[Accommodation Review] – Pullman Singapore Orchard (Pullman Suite), Singapore (7 – 9 Apr 23)

April 22, 2023 / kktong76 / Leave a comment

Location

Pullman Singapore is Accor Group’s latest addition of properties in Singapore. The hotel was previously under the Grand Park Hotel banner. Accor took over the property and did an extensive renovation in 2022. Pullman Singapore partially opened its doors to guests in Dec 2022, selling only the Superior and Deluxe rooms. The hotel fully opened to guests with suites available for booking in Feb 2023. Pullman Singapore is located in the heart of Orchard Road, the prime shopping district in Singapore. There are numerous shopping options and restaurants along the Orchard Road stripe, with about 10 shopping malls within 5 min walk from Pullman Singapore. Despite being in the heart of Orchard Road, the nearest MRT station is far from Pullman Singapore. The hotel is situated in equidistance from both Somerset and Orchard MRT stations. There are numerous buses plying through the bus stop about a 2 min walk from the hotel, enabling travellers to explore other parts of Singapore.

Pullman Suite

Pullman Singapore has only six suites in three configurations, and the Pullman Suite that we checked in for this staycation is the entry-level suite in the hotel. The contemporary Pullman Suite has a total floor area of 48 m² spreading across the living room, bedroom and bathroom. What I find impressive is the length that the hotel goes into minimising single-use plastics in the suite. The only plastic we found throughout the suite is limited only to the trash bin. This is evident from the glass-bottled Voss drinking water to the toiletries and the amenities, where we did not find traces of plastic.

Entryway

The Pullman Suite has a small entryway which is sparsely furnished with a full-length mirror bordered by an industrial copper frame. However, I like the small touches that Pullman Singapore has incorporated into the suite that makes the whole suite very liveable. One such example is the small ledge installed at the mirror, capable of placing items like the keycard, making it convenient for guests. The lighting at the entryway is adequate, thanks to the lighting by the mirror and that from the suite’s living room.

For an entry-level suite, the Pullman Suite is fitted with a powder room tight by the main entrance to the suite. I thought including this powder room was a bonus as it meant guests staying in the suite did not have to fight to use the toilet. I found the powder room quite sizeable and did not make its users feel incredibly claustrophobic. The powder room is minimalistically fitted with a toilet and a sink. The proximity of the powder room to the minibar in the living makes filling up the kettle or the coffee machine very convenient.

Living Room

The living room in the Pullman Suite is fused modern and luxury into its decor. The wooden and earthy colour tone combined with the warm lighting gives one a cosy and relaxing vibe. The amount of furniture in the living room feels just right, where it neither felt empty nor too cramped. The simple chandelier that provides most of the illumination in the living room gives it a luxurious feel, yet not too over the top, making it look out of place. The minibar area is tucked inside an open shelving cabinet in one living room corner. The top part of the cabinet is where we found the usual kettle and Nespresso machine, and two bottles of Voss drinking water. I find the minibar area a tad cramped with so many items placed on it, making coffee and tea a tad difficult. The mini fridge, stocked with chargeable drinks and snacks, is tucked inside the cabinet at the bottom of the shelving.

A two-seater sofa and a single-seater armchair occupied a bulk of the real estate in the living room. The grey fabric sofa is very comfortable to rest on while guests get entertainment from various local and international channels from the 65′” Smart LED TV mounted on a dark brown wooden feature wall in the living area. I like how Pullman Singapore fitted a ledge running across the entire length of the feature wall beneath the TV, providing additional space for us to put small items.

A sizeable work desk is tucked in the furthest corner of the suite, next to the window. The work desk is in a great location, making it conducive for guests to do some work without being distracted by the TV. The placement next to the window is excellent for those of us who need some inspiration or even to look out to rest our tired eyes from working (if only the view were not facing the back alley of the hotel). I applauded the hotel for furnishing a very comfortable ergonomic chair at the work desk, making working on the desk for long hours less tiring. The only flaw I found with the work desk is the lack of power outlets. Two power outlets are on the wall beside the work desk, near the floor. Unfortunately, these sockets are used for the in-suite phone and the wall-mounted desk lamp.

The view from the Pullman Suite was horrible, and it faced the back alley of the hotel.

Bedroom

The bedroom of the Pullman Suite is in a weird configuration; it is not your usual squarish but triangular-shaped. Despite the weird shape and not being too spacious, the bedroom does not feel cramped at all. There is still plenty of space for us to move around in the bedroom, thanks to the clever use of space. The king bed is the first thing we saw at the entrance to the bedroom. Occupying most of the space in the bedroom, the king bed was very comfortable to sleep on and provided a high quality of sleep. Pullman furnished its king bed with two soft and two hard pillows. The hotel also provides a “hidden” limited pillow menu which includes foam pillows, available upon request with the housekeeping department. The two bedside tables were large enough for us to charge our mobile phones. I like that the hotel, in addition to the power socket on each side of the bed, also fitted two USB charging outlets. Mounting the bedside lamps onto the wall freed up more space on the bedside table for guests to place additional items.

Pullman Singapore furnishes their Pullman Suite with two open wardrobes. The corner of the bedroom allocated to the wardrobe area feels a tad cramped. Hence the use of open cabinets makes excellent sense. The cabinets are large enough to hang several days of clothes. The drawers and open shelving below in the cabinet gave us additional space to stow away smaller clothing items. Here is where we found the in-room safe. However, due to the placement of the dressing table, I find accessing the inner cabinet and drawers a tad inconvenient. The dressing table is relatively small but sufficient for one to put on their make-up or even place a laptop here for work.

