Peter Lynch discovers the Conrad Centennial Singapore is like a comfortable easy chair – you just slip into it and relax.
What: Conrad Centennial Singapore, 2, Temasek Boulevard, Singapore
Why you’d choose it: There are some hotels where you just feel at home right away. The Conrad Centennial Singapore is one of them.
A five-minute, S$10 cab ride (or a S$3 subway ride) from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, this seasoned veteran is like a comfortable easy chair – you just slip into it and relax.
Everything works exactly as it should. And the attentive staff is on hand the very second you think of something you want. The clever Conrad concierge app, downloadable from Apple or Android app stores allows you to customise your stay such as selecting your choice of bathroom amenities, even before your arrival.
Where we stayed: Level 25, in an Executive King Room, which gave us glimpses of Marina Bay and the surrounding Esplanade. There is plenty of space in this 43 sq m room, with a great working desk, comfortable chairs and marble bathroom with bath and shower.
There are 15 pillow options, a welcome box of pralines and fruit and a Nespresso machine. The room gives guests access to the executive lounge on the 31st floor, which serves breakfast, afternoon tea and drinks.
You also get 20 per cent off a range of Kerstin Florian scrubs, moisturising body wraps and facials at the spa, where a Singapore massage cost S$150 for 60 minutes.
And for those who can’t resist mixing business with pleasure, there are two hours of free meeting room use.
What we ate: Oscar’s has a mouth-watering seafood buffet: booking advised – it’s often packed. The Terrace is a deli and patisserie with a house special of The Cruffin (a cross between a croissant and a muffin). When in Singapore, though, eating authentic Chinese food is an obligation. We dine at the Golden Peony, where there are plenty of delights from the wok or steamer of chef Ku Keung, a local TV celebrity.
Roast Peking duck with parma ham and pineapple and crispy beancurd skin in homemade crepes anyone? Yes please.
Other highlights include London roasted duck; poached baby spinach, conpoy, lily bulb, beancurd stick and wolfberry in superior broth; and sliced grouper with vegetables and tofu.
What else can you do?
One of the Conrad’s great innovations is the Conrad 1/3/5 itineraries, available on iPad at the concierge desk of the hotel’s entrance or view online before you stay here: singapore.stayinspired.com. These supply  secrets about what’s happening near the hotel, in the local area and around Singapore.
The hotel’s owners are art collectors – over 3400 pieces of sculpture, paintings and artifacts by both local and international artists decorate the walls.
We swam in the early morning – the gym is open 24-hours and the pool is huge.
The Promenade MRT station is a three-minute walk from the hotel.
To see what else you can do in Singapore, click here.
The verdict
The Conrad Centennial is a truly grand hotel in the traditional style of Singapore: stately entrance with sweeping staircase, fine artworks and plenty of places to enjoy a drink. The rooms are spacious and service is splendidly Singaporean – friendly and efficient.
The Executive King we stayed in costs S$465 on the weekdays (Mon – Thu) and S$415 on the weekends (Fri – Sun). Hilton HHonors Members can get up to 25 per cent off room charges if they book directly here.
