Review: Shangri-La Singapore Valley Wing Staycation

The Shangri-La Valley Wing is exclusive and luxurious, but in some aspects, it's still preoccupied with 1985.

In the 1933 novel Lost Horizon, James Hilton wrote of a place called Shangri-La, a mystical, harmonious valley whose inhabitants possessed the secret to inner peace and extraordinarily long life.ย 

Shangri-La, as portrayed in the 1937 film

Whether or not Hilton had an actual place in mind when he conceptualized this paradise on earth is debatable, but what is beyond contention is its impact on the popular imagination.ย 

The novel was a smash hit, selling several million copies and inspiring an Oscar-winning movie directed by Frank Capra. Former U.S President Franklin D. Roosevelt was such a fan he named the presidential retreat in Maryland “Shangri-La” (you know it today as Camp David).ย Shangri-La has been referenced in every kind of media from music to films to video games; it’s the name of a decommissioned aircraft carrier, it’s a feature on Saturn’s largest moon Titan.ย 

Oh, and it’s also a hotel chain.

Photo: Roots

In 1971, Malaysian businessman Robert Kuok opened the first-ever Shangri-La on Orange Grove Road, just a stone’s throw from the up-and-coming Orchard district. Set amidst 15 acres of lush greenery, the 25-storey luxury hotel quickly established itself as a haven of rest from the hustle and bustle of urban life- in the heart of the city, yet isolated from it.

Over the years, the Shangri-La Singapore has hosted countless foreign dignitaries, international conferences, and high society weddings. The annual (well, not for 2020) IISS Asia Security Summit takes its name from the hotel, and even if you’ve never stepped foot on the grounds, it’s surely part of your lexicon.ย 

But within this walled garden lies a further veil of exclusivity- the fabled Valley Wing.ย 

Valley Wing
Valley Wing
๐Ÿ“‹ In This Review
๐Ÿจ Other Staycation Reviews
Andaz Singapore | Crowne Plaza Changi Airportย |ย Conrad Singapore | Hilton Singapore | Hotel 81 Tristarย |ย Hotel Soloha | InterContinental Bugis | Mandarin Orchard | Marina Bay Sands | M Social | Outpost Hotel | PARKROYAL Pickering | Raffles Hotel | The Capitol Kempinski | The Barracks Hotelย |ย The Fullerton Hotelย |ย W Hotel Sentosa Coveย |ย YOTELAIR Changi Airport

What is the Valley Wing?

To properly appreciate the Valley Wing, you first need to understand the lay of the land at the Shangri-La Singapore.ย The hotel consists of three wings, each a separate building with its own personality and appeal.ย 

ย  Built Rooms Vibe
Tower Wing 1971 503 Business
Garden Wing 1978 158 Resort
Valley Wing 1985 131 Exclusive luxury
Shangri-La Singapore
Shangri-La Singapore

The Tower Wing is the original building that opened with the hotel in 1971, but it’s also the most up-to-date, havingย completed a major renovation in 2017.ย It hosts the hotel’s Horizon Club lounge, as well as the five themed family suites (pick from: castle, outer space, safari, treetop and underwater). The wing is currently closed to bookings, as it’s used for SHN accommodation.

The Garden Wing was the next to be added in 1978, adding a distinctly tropical resort vibe with its open-air garden atrium (a first in Singapore), wooden decks and cascading waterfall. All rooms have balconies which overlook the abundant greenery or the swimming pool.ย 

The Valley Wing was finished in 1985, and is practically a hotel within a hotel. It boasts a private driveway and entrance, a lounge that serves all-day champagne, and the most opulent breakfast in the house at the Summit Room. Guests receive special Valley Wing monogrammed bathrobes and amenities, and should you venture out to mix with the hoi polloi at the hotel’s shared facilities, you’ll even find special reserved seating at the pool.ย 

Booking a Shangri-La Valley Wing Staycation

Needless to say, the Valley Wing costs a pretty penny more than your run-of-the-mill Shangri-La stay (if such a term were even possible). Shangri-La is currently offering a Valley Wing Indulgence package that includes the following:

๐Ÿจ Valley Wing Indulgence (S$645++)
  • 1 night in Valley Wing Deluxe Room
  • Valley Wing benefits including afternoon tea, evening canapes, all-day champagne
  • Breakfast for 2
  • In-room butler drawn bubble bath
  • 90-minute massage for 2
  • Free parking
Book By 30 Dec 2020
Stay By 30 Dec 2020
Cancellation Policy 24 hours before arrival
More Info

When Phase 2 first started, the Valley Wing Indulgence package priced at a very attractive S$525++ (S$618 nett). That was almost too good to be true, and therefore it was somewhat unsurprising that the rate was quickly hiked toย S$645++ (S$759 nett)- arguably a decent deal still, but much more painful for your wallet.ย 

But thanks to the folks in the Milelion’s Telegram Group, I learned of a much better way to access the Valley Wing and its full suite of benefits: Luxury Circle rates.ย 

For the uninitiated, Luxury Circle is a preferred booking channel, kind of like Starwood Luxury Privileges or Hyatt Prive. Guests who book Luxury Circle rates generally pay the same as the hotel’s Best Available Rate (BAR), but enjoy the following additional benefits:

๐Ÿจ Luxury Circle Privileges
  • Upgrade to the next room category at the time of booking, subject to availability
  • US$100 hotel credit
  • Breakfast for two
  • VIP welcome amenity
  • Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
Book By N/A
Stay By N/A
Cancellation Policy Same as flexible cancellation policy

Now, a Garden Wing Pool View Room usually upgrades into a Tower Wing Horizon Deluxe. However, since the Tower Wing is temporarily closed,ย a one-category upgrade takes you to a Valley Wing Deluxe Room.

