Ritz Carlton versus Mandarin Oriental in Singapore
 

We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Singapore several years ago and had a wonderful time -- in particular, we loved the service on the Club level (gratis food and beverages available all day it seemed). Last year in Singapore, the Club was closed for renovation and we decided to stay at the Shangri-La instead. We have a one-night stay in Singapore this year and intended to go back to a Club-level room at the Ritz. Having read posts that the hotel has been in decline, however, we are wondering if we should choose the newly renovated Mandarin Oriental's club level instead. Has anyone stayed in the Ritz and/or the MO RECENTLY (within the last few months) -- we would really appreciate feedback on the current state of affairs at each place. Thanks!

I visited the Mandarin on my July trip and IMO it does not compare with the Ritz. I have not however seen the rooms at the Ritz for a couple years tho I would be surprised if they are run down. Another option you could consider is the Raffles - IMO the Raffles and Ritz are the best Singapore hotels.

Hobbes - thank you for your input. We are curious for more of your impressions of the Mandarin Oriental in Singapore if you'd be willing to elaborate a bit. Did you stay on the Club level/use the Club lounge? Were the rooms not as nice as the Ritz, or just the public spaces? (We, too, loved the Ritz when we stayed there three years ago, but are worried that going back may be a disappointment if indeed the rooms have gotten worn as many of the reviewers seem to say.)

If you mean the hotel next door to the Ritz, you should refer to it as "The Oriental", not the Mandarin Oriental. There is a Mandarin hotel in the Marina section which may confuse.

twofortheroad - thank you for pointing that out. Have you stayed at both and do you have any advice on which to choose? Also, hobbes - did you stay at "The Oriental" (the hotel that was recently renovated)?

Yes, we did stay at both, but in 2003, and not in a club room. We started our trip with 5 nights at the Ritz in a harbor view. We returned to Singapore 4 weeks later for one night before our flight home. We were arriving at 2 in the afternoon and leaving for the airport at 5 the next morning. I found a price of $110 including breakfast for The Oriental. They put us in a harbor view room and since the buffet would not be open, told us to order room service. We fully expected a breakfast box at best. We ordered a full breakfast, beautifully presented and although not charged, signed the bill for S$62. We were impressed with the service and graciousness. On the other hand, it is an older hotel with a sixties atrium. The room itself, before renovation was good. The bathroom could not compare to the Ritz, but was good. The room view was the same. We were not that impressed with the Ritz.