Singapore Hotel Review Local Guide Families Couple
Featured Hotel Review: Orchard Rendezvous Hotel
TripZilla
22 December 2022
"The botanical themed hotel is located along the famous shopping district, Orchard Road. It seemed like the perfect option that will please everyone!" - The TripZilla Team
The Hotel
We did some research about family staycations in Singapore and Orchard Rendezvous Hotel caught our eye. The rebranded botanical themed hotel is located along the famous shopping district, Orchard Road. It seemed like the perfect option that will please everyone – a big pool for the husband, lots of shops for me and an activity pack to keep the little one entertained throughout the stay. It was a complete win-win for all of us!
The exterior looked more like a resort than a hotel while the interior, however, was a whole different story altogether. Modern and classy with intricate decor, the lobby gave a definite boost to our excitement. Check-in was quick and fuss-free, and we were off to check out our room!
Family Rooms - Take your pick from an array of rooms that are perfect for families or couples.
The Family Room was spacious and beautifully designed in a botanical theme! What's more, the hotel gave us the option of our room configuration beforehand, for us to decide if we wanted our Family Room to have a bunk bed or a sofa bed in addition to the king sized we already have. Alternatively, we could opt for a Family Suite. We were curious about how having a bunk bed would turn out and decided to try it! The room was more than sufficient to accommodate a family of four, and Sophie was delighted as it gave her extra space to run around.
Should you desire even more space and a proper bed for your child, this is the room for you! Besides, it isn’t called the ‘Family Room’ for nothing. The beds were so comfortable that the hubby fell into a deep sleep in no time but Sophie, being the mischievous prankster, couldn’t resist tickling him till he woke up!
It was hard to bid goodbye to such a comfortable room that felt like home. We are already dreaming of our next visit back at this hotel and are looking forward to try out the Family Suite next!
Deluxe Rooms - We had quite the dilemma while choosing our room category, torn between the Family and Deluxe room. Thankfully, the hotel staff was kind enough to show us the Deluxe room.
The room had a similar botanical design and came with a king-sized bed. A rollaway bed is available on request; all we had to do was make a call down to the concierge, and one of the staff would help us set it up. If you prefer a more cosy sleeping arrangement, the king-sized bed was actually large enough to fit all three of us comfortably.
The arm chair at one side of the room was perfect for some reading, or for the three of us to have a conversation. We especially liked its pretty side table; it made for such a great spot for some quiet reading.
The hotel’s Superior Rooms are similar to the Deluxe Rooms, the only difference being the addition of a balcony for the latter.
Club Room -Should you plan a staycation for just the two of you without children, do check out the Club Rooms. These rooms have been refurbished in 2018 so all the more reasons to try it out! Children aren’t allowed on the Club floors to cater for those who desire more peace and quiet and, by extension, more privacy.
The Club Rooms come with a private balcony that overlooks a sea of lush greenery. This was a refreshing change from our usual concrete jungle views! The balcony provided a nice alcove to unwind at. Club guests also have exclusive access to the Club Lounge, but more on that later on!
Stuff to do in the Hotel
Keep your kids entertained all day long! The hotel is home to a big pool, which delighted the hubby and Sophie alike! We went down to take a look before changing into our swimming costumes, and neither of them could resist splashing around!
Needless to say, everyone got really wet! The rack of towels by the pool were a godsend, if not we’d have to trudge up to our rooms sopping wet. There’s a row of cabanas and loungers by the pool as well, which looked great for relaxing with the hubby while Sophie splashed around in the pool! For those who love to appreciate greenery, there is a garden on the pool deck filled with beautiful flowers that include the Vanda Orchard Rendezvous, an orchid hybrid specially commissioned by the hotel. The hubby and I decided to cool off by ordering drinks from the pool bar. They were definitely refreshing!
We popped by the gym to have a look on our way up; we weren’t planning on using it during our stay, but it looked like they had everything needed for a decent workout! But do take note that kids aren’t allowed in the gym.