Even better, the Luxury Circle upgrade is confirmed at the time of booking, not upon arrival. If the hotel doesn’t happen to have upgrade space on that particular date, you can simply cancel (bookings are refundable) and switch to a different one.ย 

So that’s how I booked a Garden Wing Pool View Room for S$440++ (S$518 nett), and got an upgrade to the Valley Wing. I received confirmation of my upgrade within 72 hours of booking.ย 

How to book Luxury Circle rates?
Luxury Circle rates can be booked by most online travel advisers, e.g QX Travel, Bon Vivant, Classic Travel etc. I personally used Classic Travel to book (they have an online booking portal that lets you check availability instantly; most other sites require you to send an email and wait). If you’re planning to book with them, say you were referred by Aaron from The Milelion.ย 

Once the value of the US$100 amenities credit is adjusted for, my out of pocket cost was S$379 nett- less than Marina Bay Sands, and a heck of a lot nicer (all-day champagne!). For comparison’s sake, the cheapest rate I can currently find for a Valley Wing room on the official website is S$593 nett.ย 

Shangri-La Valley Wing: Arrival and Check-in

The isolated nature of the Shangri-La Singapore means you’ll almost certainly have to take a cab here. Forget public transport; the nearest bus stop involves a good 10 minute walk up a hill.ย 

Most guests will arrive at the hotel via Orange Grove Road, but if you’re staying in the Valley Wing, you’ll take a private off-ramp on Anderson Road. It’s a one-way stretch and you’ll need to make a big loop if you miss it, so be sure your driver is cued in.ย 

Shangri-La Valley Wing entrance
Shangri-La Valley Wing entrance

Fortunately, both Grab and gojek list the Valley Wing as a unique drop-off point, so the experience should be rather painless.ย 

The Valley Wing entrance sits at the top of a small hill, and a bellman came out immediately to assist with my bags. I understand that guests in the past would be greeted with drinks and wild orchids, but I suppose COVID-19 has put an end to elaborate welcome wagons.ย 

Shangri-La Valley Wing driveway
Shangri-La Valley Wing reception
Shangri-La Valley Wing reception
Shangri-La Valley Wing reception

After the usual temperature screening and SafeEntry check-in, I was ushered into the lobby, which certainly makes a grand first impression.ย 

Shangri-La Valley Wing reception
Shangri-La Valley Wing reception

The centerpiece of the Valley Wing lobby is an 8.6 metre tall painting by Hong Kong artist Lam Chung, which portrays the idyllic settlement of Shangri-La in the mountains of Tibet.ย 

The interior design of the Valley Wing was overseen by LRF Designers, and while the project was completed 35 years ago, there’s a kind of timeless elegance to the place. It screams old world luxury; actually, whispers is more like it. Absent is the gaudy gold and in-your-face bling found at many establishments in the Middle East- the Valley Wing oozes quiet dignity and confidence.ย 

Shangri-La Valley Wing lobby
Shangri-La Valley Wing lobby

I arrived on a Tuesday morning just after 10 a.m.ย There was no line for check-in, and I was attended to straight away.ย 

Shangri-La Valley Wing lobby
Shangri-La Valley Wing lobby

My room keys were issued, and the staff explained the variousย benefits I’d be entitled to for booking through the Luxury Circle program:

  • Room upgrade (upgraded from Garden Wing to Valley Wing)
  • Daily breakfast for two (already included for all Valley Wing guests anyway)
  • Early check-in (10 a.m check-in granted)
  • Late check-out (6 p.m check-out granted)
  • S$139 nett hotel credit (equivalent to US$100- they use quite a generous rate)

I was also given a letter explaining the Valley Wing privileges.ย 

As mentioned, the Valley Wing is really a self-contained hotel within a hotel. However, should you wish to see how the other half lives, you can access the main building through the pool area, or via an umbilical walkway on the 3rd floor.ย 

Passageway to Tower Wing
Passageway to Tower Wing

This disgorges you in the Tower Wing, just next to Origin Grill.ย ย 

Passageway to Valley Wing
Passageway to Valley Wing

Shangri-La Valley Wing: Deluxe Room

Valley Wing corridor
Valley Wing corridor

The Shangri-La Singapore has a total of 792 guestrooms and suites across three wings, split as follows:ย 

Tower Wing
Room Rooms Size
Tower Deluxe 358 38m2
Horizon Deluxe 81 38m2
Grand Premier 34 67m2
One Bedroom Suite 5 82m2
Family Deluxe 19 38m2
Family Themed Suite 5 72m2
Grand Suite 1 250m2
Garden Wing
Room Rooms Size
Deluxe 146 50m2
1 Bedroom Suite 9 81m2
Premier Balcony Suite 3 137m2
Valley Wing
Room Rooms Size
Deluxe 105 57m2
1 Bedroom Suite 11 79m2
Deluxe Suite 12 110m2
Singapore Suite 2 238m2
Shangri-La Suite 1 348m2

I was assigned to room 652, a Valley Wing Deluxe Room on the 6th floor.ย 

Valley Wing Room 653
Valley Wing Room 652
Valley Wing Room 653
Valley Wing Room 652

The room is, well, let’s just say it looks its age. James Hilton wrote about Shangri-La as a place where time seemed to stand still, and that’s unfortunately true of the Valley Wing rooms too. If updates have been made since construction finished in 1985, they’re hard to spot.ย I know you don’t come here expecting cutting-edge design, but as the Raffles Hotel’s renovation has shown, it’s perfectly possible to blend heritage ethos with quality of life improvements, and in that respect, the Valley Wing rooms could really do with a makeover.ย 

Valley Wing Deluxe Room
Valley Wing Deluxe Room
Valley Wing Deluxe Room
Valley Wing Deluxe Room

Don’t expect any modern conveniences like digital thermostats, bedside charging, smart TVs or tablet control. The year is 1985. Ronald Reagan has started his second term. “We are the World” is playing non-stop on the radio. Debbie’s husband is years away from his CPA qualification. This room is all about cream-colored wall panels, gold-framed paintings, and chandeliers.ย ย 

Valley Wing Deluxe Room
Valley Wing Deluxe Room
Valley Wing Deluxe Room
Valley Wing Deluxe Room

