This hotel is not comparable with other 5-star hotels. Maybe it’s more fair to say it’s 4-star property. The facilities are quite dated, but they have done some soft refurbishing changing some of the furniture. With the Club room you get access to the Club lounge, with free basic breakfast from 07 – 10 (08-11 at weekends), and you also have the option for complimentary breakfast at the Straits Café located on the lobby level. I opted for the last one. The ordinary price for other guests was 29 dollars. I would have been greatly disappointed if I had to pay for it – the spread was pretty basic, and they nickel and dime you for omelets (5 dollars extra) and the barista made coffee (5-6 dollars extra).
From 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm you can enjoy canapes in the Club lounge. They had 3 hot options, and some cold cuts. Several beers, white, red and sparkling wine was also served by the friendly staff. Surprisingly no bottled water was available. The lounge is not served at other times of the day, and there is no soft drinks nor any bottled still or sparkling water available.
Seems I am very concerned about water – but I have not experienced any 5-star hotel not providing any complimentary water in the rooms. Well this one does not – even not in the Club rooms. They prefer to nickel and dime you for being thirsty in the middle of the night with the mini bar as the only option. Minor things – but it made me feel less like a guest, and more like a money-making machine for the management.
