The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore made an excellent base for our two-day Singapore itinerary. With so many stunning hotels to choose from, it was hard to decide where exactly to stay for our Singapore trip. We ultimately decided to split our stay between The Ritz-Carlton Singapore, for its stunning views and impressive buffet breakfast, and Marina Bay Sands, for its bucketlist infinity pool.
Having never stayed at a Ritz-Carlton hotel before, we were excited to finally get to experience it since we’ve heard such great things of the luxury brand. Was it worth it? Read on for our full review of our Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore experience!
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Hotel Overview
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is one of Singapore’s most luxurious hotels. It boasts 608 rooms and suites over 32 floors, with an impressive Club Lounge on the top level. What makes the hotel stand out, in my opinion, is its amazing views over Marina Bay.
Location
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is located in the heart of Marina Bay, overlooking the water, with direct views of the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel.
Well-situated near many of Singapore’s popular attractions, it’s just a 5-minute walk to the Singapore Flyer and Millenia Walk mall, and a 10-minute walk to Gardens by the Bay and the ArtScience Museum.
Address: 7 Raffles Avenue
How to get to The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
The hotel is located about 20km from Changi Airport and is easily accessible by taxi or MRT. From the hotel, the area is walkable, especially at night when the temperatures are a bit cooler.
By Taxi/Rideshare
The hotel is an easy and direct 20-minute drive from Singapore’s Changi International Airport along the East Coast Parkway expressway (ECP).
It was easy to take a Grab taxi to and from the hotel, which was our preferred method of transportation while in Singapore. From the airport to the hotel, the cost was S$25.
By MRT
The closest MRT station to The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is Promenade, which is about a 5-minute walk away via the Millenia Walk shopping mall, completely sheltered!
From the airport, you’ll need to take the East West Line towards Tanah Merah, ride eight stops, and get off at Expo station to transfer lines.
At Expo station, transfer to the Downtown Line towards Bukit Panjang, ride 20 stops, and get off at Promenade station. Take Exit A, walk through Millenia Walk mall, and exit on the other side on level two to follow the sheltered walkway to The Ritz-Carlton.
The entire journey will take you about an hour and cost only S$2.
From Promenade, it’s just one stop to Marina Bay Sands, two stops to Downtown, and four stops to Chinatown.
By Hotel Shuttle
The hotel offers private airport shuttle transportation, but it comes at a hefty cost of S$190 one-way (one vehicle, max 13 passengers).
By Car
If you’ve chosen to drive yourself, you’ll enter through the main entrance off of Raffles Avenue.
Parking
Valet parking is available for $15/day.
Booking The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
We normally prefer to book direct, but since The Ritz-Carlton makes it well-known that they do not participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program, we chose to book where we found the best deal since we wouldn’t be receiving any of our usual hotel loyalty benefits anyway.
When not booking direct, we like to book through Booking.com as the rates are usually very competitive AND they offer free cancellation with no prepayment required. For our dates, prices started at around S$700/night including taxes.
Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore Phone Number: +65 6337-8888
Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore E-mail Address: rc.sinrz.guest.relations@ritzcarlton.com
How to save money via American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts
When staying at high-end properties such as The Ritz-Carlton, we always check rates on the American Express Travel portal as well since we can often find additional benefits as a Platinum card holder via the Fine Hotels + Resorts program.
For our stay, the nightly rate ended up being just a few dollars more than Booking.com BUT it included a host of additional valuable benefits:
- US$100 property credit to use during our stay
- Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
- Noon check-in, when available
- Daily breakfast for two
- In-Room Wi-Fi
- Guaranteed 4pm late check-out
Buffet breakfasts are one of our favourite perks when staying at hotels, and the buffet breakfast at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is absolutely amazing, so that benefit alone enticed us to book through Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts.
If you do not yet have a Platinum American Express credit card, we highly recommend it if you travel frequently and appreciate a bit of luxury! It’s our favourite travel credit card in our wallet. Despite it’s eye-watering annual fee, the value we get out of it year after year always more than makes up for it.
For example, every year we receive a $200 travel credit to use on the American Express Travel portal, plus there are often additional promotional travel credits throughout the year. When booking The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, we were able to apply our $200 travel credit AND stack it with a promotion of “Spend $800, get $200”, for a total of $400 off of our hotel stay!
Want to elevate your travels and save on luxurious hotels and lounges? Use our link to sign up for the American Express Platinum card and get a nice welcome bonus!
Arrival and Check-in
Our Grab taxi drove us up a shaded driveway, up a small hill to the hotel’s main entrance. From the street, the hotel didn’t stand out as anything special.
