The Singapore EDITION exceeded my expectations in many aspects as a luxury destination in Singapore. Before my arrival, I read comments about 'rude staff' in the one star review below and wondered if I should continue with the booking. However, I found that it was not true. The Singapore EDITION is a well-executed luxury hotel with a distinctive minimalist social luxury vibe.
Having stayed in several luxury hotels in Singapore since the COVID era, I've noticed that Singapore is a challenging country for recruiting talent in the luxury market. The hotels I've visited are often staffed with trainees who don't prioritize customer experience and aren't familiar with anything. The EDITION brand, known for its minimalistic design and focus on public spaces ( Ian Schrager), can be hit or miss when it comes to room. Some new EDITION hotels use budget wood panels for walls and floors, which feels quite different from luxury. Additionally, rooms are not always the focus in smaller EDITION hotels; instead, the emphasis is on food and beverage (F&B) offerings.
Despite my low expectations due to the aforementioned situations and a subpar telephone conversation, the email exchange with Zhen Yun was inviting and effortless, prompting me to proceed with my booking.
Upon arrival, both the concierge and front desk were busy attending to other guests. Yanlin graciously stepped out from the back office to check me in. Her introduction to the hotel set the tone for my stay at the Singapore EDITION. She also provided helpful information about the hotel's outlets, aiding my in-house dining plans. During the tour, she introduced me to Ranim, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
My Garden Premier Room was surprisingly spacious and well-designed, featuring high-quality materials. The bathtub and bathroom were noteworthy for their size. Yanlin had recommended this room type to avoid noise from the street and construction sites. It is definitely a great room. However, I did miss having a larger sitting area by the window, as seen in other EDITION hotels like Barcelona. The hairdryer's positioning felt awkward as a side note.
During my two nights at the Punch Room, Samuel and his team impressed me with their passion for the bar. The drinks were superb and of excellent quality. Samuel also shared details about special events scheduled for the upcoming nights.
I encountered a noise issue from my neighbor, but Sophie at the front desk handled it perfectly. Her amazing personality and dedication to guest comfort stood out. Both Sophie and Yanlin were refreshingly honest about the hotel's situation, including construction challenges. This straightforward approach is unusual for a luxury hotel within a large chain, where transparency is often lacking.
For breakfast at FYSH, I appreciated the quality of the food. However, the limitation of only two items per order felt restrictive. For instance, if I ordered a salad and an egg dish, I couldn't also request something sweet. Perhaps offering a smaller portion for egg dishes while allowing more choices (up to three) would enhance the dining experience.