Last year while my hubby participated in the T100 triathlon event, we stayed at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay Singapore. This year, we decided to return to the same hotel for another stay during T100, as I was curious to see if there had been any significant improvements to the food standards – which, I must admit, didn’t quite impress me during our previous visit. Having experienced Pan Pacific Hotel last December, which set an incredibly high benchmark that none of our other staycation experiences have managed to surpass so far, I was also particularly interested to see how PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay would measure up this time around.

Why GHA Membership Is a Game-Changer for Hotel Stays

Before diving into the review, here’s a top tip: if you’re into staycations like us, applying for a GHA Discovery membership is absolutely worth it. The free membership offers escalating benefits, with Titanium status unlocking the best perks after 30 nights, spending USD 15,000, or staying at 3 GHA brand hotels.

For our PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay Singapore stay, our Titanium membership entitled us to:

• Early check-in at 11am
• Extended check-out until 4pm
• Double room upgrade
• Welcome amenities including chocolate, fruits and sweet treats
• Complimentary newspaper (The Straits Times)
• Free WiFi

Check-In Experience: Quick and Painless

The check-in process with Andy at the front desk was refreshingly fuss-free. Within minutes, we were heading up to our room, eager to begin our staycation experience.

COLLECTION Club Room: The Highs and Lows

We were assigned Room 2118 on the 21st floor – the highest in PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay. Comparing it to our previous stay, this room offered more space with a lovely day bed by the window.

Bathroom Amenities: The Good Bits

The bathroom at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay was well-stocked with essentials:

• Separate shampoo and conditioner (not those terrible 2-in-1 products!)
• Body wash in the shower area
• Bath salts and loofah by the bath tub
• Standard toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving kit, comb, etc)

I particularly appreciated the Appelles brand shampoo and conditioner, which left my hair feeling soft and properly moisturised.

Shower Experience: Room for Improvement

The shower facilities weren’t without issues. I spotted cracked tiles on the floor and limescale deposits on the shower panel. The shower promised a hydromassage effect with six horizontal jets, plus fixed and handheld shower heads. While the main shower head delivered strong water pressure, the handheld shower was disappointingly weak, and the horizontal jets weren’t comfortable enough for a proper hydromassage experience.

On the plus side, the toilet featured a non-electric bidet seat with impressive water pressure and accuracy – keeping things sparkling clean with just the turn of a knob!

Room Refreshments and Amenities

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay Singapore offers a decent selection of in-room refreshments:

• Nespresso machine with four coffee capsules of varying intensities
• UHT creamer
• TWG tea bags (English breakfast, chamomile and sencha)
• Mini fridge with complimentary Coca-Cola, Sprite and San Pellegrino (refilled daily)
• Picnic basket with snacks (Lays crisps, dried mango, nuts, biscuits) – but don’t take the basket home as it’s chargeable at $150++

Interestingly, no bottled water was provided, but a filtered drinking water tap next to the bathroom sink served as a more environmentally friendly alternative.

Comfort and Entertainment

The door to our room wobbled slightly and didn’t close tightly, which meant we could hear loudly chatting passers-by – potentially problematic for light sleepers like myself.

Other room features at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay Singapore included:

• A good-sized TV perfectly positioned in front of the bed
• Variety of local and international channels
• Ample luggage space and storage
• Generous wardrobe with plenty of hangers
• Large safe (fits laptops and tablets)
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Iron/ironing board and umbrella
• Two hairdryers (wall-fixed in bathroom and a portable one in the wardrobe)

The air conditioning was set to a minimum of 20°C, which felt just right – not so cold that I needed heavy blankets despite Singapore’s typical sweltering heat outside.

Sleeping and Lounging

The bed delivered excellent comfort with a thick, soft mattress topper and plenty of pillows – crucial for someone like me who sleeps with their head slightly elevated. I enjoyed refreshingly good sleep each night.

My favourite spot was the day bed by the window, where I spent hours relaxing with my iPad while enjoying the city views. I also appreciated the authentic touch of nature in the room – real orchids on the coffee table and lucky bamboo in the bathroom rather than artificial plants.