Fortunately, beds were still decent in 1985, and the Shangri-La mattress scores high points for comfort. However, bedsheets were not tucked into the bottom of the mattress, making the bed look very messy despite the room being freshly made up.ย 

Valley Wing Deluxe Room Bed
Valley Wing Deluxe Room Bed

All Valley Wing rooms either face the pool or the city. Noise insulation is excellent, so you don’t have to worry either way.ย 

Valley Wing Deluxe Room view
Valley Wing Deluxe Room view

The television in the room didn’t support streaming from your phone, so you’ll have to bring your own Chromecast if you want to connect.ย 

Valley Wing Deluxe Room TV
Valley Wing Deluxe Room TV

Like I said, don’t expect power outlets at the bedside, much less USB ports. The only tech you’ll find here are buttons to draw the day and night curtains.ย 

Bedside controls
Bedside controls

The work desk had plenty of space for all your devices and wires, although the chair could have afforded better back support. If you intend to do prolonged periods of work, you might prefer relocating to the Tower Wing lobby, where the seating area next to Shophouse has communal work desks with plenty of charging.ย 

Work desk
Valley Wing Deluxe Room Work desk

There’s no USB or HDMI ports here, although there is a universal power outlet. Note the cracked faceplate for the local power outlet- man, this place is old.ย 

Power outlets
Power outlets

I also found it icky that some areas hadn’t been properly cleaned, like this sliding cover for the power outlets.ย 

Power outlets
Power outlets

Wi-Fi speeds clocked in at 19.1 Mbps down/ 17.6 Mbps up, a very respectable speed that was more than sufficient for video streaming and Zoom meetings.ย 

ย  ๐Ÿ”ฝ Download ๐Ÿ”ผ Upload
Mandarin Orchard 273 Mbps 294 Mbps
M Social Singapore
46 Mbps 49.Mbps
YOTELAir Changi 29 Mbps 49 Mbps
W Sentosa Cove 34 Mbps 34 Mbps
The Fullerton Hotel 23 Mbps 24 Mbps
PARKROYAL Pickering 24 Mbps 23 Mbps
Shangri-La Singapore 19 Mbps 18 Mbps
InterContinental Bugis 15 Mbps 15 Mbps
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel 16 Mbps 13 Mbps
Hilton Singapore 13 Mbps 14 Mbps
Marina Bay Sands 11 Mbps 11 Mbps
Andaz Singapore 8.0 Mbps 9.5 Mbps
The Barracks Hotel 7.3 Mbps 7.7 Mbps
Hotel 81 Tristar 7.0 Mbps 6.8 Mbps
Raffles Hotel 6.9 Mbps 6.8 Mbps
Hotel Soloha 4.7 Mbps 5.1 Mbps
Internet speeds based on Speedtest.net scores

In what must be a first for me, the room had an actual printer, hidden beneath the desk.ย 

Printer
Printer

I’d read Mark’s review from 2016, where he received personalized stationery with his name on it. I was hoping to find the same (men love putting their name on things, don’t you know), but sadly that amenity seems to have been phased out.ย 

Instead, you get a Shangri-La Cares hygiene pack, with a pair of wet wipes, a mask, and hand sanitizer.ย 

Shangri-La Cares hygiene pack
Shangri-La Cares hygiene pack

At 57 m2 , the Deluxe Room has enough space for a dressing table as well, with well-lit mirror and power plug for a hairdryer.

Dressing table
Valley Wing Deluxe Room dressing table

The mini-bar was empty on account of COVID-19, but you could scan a QR code and order any snacks or drinks to your room for free (I forgot to check if alcohol was included).ย 

Mini-bar
Valley Wing Deluxe Room mini-bar

I tried out the system by requesting for some fresh apple juice, but something must have been lost in translation because this showed up.ย 

Apple juice
Apple juice

A Nespresso machine comes standard, with six capsules of varying intensity.ย 

Nespresso machine
Nespresso machine

On the coffee table was a small welcome gift of some chocolates and kueh lapis.ย 

Welcome gift
Welcome gift

Outside the toilet is a little dressing area, cordoned off from the rest of the room by a set of swinging wooden panels.

Valley Wing Deluxe Room Dressing Area
Valley Wing Deluxe Room Dressing Area

This gives you a place to change clothes outside the toiletย  without having to close the bedroom’s curtains.ย 

Valley Wing Deluxe Room Dressing Area
Valley Wing Deluxe Room Dressing Area
Valley Wing Deluxe Room Dressing Area
Valley Wing Deluxe Room Dressing Area

Valley Wing Deluxe Rooms have spacious bathrooms, with marble clad floors, deep soaking tubs, open display cabinets and his and hers sinks.ย 

Valley Wing Deluxe Room bathroom
Valley Wing Deluxe Room bathroom

The shower area has both a rain and hand shower, operated with old style levers. The temperature controls are not particularly responsive (no thermostatic mixer here), and it takes a fair bit of time to increase or decrease the water temperature.ย 

Shower
Shower

The bathub is large enough for two people, but unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) just as we were about to soak, we found a crack in the surface. It’s small, but sharp- you could give yourself a nasty cut rubbing bare skin on it. I reported this to the front desk later that evening, and as a result we were moved to a 1-bedroom Suite (see below).

