hotel boasts a distinctive fan-shaped concrete facade which pays homage to the brand’s logo and a soaring grand atrium design with a core of glass elevators courtesy of the late architect John Portman. The hotel’s extensive renovations were led by Principal Designer Jeffrey Wilkes of interior design firm DESIGNWILKES, and the refreshed interiors draw their inspirations from quintessential Singaporean traditions and elements such as Peranakan-style architecture and vibrant colour tones, Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid motifs as well as batik patterns. Different room types now sport different colour schemes – for example, Marina Bay-facing rooms are decked in cooler colours; rooms with views of the South China Sea have warm tones reminiscent of the morning sun; and city-facing accommodations feature lush botanical prints. Wellness facilities are located on the 5th level. The hotel has a fully-equipped fitness centre which offers both indoor and outdoor exercise areas as well as an expansive outdoor swimming deck with a 25-metre outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by lush landscapes and private cabanas and offering direct views of the bay area. Elsewhere, The Spa on the same level has six treatment rooms and a spa menu featuring manicure and pedicure services along with advanced facial treatments by Swiss Perfection and Biologique Recherche. The hotel also offers specially curated local experiences for guests, including their popular vintage Vespa sidecar tours, guided cycling tours and heritage river cruise rides along the Singapore River (guests have to make their own way to Boat Quay for embarkation). CLUB MARINA BAY ROOM Decked in cool shades of blue, the 34sqm Club Marina Bay Room boasts stunning panoramic vistas of Marina Bay through floor-to-ceiling windows, with window-side seating available for taking in the glorious, shimmery views. The wall is adorned with batik patterns, while the traditional wooden cabinet with jade artefacts add “oriental” to the proceedings. The hotel’s new signature fan – designed by acclaimed Singaporean artist Hans Tan as part of the hotel’s ‘Exceptionally Singapore’ relaunch theme – greeted us from the bed. The minibar comprised a variety of snacks, including chips and hotel-branded packets of nuts, while the fridge was stocked with sparkling tea, white wine, still and sparkling water as well as other premium canned beverages. The fun part? Everything in the minibar (even the wine) was included within my package. It is rare that a complimentary minibar in Singapore is ever quite so luxurious. The bathroom comprised double vanities, a fairly cosy enclosed rainfall shower space as well as a standalone bathtub which faces the room’s windows overlooking the bay (you can appreciate the views from the tub should you draw the bathroom window blinds). Bathroom amenities are courtesy of Spanish beauty brand Natura Bissé, and presented in pump bottles. The full review inclusive of dining experiences (including HAUS 65, the club lounge) and photographs is available on Secret Life of Fatbacks, a luxury travel website.

I highly recommend this beautiful hotel. It's recently renovated, not crowded and has all the amenities you need. From the moment we landed, the MO staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. The pool area is large with plenty of lounges for everyone. I highly recommend adding the HAUS 65 Club Lounge access to your booking, the staff are lovely - shout out to Jeff & Justin and the team. Here you get access to food and beverages throughout the day. The spa is 10/10, we had massages but would love to go back for the head spa - apparently incredible. We will be back!

I did enjoyed my stay at the Mandarin hotel whereby I found the true top quality hospitality services represented by the customer care to the little details from the room amenities to the house 65 nice gestures, SPA tope services and the beautiful decorative touches all over the places.

Writing this review (while still staying and awaiting to check-out of the hotel). I would like to compliment the entire hospitality team @ MO Singapore. To be honest - there was never a moment that I was disappointed or felt things could be better. From stepping in to hotel, concierge reached out to ask me to prepare identification for check-in, subsequently was greeted by i believe their floor manager - with a welcome drink and towel, lady at reception served with so much dedication of the hotel/job - to sign up as fans of MO/walk me to the lifts after check in, MO Bar was also great with nice welcome drink/snacks and a fantastic menu of cocktails.. What even made my stay better - what I only did was just to briefly mention during check in that was our wedding anniversary.. After dinner, I came back to the room and was surprised with a super heartwarming gesture - a anniversary cake for me and my wife, placed a floormat + bathroom slippers on each side of bed + a bag of puerh tea by the bed… Next, during breakfast - team at restaurant was so welcoming.. gave introduction to the buffet.. prompt service to clear plates + fill up drinks and food was great.. Honestly - I highly recommend you whether you’re a local looking for a staycation venue or tourist wishing to experience a side of Singapore.. Thanks team MO. We will be back for sure!

We held our wedding lunch at Mandarin Oriental Singapore a week ago. It was such a joyous and positive experience for both my husband & I. Wedding Coordinator: Wen En Wen En is an exceptionally reliable and responsible wedding coordinator. We were only at early stages of looking around for a hotel venue and were liaising with Wen En and another hotel’s (reputable 5 star hotel) wedding coordinator. Wen En’s professionalism, enthusiasm and joyful persona was a huge contrast to the other hotel’s wedding coordinator which was completely lacklustre. Wen En is the main reason why we chose Mandarin Oriental Singapore as our wedding venue. His attentiveness, spirit of going above and beyond for us, coupled with his years of experience have truly made our whole wedding planning experience a smooth sailing one. Wen En’s constant assurance and prompt in replies allowed us to be very confident that all would go well on the wedding day. He personally received us at the hotel lobby on the wedding day and when we checked out. The stay in the Bridal Suite was amazing, we were absolutely delighted and surprised to see that they prepared a wedding celebratory cake, champagne and decorations in the Bridal Suite. Wen En was really lovely to arrange dinner for us at Embu on the 2nd night of stay. We are extremely satisfied with the entire experience of holding our wedding banquet at Mandarin Oriental Singapore. Banquet Manager: Jegan He was absolutely friendly and lighthearted, always ensuring that we’ll enjoy the first march in and to not worry about anything. Really appreciate his patience with us, his politeness whenever he has something to clarify with us! Appreciate that he made the event so seamless & enjoyable for all the guests and us. Bridal Assistant: Charmaine Kang Was absolutely surprised that our wedding coordinator arranged a Bridal Assistant for me and I must say Charmaine goes above and beyond to take care of me. She ensured that I’m well hydrated, prepared 2 special mocktails for my husband and I. She held on to my gown’s long train and my long veil very well. She reminded me to take small steps for my first march in so as to look good in the photos and video. When my husband & I did a small photoshoot in the hotel, she made sure that my wedding train and veil are spread out nicely. She also helped to hold onto my heels and slippers which I never expected that as it’s footwear. Never once did Charmaine showed any sign of annoyance or tiredness, she’s friendly and polite. AV Manager: Sathia Thankful for Sathia that there was no hiccups during the entire banquet. The sound system was loud & clear in the ballroom, all our guests could hear us very clearly. Chinese Chef: Chef Yong Cannot thank Chef Yong enough for ensuring that the food served was prepared with such high quality! We received countless of compliments from our guests that the food was absolutely delicious! This applies across to all Chinese menu, Vegetarian menu and Halal menu! We had so many guests who told us that it was the best wedding banquet food they ever had! The food was still amazing even when we had ours in the Bridal Suite. Our families complimented that the food tasted even better than the food tasting day!