Pros

  • Central Orchard Road location right in the heart of the shopping belt
  • Pleasant rooms with free nonalcoholic minibars, Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs
  • Well-liked buffet restaurant serving all meals
  • 24-hour modern fitness center and small rooftop pool
  • Royal Club Lounge with extra perks for Club guests
  • Eight event spaces for social and business functions
  • Internet lounge with computers and meeting space
  • Laundry and pressing services
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
  • Babysitting services are available
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Cons

  • Hotel has a dated look in most areas
  • Alcoholic drinks only available via room service
  • No spa
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Bottom Line

The 511-room Royal Plaza on Scotts is an older upscale hotel located in the heart of the action on Orchard Road, surrounded by shopping malls and dining spots. The hotel is a popular choice for the area, and while interiors look opulent on first glance, it's all a bit dated and overdone. Pleasant rooms are decorated in brown and beige, and offer free nonalcoholic minibars, flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and work desks. The hotel has an buffet restaurant, as well as an outdoor pool and small fitness center. Eight event spaces can accommodate business and social gatherings, plus there's a business center. As an alternative, the Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore is a similarly priced option in the area with a spa, but some of its rooms are dated and plain.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Royal Plaza on Scotts

Scene

Older upscale hotel that's showing its age, attracts leisure and business travelers

Having previously been a Holiday Inn and a Crowne Plaza, this hotel has been the Royal Plaza on Scotts since 1991. Unfortunately, while everything is well kept and sparkling -- with a few modern nods to design and decor -- the hotel is showing its age from a style perspective. It's located in a nondescript 15-story beige building with few windows on its facade. Several steps lead up to the glass entrance doors. Inside, the lobby is a grand space with stained glass domes at its center and two curved staircases leading to the mezzanine. Shiny marble floors stretch in every direction, but the effect feels tired and slightly chintzy rather than glamorous. Tables and chairs provide places for small meetings, and sofas and chairs invite guests to hang out. While the hotel is a bit dated, all sorts of travelers find it meets their needs, especially since rates tend to be lower than other properties in the area. Shoppers especially like its location.

See More Scene

Location

In the middle of the Orchard Road shopping action, close to the metro

The hotel is situated just off of Orchard Road in the heart of Singapore's shopping belt. Guests who stay here can shop and dine to their hearts' content, and the location is a major draw. Stepping outside the front door, it's shopping malls galore, and there are also many dining options in the area. For those who need some caffeine to fuel their retail pursuits, a Starbucks is right next door. The hotel also makes for a good base for exploring other tourist attractions in Singapore, as the Orchard MRT station is only a five-minute walk from the hotel. Business travelers can reach the Central Business District -- as well as major convention and exhibition centers -- in 10 to 15 minutes by taxi, or 25 minutes by metro. Vibrant Little India is a 20-minute metro journey from the hotel for all manner of shops, bars, and restaurants, while lively Clarke Quay is just over 20 minutes away by metro. The city's famous Henderson Waves Bridge, part of the Southern Ridges Trail, will take about 20 minutes to reach by taxi. Changi International Airport takes about 25 minutes to reach by car, or an hour by public transportation.

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Rooms

Pleasant rooms with free nonalcoholic minibars, Nespresso coffeemakers, and flat-screen TVs

While room categories include Superior, Deluxe, Premiere, and Club-level rooms, as well as Suites, there's not much difference when it comes to style. All are reasonably pleasant, and nominally modern. Rooms feature beige color schemes accented by pops of red, with decor that includes clean-lined, dark wood furniture, patterned tan carpeting, and oversized headboards flanked by mirror panels. The soft floral paintings and landscape prints on the walls add an unintentionally dated look to the rooms. There are large desks and ergonomic chairs in Suites and Club Rooms that make them ideal for business travelers. All rooms offer free nonalcoholic minibars and Nespresso coffeemakers -- both replenished daily -- as well as flat-screen TVs, work desks, and free Wi-Fi. Corner rooms have sofa beds, while suites add extras like iPod docks and Bose speakers. Many rooms have city views, but they aren't especially remarkable. Contemporary bathrooms have black marble countertops with recessed square sinks, rainfall showerheads, hairdryers, and toiletries -- they're far more sleek than the rooms themselves. Superior and Deluxe Rooms have showers only, but others have tubs as well. 

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Features

Popular buffet restaurant but no alcohol, rooftop pool, small fitness center, and event space

All meals, as well as afternoon tea, are served in the lobby-level Carousel Buffet Restaurant, which draws good reviews from guests, especially for its extensive breakfast selection. The huge space is sunny and bright, with citrus green and orange chairs in one section and purple mood lights in another. It's worth noting that alcohol is not served in the restaurant and there is no bar, though alcoholic drinks can be delivered to rooms via room service. Guests staying in Club Rooms have access to the Club Lounge for free breakfast, snacks and soft drinks throughout the day.