A handy feature was the E-concierge service accessible via the TV, where you could scan a QR code to schedule housekeeping at your convenience, allowing you to sleep in or enjoy uninterrupted privacy.

Hotel Facilities

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay Singapore offers standard luxury hotel amenities on level 5:

• Swimming pool
• Gym
• Spin bike studio (classes must be pre-booked at the spa reception)
• Spa
• Club Lounge

The Food Experience: Mixed Results

Breakfast at Peppermint (Level 4)

Unfortunately, the breakfast buffet at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay Singapore’s main restaurant didn’t impress me – just as I remembered from our previous stay. The spread seemed limited compared to other hotels in the area (perhaps part of their eco-friendly initiative to reduce food waste).

Notable disappointments included:

• No bacon (so sad!)
• Hard, over-fried tater tots
• Pastries are not flaky
• Overcooked eggs (sunny-side-up eggs are not runny enough!)
• Miserable condiments for congee
• No custard for the bread and butter pudding (noooooo……!!)

I spotted a giant Nutella jar dispenser, but without decent pastries to pair it with, even this couldn’t save the breakfast experience.

Breakfast at Club Lounge (Level 5)

For a more peaceful morning meal, the Club Lounge offered a welcome alternative to Peppermint’s hustle and bustle. Here, you could order freshly prepared items from a menu. The kaya toast was unremarkable, but the soft-boiled eggs were done perfectly. The wontons in chilli oil were a standout, suggesting that PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay Singapore excels more with Chinese cuisine – perhaps explaining why their Chinese restaurant, Peach Blossoms, has enjoyed such longevity.

All-Day Refreshments at Club Lounge

The Club Lounge offered various refreshments throughout the day:

• Coffee, tea and soft drinks
• Snacks (popcorn, crisps, cookies, vegetable chips, granola bars, bananas)
• A quiet, cosy space ideal for laptop work

Afternoon Tea at Club Lounge

During our stay at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, we found the lounge particularly quiet during afternoon tea – likely because most guests were out exploring Singapore. The offerings included:

• A small selection of savoury items and sweets
• Anti-pasti and dips (guacamole, hummus, pesto)
• Somewhat dry sandwiches and mini burgers
• Freshly squeezed orange juice from a dedicated machine
• The same giant Nutella jar from breakfast by the bread section

While the presentation was nice, the taste was rather mediocre.

Evening Cocktails at Club Lounge

The evening cocktail service saw slightly more guests but remained relatively calm. Food quality improved noticeably during this service, with options including:

• Fried and/or baked items
• Chinese dim sum
• Parma ham (though sadly without rock melon) and other cold cuts
• Smoked salmon
• Salad and fruits

The selection was substantial enough to replace dinner, complemented by an extensive drinks menu featuring prosecco, champagne, wines, beer, cocktails, mocktails, soft drinks, and juices.

At 8pm, staff cleared away the buffet, emptying leftovers into a metal bucket. Given the hotel’s commitment to urban farming, I hope these were destined for composting rather than waste bins, as there was considerable food left over.

The PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay Singapore Experience: Final Thoughts

Overall, we enjoyed our staycation at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay Singapore. The hotel’s location offers excellent convenience, with direct access to Marina Square via a circular staircase from level 4.

The interior design deserves special mention – bright and spacious with abundant indoor greenery and the pleasant sound of chirping birds creating a relaxing, nature-inspired environment that never felt rowdy or overwhelming.

Room comfort scored highly, as did the service. Staff were consistently warm and friendly, always greeting guests with genuine smiles. The Club Lounge team particularly stood out, always ready for a friendly chat and delivering truly impeccable service.

Food quality was hit-and-miss, with more disappointments than highlights, though the Chinese cuisine consistently outperformed other offerings. For food enthusiasts, you might want to explore dining options beyond the hotel or focus on their Chinese restaurant.

Would I return to PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay Singapore? Yes, but primarily for the excellent service, comfortable rooms, and peaceful atmosphere rather than the culinary experience. If you’re considering a staycation in Marina Bay, PARKROYAL COLLECTION offers a solid option that balances luxury with sustainability – just don’t set your expectations too high for the food!