Bathtub
Bathtub
Crack in bathtub
Crack in bathtub

What’s interesting is that the wooden cabinet by the bathtub has not just bath salts, but a power outlet and cable port. This suggests that once upon a time, a television was mounted to the wall for your viewing pleasure while soaking.ย 

Old TV cabinet
Old TV cabinet

The toilet does not have a bidet hose, but instead has an old-fashioned stand-alone bidet.ย 

Toilet area
Toilet area

Bathroom amenities in the Deluxe Rooms are from the Jasmin & Bergamote range by L’Occitane. These were gentle on the skin and had a subtle jasmine scent, with two full sets provided in the toilet.ย 

Bathroom amenities
Bathroom amenities

In addition to that, there were also toothbrush and toothpaste sets (packaged separately, interestingly enough), shower caps, a hair band, a shaving kit and a loofah.ย 

Bathroom amenities
Bathroom amenities

Throughout the bathroom you’ll notice little subtle Valley Wing branding, whether it’s on the towels, the bathrobes, or the glass covers.ย 

Valley Wing branded amenities
Valley Wing branded amenities

I did the usual blacklight sweep of the bathroom, dressing area and mattress, with nothing interesting to report.ย 

Blacklight test
Blacklight test

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this room is really past its prime. Based on the room alone, I certainly wouldn’t think the Valley Wing was worth the price. If you wanted a blend of old and new, you could certainly find much better at the Capitol Kempinski or Raffles Hotel, or one of the renovated heritage rooms at the InterContinental Bugis or Fullerton Hotel.

Shangri-La Valley Wing: 1 Bedroom Suite

Because of the issue with the bathtub, the hotel upgraded us to room 1660, a one-bedroom suite on the 2nd highest floor.

One-bedroom suites areย only 22m2 larger than deluxe rooms, but the difference certainly feels a lot bigger. You enter the suite via a long corridor with the bedroom on the left, and living room on the right.ย 

Valley Wing one-bedroom suite entrance
Valley Wing one-bedroom suite entrance

The bedroom is practically identical in layout and size to the deluxe room, right down to the same dark wooden partitions separating the wardrobe from the rest of the room.ย 

Valley Wing one-bedroom suite bedroom
Valley Wing one-bedroom suite bedroom
Valley Wing one-bedroom suite bedroom
Valley Wing one-bedroom suite bedroom

The living room has space for hosting plenty of people, with five chairs and a sofa. In one-bedroom suites, the work desk has been relocated out of the bedroom and into the living room, allowing one party to work late into the night without disturbing the other.ย 

Valley Wing one-bedroom suite living room
Valley Wing one-bedroom suite living room
Valley Wing one-bedroom suite living room
Valley Wing one-bedroom suite living room

Likewise, the bathroom is a mirror image ofย the one in the Deluxe Room, although there are some differences in amenities (see below).ย 

Valley Wing one-bedroom suite bathroom
Valley Wing one-bedroom suite bathroom

While the whole reason we changed rooms was the bathtub, the one here came with a problem of its own-ย an unsightly rust ring blooming from the drainage area.ย 

Rust ring in bathtub
Rust ring in bathtub

I asked the staff to touch it up while we went for dinner, and while there’s no easy solution short of repainting, they did a commendable job.ย 

Rust ring in bathtub
Rust ring in bathtub

Apart from the hardware, there are a few notable differences between the regular Valley Wing rooms and the suites. Suites come with Acqua Di Parma toiletries (versus L’Occitane), and Evian mineral water (versus house brand). They also have a fragrance diffuser, bath pillow, Bose sound system and bidet hose for the toilet- all absent in the regular Valley Wing rooms.ย 

One-bedroom suite amenities
One-bedroom suite amenities

Shangri-La Valley Wing: Lobby Lounge

So if the dated rooms aren’t enough to justify the price of the Valley Wing, what is? Perhaps the Lobby Lounge, which is likely to be one of the highlights of your stay. Think of it like a club lounge, just for Valley Wing guests.ย 

Valley Wing lobby lounge
Valley Wing lobby lounge
Valley Wing lobby lounge
Valley Wing lobby lounge

Here you’ll find the Champagne Bar, which as the name suggests, serves all-day champagne. Whatever hour the craving hits (except 10.30 p.m to 7 a.m, thanks to the current COVID-19 control measures- last order for booze is 9.30 p.m), you can waltz up to the bar and request a glass.ย 

Valley Wing champagne bar
Valley Wing champagne bar

They make other drinks too, of course, and will happily whip up a cocktail upon request. I’ve included a copy of the wine and cocktail list here; the full selection can be found at this link.ย 

I decided to put this to the test at 11 a.m, and wasn’t disappointed.ย 

Valley Wing all-day champagne
Valley Wing all-day champagne

Apart from all-day inebriations, guests will also enjoy the following meal presentations daily:

  • Afternoon tea: 2 p.m to 5 p.m
  • Evening canapes: 5 p.m to 7 p.m

The afternoon tea is certainly decent, although it’s not meant to be a replacement for a full-fledged set.ย Over here it’s a simple two-tier affair, one with sandwiches and a samosa, the other with cakes and kuehs. Scones are of course included, and their clotted cream is quite something.ย If you want the works, you’ll need to go to The Lobby Lounge (same name, different place) in the Tower Wing, where it’s available for S$42++ on weekdays and S$48++ on weekends.

Valley Wing afternoon tea
Valley Wing afternoon tea

Since I had a late check-out on the second day, I was able to enjoy the evening canapes twice (the staff actively invite you to join, so there’s no need to feel shy). The selection on both days was excellent, although the wait for food on the first day was rather long.ย 

Canapes selection- first day
Valley Wing canapes selection- first day
Canapes selection- first day (second serving)
Valley Wing canapes selection- first day (second serving)
Canapes selection- second day
Valley Wing canapes selection- second day

One surprising omission was the lack of any menu (printed or otherwise) for the food presentations. It’d have been nice to know what we were eating, and although (some) of the staff could introduce the items, it’d be so much easier with a menu.ย 

Drinks during cocktail hour
Drinks during cocktail hour

Shangri-La Singapore: Facilities

Pool Gym Spa
Yes: 6 a.m to 8 p.m
Yes: 6 a.m to 10 p.m Yes: 10 a.m to 7 p.m
Kids’ Club Business Centre Others
Yes: 8 a.m to 7.30 p.m Yes: 24h Tennis Courts

Looking for facilities? The Shangri-La Singapore has them in spades. It’s not just the usual pool, gym and spa. This place packs a kids’ club, water park, tennis courts, and yes, even a business centre.ย 

