Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard Singapore

Serviced-apartment hotels can frequently be a dire affair, with little in the way of style and few on-site features. The Pan Pacific location on Orchard Road is a welcome breath of fresh air, with plenty of style and lots of features to keep guests happy. The 16-floor gray building is modern and sleek as guests drive up to the covered entrance and then climb a few stairs to enter the building through sliding glass doors. An inset fountain to one side of the steps is a nice touch. Inside, the two-story lobby is dimly lit with mood lighting along the walls and floor. Potted plants and orchids soften the sleek, contemporary look. There are a couple of arm chairs, but the lobby isn't really designed as a place to hang out. Instead, there's a great residents' lounge on the 11th floor that's a perfect place to relax. The hotel calls it their "Living Room" and it has a library, pool, table, massage chairs, and city views. The hotel is geared toward any type of long-stay traveler, including families, couples, or businesspeople. Keep in mind that a minimum stay of one week is required. 

The hotel is in the heart of Orchard Road's shopping belt surrounded by malls and commercial buildings. This area is always filled with people -- especially at night -- and the location is ideal for anyone looking to splash out some cash on designer goods. In fact, the hotel is attached to the Somerset 313 Mall. The Somerset Metro station is also just out the hotel's front door, a one-minute walk, making connections to trendy Clarke Quay in less than 20 minutes. Multiple restaurants are within walking distance and there's a supermarket nearby for stocking the apartments' kitchens. Fort Canning Park and the National Museum of Singapore can be reached in 15 minutes on foot. Chinatown and Little India are 10 minutes away by car (20 minutes by metro), and the Botanic Gardens are 15 minutes away. For business travelers, the Central Business District takes 15 minutes to reach by car or taxi. Changi Airport is about 25 minutes away by car or an hour by public transportation. 

The rooms at the hotel -- full apartments, really -- are all contemporary and sharp, making them ideal for long stays. Decor is modern and minimalist, with neutral color schemes of brown and gray, white or beige walls and kitchen cabinets, striped beige and cream carpet, and dark wood furnishings. Modern artwork hangs on the walls, and open shelves allow guests to personalize the space. Bright red bowls on some dining tables add a splash of color. Each apartment comes with separate living and dining areas, sofas, full kitchens, washers and dryers, Bose home theater systems, free bottled water, flat-screen TVs, and a 24/7 personal assistant.  Bathrooms are small but feature rainfall showerheads, hairdryers, and premium Molton Brown toiletries. The only catch is that while housekeeping is provided, it is not offered on Sundays or public holidays. Some guests have reported traffic noise as well. 

Guests can start their day with a free breakfast buffet served in the modern dining room, and there are plenty of dining options on sight throughout the day -- though check ahead as Sundays and holidays change the dining schedules. Bedrock Bar & Grille on the first floor serves meat and seafood from Australia, the U.S., and Japan, and whisky from around the world. The hotel also has a buffet restaurant, 10 at Claymore, and SOPRA, which serves Sardinian cuisine, an interesting twist on standard Italian fare. The spacious and modern fitness center features cardio and weight-training equipment, free weights, exercise balls, and flat-screen TVs. Towels and bottled water are provided. For low-impact workouts, the hotel offers a Hydrorider treadmill and bike at the outdoor swimming pool. The pool also has sections for children, swimming laps, and for relaxing in the hot tub. Lounge chairs poolside also encourage relaxing. The hotel's spa really just consists of hydrotherapy pools and a steam room. The Living Room residents' lounge on the 11th floor offers sitting areas, a pool table, shelves of books, massage chairs, a flat-screen TV, free bottled water, and tea and coffee. A business desk has Apple computers for guests to use, and there is a meeting room as well as a terrace with great views of the city. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.