I thought the only flaw in the bedroom was the 55′ Smart LED TV placement. The TV is mounted on a rack, sitting by the wall beside the bed, making it difficult for us to obtain entertainment from the international channels from the bed. To make matters worse, the TV is mounted on a fixed bracket, which did not allow us to swivel. Having the TV at the side of the bed, instead of facing the bed, means one of the guests would have their view blocked while watching TV on the bed.

The bedroom is fitted with a 55" LED TV, but the placement is a tad weird

Bathroom

The marble-clad bathroom in the Pullman Suite feels very spacious, allowing the hotel to fit two sinks and giving us abundant space on the countertop to place our toiletries. The hotel provides quality, earth-friendly bathroom amenities, from luxurious C.O.Bigelow bath products to wooden toothbrushes. A deep soak bathtub is placed at the side of the bathroom, which I find excellent for soaking away all the fatigue. The walk-in shower is spacious and has a rainshower and regular shower heads. The water pressure from the shower heads was excellent. The toilet is tucked in front of the shower cubicle, and I find the flashing a tad weak.

Service

The service in Pullman Singapore is impeccable. Every single staff made us feel so welcome at the hotel. The excellent service started at the check-in, where we were warmly welcomed and our status recognised. The reception staff were detailed in explaining the timings and the facilities at the hotel. The staff at the reception would always smile whenever we walked past them.

Then we have Presh at the Atelier Lounge. She was always the first staff we spotted when we exited the lift. Always with the biggest welcoming smile on her face, Presh will always acknowledge all guests walking out from the lift and will always greet us whenever we walk past her station. Seeing Presh would always warm up our day.

The hotel’s most prominent stars would be the staff at the Archive Club. We were glad to have met Dini, Diuah, Qai, and Khadiyah, who were always so welcoming and made us feel comfortable whenever we visited the lounge. We were introduced to the facilities and offerings by Dini and Khadiyah the first time we stepped into the lounge. Both Dini and Khadiyah gave us information about the timings of the evening cocktails and ensured that we were comfortable in the lounge. In addition, the lounge staff always helped us to the best seats in the lounge, whether we were there for an evening cocktail or to chill outside the evening cocktail timing. Visiting the lounge with Dini, Diuah, Qai, and Khadiyah made us feel like we were visiting friends in their house.

The diligent staff at the Eden Restaurant were always welcoming. They will always check on us if we need more food or drinks during breakfast. In addition, they are always efficient in clearing the empty plates on our table, ensuring we feel comfortable having breakfast. The staff even offered to bring me my latte when he spotted me fiddling with the machine for coffee.

Hotel Facilities

Swimming Pool

Pullman Singapore has a small swimming pool on level 4 of the hotel. The pool, despite being small, still allows guests to do decent laps. However, the pool size feels like it is catered more for families to spend time at the pool with their children than for guests to work out. There are limited sittings around the pool, mainly made up of cabanas, which meant guests might not get a spot to swim if all the seats are taken up. Guests wanting to sunbathe will find it challenging because there is no direct sunshine in the pool area. The lack of sunlight in the pool is also why I find the swimming pool water temperature a tad cold. Moreover, guests using the treadmills in the gym faced the pool directly, and it would be awkward for anyone to swim in the pool.

Gym

Pullman Singapore has a small gym on level 4 of the hotel, which oddly overlooks the pool. The gym has minimal workout machines, only two workout machines, three treadmills, one bike and one elliptical machine. There is a limited amount of free weights found in the gym. Despite the small set-up, I thought the gym still enabled guests to do light workouts.

Breakfast @ Eden Restaurant

Eden, located on level 4 of the hotel next to the swimming pool, is the only restaurant in Pullman Singapore. This is the only venue where breakfast is served. I like the glass rooftop design of the restaurant, which lets in plentiful natural light, giving it a greenhouse vibe. Despite the size of the restaurant, the selection of food served during breakfast was quite substantial. There are varieties of both local and international cuisines. There are some slight adjustments to the breakfast menu for the three days we stayed at the hotel. I am impressed that the hotel does not skim on topping up the food despite near or past breakfast timing, unlike many hotels which force guests to eat the leftovers near the end of the breakfast run. Staff were constantly seen topping up the food whenever supplies were low. The food was fresh and tasty, even my picky eater nephew had four rounds of scrambled eggs and hashbrowns.

The Archive Club

Staying at the Pullman Suite grants us access to the Archive Club, the executive lounge at Pullman Singapore. Tucked in a quiet and inconspicuous corner of the hotel at level 4, entry to the Archive Club requires guests to tap their keycard twice. Once inside, the lounge feels exclusive and very quiet due to the minimal human traffic inside the club. The Archive Club is very tastefully decorated, which gives it a cosy vibe. The Archive Club serves light snacks and drinks outside the evening cocktail hours, finger food during cocktail hours, and alcoholic drinks. The Archive Club is one of the few lounges that welcome children during evening cocktail hours, which is excellent for families.

Overall

We had a comfortable stay at Pullman Singapore. Despite being a new hotel, the staff felt well-oiled in the operations of the hotel. They knew what they were talking about when we asked them about the hotel’s rooms and operations. The staff whom we spoke to felt that they loved their job. Everyone was always seen with a smile that made us feel so welcome at the hotel. The Pullman Suite, though an entry-level suite, was very well-designed and comfortable. The sleep quality on the king bed was excellent. The only flaw I found is the TV placement in the bedroom. Overall, we had a great time staying with Pullman Singapore.

