The Four Seasons in Singapore is not the newest hotel, nor is it in the famed “Raffles” district of the tiny city-state, but after a quick stay at this property, I realized that none of that matters.

For a property that is over 10 years old, the Four Seasons in Singapore is in impeccably great condition.  There is a great attention to detail in keeping everything clean and well-maintained, from furniture that looks like it was just installed this last year, to bathrooms that have been re-grouted to keep up their appearance, I was very surprised that this property looked and felt like it was just built.

Furthermore, with staff that were incredibly attentive and polished, I can’t help but recommend the Four Seasons to anyone looking to spend a little time in Singapore.

Oh, and the issue of location?  Well the city is so small, that honestly it doesn’t matter where you stay, because you’ll  be only a few minutes ride away from where you’re trying to go.

The hotel itself has one exceptionally nice feature, which is the rooftop pool.  I personally didn’t get to spend much time here, but watching the sun set over the city from this vantage point was a highlight of being at this property.

The rooms themselves are large and luxuriously appointed, and as per usual, the bed was incredibly comfortable.  The colors and decor are nothing that will blow your socks away, but what the rooms lack in singleness they make up for in luxuriousness.

I would recommend spending some time in the lobby bar, because that is probably my second favorite space in this property next to the rooftop pool.  It is a well put together space, and in a city like Singapore where business is being done everywhere, this is one of those bars you would want to spend some time in while either 1.dealmaking or 2.relaxing.

 

 

RATING:

Hard Product:

-Location (How close is this to top attractions in the surrounding area?) 

It’s not next to some of the major hawker markets or raffles, or the gardens, but Singapore is small so it’s not out of the way either

7/10

-Cleanliness (Is the grout in the bathroom clean?  How good is maid service here?)

Not a single thing out of place here.

9/10

-Upkeep (Is the hotel in need of a remodel, or is it being constantly kept up?)

For being a property over a decade old, this Four Seasons has been kept in tip top shape

9/10

-Public Spaces (How unique/inventive/useful are the public spaces?)

Not a lot of them, but the few that are there are great places to spend time in

8/10

 

Soft Product:

-Service (How good is the service here?)

From in-room check in to personalized greetings for every guest, along with very well trained local staff, I couldn’t have asked for more

9/10

-Restaurants On-Site (Are the restaurants on site somewhere even the locals would go to?)

The food was incredible, but Singapore has such great food everywhere that it’s hard to just recommend someone eat at the hotel

7/10

-Concierge (Specifically, how effective is the Concierge at helping you with a new locale?)

The concierge service was impeccable

10/10

TOTAL: 55/70

(35/70 is average)

 

PROS:

• Great rooftop pool
• Well maintained
• Service was impeccable

CONS:

• The hotel needs some updating, not that it looks worn in because it doesn’t, but because it’s getting a little long in the tooth

SECRETS:

• This hotel has a light breakfast service in the pool area that is free for guests.  Be sure to take advantage of it!

THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA:

Check out the Singapore in 24 hours guide!

If you’ve ever perused an Apres ski list, or searched for the largest ski resorts in North America you’re sure to find Whistler-Blackcomb near the top.  Part of the glorifying experience of Whistler is embodied by the fact that there’s so much to do after you hop off the mountain.  The Four Seasons is the logical choice if you’re wanting to be close enough to the action, but far enough away to enjoy some peace and quiet.

The property is located just above Whistler Village in what is called “Upper Village”, a three minute car ride or shuttle away from Whistler Basecamp, but also only a five minute walk from Blackcomb’s base lift.  Upon entering the hotel you’re instantly greeted by cozy spaces, a living room in the corner with a TV and fireplace, a downstairs basement with a game room, the choice of two different bars/restaurants with tucked away spaces, and some other cool little nooks and crannies.  I was told that this particular hotel was designed to mimic a personal ski chalet and I have to agree that the FS Resort Group did a great job designing this property.

There’s a lot to love about this hotel, the ski concierge service which makes renting equipment a breeze.  You go downstairs, get fitted, and the next morning your equipment is ready to go twenty feet from the base gondola.  The restaurants were both delicious and priced relatively affordably for a five star property.  The staff were attentive and knowledgable, and the outdoor pool and jacuzzi were an incredible reprieve at the end of a long day down the mountain.

I did have one minor quibble about the hotel, which is that the rooms themselves were not quite as spectacular as other Four Seasons properties.  There was nothing particularly exciting about them, and the furniture could’ve used a refresh.  However, none of this would prevent me from recommending the property to anyone visiting Whistler.

There are certainly a lot of choices in this town, especially since it had its Olympic debut a few years back, but the Four Seasons is at the top of my list and will remain there.  If you are looking for other choices, however, I would recommend looking into the Sundial Boutique and the Fairmont Chateau.  Both properties are a little older than the Four Seasons, but offer similar accommodations with slightly less amenities, but at a slightly lower price.

PROS:

• The awesome layout of the public spaces.  It’s inviting, warm, and functional
• The staff is just as good as you’d expect at a Four Seasons.  Everyone from the maid to the check-in staff were courteous, thoughtful, and helpful
• The shuttle and car service really made this location easy to get to.  You can call for a pickup from anywhere in town to get back to the hotel.

CONS:

• The rooms could use a refresh when it comes to the furniture

SECRETS:

• If you’re coming in the winter, use the ski concierge to your advantage.  They even rent out jackets, pants, and other items.  Also, avoid the rush at the end of the day when dropping off your equipment, wait about 15-30 minutes past when the mountain closes and you won’t be stuck dropping your rental gear back off

THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA:

• Mongolie Grill is a staple in this town, and has incredible food for a great price.  It’s a unique concept that’s hard to find in many places and although it’s not really “authentic” Mongolian food, it really hits the spot after a long day outdoors!