Arrival/Check-In: I arrived in Singapore in the evening after a long flight from Korea and took advantage of The Ritz-Carlton’s gratis pickup in a sleek Mercedes at Changi Airport. My driver offered me water, WiFi and friendly chatter during the short ride to the hotel. The sweeping driveway leads to one of the most impressive entrances and lobbies I have seen. The valet ushered me through a floor-to-ceiling geometric glass entryway that spilled light into the two-story, marbled lobby filled with art and custom sculptures. At the registration desk, hidden off to the side, a staff member greeted me and showed me to my room for a quick in-room check-in.

Guest Quarters: My club-level premier suite felt more like an apartment than a hotel room. A brightly lit long hallway opened into the suite where warm, light wood; large windows; and neutral-colored furniture gave a calming and comfortable vibe. Natural light poured into the living room, and a seating area off to the right included the entertainment area with a 46-inch flat-screen TV, espresso machine and minibar on the adjacent wall. My favorite part of the living room was the large wood desk facing the windows, allowing in natural light and giving excellent views of Marina Bay. The desk also featured plenty of outlets.

Double doors opened into a bedroom with a king-sized bed with a comfortable mattress. Each side table included open plugs and master switches for the suite lighting, and large windows provided a great view to wake up to.

Another set of double doors led to the expansive marble bathroom with double sinks, a large mirror and bright lighting. The freestanding, glass-enclosed shower had my favorite rain shower feature and Asprey bath amenities. A large hexagonal window by the marble tub showcased the Singapore Flyer and offered great natural light. The small walk-in closet off to the left provided plenty of storage for personal items.

Services/Amenities: The Club Level on the 32nd floor offers guests a place to relax, eat or do business. I was happy to make use of the beautiful full-service meeting room, a perfect place to visit with clients in privacy. The lounge area felt like a classic living room, with a marble buffet resembling a real home kitchen, only with professional chefs to cook a great breakfast and friendly staff to help you in any way. Each morning, I snagged a seat by the windows to enjoy my meal looking at the Singapore skyline.

The large gym on the ground floor of the hotel, adjacent to the beautifully kept pool area, includes plenty of cardio, free weights and a stretching area. My only issue was the temperature; it was extremely warm with just a few fans running, which did not bode well for my workout.

The Millenia offers several dining experiences, from sushi to classic afternoon tea to light lunches, each with amazing art and stories to tell.

The Experience: The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia is my new favorite hotel in Singapore. Not only is the staff friendly, but also the hotel creates a classic and comfortable feel for its guests, even among its thousands of pieces of renowned art. The property is centrally located to entertainment and shopping and a short taxi ride from the financial and business district. If you plan to take a taxi, however, give yourself at least a 15-minute cushion of time when leaving the hotel; the line and lack of taxi flow can cause a delay. This seems to be a problem in all of Singapore.

GT CHECKLIST

[checklist]
[item check=yes]Doorman/valet[/item]
[item check=yes]Less than 10 minutes for check-in[/item]
[item check=yes]Separate tub and shower[/item]
[item check=yes]Large vanity[/item]
[item check=yes]High-quality towels[/item]
[item check=yes]Powerful, unattached hair dryer[/item]
[item check=yes]High-quality bed linens[/item]
[item check=yes]Large, flat-screen television[/item]
[item check=yes]Large desk with convenient outlets[/item]
[item check=yes]Large, complimentary laptop safe[/item]
[item check=yes]Complimentary in-room WiFi[/item]
[item check=yes]Complimentary bottled water[/item]
[item check=yes]Stocked minibar[/item]
[item check=yes]Ample lighting[/item]
[item check=yes]In-room coffeemaker[/item]
[item check=yes]Iron and ironing board[/item]
[item check=yes]On-site restaurant[/item]
[item check=yes]24-hour room service[/item]
[item check=yes]24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center[/item]
[item check=yes]Turn-down service[/item]
[/checklist]

The Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore

7 Raffles Ave.
Singapore 039799
tel 65 6337 8888
ritzcarlton.com