[Airline Review] – Singapore Airlines A350 – 900 (SQ713) – Business Class, BKK – SIN (14 Mar 23)

April 17, 2023September 17, 2023 / kktong76 / 1 Comment

Singapore Airlines A350-900 that took us from BKK to SIN

At the Airport

Check-in

Singapore Airlines occupies half of the check-in counters in Row K, right smack in the centre of the massive Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport departure hall. As with other airlines, Singapore Airlines segregated the queues for the different cabin classes. Four counters are dedicated to Economy Class and two for Business Class passengers sharing with KrisFlyer Elite Gold members. Even though we were three hours plus early than our scheduled flight time, the friendly ground staff welcomed us with the biggest smile anyone could find at the airport. Our check-in was done expeditiously, and we were handed our boarding passes within minutes. The friendly ground staff gave us very clear instructions on our boarding gate and boarding time, at the same time, invited us to use the recently reopened SilverKris Lounge at Concourse D. Passengers flying on Singapore Airlines (or any airline) can use the fast track immigration located at Row A, next to the Thai Airways check-in counters. There was no queue at the fast-track counters, and we could whizz through immigration in no time.

Royal Orchid Lounge

As Singapore Airlines is a Star Alliance member, we could use any Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge scattered throughout Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. The nearest Royal Orchid Lounge is right after the fast-track immigration counters, and this is where we headed first. The Royal Orchid Lounge seems to be refurbished recently, it differed from what I remembered pre-pandemic. The newly renovated lounge feels more posh and relaxed. The first thing that welcomed us as we walked through the entrance to the Royal Orchid Lounge was a bar serving up all sorts of cocktails and alcoholic drinks (it is a pity that they do not serve the Thai Airways signature drink – Violet Bliss). The Royal Orchid Lounge clearly distinguishes the dining area from the lounging areas. The dining area is located nearer to the buffet tables that come with proper tables and chairs for passengers to dine comfortably. The lounging area, furnished with armchairs and a side table, is located towards the centre of the lounge. The flora feature walls tastefully decorate the lounge and function as barriers between lounge chairs, creating a semi-private space for passengers to relax (instead of staring awkwardly at each other). Unfortunately, the buffet selection at the Royal Orchid Lounge is a tad disappointing. There is very limited food available in this lounge, we were only given a choice of four hot food items to choose from. While I applaud Thai Airways for catering a section for Halal passengers, I think they can do better than offering only plain rice in their Halal section. Lucky for us, we were not too bothered about the limited food selection at Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge as we wanted to check out the recently reopened Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge.

SilverKris Lounge

Singapore Airlines recently reopened its SilverKris Lounge in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, which was closed due to the pandemic. The SilverKris Lounge is located in Concourse D, in the centre of the airport airside. There is clear signage throughout the airport leading passengers to the SilverKris Lounge. The SilverKris Lounge is very classy and functional in design, with most of the seating dedicated to dining and a small section for lounging. There are more options at the buffet table in the SilverKris Lounge, consisting of food from Thailand and Singapore. I was pleasantly surprised to find Singapore Airlines’ signature satay in the SilverKris Lounge in Bangkok, which was not even offered in the SilverKris Lounge in Singapore. The food at the buffet was tasty, and the diligent lounge staff were constantly seen topping up the food. The SilverKris Lounge is a great place to chill out before a flight and is not too crowded. I like the SilverKris Lounge in Bangkok better than the Royal Orchid Lounge we visited.

The Aircraft

Singapore Airlines uses mainly the A350-900 and B787-10 to fly between Bangkok and Singapore. Occasionally, Singapore Airlines might deploy their A350-900 long-range aircraft, configured with Premium Economy seats (the airlines will not sell these Premium Economy Class seats instead these seats were sold as extra legroom seats) for this short 2 hr flight. The aircraft we flew today is the version of A350-900 that was configured for medium-haul flights with regional Business Class seats.

The Cabin

Singapore Airlines A350-900 medium-haul aircraft is fitted with only two cabins with 40 Business Class seats and 263 Economy Class seats. The 40 seats in Business Class are split into two sections, with 28 seats in the forward cabin, the larger cabin and 12 seats in the smaller rear cabin. Singapore Airlines uses an earthy tone in its Business Class cabin, giving passengers a calm and relaxed feel. In addition, the use of appropriate mood lighting colours during different phases of the flight helps passengers feel more relaxed throughout the flight. The 1-2-1 seat configuration in Singapore Airlines’ regional Business Class product gives all passengers direct aisle access.

There are three lavatories, one located up front right behind the cockpit and another two between the two Business Class sections, serving all 40 passengers in Business Class. In terms of size, the Business Class lavatories on Singapore Airlines A350-900 are no different from that in Economy Class. However, Singapore Airlines differentiates its Business Class lavatories from Economy Class by fitting them with brown leather backsplashes on the bulkhead. The patterned flooring also gives the Business Class lavatories a more premium feel. Singapore Airlines is one of the few airlines that packs its lavatories with amenities for guests’ convenience, even in Economy Class. In Business Class, Singapore Airlines packs its lavatories with more amenities to differentiate it more than that from Economy Class.

