Peninsula Excelsior Hotel

The Peninsula Excelsior Hotel started out as two separate high-rise hotels: the Peninsula and the Excelsior. A light and airy marble lobby with an almost billowing tent-like roof now links the two white towers. The overall palette is neutral -- lots of brown and cream -- and marble features heavily. First impressions here are pretty good; orchids are dotted around the tables and a piano adds a touch of class. A closer look however reveals signs of wear and tear, like we saw in some rooms, as well as an overall tired appearance in certain parts of the hotel. The higher category rooms and top-floor Sky Lounge -- with its sweeping staircase and comfy seating -- are in better shape and a step up in plushness. This property draws a lot of tourist couples, as well as business travelers who make the most of the Club Rooms and business center. 

This hotel is near Singapore’s City Hall, and its neighbors include the Treasury, Supreme Court of Singapore, and Parliament House of Singapore. The hotel’s two towers seem to rise out of the shops below. Shopping is relatively easy to come by in the area, with Clarke Quay and Raffles City reachable within 10 minutes on foot. The closest metro station is at City Hall, a five-minute walk from the hotel. Business travelers can get to most office buildings within a 15-minute walk and it’s just one stop on the metro to the CBD. China Town, the Singapore Flyer ferris wheel, gorgeous Gardens by the Bay, and iconic Marina Bay Sands SkyPark can all be reached in five minutes by car. It’s about a 15-minute drive or 30 minutes by public transport to most of the city’s other attractions like the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Singapore Cable Car. Singapore’s Changi Airport is a 20-minute drive (depending on city traffic) or about an hour via public transportation. 

Rooms are tasteful and pleasant, with sparingly-used floral and abstract fabrics adding just a touch of local character. Compared to many corporate city hotels, there’s a warmer feel, particularly in higher room categories. Picture-frame windows offer views of the Singapore skyline. Unfortunately, on closer inspection, there are also signs of wear and tear in the rooms, including scuff marks and old minibars. Cleanliness issues have also been reported. Air-conditioning, coffee- and tea-making facilities, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi come standard. Guests also have use of a handy smartphone -- with free unlimited internet, plus international and local calls -- during their stay. Fully-tiled bathrooms have marble vanity areas with frosted glass sinks and glass-fronted walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, depending on room category. The rooms with shower/tub combos have windows into the sleeping area and beyond to the skyline. Robes, slippers, toiletries, and wall-mounted hairdryers are provided. Room sizes all hover around 320 square feet (30 square meters), including entry-level Superior Rooms. There’s little difference between these and the next-level-up Deluxe Rooms. We can recommend the Premier Rooms, which have plusher, moodier decor and window seats. Premier Club Rooms come with access to the Sky Lounge and benefits like breakfast and evening cocktails, two-hour use of the lounge’s private meeting room, and two free items of laundry per day. The suites have similar decor, but are more than double in size.  

The features at the Peninsula Excelsior Hotel are mostly average, with one gem. The hotel has one smart all-day dining restaurant, Coleman’s Cafe, with indoor and outdoor seating. It's best known for its generous weekend buffets featuring plenty of seafood, homemade soups, and a carvery station. There’s also a lobby lounge with views over the pool, and a coffee shop that offers lighter bites. But the highlight is undoubtedly the 22nd-floor Sky Lounge, with its panoramic views of the city skyline, across to the Singapore Flyer ferris wheel and Marina Bay Sands. It’s wise to book head for dining here -- the four-course gourmet menu draws locals as well as business and leisure travelers. During special events, this is one of the top spots to watch Singapore’s iconic fireworks displays. The hotel also offers 24-hour room service. Leisure facilities include two outdoor pools, a sauna, and a fitness center (which is looking a bit tired). Wi-Fi is free throughout, and the free use of smart phones -- including local and international calls -- is a nice touch. Corporate features include a modern business center and four meeting-slash-function rooms. There’s plenty of free parking in the hotel’s basement parking garage.