Four-star, 346 rooms and suites
7500 Beach Road, Singapore 199591
Tel: (65) 6505 5666
www.parkroyalhotels.com
Stalwart Parkroyal on Beach Road needs no introduction. It is conveniently located near the city centre and beside Singapore’s culturally-rich Arab district. Its service standards remain excellent, comparable to five-star properties, such as those operated under its sister brand Pan Pacific.
What does need introduction are its new meeting spaces and refurbished guestrooms that now better cater to the needs of business travellers.
Meeting facilities The hotel’s two pillarless ballrooms were completed in August 2013 and occupies a standalone venue, connected to the rest of the hotel via a linkway. The S$20 million (US$14.2 million) project resulted in 982m2 of indoor event space spread over the Grand Ballroom (576m2), Sky Ballroom (344m2) and a Board Room (62m2).
The two ballrooms offer great flexibility, with each is divisible into three equally-portioned smaller venues. For theatre-style seating, the Grand Ballroom, Sky Ballroom and Board Room allow for 500, 320 and 24 pax respectively, while a classroom layout caters to 320, 160 and 18 pax respectively. All rooms feature HD audiovisual equipment and conferencing facilities while the Board Room boasts an 84-inch touchscreen monitor that functions as a multimedia platform and presentation device.
A promotion is currently ongoing, where meetings comprising a minimum of 15 delegates and 10 guestrooms can enjoy perks such as room upgrades or a complimentary cocktail hour. Available at all Parkroyal and Pan Pacific properties, bookings must be made by April 30, 2016, and meetings must be held by December 31, 2016.
Rooms My stay in the newly remodelled premier room was comfortable with the bed and pillows plush enough, but perhaps too soft for some. Cleanliness of the room, a pet peeve of mine, was met to exacting standards, and the availability of a hair dryer, ironing board and abundant clothes hangers catered well to my grooming requirements.
In terms of work needs, a desk, free Wi-Fi and ethernet connection were all available in-room. The Wi-Fi speeds are also surprisingly fast even when multiple devices are connected.
F&B Parkroyal on Beach Road has several options. Plaza Brasserie serves as the breakfast buffet joint, offering a range of Asian and International cuisine.
For lunch and dinner, the hotel’s renowned Si Chuan Dou Hua restaurant is known for its Sichuan cuisine and a great place for entertaining guests. An assortment of teas, served with flourish by a certified tea master, are also available from the adjoining Tian Fu Tea Room.
In the late hours, the hotel’s poolside bar and Club 5 are comfortable spots for a tipple.
Foodies should rejoice, as the hotel is in an exciting area. Popular restaurants like Artistry, I Am, Maison Ikkoku and The Hanger are a short walk away, while Blu Jaz Cafe, Joo Bar and Piedra Negra are great for lively night outings.
Other facilities A renovated outdoor poolside space, located a floor above the meeting facilities, is available as a breakout area. It is also ideal for pre/post cocktail sessions. It is part of the refurbished Wellness Floor, where the hotel’s flagship St. Gregory Spa and a Technogym-equipped fitness centre are.
