voco Orchard Singapore

voco Orchard Singapore has established itself as a highly-regarded property on Singapore's iconic Orchard Road, boasting a Michelin Key selection and generally positive guest feedback. The hotel, previously the Hilton Singapore, offers a blend of luxury, playfulness, and sustainability, making it a popular choice for both leisure and business travelers.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The voco Orchard Singapore consistently receives strong ratings. It scores an 8.3 ("Very Good") on Booking.com based on over 900 reviews, a 4.4 out of 5 on IHG Hotels & Resorts, and an impressive 18.6 out of 20 from verified Michelin Guide guests. The general sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently praising the hotel's excellent service, prime location, and exceptional dining experiences.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several aspects of the voco Orchard Singapore:

• Service & Staff: The attentive and friendly staff are frequently lauded for going "above and beyond".
• Location: Its strategic position on Orchard Road, close to shopping, dining, and public transport, is a major draw.
• Dining: The breakfast buffet receives widespread acclaim for its quality and variety. The hotel's multiple dining options, including the highly-regarded Opus Bar & Grill and the Michelin-starred Iggy's, are also appreciated.
• Amenities: The rooftop pool and a spacious, well-equipped 24-hour gym are noted amenities. The Club Lounge, unique among voco properties, offers a VIP experience with cocktails and light bites.
• Design & Sustainability: The hotel embraces a "luxurious yet unstuffy" vibe with a modern design featuring blue, neutral, yellow, and muted red accents. Eco-friendly initiatives, such as wooden key cards and bedding made from recycled plastic bottles, are also present.

3. Room Quality

Rooms at voco Orchard Singapore are generally described as comfortable, spacious, and clean. Many guests appreciate the "very comfortable" beds, with some even calling them among the best they've experienced in Singapore. The bedding is notably made from over 150 recycled plastic bottles, aligning with the hotel's sustainable approach. While the hotel underwent reflagging from Hilton, some furnishings in standard rooms might still reflect its previous branding. However, suites have reportedly undergone more recent renovations. Bathrooms are typically clean and functional, though some elements like built-in bathtubs and sink vanities might give away the building's age. Rooms come equipped with amenities like large flat-screen TVs and well-placed outlets.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience is a significant highlight for guests. The breakfast buffet, served at Opus Bar & Grill, is consistently praised as "amazing" and "outstanding," offering a wide selection of dishes from various cultures, including Singaporean, Chinese, Indian, and Western options, with vegetarian and vegan choices available. Guests can opt for either the buffet or in-room dining for breakfast.

Beyond breakfast, the hotel offers four distinct dining concepts:

• Opus Bar & Grill: A steak and seafood restaurant known for its premium selections.
• D9 Cakery: A patisserie renowned for artisanal cakes and sweets.
• il Cielo: An Italian restaurant located on the top floor.
• Iggy's: A Michelin-starred European restaurant.

The Club Lounge also provides free-flow cocktails and light bites for eligible guests, described as a "full VIP experience". In-room dining is available and offers a decent menu, although some find the prices for light bites and sandwiches to be on the higher side.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at voco Orchard Singapore receive exceptional praise, often described as "incredibly friendly," "accommodating," "very helpful," and "attentive". Many guests report that staff members go "above and beyond" to ensure an enjoyable stay, making them feel valued. Personalized touches, such as welcome cookies inspired by Orchard Road's heritage and a live SMS chat service for assistance, are frequently appreciated. The hotel has also managed to retain many operational staff members from its previous branding, which contributes to a sense of consistent, high-quality service.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location on Orchard Road is a key selling point, rated highly by guests (e.g., 9.2 on Booking.com). It is a mere 5-minute walk from Orchard MRT Station and Singapore's premier shopping mall, ION Shopping Centre. This central location provides convenient access to a multitude of shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment options. It's also a short drive from popular attractions like Marina Bay, City Hall, the Botanic Gardens, and Dempsey Hill. While generally excellent for accessibility, some guests note that half the walk to Orchard MRT is outdoors, which could be inconvenient during rain.

7. Value & Pricing

Voco Orchard Singapore is often considered good value for its prime location on Orchard Road, with rates sometimes lower than comparable luxury properties in the area. Room rates can range from around $250 to $410 per night, with discounts potentially available. Guests have expressed that the service, facilities, and food make it "very worth the price". It's also noted as a good option for IHG One Rewards points redemptions.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Dated Furnishings: Despite refurbishments, some guests have felt that certain furnishings and finishes in the rooms reflect the hotel's previous branding as Hilton, making them appear somewhat dated.
• Pool Area: The rooftop swimming pool, while a nice amenity, has been described by some as "basic" or "old" and not extensively renovated. One reviewer mentioned the water being very cold, making it less suitable for young children.
• Service Inconsistencies: Isolated incidents of slow reception response or maintenance issues have been reported. There was also a specific instance where guests felt treated as "second-class customers" regarding breakfast seating in the main restaurant.
• Noise: Noise from ongoing hotel renovation work has been a disturbance for some guests.
• Bathroom Design: The built-in bathtub in some rooms has been described as small or inconvenient.
• Outdoor Walk to MRT: While the location is excellent, the outdoor portion of the walk to Orchard MRT can be an issue during rainy weather.

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