Regent Singapore reborn as Conrad Singapore Orchard
One of the Lion City’s classic hotels is transformed with a fresh name and a new look.
By Chris Ashton, January 9 2023
Singapore’s second Conrad hotel is now open, with the Regent Singapore - one of the city’s original soaring five-star ‘grand dames’ – now open and operating as the Conrad Singapore Orchard.
Yes, there are now two Conrad hotels adorning the city-state.
The original Conrad Centennial Singapore sits in the Marina Bay ‘dress circle’ off Raffles Boulevard, while the Regent is perched at the other end of the city, near the start of the bustling Orchard Road strip and neighbouring to other high-end properties including The St Regis and Four Seasons.
But the Conrad Singapore Orchard isn’t just a rebranding – Hilton says its new Conrad, which first opened in 1988 as the Pavilion InterContinental Singapore, will be a bolder reimagining.
This will involve a modernisation of all 440 rooms and suites by late 2023, along with the executive lounge (which is currently closed), “combining Conrad’s contemporary, bold design ethos that draws in local influences with best-in-class amenities” to “bring new levels of sophisticated, modern luxury to Singapore.”
The Regent's 440 rooms and suites are all set for an "extensive refurbishment."
January 1 saw the “reintroduction” of the hotel’s ten restaurants and bars – among them the moody New York-style cocktail bar Manhattan, Cantonese favourite Summer Palace and Italian buffet Basilico.
Although we expect most guests will rely on taxis and Grab (Singapore’s version of Uber) to get around, the new Orchard Boulevard MRT station is a convenient five minute walk away.
Those keeping an eye on Singapore’s hotel scene will see a pattern emerging, as many of its classic properties – including Pullman Singapore Orchard and the iconic Grand Hyatt – are either newly transformed or in the throes of an extreme makeover to keep up with changing tastes.
And if you’re headed to the Red Dot, don’t miss the city’s newest Michelin-approved eateries, ranging from value-for-money restaurants to hawker centre stalls, and take time out to discover Singapore like a local.
Additional reporting by David Flynn
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jun 2017
Total posts 49
why on earth would you expect no one to use the world's greatest metro?
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 478
It might be a bit of a stretch to say most guests would use a taxi or Grab instead of the MRT, but bear in mind that even though Orchards Blvd station on the TEL line is five minutes walk away, in Singapore's heat and humidity those five inclined to use a taxi or Grab for convenience to go straight to a bar or restaurant or some other attraction, cost for them is not an issue and they would value their time and comfort. So the observation in this article actually makes a lot of sense, if you know Singapore well and know the sort of people staying at different hotels.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 580
Having stayed at this hotel 3 times since 2006, I've always taken taxis since they're so cheap and air conditioned, unlike the walk to the MRT. It's simply easier, less effort and quicker (outside of peak hour)
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 458
I haven't stayed here as such but Singapore transport is second to none.The MRT is handy for a lot of places but sometimes it is easier to get in a Taxi and over there it is not the crappy experience like Australia that sends up pushing to order an ola,uber or didi.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
I’ll never forgot staying at Conrad Singapore down at Marina and leaving my passport in my room and realising that as I’m checking in for my flight home to Sydney. I called Conrad and they found my passport and drove it to me at Changi and SQ held the flight open till the 11th hour for me and I made the check in. . I still pinch myself at that service from both Conrad and SQ!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2017
Total posts 77
Unfortunately, in my opinion, this is the wrong end of Orchard Road.
Personally I steer clear of older refurbished hotels if there is a newly built equivalent in the area I want to be. Don’t know how well the Conrad will be refurbished (only 1 room photo) but lipstick on a pig comes to mind with many I have stayed at, modern room furnishings with small 80s style, dark and dingy bathrooms.
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
20 Jun 2013
Total posts 63
Stayed there a few times when it was the Regent, nice hotel and good structure so should renovate well. (of note both the existing Conrad and this rebranded Regent have the same owning co). I believe the original Conrad has also had a much needed refurb, when i was there last not enough power outlets for the modern traveler nor were they in easy reach!
18 Mar 2016
Total posts 39
We have just stayed there over Christmas/New Year. I consider the Lobby one of the icons of Singapore and hopefully it will not be touched. The rest of the hotel was very tired, particularly the pool area. The Regent Club was small and needs a complete overhaul. For modern times, the bathrooms were tiny.
Manhattan (Bar) is one of the jazziest bars I have ever visited, however, in general, the hotel was definitely NOT, 5 star
as advertised.
The location is perfect, away from the madhouse that is Marina Bay and next to the Tanglin Shopping Mall which has about 8 sensibly priced restaurants.
The new MRT Orchard Boulevard is less than 3 minute walk from the hotel and worth considering.
The fabulous Botanical Gardens are about 300m away.
I would stay up in that area again.
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