The Seat

Singapore Airlines regional Business Class seats have a seat pitch of 60″ and measure 28″ wide, providing its passengers with excellent legroom and enhanced privacy despite not having a door, thanks to the cacoon seat design. More privacy is afforded to the couple seats in the centre and those by the window. A large fluffy pillow and thick premium blanket are placed on the seat, waiting for me to use when I board the aircraft. Singapore Airlines regional Business Class seats feature a 180° lie-flat bed which I could comfortably catch a wink in the short 2 hr flight from Bangkok to Singapore. The seats come with several handy modes programmed into the seat control buttons on the side of the seat. I like these control buttons as they allow me to switch the seat from the most upright position for take-off and landing to an angled lounge mode perfect for binge-watching movies, to the lie-flat mode for me to catch a nap. Besides the seat controls, Singapore Airlines also included light controls and attendant call buttons on the touch-panelled seat control buttons.

A large solid table is stowed under the IFE screen. With a push of a latch, the seat table pops out in its storage mode, which is half the size of the table. Passengers who do not need the large table can use it in its storage mode. The seat table folds out to its dining mode, which is twice the size of its storage mode. The seat table does not feel wobbly and is perfect for dining and working on a 16″ laptop. Under the IFE screen is a footwell, which is meant for passengers to stretch their feet into when the seat is deployed in its bed mode. Singapore Airlines fully used the space under the footwell by leaving it empty to double up as a space to stow carry-on or for passengers to place their shoes.

There is no lack of storage space on Singapore Airlines’ regional Business Class seats. There is a small cabinet at the side of each side for passengers to stow smaller items like mobile phones and passports. The small sliding door installed at the cabinet ensures the items inside remain secure and out of sight. Within the cabinet, passengers can find an international power socket and two USB charging outlets, making it very convenient for passengers to get juice for their devices. A hook next to the cabinet creates space for passengers to hang the headphones provided by Singapore Airlines when not in use. Singapore Airlines designed the space by the cabinet as a side table, which doubles up as a cocktail table, for passengers to place small items on. I thought the biggest flaw with the Singapore Airlines regional Business Class seats was the placement of the seat pocket. The seat pocket is placed at the lower corner of the seat on the back of the seat in front. Passengers wanting to access the seat pocket must unbuckle their seat belts and stretch for it. The seat pocket seems to be meant only for Singapore Airlines to place in-flight magazines and safety cards as it is too shallow (and tight) to fit in anything else.

In-Flight Entertainment

Singapore Airlines fits its Business Class with a large 18″ LED touchscreen TV. The LED TV can be tilted downwards so passengers can still watch the numerous options on KrisWorld lying down on the flatbed mode of the seat. The entertainment options on KrisWorld are laid out in an intuitive menu for passengers to browse and select from hundreds of shows, from the latest blockbuster movies to TV shows and even games. KrisWorld can be accessed via the touchscreen function on the TV or via the mobile phone, like IFE controller found under the seat controls at the side of the seat. Singapore Airlines supplies noise-cancelling headphones to its Business Class passengers. These headphones effectively cancel out the ambient noise from the aircraft cabin and are comfortable to put on, thanks to the thick cushion padding ear cups. Passengers flying on Singapore Airlines are given free wifi to do simple web browsing. Instead of having to be a KrisFlyer member to gain access to complementary wifi, Business Class passengers are automatically given free wifi even if they are not enrolled on Singapore Airlines’ loyalty programme. The wifi is stable, but the slow connection speed only means passengers can use it to browse social media, check emails or chat.

Meal Service

It seems that Singapore Airlines is returning to pre-pandemic meal service. As soon as we were settled in our seats, the cabin crew came around to serve pre-departure drinks to all passengers in Business Class. We were given options of champagne, orange juice and plain water. As I was torn between champagne and orange juice, the cabin crew got me to try their newest cocktail – Bellini. However, as I am not a drinker, I did not quite like the strong alcoholic taste in the cocktail and went back to orange juice.

I was offered a Bellini cocktail and an orange juice as pre-departure drinks.

Passengers flying in Business Class can choose their meal among the three options months before the flight. Unfortunately, Singapore Airlines does not offer its signature “Book the Cook” service for flights originating from Bangkok. I opted for the Indonesian Fried Rice, while my friend chose the Pan Fried Salmon. Due to the short flight duration of 2 hrs, the appetisers, desserts and main course are served at one go on a tray. As we had pre-ordered our meals from the Singapore Airlines app, we got our food before the rest of the passengers. After the meal was served, another cabin crew came around, giving us the choice of bread. I had to go with Singapore Airlines’ signature Garlic Bread. Of the three courses of the meal served, I thought only the appetiser was tasty. The Indonesian Fried Rice I had was disappointing in taste and presentation. I thought the presentation of the meal did not enhance its appetising appeal, the fried rice looked haphazardly splattered on the china, and the vegetables looked like a mess. The grilled chicken tasted blend, the fried rice tasted like plain steamed rice, and the vegetable was overpowered with spiciness. The sticky pudding dessert looked like some mouldy bread, but I tasted the dessert nonetheless. The pudding was too sweet for my liking that I had to wash the taste with Coke. My friend also commented the Pan Fried Salmon he opted for tasted bland and dry.

Service

Service on Singapore Airlines Business Class was exceptional. The excellent service started the moment I boarded the aircraft. Despite being the last passenger to board the aircraft, the cabin crew assured me we still had plenty of time to taxi. The cabin crew showed me to my seat and ensured I was comfortably settled in. Another cabin crew offered me pre-departure drinks, introducing Singapore Airlines’ latest cocktail, Bellini. When told I do not drink too much, the cabin crew offered me another glass of orange juice in case I was not too fond of the cocktail. Before taking off, the cabin crew – Stephanie stopped by every seat under her charge to introduce herself to all the passengers she would be taking care of during the flight.