As we pulled up to the front doors, the doormen opened the taxi doors for us, collected our luggage from the trunk, and invited us inside.
As soon as we stepped through those front doors, we were immediately wowed by the grandeur of the place. It may not look like much from the outside, but the inside of the hotel is definitely luxurious.
We were ushered down some hallways before arriving at the check-in desks.
The check-in area was nice, but it didn’t feel like the usual check-in experience we’ve had at other high-end hotels, such as the St. Regis.
Check-in was pleasant and easy, but not as warm or personalized as we’ve experienced at other hotels of this calibre. However, it was on-par with what we experienced when checking in at the nearby Marina Bay Sands.
Since we were busy exploring Singapore, we did not take advantage of the early 12pm check-in that came with our booking. However, we were invited to check-out as late as 4pm the following day and take advantage of the hotel’s many great amenities. Again, this was a benefit that came with our Fine Hotels + Resorts booking.
General check-in and check-out times are as follows:
- Check-in time: 3:00pm
- Check-out time: 12:00pm
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status Recognition
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore likes to make it clear that they do not participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program. This is stated on their website and in all e-mail communications we received.
Even with Bonvoy Elite status, you will not receive:
- a welcome gift
- free breakfast
- complimentary room upgrades
- lounge access
- late checkout
Therefore, it is advantageous to book through Fine Hotels + Resorts to be able to receive these perks, if desired.
Room Review: Deluxe Marina Room
We booked the Deluxe Kallang Room (S$712/night), which is the entry level, cheapest room available at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.
However, on our day of arrival, we were upgraded to the Deluxe Marina Room (S$926/night), a perk of booking via American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts. The Marina rooms are definitely more desirable due to their stunning views over Marina Bay so we were very grateful for the upgrade! A Kallang view just doesn’t compare.
We were in Room 720 on the seventh floor. A few minutes after entering our room, our bags were delivered, neatly put away in the walk-in closet, and then the gentleman offered to give us a tour of the room.
Entry
Upon entering the room, we were immediately in awe of the large windows offering amazing views over Marina Bay.
To our left was the walk-in closet, followed by the TV and minibar along the wall, and the large king-size bed to our right.
Bedroom
The large windows and decorative mirrors, neutral colours and minimalistic decor made the room feel very airy and spacious.
As for the king-sized bed, it was heavenly! The bedding was very soft and of high-quality.
The headboard features two reading lamps on either side.
Atop the bedside tables are a cordless phone and alarm clock with wireless charging pad.
And if you find yourself wondering where in the world the light switches and electrical outlets are, they are hidden within the drawers of the bedside tables! It took me a minute to find them haha.
Here you will find the controls for the blinds as well. The electrical outlet is universal, which we appreciated, but there’s no USB charging port next to the bed.
Sitting Area
The sitting area features a large comfy sofa next to the windows and a good-sized round coffee table.
From here, you can watch the TV hanging on the opposite wall.
But honestly, who needs TV when you have these views next to you?! I found myself just staring out the window and never even turned the TV on.
Desk & Work Area
Facing the window is a large desk with another phone and more charging outlets hidden under one of the compartments. You have two more universal outlets, a USB charging port, and an HDMI connection to the TV.
On top of the desk was some complimentary hand sanitzer, which we appreciated, along with some pamphlets about the spa, Club Lounge, and other room features.
Walk-in Closet
The walk-in closet was perfect for storing our bags, shoes and hanging up our clothes. Ample high-quality hangers were provided, both satin and wooden.
The closet and its cabinets contained many items we might need, such as a sewing kit, large umbrella, flashlight, safe, iron, shoe horn and brush, shoe mitt, slippers, resuable bags, Holy Bible and Book of Mormon, and a weigh scale.
Bathroom
Ok, not going to lie – the bathroom here was one of the main draws to booking The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore over other hotels in the area. That view from the tub combined with the Instagrammable window – gorgeous!
And it did not disappoint in-person. The bathroom is super spacious, with lots of counter space (but only one sink, though), soaker tub, separate stand alone shower, and toilet room.
I loved the octagonal windows, which alluded to lucky number eight. We didn’t have much time at the hotel but I made sure to draw a quick bath and soak in those fantastic views over Marina Bay.
I appreciated that bath salts were provided, along with a bath tray with loofah, wash cloth and soap.
If you’re feeling shy, you can let down the blinds using the control next to the tub. I chose not to as I didn’t want to obscure my view!