Swimming Pool

Shangri-La swimming pool
Shangri-La Singapore swimming pool

The freeform swimming pool at the Shangri-La is open from 6 a.m to 8 p.m daily. It’s a sizable one, measuring in at 912 cubic meters (for comparison, Marina Bay Sands’ massive swimming pool holds 1,425 cubic metres, so the Shang’s is almost two thirds the size). The depth of the pool ranges from 1.2M to 2.5M, although the deep end is cordoned off to prevent kids from wading in.ย 

Shangri-La swimming pool
Shangri-La Singapore swimming pool
Shangri-La swimming pool
Shangri-La Singapore swimming pool

Despite staying on a weekday, the pool was packed with kids most of the day, and parents will be comforted to know that no fewer than three lifeguards patrol the pool religiously. For some strange reason, the hotel has set up chain barricades around the perimeter of the pool, which no one seemed to care about. You could step over them and jump in, and they became tripping hazards more than anything else.ย 

I counted a good number of sun loungers in the pool area, although I suspect you may have issues snagging one on a crowded weekend.ย 

Shangri-La Singapore swimming pool sun loungers
Shangri-La Singapore swimming pool sun loungers

Valley Wing guests are supposed to have reserved sun loungers, but I suspect they’re referring to these chairs facing outwards on the Valley Wing patio. These are good for sunbathing, but they don’t offer convenient pool access.ย 

Valley Wing patio
Valley Wing patio
Valley Wing patio
Valley Wing patio

The pool area has a few roving waiters to take food and drink orders, and every once in a while they bring around some free treats for guests.

Pool Bar menu
Pool Bar menu
Pool Bar menu
Pool Bar menu

Splash Zone

Shangri-La Splash Zone
Shangri-La Splash Zone
๐ŸŠโ€โ™‚๏ธย Shangri-La Splash Zone Timings
0800-0930 1400-1530
1000-1130 1600-1730
1200-1330 1800-1900

Pool not enough to amuse the kids? Tryย Splash Zone, a mini water park built just for younglings. Even better, it’s completely free for all guests, although you will need to make a pre-booking.ย 

Splash Zone is only accessible to adults if they’re accompanying a child, and since I don’t have any progeny (that I’m aware of), I tried to lift my camera over the bushes to snap a few photos. I stopped when it dawned on me this lookedย distinctly Amos Yee-ish.ย 

Reset the counter!
Reset the counter!

So here’s the publicity photos from the website instead. Expect lazy rivers, water slides, water sprouts and jet cannons, with shallow wading pools for smaller children.ย 

Splash Zone
Splash Zone
Splash Zone
Splash Zone

Tennis Courts

Shangri-La Singapore tennis court
Shangri-La Singapore tennis court

As an avid tennis junkie, I was excited to learn that Shangri-La not only has three tennis courts (astroturf surface), they’ve available for guests to book at a very reasonable S$10.40 per hour.ย There are public tennis courts in Singapore which charge more than that!ย 

Shangri-La Singapore tennis court
Shangri-La Singapore tennis court

I managed to play two hours on the second day, and although astroturf plays very different from hard courts, it was still thoroughly enjoyable. Courtsย (at least the one I was in) have built-in water coolers, so you don’t need to venture too far for refreshments.ย 

buds Kids Club

Buds Kids Club
buds Kids Club
๐Ÿง’ Shangri-La buds Kids Club Timings
0800-0930 1400-1530
1000-1130 1600-1730
1200-1330 1800-1930

For parents who want to offload the kids for a few hours, buds Kids Club is a godsend. This 1,872m2ย indoor and outdoor play area is for children aged up to 12 years, with attentive staff and a host of activities to participate in.

Admission costs S$18 per child for 90 minutes. Separate areas with age-appropriate play equipment are available for toddlers, while older children can perform in a music studio, get messy with painting, or even take a baking class.ย 

buds activities
buds activities

I’m obviously not the best person to ask about this, so I’ll link you to a few reviews you might find useful:

Gym

Shangri-La Singapore gym
Shangri-La Singapore gym

The gym is open daily from 6 a.m to 10 p.m,ย and pre-reservations are not required. As you’d expect for a hotel of this size, the gym is humongous, measuring in at just over 850 m2. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in abundant natural light during the day, and give guests a view of the lush gardens outside.ย 

Shangri-La Singapore gym
Shangri-La Singapore gym
Shangri-La Singapore gym
Shangri-La Singapore gym
Shangri-La Singapore gym
Shangri-La Singapore gym
Shangri-La Singapore gym
Shangri-La Singapore gym

Guests can help themselves to chilled bottled water, and wet wipes for cleaning the machines are provided.ย 

Shangri-La Singapore gym
Shangri-La Singapore gym

Inside the changing rooms are sauna, steam room and whirlpool bath facilities, but these are temporarily closed due to COVID-19.

Business Centre

Valley Wing business centre
Valley Wing business centre

Do hotels still need a business centre in this day and age? Probably not, and there’s a reason you don’t see them in modern hotels anymore. Butย of courseย you find one in the Valley Wing, and it’s every bit the relic that you remember. Useful for printing a boarding pass, or reading a book- if you’re a dinosaur still using physical media.ย 

Valley Wing business centre
Valley Wing business centre
Valley Wing business centre
Valley Wing business centre

Chi Spa

I didn’t visit the spa, but for those who are interested, it’s located in the Garden Wing and open daily from 10 a.m to 7 p.m.ย The menu and price list can be found here; expect to pay S$165++ for a 60 minutes treatment.ย 

The Shangri-La has sprawling grounds, and taking the time to explore will pay dividends. Be sure to check out the waterfall garden and koi pond, as well as the orchid greenhouse (empty now, sadly).ย 

Waterfall at Garden Wing
Waterfall at Garden Wing

Shangri-La Valley Wing: Summit Room Breakfast

Served at Cost Style
Summit Room or The Line All Valley Wing rooms come with breakfast
A la carte buffet
Hours Sparkling Wine? Discounts?
0700-1030 (Mon-Sat)
0700-1100 (Sun)
Yes (Summit Room) None
Update: Breakfast at the Summit Room is no longer free flow. Guests are limited to two main courses and three sides with each order of eggs. Sad.