I brought to the attention of another cabin crew that my seat was not cleaned properly (there was trash in the seat pocket and stains on the table). The cabin crew apologised profusely and immediately sprung into action to get the situation sorted out. The cabin crew was seen checking in to ensure I was comfortable in my seat. As I pre-booked my meal, a cabin crew confirmed that my selection did not contain the allergens I indicated in Singapore Airlines’ database. The meal was served pipping hot by Stephaine when we reached cruising altitude, while another of her colleague came by shortly for drink orders. Despite a full flight, I find cabin crews onboard made an effort to check in with passengers if we required anything else.

Towards the end of the flight, a passenger sitting across from me started to make noise about the requirement to submit an online arrival card in Singapore. He kicked up a ruckus that the ground staff did not inform him of this requirement. Instead of brushing him aside, I witness Stephanie patiently helping the passenger fill out an online form while her colleagues stand in for her to conduct pre-landing checks. I overheard Stephaine volunteering to share her mobile data with him when we landed to ensure the passenger could enter Singapore smoothly. Despite it being the passenger’s fault for not checking the immigration requirements, Stephaine handled the situation with much patience and professionalism.

Afterthought

Singapore Airlines’ regional Business Class seats are very comfortable even for a longer flight time (Turkish Airlines fitted their new Business Class seats with the same product). The seat provides passengers with a lie-flat bed to catch a nap comfortably with great privacy. The IFE is intuitive to use and packed with loads of entertainment options that will be sure to make flight time feels shorter. However, I felt catering onboard was a tad disappointing, with my meal looking like a mess and my friend’s main course tasted bland and dry. I like the SilverKris Lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, it looked premium and the quality, as well as the variety of food offered, is far better than Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge, where Bangkok is their home base. The service we received onboard Singapore Airlines was impeccable. The cabin crew were friendly and helpful. They ensure all Business Class passengers feel comfortable despite being a full flight.

[Accommodation Review] – VIE Hotel Bangkok (Grand Duplex Suite), Bangkok, Thailand (9 – 14 Mar 23)

April 9, 2023 / kktong76 / 1 Comment

Location

VIE Hotel Bangkok is in a very convenient location and just one BTS stop away from the heart of Bangkok in the Siam area. Most shopping malls near the Siam area are about 7 mins on foot, and the shopping malls at Pratunam are about 10 mins from the hotel. The nearest BTS station is right at the doorstep of VIE Hotel Bangkok, a mere 2 mins walk from the hotel lobby, providing guests with an excellent connection to the rest of Bangkok via BTS. Furthermore, there is no lack of 24-hour convenient shops near the hotel, with the nearest located just across the road from the hotel.

The Grand Duplex Suite

We checked into the spacious Grand Duplex Suite with a total floor area of 145m2 shared among two storeys of living space. The upper floor of the two-bedroom Grand Duplex Suite mainly houses a bedroom of the same layout and size as that on the lower floor.

Entryway

The Thai wooden theme of the Grand Duplex Suite at VIE Hotel Bangkok is immediately felt in the suite’s entryway. The small area immediately at the main entrance to the suite is tastefully furnished with a high wooden table, allowing us to place small items such as our keycard. In addition, a single potted plant and the two Thai fabric paintings bring life to this otherwise dull part of the suite. Other than looking pretty, welcoming guests into the Grand Duplex Suite, the entryway is also functional, with cabinetry allowing us to put away our shoes neatly without making the entryway look messy.

Located in the entryway is a powder room. The functional powder room is only furnished with a toilet giving occupants of the suite an additional avenue of avoiding fighting to use the toilet. It also provides the convenience of visiting the loo before heading out to explore Bangkok, other than not having to transverse up the flight of stairs to use the toilet while chilling out in the living room of the Grand Suite.

Living Room

The end of the entryway led us to an expansive living room with a high ceiling spanning the two storeys in the Suite. The high ceiling makes the large Grand Duplex Suite look even more spacious. Sitting in the centre of the living room are not one but two beige-coloured five-seater couches, with one facing a cabinet wall that stretches across the two levels in the Suite. The couches are comfortable to laze on while we watch the variety of local and international channels on the large 55″ LED TV. Other than being home to a large LED TV, the cabinet wall is tastefully decorated by VIE Hotel Bangkok with ornaments (along with some fake books) that reinforce the Thai theme in the Suite. A large dark brown wooden coffee table sits in the centre of the couches, and the TV gives us another alternate venue to dine while watching the TV.

Sitting next to the couch area of the Grand Duplex Suite is the minibar area. Instead of having only one minibar counter, VIE Hotel Bangkok furnished the minibar area with a dark brown wooden kitchen island that provided heaps of storage space. The mini fridge and a microwave oven are located on the kitchen island. Tucked by the wall is another minibar countertop space, where a Nespresso machine, electric kettle, capsules, and teabags can be found. I like the inclusion of a kitchen sink here at the countertop, which is very convenient for us to fill up the water in the Nespresso machine and the kettle. In addition, there is more storage space on the countertop space for us to stow away our stuff.

Dining Area

A large dining table is between the two-storey high floor-to-ceiling window and the couch. Despite being furnished with only four dining chairs, the table is large enough to sit at least six comfortably. The inclusion of the dining table enables us to take away many of the delicious Thai street food or order from Grab food to dine comfortably in our suite.

