Voco Orchard Singapore is a new hotel on Orchard Road (where the Hilton Hotel used to be). It opened in early 2022. EL’s PATRICEA CHOW recently tried out the Club Rooms and their upgraded offerings, and the Opus Bar and Grill, on a working staycation with her teenage children.
The Club Rooms
Voco Orchard’s Deluxe Club Access (DCA) rooms span levels 20 to 22 of the 24-storey hotel and are available in King Deluxe, Twin Deluxe and King Premium Balcony versions.
As well as the upgraded Club Rooms, guests have unlimited use of the Club Lounge on the 22nd storey, as well as easy access to the 24-hour fitness centre, spa and rooftop pool.
6 things we loved about the Club Rooms
- There was plenty of space to move around, despite having a work desk, coffee table and armchair, King bed and single rollaway bed in the room. The floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of natural light, so we didn’t need to turn on the lights until evening.
- The open wardrobe includes cushion seating for putting on shoes. It’s highly functional while giving the room a contemporary flair.
- The Herman Miller chair helps to make working in the room a pleasant affair.
- We all enjoyed the bathtub (the three of us had to each book our turn!).
- Planet-friendly touches include plant-based toiletries from Apotheke, in refillable one-litre bottles.
- The Illy coffee machine hit the spot!
Club Lounge experience
While getting checked in at the lounge, we were served tea, soft drinks and welcome cookies; the vibe was professional yet welcoming.
I decided to catch up on emails here, rather than work in the room, since there was complimentary Wi-Fi and plug points at each table. Coffee tables and couches were also available, making it a convenient place to meet someone.
The Club Lounge serves complimentary all-day refreshments such as tea, coffee, juices and canapés. I really enjoyed the fact that I didn’t have to leave my work station for long just to get food and beverages. Another great aspect was the complimentary evening drinks – wine, beer, Prosecco and cocktails, served with more canapés. My children joined in with some mocktails and juices. It’s a great way to end a working day while watching dusk settle over Orchard Road.
This wasn’t my children’s first time seeing me at work in a hotel; they’re used to watching their parents work remotely from anywhere, even when we’re supposed to be on a break. However, they enjoyed their time at Voco Orchard‘s Club Lounge because, according to them, the seats were comfortable, and the food was very tasty!
DCA guests who wish to start their day early at the lounge can also enjoy a continental breakfast, as an alternative option to the international selection at Opus Bar and Grill. Afternoon tea is also included as well.
Trying a masterclass
What’s unique at Voco Orchard’s Club Lounge are a series of experiences by various F&B and lifestyle brands, and curated specially for DCA guests. I participated in a Gin Appreciation Masterclass by Singapore’s first gin distillery, Tanglin Gin. Together with seven other guests, we learned how to distinguish the botanicals used as well as the proper way of sipping gin. There are also monthly yoga classes, called Vibe Out, with the hotel’s brand ambassador Brandon Chong.
What I enjoyed most about the masterclass was that it created an opportunity for fellow DCA guests to socialise in a relaxed setting. We had a great time chatting about what brought us to Voco Orchard, and we added each other to our LinkedIn networks – and even sat down together for dinner that same evening.
Dinner and breakfast
After all the little snacks through the afternoon, my children still wanted dinner and they quickly picked out their choices from the extensive menu at Opus Bar and Grill.
My son said the wagyu beef patty of the Opus Grill Burger was flavourful and juicy. My daughter had to share with me the 500g whole live lobster with paella that she ordered. And I cleared my plate of the pan-seared Norway salmon, which was fresh and sweet.
We decided to be cautious and share dessert. The praline mille-feuille with salted caramel gelato was a crowd winner for its rich, creamy flavour. My personal favourite was the deconstructed strawberry shortcake, with citrus cream cheese that gave it a refreshing aftertaste.
The next day’s breakfast buffet offered many choices. There was the usual have-it-your-way eggs station, cheese and breakfast cold cuts, fresh fruit, cereal, bread and jam, coffee, tea and fruit juice.
What was different were the local offerings that you don’t find in other hotels – a variety of steamed cakes and dumplings (chwee kueh, png kueh and soon kueh), tea leaf eggs, seafood mee tai mak, congee with condiments, and a black sesame paste spread. They also provide options for those with dietary considerations. There was gluten-free cake and bread, organic nut and jam spreads, and plant-based sausages and milk.
My two teenagers have differing palates and preferences, but they were extremely happy with the food at Voco Orchard.
Keeping everyone occupied
While I was working at the lounge, my children explored Orchard Road. Next to the hotel is Forum the Shopping Mall, while Liat Towers and Wheelock Place are on the same side of the road. A little further down are Shaw Plaza, TANG Plaza, ION Orchard, Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann City.
They also spent time at the rooftop pool and liked the view of the city from the 24th floor.
About Voco Orchard Singapore
This is the first Voco hotel opening in Southeast Asia, under the IHG Hotels & Resorts hospitality group. Deluxe Club Access room rates start from S$450 per night.
The hotel is big on sustainable practices. The electronic key cards are made with biodegradable wood. The bedding is created from 100 percent recycled materials, and fabric for the sheets comes from suppliers signed up to the Better Cotton Initiative. The garden within Opus Bar and Grill uses a closed-loop water irrigation system to grow the vegetables and herbs used in the hotel’s menus. And, ahead of installing an in-room filtration system by the end of 2023, the hotel has installed a Reverse Vending Machine in the lobby where guests can drop in empty single-use plastic bottles.
581 Orchard Road
6737 2233 | ihg.com/voco/hotels
This new hotel on Orchard Road Singapore was reviewed in our May 2023 edition of Expat Living. Purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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