Valley Wing guests are given a choice of breakfast at the Summit Room or The Line.ย Whatever you do,ย do not go to The Line.ย Seriously, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to visit when you stay in the Garden or Tower Wing.ย 

But you’re in the Valley Wing, and breakfast at the Summit Room is a big part of why you’re paying a premium.ย 

Summit Room
Summit Room

There’s no need to make prior reservations, and guests can choose to be seated inside or on the outside patio (be warned that if you choose the latter, you might get some cigarette smoke wafting over from the garden).ย 

Summit Room indoor seating
Summit Room indoor seating
Summit Room patio seating
Summit Room patio seating
Summit Room patio seating
Summit Room patio seating

We got a table immediately upon arriving at 8.30 a.m, and the menu came shortly after.ย 

Valley Wing breakfast menu
Valley Wing breakfast menu

Now, of all the hotels I’ve reviewed so far, I’ve yet to see a breakfast menu this extravagant. Even the fabled Raffles Hotel had a decidedly down-to-earth breakfast menu. But the Valley Wing pulls no punches, with several wow factor dishes in its repertoire.ย 

There are some misses, but it’s mostly hits. We started by trying the three Chef’s Signature items.ย The steak and egg (singular) consisted of a small piece of grain-fed Australian tenderloin and a poached egg.ย 

Steak & Egg
Steak & Egg

While the beef was seasoned nicely, I did find the meat underdone (I requested medium rare, this is closer to mooing).ย 

Steak & Egg
Steak & Egg

Also, the poached egg had been overcooked to the point it wouldn’t flow.ย 

Steak & Egg
Steak & Egg

It wasn’t the most impressive of starters, but thankfully things improved from there.ย 

The Crispy Egg Confit is an absolute superstar dish. Think sous vide egg with parmesan sabayon, topped with Kaluga Queen caviar. Caviar snobs may scoff at Kaluga Queen (it’s a Chinese brand, and notably cheaper than the Russian or Iranian varieties), but I really couldn’t tell. Break the yolk, mix everything together, and relish the fact you can have as many helpings as you please.ย 

Crispy Egg Confit
Crispy Egg Confit

The Bikini Sandwich looked wholly unimpressive when it arrived; The Milelioness didn’t even want to order it in the first place. But my goodness, looks can be deceiving. The bread is grilled with truffle butter that renders it delightfully crisp, and the insides are a warm, delicious mess of parma ham and mozzarella cheese. Sensational, and a must-order.ย 

Binkini Sandwich
Bikini Sandwich

If it’s more caviar you want, then order the Valley Wing Soft Boiled Eggs. This comes with toast soldiers and your choice of sides. We ordered mushrooms (fantastic, but the default portion is three small pieces), cumberland pork sausage (excellent), avocado (can’t go wrong), tomatoes (the fancy Jardin Rabelais variety), and rosti (avoid- too soggy).

Valley Wing Soft Boiled Eggs
Valley Wing Soft Boiled Eggs

Like the steak & egg, the first batch of soft boiled eggs were overdone. I requested a separate batch to be made, which came out nicely.ย 

Valley Wing Soft Boiled Eggs
Valley Wing Soft Boiled Eggs

The Belgian waffles were nicely done, with a crisp exterior begging to be slathered in Vermont maple butter.ย 

Belgian waffles
Belgian waffles

The pancakes, on the other hand, were too dense and cakey for my liking. This usually happens when there’s too much egg in the batter, or when the chef presses down on the pancake during cooking (pushing out the air). The title of best hotel pancakes still remains firmly in the hands of the InterContinental Bugis and Capitol Kempinski.

Pancakes
Pancakes

On to the Asian options, andย I’m pleased to report that the Summit Room does a very good rendition of Nasi lemak. The otak is full of fish (as opposed to mostly starch), the chicken was juicy and tender, and the sambal had a kick to it.ย 

Nasi lemak
Nasi lemak

To wrap things up, I ordered the Teriyaki Salmon bento set, which was good too.ย 

Teriyaki Salmon bento
Teriyaki Salmon bento

Champagne is not officially on the breakfast menu, but if you request a glass the staff will gladly pour one. I say why not- there’s nothing quite like a champagne breakfast, especially when the food is good enough to match the bubbles (ahem PARKROYAL Pickering ahem)

Other Dining Options

Restaurant Status as of 10 Nov 2020
Origin Bar Openย 
ย Origin Grill Openย 
NAMIย  Closedย 
Shang Palace Open
Shophouse by Shangri-La Open
The Line Open
The Lobby Lounge Open
The Rose Veranda Closedย 
ย Waterfall Ristorante Italiano Openย 

The Shangri-La Singapore has a rich roster of restaurants, and I wasn’t able to try them all during my stay. I think most people will be familiar with The Line by now, so I decided to review Origin Grill and Waterfall Ristorante Italiano.ย 

Origin Grill

Origin Grill
Origin Grill

Origin Grill is located in the Tower Wing, and is open for lunch from 12-2.30 p.m daily, and dinner from 6-10 p.m daily. I wanted to give their executive set lunch menu a try, and showed up at 12.30 p.m without a reservation. Bad idea- this place is surprisingly popular with the business lunch crowd (where do they come from?), and I had to return at 1 p.m instead.ย 

Origin Grill
Origin Grill

The executive set lunch starts at S$34++ for 3 courses (1 appetizer + 1 main + 1 dessert), but you can opt for an additional appetizer in place of dessert for S$40++. If you want the works (2 appetizer + 1 main + 1 dessert), expect to pay S$44++.ย 

I went with the cabbage consomme as my starter. The broth was delightful, but they could have been a bit more generous with the protein- there was hardly any pork belly to be found inside.ย 

