PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore

The PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore has a bit of a mixed identity; it’s a traditional business-oriented hotel with a few modern touches. Decor-wise, the most outstanding feature is the atrium, rising 21 stories to the roof of the hotel and flooded with natural light. It feels like a similar concept to Dubai’s Burj Al Arab (albeit far less futuristic and with the absence of gold plating), where rooms are accessed via a balconied corridor overlooking the atrium. While the atrium is stunning, the rest of the hotel -- though upscale -- has a more corporate feel. Even so, the staff is dressed in striking red Chinese cheongsams, adding some local charm, and song birds in the atrium add a welcome softening vibe. Though the hotel is geared towards business travelers it also attracts tourist couples and families due to its central location.

The PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore sits on Raffles Boulevard in central Singapore, close to the Marina Bay waterfront and a 10-minute walk from the historic Raffles Hotel. Together with the Mandarin Oriental, it’s part of the Marina Square shopping mall and has direct access to the mall’s shops, eateries, and cinema. The hotel shares its immediate surroundings with a host of other upmarket hotels, malls, restaurants, and bars. Plenty of tourist attractions are within easy walking distance, like the Singapore Flyer ferris wheel, which is a 10-minute walk toward the waterfront. The stunning Gardens by the Bay and gravity-defying Marina Bay Sands SkyPark can be reached in a 15-minute walk across the pedestrian bridge. In the other direction, Fort Canning Park and the riverside shopping complex of Clarke Quay can both be reached in 20 minutes on foot. Business travelers can get to most office buildings in a 15-minute walk and the Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre is opposite the hotel. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the City Hall and Promenade MRT stations for access to tourist spots like Chinatown (20 minutes), Singapore Botanic Gardens (25 minutes), and the Singapore Cable Car (30 minutes). Singapore’s Changi Airport is a 20-minute drive (depending on traffic) or about an hour via public transportation. Travelers should note that the hotel sits trackside for the annual Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1 race (close to Gate 7) -- a pro for F1 fans.

Rooms have a neutral palette of browns, beige, and pale yellow. There’s a corporate vibe, with a minimalist decor, crisp linens, and sturdy dark wood furniture. Overall, while there's nothing offensive about the style here, the look is a little tired in many rooms. All have balconies with views of the city skyline or Marina Bay, though this varies by floor. Amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, bottled water, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and minibars. There’s free Wi-Fi (for up to four devices), and the use of a smart phone for free local and international calls is a nice touch. Bathrooms vary between room types; those in Deluxe Rooms are traditional and spacious, with a separate tubs and glass walk-in showers, while in higher categories they’re more modern. We weren’t able to photograph the entry-level Deluxe Rooms, which occupy floors six to 15, but they're almost identical to the Deluxe Executive Rooms. The top floors are reserved for Meritus Club Rooms, which come with access to the Meritus Club Lounge that includes a range of perks detailed below. At the top end, a range of suites are double the size of the rooms.

Features are fairly numerous here, which isn't a surprise given the hotel's brand and size. The PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore has direct access to the Marina Square mall with all of its shops and restaurants. At the hotel itself, there are two restaurants: Peach Blossoms is a well-established Cantonese restaurant with excellent dim sum, while Aquamarine is a large international buffet-style venue with glass show kitchen. It includes an entire buffet dedicated to Halal dishes, but there are plenty of other options for all tastes. There’s also a coffee shop, and the sleek Atrium Lounge serving up signature cocktails. Leisure facilities consist of an outdoor pool with shaded cabanas and city skyline views -- it’s open until late, making it worth taking a dip after sunset -- and a fully-equipped fitness center. Guests in Club Rooms have access to the traditional Meritus Club Lounge for free breakfast, drinks, and canapes. Wi-Fi is fast and free throughout the hotel.