The St. Regis Singapore had a glow up: Here's what changed (and what didn't)
Editor's Note
In my life as a traveler and travel journalist, Singapore has long eluded me, though the city-state (and its famed Singapore Airlines) has always been front of mind. Ahead of a work trip to Japan at the end of 2025, I finally had the chance to visit (though, sadly, not in one of Singapore Airlines' famed suites), giving me a great opportunity to check into The St. Regis Singapore, a popular points hotel that has recently undergone a significant remodel.
Here's a rundown of some of the things that have changed — and some that have stayed the same — at the hotel, which originally opened in 2008 and is located just steps away from high-end shops on world-famous Orchard Road.
Changed: Rooms were reimagined to reflect a UNESCO World Heritage Site
During a phased renovation period, the hotel's 299 guest rooms were completely reimagined by FBEye International to pay a "poetic homage" to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, located a short walk away from the hotel. The changes included bringing in subtle botanical motifs balanced against beautiful natural woods alongside various blue and green hues that really made it feel like Singapore's beautiful parks and gardens had made their way inside. It was also reflected through touches like floor-to-ceiling windows that opened and closed automatically, letting in plenty of natural light and offering views of the parks and gardens from a bird's-eye vantage.
A few other standout features of my suite included a seriously stunning bathroom with a soaking tub, lots of mirrors, a beautiful flower-inspired tile floor and earth-toned marble walls that made every trip to the restroom feel like I was in a palace. There were also large TVs that I could stream to directly (helping me out when the jet lag kicked in) and convenient technology upgrades that made it easy to charge my phone and laptop or control lights and curtains without having to move very far.
Stayed the same: St. Regis' signature butler service
The rooms might have changed, but the upscale butler service St. Regis has spent a lifetime perfecting is very much the same. At the hotel, characteristic St. Regis butlers were on standby to help with any request, from unpacking and repacking luggage and bringing up a fresh pot of complimentary coffee in the morning to handling the two complimentary pieces of clothing that can be pressed daily and making sure that your favorite global newspaper is waiting at your door each morning.
Changed: A new Italian restaurant opened
Set between the hotel lobby and a wall of windows framing beautiful green trees, Sophia, a modern Italian restaurant, opened in October 2025. Helmed by chef Angelo Sergio, from Italy's Puglia region, the restaurant offered an array of dishes as tasty as the venue was beautiful.
A big fan of making things simple, I opted for the restaurant's three-course set lunch menu ($46) and enjoyed a beautiful burrata over baked tomatoes, rigatoni alla carbonara that was rich and filling and, for dessert, a baba napoletano with limoncello syrup and strawberry compote.
Changed: Upgrades across Yan Ting
Yan Ting, a Cantonese restaurant from chef Chan Chung Shing, received a beautiful face-lift, including a striking new entrance; a moody dining room full of brass, onyx and marble; and a series of Chinese paintings that represent the four seasons. Come for the fresh design, but stay for the famously mouthwatering food. During my lunchtime visit, I opted for a series of dim sum plates like steamed charcoal salted egg yolk buns ($9), steamed pork and shrimp dumplings ($18) and other delights suggested to me.
Though dim sum is only available at lunch, dinner guests can find a booklike menu of options, including new dishes like wok-fried lobster angel hair pasta with truffle ($38), steam leopard coral grouper ($22 per gram) and braised superior bird's nest soup ($100).
Stayed the same: The pool
To help beat Singapore's sticky heat, even in early December, I enjoyed a morning wading through the hotel's long pool perched on a roof deck below some surrounding buildings. Lots of green plants and lounge chairs give it a resortlike feel, even though you're right in the middle of the city.
Stayed the same: The hotel doubles as an art gallery
If you're a fan of art, you'll love a stay at The St. Regis Singapore because the hotel has an immaculate private art collection that features everything from wall-size paintings to sculptures and even a huge chandelier designed to look like the Titanic, an ode to St. Regis founder John Jacob Astor IV, who perished when the ship sank in 1912.
Changed: The St. Regis Bar
A hotel bar is one of my favorite parts of any stay, and the St. Regis brand's iconic St. Regis Bar has been a favorite of mine, from Venice, Italy, to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
The updated St. Regis Bar in Singapore is a dark, moody, wood-filled tribute to Manhattan, with a cocktail menu highlighting Singaporean and New York takes on classic cocktails spanning five decades. One drink I particularly enjoyed was the Golden Sand Sour ($22) made with Glenfiddich 12 scotch, salted egg yolk, sherry, lemon, white miso, vanilla yogurt and egg white. And, of course, every St. Regis Bar has its take on the bloody mary. The St. Regis Singapore has two: a smoky take honoring Singapore and a Tabasco- and Worcestershire-packed one for New York ($20).
Stayed the same: The central location
It's worth mentioning twice, but the location of The St. Regis Singapore was a big draw for me. It's a quick walk from some of the city's major attractions, including the free Singapore Botanic Gardens and the pay-to-enter National Orchid Garden, one of my favorite experiences in Singapore. It's also not too far from public transportation, a series of megamalls with incredible shopping and various hawker centers for eating.
Changed: An elevated spa experience
A trip to a St. Regis spa is always a good idea, and the location at the Singapore property is better than ever. The Remede spa was redesigned to pay tribute to The St. Regis New York's Iridium Room, a supper club popular in the 1930s and '40s. The design features light hues of ivory and cream, plenty of florals and an overall soothing atmosphere. Stop in for a massage and be sure to make time to enjoy the extra facilities, including indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, steam rooms, saunas and plenty of space to chill out and relax.
How to book The St. Regis Singapore
Cash rates at The St. Regis Singapore start around $375 or 56,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
If using cash, holders of the American Express Platinum Card® or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express can book through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts for extras like noon check-in (based on availability), guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, a room upgrade at check-in (where available), daily breakfast for two and a $100 food-and-beverage credit to be used during the stay. Plus, those cardholders also receive up to $600 in hotel statement credits each calendar year (up to $300 biannually) for prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings.
Otherwise, you'll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Marriott stays or one that offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Platinum Elite status and 25 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Silver Elite status and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatic Silver Elite status and five elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
Every hotel eventually needs a little sprucing up — and The St. Regis Singapore's glow up was a success through and through. From an impressive new restaurant and its St. Regis Bar to beautiful guest rooms and a revamped spa, I'm glad that this Marriott Bonvoy hotel was my home away from home during my stay in The Lion City.