Bedrooms

The Grand Duplex Suite comes with two bedrooms. Both bedrooms’ designs and fittings are identical, with one located on the lower floor just after the entryway and the other on the top floor. A waist-height chest of drawers with three large drawers was the first thing we saw when we opened the doors to the bedroom. The height of this chest of drawers is perfect for placing our luggage and, at the same time, provides us additional storage area for smaller clothing items. The main bedroom area is on the left from this chest of drawers, while the bathroom is on the right. The wooden Thai theme in the living room continues into both bedrooms. A large king bed resting by the wall and a beige cushioned headboard look inviting. The king bed is very comfortable to sleep on, providing excellent sleep quality. I find the four pillows on the king bed a tad too soft. Fortunately, there is a pillow menu that one had to request from VIE Hotel Bangkok, which we could request firmer pillows. Other than the two reading lights fitted on the headboard, two additional lamps are on the two bedside tables. The side tables are large enough for us to place our mobile devices despite being equipped with a lap, a phone or an alarm clock. However, I thought the placement of the power outlets by the bedside tables was flawed. These outlets are inaccessible as they are located behind the table we had to pull out to use them.

There are two wardrobes in each of the two bedrooms, one beside the bed and the other opposite. The wooden wardrobes do not come with any additional drawers. They are suitable for us to hang our six days’ worth of clothing. However, the lack of drawers inside the wardrobes meant we had to stow our smaller clothing items in the chest of drawers by the bedroom door. A dressing table that doubles up as a work desk is fitted opposite the king bed, which we mainly used to stow the stuff we bought while shopping. The presence of power outlets at the desk also meant we could only charge our lifestyle devices on the desk. I like to keep my stuff out of sight, but I find the absence of drawers means we have to leave our stuff on the desk. We were quite surprised to find mini fridges under the work desk in both bedrooms. The mini fridge is handy for occupants on the second level as it means we do not need to go down whenever we want a chill drink. Mounted by the wall above the end of the work desk is a 43″ LED TV that faces the king bed. This LED TV provided us with the same entertainment options as that in the living room.

As the bedroom is relatively spacious, instead of leaving the space near the floor-to-ceiling empty, VIE Hotel Bangkok furnished this space with armchairs, a small coffee table, and a floor lamp. I guess the hotel intends for this spot to be allocated as a space for reading while sipping a cup of coffee or tea or even for guests to look out into the Bangkok skyline. We merely use the armchairs to place our bags.

Bathrooms

Similar to the bedrooms, the two ensuite bathrooms located inside the bedrooms are identical. Separated by two panels of frosted glass, the yellow marble-clad bathrooms scream luxury. The bathroom has a large sink countertop fitted with two sinks that prevented guests from fighting each other for the priority of using the sinks. The entire wall by the sink is fitted with a mirror, eliminating whatever claustrophobic feeling one might get (as if anyone will suffer from claustrophobia with the size of this bathroom). There are two sizeable walk-in stalls opposite the sinks. The stall next to the entrance to the bathroom is designated as the walk-in shower. Although the walk-in shower is fitted with both regular and rain shower heads, I used the regular shower head most of the time as the rain shower suffers from reduced pressure. The other walk-in further into the bathroom houses the toilet. Instead of a standard bathtub, VIE Hotel Bangkok equips both bathrooms with a jacuzzi tub. I find the jet pressure in the jacuzzi tub jet to be quite powerful, which is excellent for a hydro massage while soaking in the sizeable tub.

Work Desk Area

Despite having a dresser table that also doubles up as a work desk inside each of the two bedrooms in the Grand Duplex Suite at VIE Hotel Bangkok, the hotel also allocated a space on the second level of the suite for a work desk outside the bedroom, overlooking the lower level of the suite. The dark brown work desk, consistent with the dark brown Thai-inspired theme throughout the Grand Duplex Suite, is fairly large and has three drawers that provide additional storage space for us to stow away files and printouts. The two power outlets at the work desk gave us the convenience of charging our laptops so that we could continue working looking out at either the lower level of the suite or out into the skyline of Bangkok through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the suite. The absence of a desk lamp did not bother me as there is sufficient illumination from the ceiling lights in this part of the suite. A large cabinet is furnished at the work desk area, giving us additional option for storage.

Service

This is my third time staying with VIE Hotel Bangkok. I find the service during my previous experience at the hotel inconsistent. However, it was not the case when we were at the hotel this time. We found the service to be constantly impeccable service from every staff we met during our stay with them. The excellent service was already felt when we contacted the hotel regarding our booking and privilege as a Diamond member. The email responses from the reservation staff – Jazz and Jeng, were always fast. Both Jazz and Jeng understood our needs and requirements and provided non-SOP answers to our questions.

Jenny assisted us during check-in. Jenny showered us with the warmth the Thais were famously known for. While Jenny was processing our check-in, things seemed to run like clockwork. The other staff at the reception (I did not manage to get her name) immediately disappeared into the room at the back of the reception and re-emerged with welcome drinks to cool us from the humid Bangkok climate. Not only was Jenny meticulous in giving us all the information that we needed, such as meal times and where the nearest BTS station was, but she also noted that the mini fridge would be empty and gave us additional welcome drink vouchers for us to use daily throughout our stay at the hotel. The hotel handled our air-conditioning issue very well. The air-con in the suite that we were assigned initially did not work. The hotel got some engineers to fix the issue, but we faced leaking from the air-con. We approached Jenny at the reception and requested a change in the room. We were immediately assigned another suite after the duty manager personally checked the condition of the suite before they sent a porter to help us with the shifting.

