Travel

The St. Regis Singapore gets a new look: Here’s what’s changed (and what hasn’t)

Singapore has long been on my mind in my life as a traveler and travel journalist, although the city-state (and its famous Singapore Airlines) has always been at the forefront of my mind. Before a business trip to Japan in late 2025, I finally had the chance to visit (sadly, not in one of Singapore Airlines’ famous suites), which gave me a great opportunity to stay at the St. Regis Singapore, a popular points hotel that recently underwent a major makeover.

Here’s a rundown of some of the changes (and some that have stayed the same) at the hotel, which originally opened in 2008 just steps from the high-end shops of world-famous Orchard Road.

Changes: Rooms redesigned to reflect UNESCO world heritage site

During a phased renovation, FBEye International completely redesigned the hotel’s 299 rooms to pay “poetic homage” to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, just steps away from the hotel. The changes include the introduction of subtle botanical patterns, balanced with beautiful natural woods and a variety of blue and green tones, to really make it feel like Singapore’s beautiful parks and gardens have been brought into the mix. It also shows through details such as floor-to-ceiling windows that open and close automatically, letting in plenty of natural light and offering a bird’s-eye view of the park and gardens.

Some other standout features of my suite included a stunning bathroom with a soaking tub, tons of mirrors, beautiful floral style tile floors, and earth toned marble walls that made me feel like I was in a palace every time I went to the bathroom. There’s also a large TV that I can watch right away (helping me shake off jet lag when it sets in) and convenient technology upgrades that allow me to easily charge my phone and laptop or control lights and shades without having to move far.

Stay the same: St. Regis’ signature butler service

Tanner Sanders/Essential Guy

The rooms may have changed, but the upscale butler service that St. Regis has spent a lifetime perfecting remains much the same. At the hotel, signature St. Regis Butlers are on hand to attend to any request you may have, from unpacking and repacking your luggage to delivering a fresh pot of complimentary coffee in the morning to handling two complimentary items of laundry per day, as well as ensuring your favorite global newspaper is at your door each morning.

Change: A new Italian restaurant opens

Tanner Sanders/Essential Guy

Sophia is a modern Italian restaurant located between the hotel lobby and window wall, surrounded by beautiful greenery, opening in October 2025. The restaurant, run by chef Angelo Sergio from the Puglia region of Italy, offers a range of delicious dishes in a beautiful setting.

I’m a big fan of keeping things simple, so I opted for the restaurant’s three-course lunch set ($46), enjoying delicious burrata with roasted tomatoes, tangy penne pasta, and, for dessert, Barbana poletano with limoncello syrup and strawberry preserves.

Changes: Yanting upgrade

Yan Ting, the Cantonese restaurant helmed by chef Chan Chung Shing, has received a beautiful makeover, including a dramatic new entrance; a moody dining room filled with brass, onyx and marble; and a series of Chinese paintings representing the four seasons. Come here for the fresh design, but stay for the famous mouth-watering food. During lunch, I chose from a selection of dim sum such as charcoal steamed salted egg yolk buns ($9), pork and shrimp dumplings ($18), and other delicacies that were recommended to me.

While dim sum is only available at lunch, dinner guests can find a menu that reads like a book, including new dishes like truffle-fried lobster angel hair pasta ($38), steamed leopard coral ($22 per gram) and braised prime bird’s nest soup ($100).

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Stay the same: swimming pool

To help relieve Singapore’s hot weather, even in early December, I spent a morning wading in the hotel’s long swimming pool, which is located on a rooftop deck beneath some of the surrounding buildings. Even though you’re in the heart of the city, the abundance of greenery and lounge chairs give it a resort feel.

Stay the same: Hotel doubles as art gallery

If you’re an art lover, you’ll love staying at The St. Regis Singapore, as the hotel has an impeccable private art collection, from wall-sized paintings to sculptures and even a giant chandelier designed to look like the Titanic, an ode to St. Regis founder John Jacob Astor IV, who died when the Titanic sank in 1912.

Change: St. Regis Bar

Hotel bars are one of my favorite parts of every stay, and from Venice, Italy to Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic, the brand’s iconic St. Regis Bar has always been a favorite.

Singapore’s renovated St. Regis Bar is a nod to Manhattan’s dark, moody, woody character, with a cocktail menu highlighting classic cocktails from Singapore and New York spanning five decades. One drink I particularly enjoyed was the Sands Sour ($22), made with Glenfiddich No. 12 Scotch whiskey, salted egg yolk, sherry, lemon, white miso, vanilla yogurt and egg whites. Of course, every St. Regis bar has its own Bloody Mary. The St. Regis Singapore comes in two varieties: a smoky version that pays homage to Singapore, and a smoky version designed for New York that’s full of Tabasco and Worcestershire flavors ($20).

Remain unchanged: center position

It is worth mentioning that the location of St. Regis Singapore is a big draw for me. The hotel is a short walk from some of the city’s major attractions, including the free Singapore Botanic Gardens and the paid-to-entry National Orchid Gardens, one of my favorite experiences in Singapore. It’s also not too far from public transport, a range of large shopping malls with incredible shopping options and a variety of dining hawker centers.

Change: Enhance the spa experience

A trip to the St. Regis Spa is always a good idea, and Singapore hotel locations are better than ever. The Remede Spa has been redesigned to pay homage to the Iridium Room at the St. Regis New York, a popular supper club in the 1930s and 1940s. The design features light tones of ivory and cream, lots of florals and an overall soothing vibe. Stop in for a massage, and be sure to take time to enjoy the additional amenities, including indoor and outdoor jacuzzis, steam rooms, saunas, and plenty of space to relax.

How to book The St. Regis Singapore

Tanner Sanders/Essential Guy

Cash rates at the St. Regis Singapore start at about $375 per night or 56,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

If cash is used, the holder American Express Platinum Card® or American Express Business Platinum Card® Extras can be booked through American Express Hotels + Resorts, such as noon check-in (subject to availability), guaranteed late checkout at 4 p.m., room upgrade upon check-in (if available), daily breakfast for two, and a $100 dining credit to be used during the stay. In addition, these cardholders can earn up to $600 in hotel bill credits per calendar year (up to $300 every six months) by booking with prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts.

Otherwise, you’ll want to use a credit card that earns the most points on Marriott stays, or one that automatically offers Marriott Bonvoy elite status for value-added benefits. These include:

  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points for every US$1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatically earn Platinum Elite status, and earn 25 Elite Stay Points each year to upgrade to a higher level.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points for every US$1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatically qualify for Elite Gold status, and earn 15 Elite Stay points per year, which can be upgraded to higher levels.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, automatically earn Elite Gold status, and earn 15 elite stay points each year to upgrade to higher tiers.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points for every US$1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, automatically qualify for Elite Gold status, and earn 15 Elite Stay points per year, which can be upgraded to higher levels.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (See Rates & Fees): Earn 6 points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, automatically become an Elite Silver member, and earn 15 Elite Stay points each year, which can be upgraded to higher tiers.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (See Rates & Fees): Earn 3 points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, automatically earn Elite Silver status, and earn 5 Elite Stay points each year toward higher tiers.

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card information is independently collected 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 refresh is a complete success. From the impressive new restaurant and its St. Regis Bar to the beautiful rooms and renovated spa, I’m glad this Marriott Bonvoy hotel was my home away from home during my stay in the Lion City.

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