The Standard, Singapore

The Standard, Singapore, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a vibrant and stylish stay in the heart of Singapore. Since its opening in late 2024, it has garnered attention for its unique design, energetic atmosphere, and attentive service, establishing itself as a refreshing alternative to more traditional hotels in the Orchard Road area.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Standard, Singapore is overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 on Google Maps based on over 137 reviews. Booking.com shows strong guest satisfaction with scores like 9.3 for cleanliness, 9.4 for comfort, and 9.3 for staff. Guests frequently describe the hotel as "brand new and beautifully designed" and praise its "great vibe" and "exceptional service". Its selection for the inaugural MICHELIN Key further solidifies its reputation for delivering truly outstanding stays.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently love the hotel's distinctive retro-modern design, infused with vibrant colors and lush greenery, creating a "tropical glam" and "garden sanctuary" feel. The convivial pool deck with a swim-up bar is a major draw, offering a lively spot for relaxation and cocktails. The friendly and helpful staff are frequently highlighted as a key factor in guests' exceptional experiences. Its convenient yet tucked-away location, offering easy access to Orchard Road and the Botanic Gardens, is also much appreciated.

3. Room Quality

The 143 rooms and suites at The Standard, Singapore are described as crisp, cheerful, clean, and modernly designed. They feature a polished retro-modern decor with bamboo paneling and flashes of color. All rooms boast comfortable beds dressed in 300-thread-count linen, ensuring excellent sleep quality. Amenities include smart TVs, Bluetooth speakers (Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3), Nespresso coffee machines, tea-making kits, minibars with local snacks, bathrobes, slippers, and Davines bath products. A standout feature is the bold, sunshine-yellow tiled bathrooms with curved mirror frames, which guests find cheerful and aesthetically pleasing. While standard rooms are around 23 sqm and can be on the smaller side, they are designed to maximize space with floor-to-ceiling windows. Suites offer more lounge space and separate living areas.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers two main dining venues: Kaya and Café Standard.

• Kaya: This signature restaurant provides a modern Japanese izakaya experience, weaving Singaporean seafood and regionally sourced ingredients into its dishes. The interior is described as gorgeous, with a botanical and floral theme, lush greenery, tropical motifs, and caramel-leather upholstery. Guests praise the "show-stopping food" and "impeccable cocktails" at Kaya, with dishes like burnt karaage, anago fry, and gyu tan mentioned.
• Café Standard: An all-day casual eatery with an American dining spot feel, serving comfort-food classics like "The Standard Burger" and "Naughty Chicken Burger," along with coffee, matcha concoctions, and cocktails.

Breakfast at Kaya is an à la carte affair rather than a traditional buffet, where items are ordered and served in tasting-sized portions to allow guests to sample a variety of dishes and minimize waste. Popular breakfast items include eggs benedict, chicken and waffles, udon laksa, and salmon chazuke. Many guests highly praise the breakfast for its quality and unique format.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Standard, Singapore is consistently described as exceptional, friendly, and attentive. Guests report feeling "looked after like a family member" and highlight the staff's enthusiasm to provide recommendations and cater to individual needs, including dietary requirements. The hospitality is noted for being warm, solicitous, and genuine, contributing significantly to the overall positive guest experience.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located at 12 Orange Grove Road, The Standard, Singapore is in a quiet, upscale residential area just north of Orchard Road. It offers a prime location that is convenient yet tucked away, minutes from the glitzy shopping strip of Orchard Road. Guests can easily walk to major attractions like ION Orchard and other shopping malls (about 10-15 minutes). The hotel is also across the street from the Shangri-La Singapore. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Singapore Botanic Gardens, is a 15-20 minute walk away, though some of it is unsheltered. For city exploration, the nearest MRT stations (Orchard and Stevens) are about a 15-minute walk. The hotel provides a free private carpark and also offers a free shuttle bus service between ION Orchard and the Botanic Gardens, though some reviews suggest the frequency could be improved. Singapore's Changi Airport is approximately 25 minutes by road.

7. Value & Pricing

Prices for a standard room typically start from around S$275.18 (approximately US$200-250) per night, though rates can vary based on room type and season. Many guests consider The Standard, Singapore to offer good value for money, especially compared to other Orchard Road counterparts. It is seen as a chic yet not overly costly option for a 4-star hotel. The hotel punches above its weight, providing a fresh and appealing alternative for travelers who appreciate design aesthetics and a social atmosphere.

8. Common Complaints

While generally well-received, some recurring criticisms include:

• Room Size: Standard rooms, at 23 sqm, are considered small by some guests, especially for those with multiple large suitcases, and some mentioned a lack of proper wardrobe space or drawers.
• Lack of a Full Gym/Spa: The hotel does not have a traditional, fully equipped gym or a spa. Instead, there's a small assortment of free weights, yoga balls, and a cable machine on an astroturf lawn outdoors, along with a run club and yoga classes.
• Pool Privacy: The outdoor swimming pool, while beautiful, directly faces the balconies of neighboring apartments (Shangri-La Singapore), which some guests felt impacted privacy.
• Breakfast Service: Although the à la carte breakfast is praised for its quality, some guests have experienced long wait times and occasional forgotten orders during peak hours due to the service style.
• Location Convenience (Walking): While close to Orchard Road, the walk to the main shopping strip or MRT stations can be 10-15 minutes, much of it unsheltered, which can be challenging in Singapore's humid climate. The frequency of the complimentary shuttle bus has also been noted as low.
• Soundproofing: Some guests mentioned average soundproofing, occasionally hearing sounds from adjacent rooms.
• No Bathtubs: None of the room categories, including suites, come with bathtubs.

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