Hotel Review: The Club Residences at Capella Singapore – Serviced Apartments in Sentosa

Many are familiar with the ultra-luxury resort that is Capella Singapore in Sentosa. One of the top-rated hotels in the country, it’s also one of the more popular staycation options among Singaporeans (the rooms even at entry-level are huge). I have also written about this lush property previously, having stayed twice before in various room types. I highly enjoy the tranquil environment. If you fancy spending a weekend away from the crowds, you’re hard-pressed to find a venue that’s more conducive.

You can check out my review of the resort section of Capella Singapore here.

Not a lot of people are probably aware that Capella Singapore also has a serviced residences arm. With 62 suites, 10 penthouse units and 9 manors; The Club Residences – as the serviced apartments are called – actually comprises a significant proportion of the resort. Recently, I had an opportunity to check out this side of the property for two nights to see how it compares to other serviced residences in Singapore.

The check-in procedure, like in the resort, is done in the colonial building which houses the lobby. This was already my 3rd stay in Capella but I never knew exactly where the The Club Residences were located until a buggy whisked me away. For those quite familiar with the property, it’s actually just a short walk away from the pool area, hidden beyond the bushes on the route towards the beach.

One-Bedroom Suite at The Club Residences

One of the first things that struck me as I entered my one-bedroom unit was how spacious it was. The suites at The Club Residences start from 893 square feet (approximately 80 square meters) in area which make them notably bigger than the city side competition. Also, as I was still very much in Capella, I couldn’t help but retain that resort feeling. The view which overlooks Palawan Beach certainly helped!

My one-bedroom apartment was decked in the same understated warm tones that permeate the rooms at the resort, but the look here was obviously less decorative. Think: brown hues, dark wooden furniture, wood panels interspersing with beige accents. The unit was designed with the long-stayer in mind and this is evident from the sheer number of cabinets found around the unit.

Most of the appliances – including the stove, microwave oven and washing machine – come from Miele. In case you’re not familiar with this brand, they’re particularly well known for kitchen equipment although they do also manufacture washing machines and even vacuum cleaners.

Another thing I noted about the unit is how cutleries and plates were provided in copious amounts. Instead of the usual two (or maybe three) pieces provided, I easily found 8 plates and 4 wine glasses for example. If you’re thinking of entertaining, you don’t have to worry about running to the store to buy extra sets.

The sleeping quarters were pretty spacious with a plush king-sized bed, ottoman and a second 46-inch Sony HD TV. I love how I could find light switches and power outlets on either side which allowed me to adjust the lighting and charge my gadgets without getting off from the comfort of my bed. The bedroom also has a separate temperature control from the living area which is helpful in case you’d want to cool off in the bedroom after a long day.

A notable feature was a study which contained a desk and an Avaya IP phone (this is different from the phone located by the living room). The value of having a separate study may not immediately impress a short-stayer but if you’re here for a couple of months with a partner or family, you could probably use a room where you could work sans the noise from the TV (or from your nagging significant other!).

The bathroom came in a color scheme that was all too familiar to me. Featuring the same beige tones that you see in the resort, my first encounter with the washroom was like a throwback to my previous Capella stays. At the center of this of course were the toiletries from Aesop. It occurred to me that the resort was pretty generous with the toiletries as well, replenishing my bathroom with an extra set during turndown service even though I had not yet used up any by that evening. It is also worth noting that long-stayers get a starter pack at the beginning of their stay, in which case there is no daily replenishment of the Aesop toiletries.

Since my stay was for only two nights, I was given access to The Library. I understand that long-stayers have a separate club lounge where breakfast is available from Mondays to Fridays. The Library on the other hand, serves mostly snacks with a particular focus in the afternoon tea from 3pm onwards. Other than being an excellent place from where to spend a lazy afternoon, The Library also has a personal assistant who is on-duty at all times. If you need ideas on things to do in the area, he/she serves as a valuable point of information so don’t feel shy to ask!

Dining at Capella Singapore

Capella Singapore has a couple of dining venues and I specially recommend the Chinese restaurant, Cassia. Their Seafood Claypot is just amazing (you can check out my review of Cassia here). If Western Cuisine is more your thing, you can check out The Knolls located at poolside. I tried their Chef’s Bistronomy Menu ($78++) when I was there. The menu changes by the day but during my dinner experience I had the Roasted Cod Fish with creamy risotto and scallops which I also recommend. Otherwise, their Sagne Vongole ($32) is also a great choice if you prefer something relatively light.

For breakfast, I once again dropped by The Knolls. The all-day dining venue features a highly generous buffet spread. Due to the international audience, you see sushi alongside wanton noodles; a wide variety of pastries including their trademark three types of croissants as well as plenty of healthy options. For something you don’t see everyday, I suggest trying the young coconut juice at the fresh juices counter.

I rarely go swimming during staycations but like my previous time here, I made an exception during this particular stay. Again, the three swimming pools were just too tempting to be ignored. Do note though that the pool closes relatively early, at 7pm so it’s best to plan for that relaxing dip. As a general tip, the middle pool is usually the busiest one. The bottom-most lap pool which many guests don’t know about is usually empty. If you prefer to have a pool all to yourself, this is your best bet.

Verdict

With its location in a quiet side of Sentosa, The Club Residences at Capella Singapore delivers a proposition that none of its competitors can. The surroundings are lush, the suites markedly larger and the vibe more akin to a tropical island getaway than a formal long-stay apartment. The fittings within are also practical and come with the guests’ comfort in mind. If you prefer a contrast to city life, The Club Residences is probably the closest you can get to 24/7 resort living in Singapore.

Capella Singapore
1 The Knolls
Sentosa Island
Singapore 098297
Tel: +65 6506 6888

I was hosted by the property. However, all opinions are my own