The rooftop pool is small but suitable for cooling off in Singapore's notorious heat. Lounge chairs are lined up on the wooden deck, and potted palms add a tropical touch. Umbrellas are provided, but surrounding buildings block much of the sun. The pool is open around-the-clock. The compact fitness center is a bit small for a hotel of this size, but it provides the requisite cardio and weight-training equipment and it's also open 24/7. Large windows overlook the pool and allow in natural light.

The internet lounge offers several computers for guests' use, as well as a printer, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout. Tables and chairs are available for small meetings. Eight meeting rooms total 8,890 square feet and can accommodate business and social gatherings of various sizes. Other amenities include babysitting services, parking for a fee, free Wi-Fi, and discounts at the on-site Mosche Hair Salon. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Royal Plaza on Scotts

Scene

Older upscale hotel that's showing its age, attracts leisure and business travelers

Having previously been a Holiday Inn and a Crowne Plaza, this hotel has been the Royal Plaza on Scotts since 1991. Unfortunately, while everything is well kept and sparkling -- with a few modern nods to design and decor -- the hotel is showing its age from a style perspective. It's located in a nondescript 15-story beige building with few windows on its facade. Several steps lead up to the glass entrance doors. Inside, the lobby is a grand space with stained glass domes at its center and two curved staircases leading to the mezzanine. Shiny marble floors stretch in every direction, but the effect feels tired and slightly chintzy rather than glamorous. Tables and chairs provide places for small meetings, and sofas and chairs invite guests to hang out. While the hotel is a bit dated, all sorts of travelers find it meets their needs, especially since rates tend to be lower than other properties in the area. Shoppers especially like its location.

See More Scene

Location

In the middle of the Orchard Road shopping action, close to the metro

The hotel is situated just off of Orchard Road in the heart of Singapore's shopping belt. Guests who stay here can shop and dine to their hearts' content, and the location is a major draw. Stepping outside the front door, it's shopping malls galore, and there are also many dining options in the area. For those who need some caffeine to fuel their retail pursuits, a Starbucks is right next door. The hotel also makes for a good base for exploring other tourist attractions in Singapore, as the Orchard MRT station is only a five-minute walk from the hotel. Business travelers can reach the Central Business District -- as well as major convention and exhibition centers -- in 10 to 15 minutes by taxi, or 25 minutes by metro. Vibrant Little India is a 20-minute metro journey from the hotel for all manner of shops, bars, and restaurants, while lively Clarke Quay is just over 20 minutes away by metro. The city's famous Henderson Waves Bridge, part of the Southern Ridges Trail, will take about 20 minutes to reach by taxi. Changi International Airport takes about 25 minutes to reach by car, or an hour by public transportation.

See More Location

Rooms

Pleasant rooms with free nonalcoholic minibars, Nespresso coffeemakers, and flat-screen TVs

While room categories include Superior, Deluxe, Premiere, and Club-level rooms, as well as Suites, there's not much difference when it comes to style. All are reasonably pleasant, and nominally modern. Rooms feature beige color schemes accented by pops of red, with decor that includes clean-lined, dark wood furniture, patterned tan carpeting, and oversized headboards flanked by mirror panels. The soft floral paintings and landscape prints on the walls add an unintentionally dated look to the rooms. There are large desks and ergonomic chairs in Suites and Club Rooms that make them ideal for business travelers. All rooms offer free nonalcoholic minibars and Nespresso coffeemakers -- both replenished daily -- as well as flat-screen TVs, work desks, and free Wi-Fi. Corner rooms have sofa beds, while suites add extras like iPod docks and Bose speakers. Many rooms have city views, but they aren't especially remarkable. Contemporary bathrooms have black marble countertops with recessed square sinks, rainfall showerheads, hairdryers, and toiletries -- they're far more sleek than the rooms themselves. Superior and Deluxe Rooms have showers only, but others have tubs as well. 

See More Rooms

Features

Popular buffet restaurant but no alcohol, rooftop pool, small fitness center, and event space

All meals, as well as afternoon tea, are served in the lobby-level Carousel Buffet Restaurant, which draws good reviews from guests, especially for its extensive breakfast selection. The huge space is sunny and bright, with citrus green and orange chairs in one section and purple mood lights in another. It's worth noting that alcohol is not served in the restaurant and there is no bar, though alcoholic drinks can be delivered to rooms via room service. Guests staying in Club Rooms have access to the Club Lounge for free breakfast, snacks and soft drinks throughout the day.

The rooftop pool is small but suitable for cooling off in Singapore's notorious heat. Lounge chairs are lined up on the wooden deck, and potted palms add a tropical touch. Umbrellas are provided, but surrounding buildings block much of the sun. The pool is open around-the-clock. The compact fitness center is a bit small for a hotel of this size, but it provides the requisite cardio and weight-training equipment and it's also open 24/7. Large windows overlook the pool and allow in natural light.

The internet lounge offers several computers for guests' use, as well as a printer, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout. Tables and chairs are available for small meetings. Eight meeting rooms total 8,890 square feet and can accommodate business and social gatherings of various sizes. Other amenities include babysitting services, parking for a fee, free Wi-Fi, and discounts at the on-site Mosche Hair Salon. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Basic Television

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.