The shower felt a bit dated, but it was clean.
I liked the Diptyque toiletries, but would have preferred individual-sized containers, rather than the refillable ones.
As for the toilet, I was a tad disappointed that there was no bidet. It also felt a bit cramped with the door.
Minibar
I’m always grateful when I see a Nespresso machine in the room – hooray for good-tasting complimentary coffee!
They also provided a container of full cream, which was quite nice compared to other hotels who sometimes just give powdered creamer packets.
The drawer below contained lots of teas, sugar, and instant coffee as well.
In the next drawer was an ice bucket and tongs, and in the last drawer, a kettle.
The mini fridge contained a selection of beers, sodas and fancier waters at eye-watering prices. $9 for a can of 7Up? Yikes.
Thankfully, six bottles of complimentary bottled water were provided on top of the counter. In Singapore’s heat and humidity we ended up drinking them all.
In the other set of drawers were some glassware, a handy bottle opener, and a pair of scissors. I don’t know how many times during our travels I’ve wished I had a pair of scissors to cut off a tag or open a package, so it was nice to see they were thoughtfully provided here.
A basket of tasty-looking treats sat atop the counter, but upon glancing at the price list, we gave it a pass. $15 for a chocolate bar? Nah…
Besides, we had some delicious treats waiting for us on the coffee table, which brings us to my next point:
Special Touches
Prior to our arrival day, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore team reached out by e-mail and inquired if we were celebrating any special events. We informed them that we were celebrating our 12-year anniversay as well as my belated birthday.
When we arrived in our room, we saw a beautifully prepared tray of treats and fresh fruits waiting for us. They even provided us a candle and matches!
The delicate treats were absolutely delicious and of very fine quality. I loved the pretty chocolate butterfly. We were surprised at just how decadent each treat was – better than we expected from a complimentary anniversary surprise.
Turndown Service
After returning to our room after dinner, we saw that our room had been turned down for the evening.
The bedding had been folded down with a note left by the in-room attendant and chocolates were left at the bedside table along with a breakfast menu.
We appreciated the blinds being left open, as the nighttime view over Marina Bay is absolutely stunning. I could have stared at it all night. From the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel, to the unique ArtScience Museum and Helix Bridge, it was all so gorgeous lit up at night.
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore Restaurants
The hotel has a few really good dining options:
- Summer Pavilion (one Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant)
- Colony (international all-day restaurant)
- Colony Bakery (takeaway shop next to the restaurant)
- Republic (cocktail bar that also serves afternoon tea and breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Pool Bar (for casual poolside eats and drinks)
- The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge (access restricted to Club level guests only)
Since we were only at the hotel for one night, we only had a chance to try the pool bar and the buffet breakfast at Colony. Summer Pavilion sounded amazing, but we already had plans to check out the hawker stalls for dinner so we didn’t make a reservation. Next time 🙂
Buffet Breakfast at Colony
We were so grateful that our Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts booking included breakfast for two because the buffet breakfast here at Colony absolutely blew us away!!
We unfortunately had an early flight so we only had 30 minutes to dine at the restaurant before we had to catch our taxi to the airport. I so wish we had more time, but you best believe that we made the most of our 30 minutes and ate as much as possible!
We arrived at exactly 6:30am which is breakfast opening time. The staff were not quite ready for us so we had to wait a few minutes before being seated. We admired the beautiful lobby while we waited patiently.
Upon entering, we were amazed out how large the restaurant was and how beautiful and grand it was. The decor is spectacular. But there was no time to sit and stare at the beautiful room, we needed to get to the food stations right away.
I have never seen so many stations at a buffet breakfast before. We kept thinking we had visited all of them, but then there were a few more spread throughout the restaurant.
From the deli station, to fresh fruits and juices, Singaporean specialties (Kaya toast, yesss!), Western favourites, Malaysian dishes, noodle station, dim sum, bakery, and more, there is something for everyone!
Picky eaters would have no problem finding something to suit their palate here. There is so much variety! And for those who love trying anything and everything, you will be in heaven! Again, I wish we had more time here as I could have spent two hours trying so many dishes.
My favourite dishes had to be the Singaporean, Malaysian and Indian, though.
The only slightly negative comment I have about the buffet is the service was again not that warm or inviting, and a bit slow. It may have been because we were the first ones to arrive and many of the staff were still waking up and getting into the swing of things. But we can certainly overlook the service because the food more than made up for it.