We found the staff at reception were always welcoming whenever we walked past them. We have always been greeted with the Thai Wai and the biggest smile anyone when we walked past them. The bellboy at the main door is always seen running towards the door to open the door for us. Similarly, the staff at La VIE restaurant were terrific. We were always greeted with a warm smile from them every morning we were at the restaurant for breakfast. In addition, staff at La VIE were observant and diligent in patrolling the restaurant grounds to ensure empty plates were cleared, and food was always topped up.

Hotel Facilities

Swimming Pool

The swimming pool at VIE Hotel Bangkok is located on level 10. There are two ways to access the swimming pool: via the gym at level 11 or from the lift in the separate building in front of the hotel. Despite the rooftop swimming pool being a tad small with limited sundeck chairs available, it still allows guests to swim a decent few laps. Fortunately, few people used the pool throughout the six days we stayed in the hotel. The swimming pool at VIE Hotel Bangkok is an excellent place for those looking for a great spot for suntanning as there are no structures around to block out the sun.

Gym

The gym at VIE Hotel Bangkok, located on level 11 of the leading hotel building, is a commercially operated gym under the WE Signature Fitness Club banner. The gym is very well equipped with free weights and machines that enable guests for full body workouts with machines that work out different muscle groups. Besides strength training machines, the gym is equipped with numerous cardio training equipment such as treadmills and elliptical machines. On top of the machines, the gym has a small group fitness studio running numerous exercise classes, from yoga to MMA. However, guests at VIE Hotel Bangkok would have to pay additional fees to join these group exercise classes.

Breakfast at La VIE Bistronomy

Breakfast is served at La VIE Bistronomy restaurant on level 10 of the hotel daily—a good mix of Asian, Thai and Western options for breakfast. The breakfast served was delicious, and I particularly liked the big and puffy croissants, and the hashbrowns served daily were crispy. Food was being topped up constantly by the diligent staff at the restaurant, ensuring all food options were available to guests. I applaud the hotel’s effort to create daily changes to the breakfast. Most hotels attempt to create a particular form of menu changes where the food options are repeated every other day. This is not the case in VIE Hotel Bangkok; we did not see any changed items repeated throughout the six days we dined at La VIE Bistronomy during breakfast.

Cocktails and Canapés at Piano Bar

VIE Hotel Bangkok serves cocktails and canapés from 3 pm to 5 pm daily at the Piano Bar for guests staying in Executive Suite or higher categories. The Piano Bar is located on the hotel’s ground floor, next to the reception. There is a limited list of beverages, from cocktails to mocktails to soft drinks, that guests can enjoy with the canapés, which are topped up constantly. In addition, each day, there is a selection of about eight Thai-fusion finger food items with a good mix of sweet and savoury items for guests. Similar to breakfast, the canapés menu was changed daily.

Overall

We had a pleasant stay at VIE Hotel Bangkok. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Bangkok with numerous shopping malls under 10 mins walk from the hotel. The proximity to the BTS is a bonus for us to explore Bangkok. The Grand Duplex Suite is spacious and very comfortable, and the bedding provided us with excellent sleep quality. The service we experienced was impeccable. The staff were always welcoming. This is the best experience we had with VIE Hotel Bangkok compared to our previous experience.

[Airline Review] – Singapore Airlines B787-10 (SQ708) – Economy Class, SIN – BKK (9 Mar 23)

April 1, 2023 / kktong76 / Leave a comment

Singapore Airlines B787-10 that flew us from SIN to BKK

At the Airport

Check-in

Singapore Airlines recently shifted its South East Asian departure flights from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 back to Terminal 2. The terminal partially re-opened after some refurbishment to only a handful of airlines flying out of Singapore. Passengers flying on Singapore Airlines can use the self-check-in kiosks in the centre of the terminal or the check-in counters in Changi Airport Terminal 2 in Rows 7 to 9. In addition, KrisFlyer Elite Gold members and passengers flying in Premium Economy Class can opt to use the in-person check-in at Row 8. The warm and friendly ground staff greeted us at the check-in counter and efficiently processed our check-in. Soon, we found ourselves whizzing through the automated immigration gates and walking at the airside of the Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 building.

KrisFlyer Gold Lounge

One of the perks for KrisFlyer Elite Gold members is the use of the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge. There are KrisFlyer Gold Lounges in both Terminals 2 and 3. As we had errands to run in Terminal 3, we used the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge at Terminal 3 instead. The KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in Terminal 3, also recently re-opened after some renovation, is spacious and airy, thanks to the high ceilings and glass panels that allow lots of natural light in. There is a good mix of seating for passengers to relax and for dining. The crowd was thin at the time of our visit to the lounge, and we had no trouble selecting the seat we wanted. Although the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge is not located next to the windows, we could still do some plane spotting and watch planes landing or taking off. The catering in KrisFlyer Gold Lounge is not as extensive as those in the SilverKris Lounge, serving Business Class passengers. The lounge mainly serves up local and Asian cuisines during breakfast timing, alongside some pre-wrapped sandwiches. Despite the limited food selection, we found Singapore Airlines’ signature Laksa in the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge.

The Aircraft

Singapore Airlines mainly deploys A350-900 and B787-10 to ply between Singapore and Bangkok. Although we were initially booked on Singapore Airlines A350-900 aircraft, Singapore Airlines changed the aircraft type to B787-10 about two months before our flight.