Have a unique dining experience at Akanoya Robatayaki. P.S. Our little girl took this photo for us; she has a good eye, huh! We entered the restaurant expecting the usual Japanese fare, but boy were we blown away. We were faced with a dazzling array of ingredients, displayed in front of two eager Japanese chefs. So it turns out that the restaurant specialises in robatayaki (hence the name!), which refers to a Japanese technique where patrons point to fresh ingredients to place their order and the chefs will grill the selection before serving it on a wooden paddle. It was such a novel and authentic experience; we recommend this restaurant as a must-go during your stay!
Akashi Japanese Restaurant is the place to go for fuss-free yet absolutely delicious Japanese fare. Their set meals are really something to be raved about – the sets come complete with rice and soup, and are all reasonably priced. The Sashimi here is thickly sliced and fresh; none of that waterlogged taste from previously-frozen slices. The restaurant offers both Omakase (chef’s choice) or Ala Carte menus (that include the set meals). Request to sit at the counter if you want the Omakase and at the tables if you want to order from the menus.
Brewerkz - needs no further introduction. An institution amongst Singapore’s many watering holes, Brewerkz serves up pints of frothy gold together with delectable pub grub. The long tables positioned at the side of the restaurant is also good for a session of people-watching!
We don’t know about you, but we just can’t do without Chinese cuisine. Orchard Rendezvous Hotel has both Kam Boat Teochew Restaurant and Tung Lok Signatures within the hotel itself! Kam Boat Teochew Restaurant is known for its crisp Peking duck, whilst Tung Lok Signatures is the place to go for Dim Sum. Kam Boat Teochew Restaurant also has a wide variety of live seafood, including cold crab which is their specialty.
Lobby Bar - Pop down to the Lobby Bar for a quick nightcap. The decor is immaculate and soothing, botanical designed carpets and plants with an added touch of floral scent in the air. The bartender was really nice as well, and is always willing to offer some advice or a bout of witty banter. Aside from all of that, the Lobby Bar offered a nice place to simply unwind after a long day.
Chill at the Club Lounge - The Club Lounge is definitely an exclusive spot for those who have booked the club room. Its botanical themed layout and seasonal florals on each table definitely created a quite and calming respite away from city. Children are not allowed on the Club Floor, which caters towards travellers or staycation-ers who are simply looking for some peace and quiet.
Other Great Things in the Area
Orchard Road - Orchard Rendezvous Hotel is located along Orchard Road, right next to Forum The Shopping Mall. An 8-minute walk will bring you to ION Orchard and Orchard MRT station.
PIRATE LAND: Slides, ball pits, mini trampolines, toys and crafts – Pirate Land is the place to be at if you have toddlers or young children. Not forgetting the older kids, there is also a VR zone with escape rooms and shooting games to keep them occupied. With “two” kids, aka my hubby who is evidently still a kid at heart, we soon lost track of time but the family bonding experience was worth it
PS.CAFE: Drop by PS.Café at Palais Renaissance to enjoy brunch or afternoon tea with mouth-watering desserts. The natural daylight, welcoming music, and classic black and white interior invoke a cosy ambience. Serving mainly Western dishes, along with a selection of Asian delights and a junior menu, there will certainly be something for everybody.
BYND Artisan + Sunday Folks: Crafts and sweet treats, is there a better combination? Create personalised gifts for yourself or your loved ones by engraving meaningful words or numbers. Just a few steps away, enjoy artisanal in-house ice cream by Sunday Folks while you sit and admire your handiwork.
“The location is just prime and so accessible to everything – food, shopping, MRT stations! As soon as we alighted from our taxi cab, helpful & courteous staff at the facade greeted us with friendly smiles and carried our luggages to the lobby; it’s not extraordinary, I know, but these little things made us feel so welcomed upon arrival.” - DocGelo.com