Breakfast Hours: 6:30-10:30am
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Pool Bar
Remember that $100 USD resort credit we mentioned was included with our Fine Hotels + Resorts booking? Well, we decided to use it at the pool bar! We could have used it at the spa, but those prices were way over our budget, so a $100 lunch seemed more doable.
The menu is quite small and on the pricier side. We decided to order a Cuban Sandwich ($36), Wagyu Sliders ($24), a Coral Reef mocktail ($20) and a Shirley Temple ($20). Those four things magically added up to exactly S$100.
The sandwich and sliders were delicious! They were actually better than we were expecting, which is a good thing considering the prices. As for the mocktails, they were nothing special and not worth the $20. I wish we had ordered dessert instead.
One gripe: the service was not attentive at all. After sitting by the pool, we were not greeted by the pool attendants and never asked if we needed anything. We actually had to get up and search for an attendant and ask for a menu, and then again search for him to place our order.
However, once we ordered, our food came quickly and the attendant was friendly. Although he never did come back to check if we needed anything else or ask how our food was.
Hours: 10:30am-7:30pm daily
The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge
Typically with our Marriott Bonvoy elite status we are granted complimentary lounge access. However, this is not the case with The Ritz-Carlton since they do not participate in the program.
Instead, lounge access is strictly restricted to guests who book a Club Level room. For our dates, the cost was $300/night more to book a room with club lounge access. It wasn’t worth it personally for us since we wanted to spend our limited time exploring Singapore and its delicious street food, but I could see it being worth it for a future one-night stay.
Club Lounge access includes FIVE daily culinary presentations freshly prepared by the chef.
You get:
- Breakfast (6:30-10:30am)
- Mid-day snacks (12-2pm)
- Afternoon Tea (2:30-4:30pm)
- Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails (5:30-8pm)
- Desserts and cordials (8:30-10:30pm)
These are not your average hotel lounge dishes, either. They looked absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. If I had time to spend an entire day at the hotel and take advantage of all five culinary presentations, I believe it would be worth paying extra for the club lounge access.
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore Facilities
Pool
The hotel features a large outdoor swimming pool located at ground level. It’s surrounded by nice greenery and palm trees, with ample lounge chairs and cabanas.
After exiting the elevators to head to the pool, there was this beautiful waterfall wall.
Pool towels are provided, as well as infused iced water.
The pool seemed quite popular with families, and while we were there, it was mostly kids swimming in the pool. I guess The Ritz-Carlton offering “Ritz Kids” is a draw for families to stay here. I’ll admit the Ritz Kids program does make me want to return with my five-year-old daughter. However, even with the kids program, the hotel does not at all feel like a hotel overrun by kids, if that’s something you’re worried about.
Pool hours: 6:00am-10:00pm
Gym
We didn’t have time to exercise but we popped into the gym just to check it out. Wow – this is one of the nicest gyms I’ve ever seen in a hotel!
It looks very fancy, spacious, and well-equipped with everything you could need. You’ll find all the usual cardio equipment, weight machines, free weights, punching bag, medicine balls, studio, and even a sauna and steam room.
Piano
On the way back from the pool, Ryan couldn’t resist jumping on the grand piano to play a song before we headed back up the beautiful staircase.
Nearby Attractions
There are many popular attractions within walking distance of the hotel, or a short taxi or MRT ride away, including:
- Millenia Walk Shopping Mall (50m)
- Helix Bridge (400m)
- ArtScience Museum (800m)
- SkyPark Observation Deck at Marina Bay Sands (1km)
- Spectra Light & Water Show (1.1km)
- Gardens by the Bay (1.4km)
We walked to all of the above – check out our Singapore itinerary for all the details on visiting these awesome attractions!
Room & Resort Video Tour
Verdict: Is The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore worth a stay?
If you appreciate the finer things in life, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore deserves at least a one night stay during your Singapore trip. The breakfast buffet for sure deserves a visit (even if you’re not staying at the hotel)! And if you can splash out for Club Lounge access, it would make for an even more special and memorable stay.
The views from the Marina rooms are stunning and the entire interior of the hotel is gorgeous.
While we were not all that impressed with the service in general, we did have a lovely experience with the gentleman at the front door. He remembered us throughout our stay, graciously helped us with our bags and finding our taxis, and even offered to take our photos. While we waited, he chatted with us and was so kind and welcoming. He really made up for the lacklustre service we experienced during other aspects of our stay.
At least arriving and departing we were met with excellent service.
Would we stay here again? Yes, indeed we would, for those incredible views and amazing food. It is worth it if you have time to take advantage of all the hotel has to offer. For a staycation, it would be the perfect place.
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