We are flying on Singapore Airlines B787-10 to BKK today

The Cabin

Singapore Airlines medium haul B787-10 has 337 onboard, spreading across two cabin classes, 36 seats in the foremost Business Class and 301 in the aft two Economy Class cabins. The Economy Class cabin is further segregated into two sections, with 150 seats in the forward cabin and 151 in the aft cabin. Singapore Airlines uses three colours: brown, grey, and turquoise, for its Economy Class seats. In addition, the use of mood lighting for different moments of the flight, such as white lighting during boarding and disembarking and purple/orange lighting during the morning flight time, allows passengers to relax during the flight.

Mood lighting is used at cruising altitude.

There are several lavatories dotted across the two sections of the Economy Class. Passengers in the forward section can use the front Economy Class lavatories and those between the two Economy Class cabins. Those sitting in the rear area of the Economy Class can opt to use the lavatories in the middle of the aircraft or those at the rearmost section of the plane. The lavatory onboard is not exactly the largest, but it is very functional. The mirrors in the lavatory make the space appears larger than it is. The hardworking cabin crews on Singapore Airlines constantly kept the lavatory very clean for the duration of the fight. I like the touch-free features, such as the sensor-activated tap and the toilet flush to the step-activated trash bin cover, which provided convenience to passengers and were extremely important in this endemic period. Singapore Airlines is one of the few airlines worldwide that still provides toothbrushes in their lavatories other than the standard hand soap.

The Seat

Economy Class seats on Singapore Airlines B787-10 are arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration. Each seat has a 32″ seat pitch and measures 17″ wide with a 5″ recline. Despite the very thin-looking Economy Class seats on Singapore Airlines, which do not seem to provide much cushioning, these seats are very comfortable for the short two-hour flight. In addition, the four-way adjustable headrest contributes to the comfort afforded by these Economy Class seats.

Legroom in Economy Class onboard Singapore Airlines B787-10 is quite good

Other than the seat recline button on the armrest, the controls for the ambience of the Economy Class seats, such as the reading light control and the call attendant buttons, are found under the IFE screen. I like this design as the usage is very initiative, and there is no need to struggle with the controls on the IFE controller. There is also a sizable tray table on every seat. The bi-fold designed tray table, fitted with a small mirror, allows passengers to have it down to plan smaller items during flight without obstructing too much space for moving in and out of the seats. A standalone cup holder is fitted under the IFE screen, allowing passengers to stow their cups of drinks without needing to deploy the tray table. Furthermore, the seat pockets on Singapore Airlines are designed to allow passengers to maximise the usage of these pockets and also make it easier for passengers to locate the items they placed inside the pockets. There is even a small pocket underneath the IFE screen, perfect for stowing my mobile phone, and smaller knickknacks like the IFE earplugs.

Inflight Entertainment

An 11.1″ touchscreen TV is fitted in every Economy Class seat providing entertainment for every passenger on an otherwise mundane flight. There are many entertainment options on Singapore Airlines’ KrisWorld, ranging from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to TV shows. The intuitive menu options on KrisWorld are very well organised, making scrolling through them a breeze. Singapore Airlines provides earplugs for every passenger, though some might not find stuffing things in their ears comfortable. There isn’t any IFE controller fitted on the latest B787-10, luckily, the touchscreen function on the IFE screen is very responsive to control and for passengers to scroll through the vast library of entertainment options. Singapore Airlines also provides complementary wifi for its KrisFlyer members (regardless of status) and passengers flying in Business Class or higher cabins. The wifi onboard is very stable but can only handle chats, email browsing and uploading to social media.

Meal Service

We were given two options for breakfast today – Singapore Fried Carrot Cake with Prawns and Scrambled Eggs with Chicken Sausage. I chose the Fried Carrot Cake for breakfast. I am not a fan of the take-out box design used in regional Economy Class, as it made the portion feel small and was challenging to eat from. Singapore Airlines only served its Economy Class passengers a yoghurt. The bread roll that used to come with its Economy Class meal was not served on this flight. Singapore Airlines was generous with the prawns served with the fried carrot cake. The meal was delicious and full of flavours. My friend opted for the Scrambled Eggs and found the eggs to be a tad dry and the sausage bland.

Service

Service onboard Singapore Airlines was impeccable, as always. We were greeted by the warm and friendly cabin crews. The cabin crew felt smiling under their masks and were forever ready to help passengers get comfortable for the flight. Singapore Airlines took note of my allergies and promptly came to me, introduced the menu for the flight, and assured me that there were no ingredients in the options that would trigger my allergies. They promptly took my orders and served me the meal before the main service. The cabin crew worked tirelessly to serve all the passengers and attended to their requests despite being a full flight. Despite the clear delineation of the duties of each flight attendant, cabin crews were ready to step in to help their colleagues should one be away from their station (during meal service) to top up food or handle other passenger requests not available on the food cart. The flight attendants’ felt happy in their job, which also translates to caring for their passengers.

Afterthought

Singapore Airlines has excellent hardware and service for this short flight from Singapore to Bangkok. The Economy Class seats on their B787-10 are comfortable, and the excellent IFE product provided great entertainment to passengers. The service was impeccable on this flight, despite a full flight, having to manage 301 Economy Class passengers within a short 1.5 hrs, the cabin crew worked efficiently and were always ready to assist passengers. The entire team worked like clockwork and were ready to step in to assist each other in the interest of ensuring passengers were well taken care of. Overall, I had an excellent flight experience with Singapore Airlines.