Our first PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay stay combined supporting my husband’s first T100 triathlon with a much-needed weekend getaway. Having not experienced this property since its 2020 rebranding from Marina Mandarin Singapore, we were eager to see what changes had been made to this iconic Marina Bay hotel.
Why We Chose PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
When hubby decided to sign up for his first T100 triathlon, I suggested turning it into a staycation opportunity. This way, we could support the pro athletes whilst giving him easy access to the start line (and I managed to get him to sponsor a weekend getaway—win-win!).
We selected PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay for two main reasons:
- We were curious about the hotel’s transformation since its 2020 rebranding
- As a Pan Pacific Hotels Group property, we could maximise our GHA Titanium Member benefits
For fellow staycation enthusiasts, I highly recommend looking into the GHA Discovery programme. It’s free to join, and aiming for Titanium status unlocks premium perks. You can achieve this after staying 30 nights, spending USD 15,000, or experiencing 3 different hotel brands within the GHA collection.
GHA Titanium Benefits We Enjoyed
Our member status entitled us to several valuable benefits:
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Double room upgrade
- Welcome amenity
- Complimentary breakfast buffet
- Free WiFi
Our Signature Marina Bay Room Experience
We originally booked an Urban Deluxe Room but were promptly upgraded to a Signature Marina Bay Room upon check-in. While the room dimensions remained the same, the view was dramatically improved—offering stunning panoramas of Marina Bay from our private balcony.
View from our balcony
Room Features
The Signature Marina Bay Room impressed us with several standout features:
- Generous room size with plentiful space
- Ample desk area for laptop work
- Dedicated space for luggage storage
- Cosy carpeting beneath the bed for added comfort
- Thoughtful sitting area by the window—perfect for tea while enjoying Marina Bay views
- Private balcony (though Singapore’s heat had us preferring the air-conditioned interior!)
Bathroom Amenities
The bathroom setup was well-designed with:
- Separate shower area from the bathtub
- Complete toiletry set including body wash, shampoo, conditioner
- Essential items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and combs
In-Room Provisions
The room came fully equipped with:
- Plush bathrobes and slippers
- Iron and ironing board
- In-room safe
- Nespresso coffee machine with pods of varying intensities
- Selection of TWG tea bags
- Electric kettle
- Mini-fridge stocked with beverages (note: these are chargeable)
Instead of plastic water bottles, the hotel provides filtered water in the bathroom—a nice eco-friendly touch aligned with the PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay’s sustainability initiatives.
Welcome Amenities & Sleep Ritual
Upon arrival, a lovely welcome amenity was delivered to our room with a personalised card. The thoughtful package included dark chocolate, sweet treats, and fresh fruits.
Prior to check-in, the hotel had emailed us a Sleep Ritual Questionnaire offering customisable options to enhance our rest:
Pillow Menu Options:
- Buckwheat Hulls Pillow
- Contour Pillow
- Feather Pillow
- Foam Pillow
- Micro-Gel Pillow
- Down Feather Pillow
Sleep Amenity Choices:
- Aroma diffuser with signature blended essential oil
- Apothecary Mulberry Tea with honey or Hot Milk with cookies
- Lavender eye pillow with room spray
- Yoga Mat and Singing Bowl
A little surprise during turndown service
Service Hiccups
While the Sleep Ritual concept was lovely in theory, execution fell short. Despite completing the questionnaire, our requested pillows weren’t in the room upon arrival, and our chosen amenity wasn’t delivered at the specified time.
After phoning reception, there seemed to be confusion about the Sleep Ritual program. When my Apothecary Mulberry Tea with honey finally arrived, the tea itself was missing from the tray! This required another call, after which someone delivered the entire box of tea bags.
These hiccups were rather unfortunate for an experience meant to promote relaxation. That said, the mulberry tea, once finally prepared, was genuinely calming and enjoyable.
Dining Experience at Peppermint
Breakfast at Peppermint restaurant was somewhat underwhelming. The offerings were standard breakfast fare—nothing particularly memorable or worth second helpings. I was initially excited to see a giant jar of Nutella but pairing it with croissants and pancakes proved disappointing.
In fact, I skipped breakfast entirely on our second morning, preferring to venture out for classic Singaporean kaya toast and kopi instead!
Overall Impression
Our PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay staycation had definite highlights and lowlights. The room itself was a genuine pleasure—clean, comfortable, and featuring an exceptional bed that provided two nights of quality sleep. The Marina Bay views were undeniably spectacular, particularly from our upgraded room.
Service was generally excellent. From arrival to departure, we encountered friendly staff who greeted us with warm smiles. The front desk representative (whose name I regrettably didn’t note) made us feel like genuine VIP guests.
Where the hotel fell short was primarily in the dining department. For a property of this calibre and price point, the breakfast offerings should have been more impressive and memorable. The Sleep Ritual execution also needs refinement to deliver the seamless experience it promises.
Would I recommend the PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay for a staycation? If you value comfortable accommodations, excellent views, and generally good service over culinary experiences, absolutely. Just perhaps consider exploring nearby dining options to complement your stay.
For supporters or participants in events around Marina Bay, the location is unbeatable—offering convenient access while placing you in the heart of Singapore’s iconic bayfront area.