Cabbage consomme
Cabbage consomme

For the main, I had the Westholme petit tender. A petit tender, for the uninitiated, comes from the shoulder of the cow and isn’t seen very often on account of the labor and skill required to extract it. Despite the name, I didn’t find it particularly tender, and it wouldn’t rank in my top steaks. Fortunately, the accompanying tater tots and cauliflower cous cous were delicious.ย 

Westholme Petit Tender
Westholme Petit Tender

For dessert a “fall sweet” was served, made up of black sesame, purple sweet potato mousse, candied sweet potato, jasmine persimmon and coconut curd.ย 

Fall sweet
Fall Sweet

The first course came at 1.13 p.m, the second at 1.37 p.m, the third at 1.53 p.m, making this a tidy one hour affair- just right for a business lunch.ย 

Waterfall Ristorante Italiano

Waterfall Ristorante Italiano
Waterfall Ristorante Italiano

Waterfall Ristorante Italiano, as the name suggests, is next to the waterfall garden in the Garden Wing. It’s also next to the swimming pool, making for a nice casual place to get a quick lunch or dinner. Opening hours are similar to Origin Grill, i.e 12-2.30 p.m for lunch, and 6-10 p.m for dinner daily.ย 

The full menu is too long to copy here, so I’ll just link you to it. The restaurant is currently serving a seasonal special white truffle menu too, which we ordered our starter from.

Below is Carpaccio Di Manzo Al Tartufo (S$45++), beef carpaccio with parmesan, olive oil and freshly-shaved white truffle. The beef was sweet and tender, but as expected, the truffle stole the show. Try a bite with the arugula, beef, cheese and truffle mixed together- it’s a heavenly confluence of flavors.ย 

Carpaccio Di Manzo Al Tartufo
Carpaccio Di Manzo Al Tartufo

For the mains, we had a Spaghetti Vongole (S$28++) and a Linguine Allo Scoglio (S$34++). Both were fantastic, with al dente pasta and sauce bearing the taste of the sea (this was seafood pasta, as opposed to seafood and pasta). Even if you want to try other dishes, I’d strongly recommend you at least order the linguine.ย 

Spaghetti Vongole
Spaghetti Vongole
Linguine Allo Scoglio
Linguine Allo Scoglio

Off-topic: Here’s a simple protip if you want to know whether an Italian restaurant is serving up the good stuff- just ask what brand of dry pasta (pasta secca) they’re using. If they reply “Barilla”, you probably shouldn’t come back (if they say “San Remo”, flee the restaurant immediately).ย 

It’s not that Barilla is bad or anything- it’s a genuine Italian product. But it is a supermarket brand, made in bulk, dried quickly, and extruded through teflon dies. As such, it will never be as good as artisanal brands like Rustichella D’Abruzzo or Pasta Mancini, which are made in small batches from higher quality wheat, extruded through bronze dies (which help the pasta cling to sauce better), and dried slowly (allowing for better toasting, which yields a more flavorful product). Trust me, it makes a world of difference- I cook with the good stuff at home, and I can’t go back to the old ways.ย 

But you’d be surprised how some supposedly high-end Italian places in Singapore (Pete’s Place, I’m calling you out) go cheap on the pasta, hoping people can’t tell the difference. Fortunately, Waterfall Ristorante Italiano does no such thing. They use Pasta Cavaliere Giuseppe Cocco, one of the best brands out there.ย 

The good stuff
The good stuff

To learn more about the differences between artisanal and mass-produced pasta, have a read of this explainer.ย 

Shangri-La Valley Wing Service

I think it’s fair to have very high expectations for service in a place like the Valley Wing, and while it was certainly good, it didn’t hit the heights ofย the Raffles or Kempinski.ย 

There were times when service felt rather unpolished. Case in point: towards the end of canape hour, staff went around taking last orders for food. The couple next to us ordered an additional set, then waited close to 20 minutes with nothing arriving. When they asked about it, they were told there was a mix up and their platter went to someone else, but the kitchen was closed now and nothing could be done.ย 

“Sorry ah”, the waiter told them.ย 

That was it, and I can’t help but think it’s not an acceptable resolution for a place like this.

Wait times during breakfast were long, and it was often difficult to get refills or make new orders. At the pool, I noticed the sun loungers weren’t cleaned regularly, and the ants were having a field day going after scraps on the chair next to me (suggesting the food had been there for a while).ย 

Dirty sun lounger
Dirty sun lounger

I’ve already mentioned the issues with the bathtubs in both the original room and suite. In addition to that, the air conditioning in the suite malfunctioned at night and we waited about 20 minutes for a technician to show up- probably an OK response time during the day, but you really feel every minute when all you want to do is get in bed.ย 

Then there’s the minor stuff, things that set a good hotel apart from a great one. When I moved rooms, I was wondering if they’d remember I also ordered some special pillows from the pillow menu, and send those along to the new room. No luck. I was hoping the staff would observe whether occupants adopted a shoes on/off policy when entering the room. Not done. On the second day, I was waiting to see if lounge staff would remember guests and their drinks preferences. Nope.ย 

While I had some great individual interactions with other members of the staff (like Iris, the service leader of the Valley Wing), everything’s only as strong as the weakest link. Obsessive attention to detail is what elevates a hotel to the next level, and in my mind, the Shangri-La Valley Wing didn’t reach that.ย 

At check-out, the front desk proactively waived my lunch at Origin Grill for the issues with the room.ย 

Conclusion

Shangri-La Valley Wing reception
Shangri-La Valley Wing lobby

How do I rank the Shangri-La Valley Wing? It’s a tough question.ย 

It’s clearly one of my better staycations, especially for the price I paid. My net outlay (after adjusting for the F&B credit) was S$379, for which I had an excellent breakfast and all the champagne I could drink. At the same time, the room badly needs an update, and service was uneven in parts.ย 

Because of that, I can’t rank the Valley Wing above the Capitol Kempinski or Raffles Hotel (keep in mind though, that if you’re a parent with kids, the Shangri-La is doubtlessly the best option available). Neither of those has all-day champagne, but their rooms and service are on another level.ย 

