A Luxurious Family Escape: Inside the Renovated Mandarin Oriental, Singapore

Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, has been enchanting guests with authentic Singaporean hospitality for over 36 years. At the beginning of 2023, the hotel announced its upcoming closure for a six-month renovation in a captivating campaign. As part of the “Letter’s To Neighbours” campaign, the general manager at the time, wrote heartfelt letters to his counterparts at other prestigious hotels in the city, requesting their assistance in ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of the hotel’s esteemed guests during this temporary closure.

Fast forward to September 2023, and the hotel reemerged to reveal a stunning, vibrant transformation that reflects the passion and hospitality of its committed team. Few establishments in Singapore can compete with this hotel’s breathtaking views, now enhanced by the recent renovations; the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, is undoubtedly the most captivating place to stay in the Lion City. 

What’s new? 

In short, everything (almost). 

Jeffrey Wilkes, principal designer of DesignWilkes has transformed the once traditional interiors into a modern masterpiece. The interiors exude luminous and dynamic bursts of colour that draw inspiration from the hotel’s tropical setting and breathtaking vistas across Marina Bay.

The lobby showcases a colourful array of paintings and artworks by local and Asian artists, personally curated by Wilkes. In glass bubble lifts, guests ascend high above a lily pond carpet to the upper floors.

Embu, the hotel’s all-day dining concept on the third floor, now boasts a garden-style aesthetic, a buffet, and a children’s buffet area. The adjacent MO BAR offers a sophisticated new look and an innovative cocktail programme.

Additionally, all rooms and suites have a new look, and HAUS 65, an exclusive lounge offers guests a unique and luxurious experience.

Earlier this year, the hotel welcomed experienced hotelier Jill Goh as the general manager. A familiar face to many in Hong Kong, Goh has dedicated much of her 30-year career to Mandarin Oriental, most recently as the general manager of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. With her impeccable sense of style and compassionate nature, no one could be more fitting to lead this revitalised and vibrant hotel through its next chapter.

Exceptionally Singapore

The hotel’s new concept, ‘Exceptionally Singapore,’ offers guests and residents a range of unique experiences that allow them to immerse themselves fully in the vibrant local culture. These experiences encompass guided nature walks, interactive cooking sessions in a traditional home, and an exhilarating vintage Vespa Sidecar adventure, offering a unique perspective of Singapore  on a sidecar. Guests can also explore Singapore’s fascinating history through a Heritage River Cruise along the historic Singapore River.

What is there for families?

The renovation unveiled a handful of impressive themed family suites inspired by outer space, life under the sea, and wild jungle adventures. These suites come with various amenities for children and complimentary benefits like all-day dining at embu. 

Complimentary bicycles with child-friendly options allow visitors to explore nearby attractions on two wheels. Immersive family workshops, such as cupcake decorating kid’s yoga and tingkat (tiffin box) painting, are also available. 

During our visit, the family suites were understandably booked out. However, the hotel team went above and beyond transforming her room into a magical under-the-stars experience with a 360-degree projector—just one example of the incredible attention to detail we experienced at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore.

The hotel is currently offering the Family Fun Adventure package until September 2024, which includes daily breakfast, complimentary all-day dining for children, workshops, admission to Kiztopia, wellness treatments, external excursions, a kids’ goodie bag, and a Raja the Lion plushie. 

Rooms & Suites

Five hundred and ten rooms and suites offer stunning Marina Bay or South China Sea vistas through floor-to-ceiling windows. Interiors thoughtfully reflect corresponding outside views with a dappled batik pattern, cool blue tones in the Marina Bay rooms, and pastel hues reminiscent of a tranquil sunrise in the sea view rooms. 

Fresh orchids and Peranakan-inspired furnishings complement the interiors for a touch of local allure. Spacious bathrooms feature standalone tubs, separate showers, and luxurious Natura Bissé bath amenities. The recent renovation also introduced two exclusive signature, the Presidential Suite and the Royal Marina Bay Penthouse on the hotel’s top floors and residential suites with kitchenettes for extended stays. 

Our advice: Treat yourself to a Marina Bay-facing room for exclusive access to HAUS 65 and the opportunity to take in stunning views of the evening light show from the comfort of your room.

Food & drink 

The hotel offers ten distinct restaurant and bar concepts. Embu serves a buffet-style breakfast and all-day dining with various local and international dishes, while Cherry Garden specialises in Cantonese cuisine. By the pool, Dolce Vita serves authentic Italian dishes with a modern twist, and BAY@5 is an alfresco lounge with panoramic Marina Bay views. The Mandarin Cake Shop is a lively pastry boutique with handcrafted sweets and a captivating afternoon tea menu that changes daily. Zuicho offers refined “kappo” cuisine, and Morton’s, The Steakhouse is an American steakhouse and bar known for its signature ‘MORtinis’.

HAUS 65

Guests staying in Marina Bay View Rooms and Suites enjoy privileged access to the hotel’s beautiful reimagined club lounge, HAUS 65 alongside exclusive access to the Singapore-based

As the first collaboration of this type in Asia, HAUS 65 guests also have access to private members club, Mandala Club in Bukit Pasoh throughout their stay; the reciprocal arrangement means that Mandala Club members can also access HAUS 65. 

Head here for a refined social environment complimented by sweeping views and a range of complimentary lifestyle experiences, such as a daily champagne breakfast, delightful afternoon tea, evening cocktails with hors d’oeuvres, and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (including champagne) available throughout the day. 

HAUS 65 guests also benefit from a complimentary in-room minibar, which is restocked daily, and the use of a chauffeur-driven Porsche Taycan. Children under 12 aren’t allowed in HAUS 65. However, the M.O. Curators make provisions to cater to HAUS 65 guests staying with children that more than compensate for this. 

Spa and wellness

Set amidst lush tropical gardens, the 25-metre pool offers stunning views of the Singapore skyline. The pool deck has been redesigned to give guests an elegant and lavish retreat from the city. A shaded children’s pool, nestled between comfortable cabanas and sun loungers, allows parents to relax while keeping an eye on their children.

Nearby, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore provides a peaceful retreat with enviable spa collaborations and therapeutic and rejuvenating treatments. Special spa packages cater to families, allowing parents and kids to enjoy a pampering experience together. Our daughter was thrilled to experience her first mini manicure at The Spa, setting the bar very high for future treatments.

Daily fitness and wellness classes are complimentary for all guests. Options include Tai Chi, Strength & Conditioning, and MOFit Run, which takes guests on a scenic run around the stunning Marina Bay. The expansive state-of-the-art gym also offers private personal training sessions, HIIT, and yoga classes. 

Parting thoughts

Extensive coverage could be dedicated to the impressive new interiors, the wide range of benefits at HAUS 65, and a deep dive into immersive local experiences. However, what truly impressed us was the personalised service provided at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. I can’t recall being treated so well anywhere in the world. 

An example to leave you with: The team inquired about our daughter’s birthday cake preference during our stay, only to find out she doesn’t like cake (surprising for a four-year-old!). They consulted with the pastry chef, who surprised her with a treasure chest filled with beautifully decorated iced biscuits, macaroons, and mini doughnuts the next day. This level of care and detail will stay with me for a lifetime, and that’s why we wholeheartedly recommend that you experience this exceptional property at least once in your lifetime. 

Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, 5 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039797, +65 6338 0066