The Valley Wing is great option for those who relish privacy and don’t intend to leave the hotel (you’re not really walking distance from anywhere), and for those who enjoy their drinks. It’s not quite the Shangri-La James Hilton wrote of, but renovate the rooms and it could come close.ย 

Overall ranking of Phase 2 staycations
  1. Capitol Kempinski
  2. Raffles Hotel
  3. Shangri-La Valley Wing
  4. InterContinental Bugis
  5. Fullerton Hotel
  6. Andaz Singapore*
  7. PARKROYAL Pickering
  8. W Sentosa
  9. Mandarin Orchard
  10. Hotel Soloha
  11. Hilton Singapore
  12. Marina Bay Sands
  13. YOTELAIR Changi

*Andaz Singapore ranking is as per my 1 October 2020 visit; the experience has notably declined since then.ย 

๐Ÿจ In Summary

The Shangri-La Valley Wing exudes a sense of exclusivity and luxury that few hotels in Singapore can match, and the property is an excellent choice for parents. On the other hand, service can be uneven, and the rooms are still stuck in 1985.

Do say: Springsteen, Madonna, way before Nirvana

Don’t say:ย Champagne is one of the basic food groups

Aaron Wong
Aaron Wong
Aaron founded The Milelion to help people travel better for less and impress chiobu. He was 50% successful.

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Kelvin

wow, thanks Aaron, I always enjoyed your articles, especially staycation reviews, ranging from good hotels like hotel Kempinski all the way to Hotel 81. I can tell the egg was overdone and before I read the description, the egg looked like a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Have no time to go for staycation but I really enjoyed reading the reviews, it’s as good as experincing the hotel! Keep it up!

Jin

Totally agree about the comment on the service.

Many hits but quite a few misses too.

They still have a lot to go before hitting the levels you would expect say from a Japanese luxury hotel.

LMR

Taking the price into consideration, Shang is one of the best one can get

ZYX

Never on my list for staycation as the decor is too aged for millennials LOL. Did stayed at Shangri-la Sydney in a suite last year and the view was simply awesome while the rate was far more affordable than the Park Hyatt. And ya, dining options at Shangri-la will never disappoint you.

ZYX

I did it last year during National Day holiday. Room cost 350 AUD nett after applying Qantas hotel voucher (can’t remember, should be less than 50 AUD). I don’t think you can expect an Australian getaway before 2022 given the border is still closed and entry for even residents is limited.

ZYX

351 AUD nett after 30 AUD Qantas Hotels voucher for passengers book flights with Qantas directly at that time.

M N

Love all the 1985 references

Kay

What’s next in your list? MO?

Lionel

Would you consider a cruise review? Jan sailings have pretty good rates still with swab test inclusive.

ZYX

https://youtu.be/YO1XEXgg7uw there’s a review by “Zhyrine 28”, I think you better check it out before making the decision

2dhh

LOLed at reset the counter!!

The Highlander

You are correct – with kids, Shangri La is hands down the place to be as it has the amenities to keep them occupied and let their energy out!

The Highlander

Of course, as a couple’s retreat there are way more options. Splash Zone and Buds alone would make it worth the trip for families. And the service. My kid puked milk in her cot at night and it took 5 mins for room service to bring in a brand new cot with no fuss.

JW19

Agree with the service miss. The Ritz Carlton club Singapore stands way above the rest for me compared to even Raffles and Kempinski. Its the closest thing I have experienced in service and execution from a hotel in comparison to SQ F. They take a point in remembering your name and preferences despite only having less than 24 hours with you. That’s before you factor in the 5 meal presentations a day and free flow of champagne all day.

Noob

Debbieโ€™s husbands CPA cracked me up.

Ben

Does luxury circle booking give you night credit?

Ben

wow great deal! thanks <3

Andy

Hi Aaron , I booked through Classic Travel, books a garden wing suite but at the time of confirmation, did not get a upgrade confirmation. Will there be another email ?

Andy

thanks got it. I shall wait for the second email.

The Highlander

During my stay I booked a Garden Wing suite (not thru Classic Travels), and used an upgrade voucher (which is given to Diamond members I believe), that got me the Balcony Suite

Liang

Great job, Aaron! Well written piece, as always. I’m reading this staycation review as I hold my infant to sleep in the middle of the night, contemplating whether to take her to Shang when she’s older, got a few chuckles (love ur humor!) and being educated on pasta secca. Brilliant.

XYZ

I just went (though I didn’t book through Luxury Circle), and there has been a slight change to breakfast: every guest is limited to 2 hot dishes from the menu, and 3 sides per order of eggs (except for the Egg Confit). This rule was pretty strictly enforced although one couple near me had extra sides and extra hot dishes… not sure why as other couples near me were not given this privilege. However, the buffet spread available has some cheese – I spied either camembert or brie, smoked salmon, and fruit with yoghurt, muesli etc, so you’ll still be… Read more »

XYZ

Yeah it was quite a disappointment. Should have taken a photo of the menu where the restrictions were stated. Another misstep by them was that they told me that I had been upgraded from the Garden Wing to the Valley Wing, but did not mention until check-in time that I would have to pay an additional amount to access the Valley Wing facilities. I paid up anyway, given that I was already there and certain expectations for the trip had been formed. I had already been considering changing my booking via the Luxury Circle after seeing your review, and the… Read more »

hha3838

Another great review, thanks Aaron! There was a time when the Shangri La (SL) Valley Wing was my go-to venue for that Special Staycation. My 1st stay there in 2011 remains a benchmark for staycation experiences in Singapore. Stellar service levels, excellent F & B, generous afternoon tea and superb dinner buffet spread (well before the dreaded Small Plates of Canapes phenomenon hit our shores). And of course, the splendid breakfast at the Summit Room! I didn’t even mind the dowager-ish rooms and the chandelier etc. It’s a similar overall concept to the SL’s Krungthep Wing in Bangkok i.e exclusivity… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by hha3838