Hotel Review: Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard

Located right smack in the middle of Singapore’s most well-known shopping belt, the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard perhaps represents some of the most luxurious serviced apartments in Singapore. I am no stranger to the Pan Pacific brand, having stayed previously at Pan Pacific Singapore and the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road. Compared to those two, the property in Orchard requires guests to stay for a minimum of one week. That being said, the property is highly popular not just among those with expat packages. Due to the highly convenient location, it’s also quite sought after by those on longer leisure or business trips to Singapore. For the purpose of this review, I stayed here for two nights to check out just exactly what it had to offer.

As mentioned previously, the location alone is a plus point when it comes to this property. Somerset MRT station is literally next door along with shopping malls such as 313 Somerset and Orchard Central. The property’s entrance faces Somerset Road instead of the much busier Orchard Road so you won’t have to struggle with the foot traffic when you come here to check in.

My room for the stay was a 1-bedroom executive suite which measures approximately 64 square meters. Compared to the Beach Road property, there is less uniformity with the room sizes and layouts with the Orchard property and guests can actually pick the room type to their liking prior to moving in for a long stay.

Entering my room for the first time, I could immediately see how the Orchard property gave off a more “serviced apartment” feel. Think of it as a luxurious condominium unit with additional amenities. My suite was dominated with white – from the wallpaper down to the cupboards – which gave a lighter ambiance to the overall surroundings.

The kitchen area was well-stocked with pots and pans, plates, cutlery and glasses to allow for an intimate dinner with friends. A welcome hamper with crackers, chips, instant noodles and a bottle of Snapple was laid at the dining table for my consumption.

It is also not explicitly mentioned but every stay is inclusive of a one-time complimentary pressing of two pieces of clothing or one suit. If you’re off to work or a business meeting the very next day, then this is certainly a worthwhile service to avail of.

Guests who are staying for a month of above at a Pan Pacific Serviced Suites property can expect a box containing plus sized Molton Brown toiletries in the bedroom. The sleeping quarters itself was pretty cozy. It contained a separate flat-screen TV as well as an iPod dock while a glass window revealed to me just what I could expect from the bathroom.

To be frank, I did not expect to find a bathtub in my suite and it was quite fortunate that the one I was billeted at had one. If you do fancy a relaxing bath after work or a long day out exploring the city, then do yourself a favor by requesting for a suite with a tub.

The washing machine is also placed inside the bathroom and comes loaded with laundry detergent and has a dryer function so that you won’t need to destroy the nice ambience by finding a space to hang your clothes for drying.

A door separates the bath/sink with the shower/toilet which could then be accessed from the living area. This layout allows for greater privacy and minimizes disruption as guests won’t have to enter the bedroom to use the toilet facilities.

This property has plenty of facilities and amenities to keep guests entertained – much more than I had imagined. While the pool here does not boast of dramatic views as with its sister property in Beach Road, it is notable for having an underwater treadmill and exercise bike and for using ionized water to minimize the drying of the skin when swimming.

I also chanced upon a putting green. For those who are into golf and lack the time to go to the nearest country club, this is your best bet for a swing or two right in the heart of town.

The gym here is particularly spacious and comes with plenty of weights and exercise equipment for a balanced workout. Other than the usual weights and machines, I chanced upon a Kinesis and Anterior/Posterior machine to allow for more variety in the workout.

There are also sky gardens in certain floors where guests can lounge around outdoors and bask in the views of the Orchard area.

Of all the facilities, I must say that I loved the Living Room the most. There is no shortage of amenities here to keep guests entertained. Other than tea-making capabilities; there is a pool table, a dart board and two OSIM massage chairs for guests to use as they please!

I could totally imagine myself lounging around here all day surrounded by plush Italian furnishings and just playing the Xbox all day. I sincerely wonder whether the executives on long-stay ever get distracted with all the entertainment options here.

In one corner of the living room is a small meeting area which is again free for guest use for some work discussions – that is, if one manages to get past the living room without being tempted to do something else!

With my memory still fresh with the wonderful breakfast offerings at its sister property, I was once again looking forward to having my favorites at this Pan Pacific property. Breakfast here is available every day except for Sundays and public holidays. It features a modest buffet spread consisting of salads, yogurt, fruits, cereal and porridge while there is a list of revolving items that are made to order.

First thing on my list was the Eggs Benedict which came in just how I had it at the Beach Road property – with the bun slightly crispy and topped with hollandaise sauce. I could not help but ask for an extra serving. I also chanced upon Salmon with Bagel during breakfast there. This, too, was delectable.

Verdict

In a class of its own where serviced apartments in Singapore are concerned, the flagship Orchard property of Pan Pacific Serviced Suites left me with much envy of the people on long stay. The management here certainly went all out to create something truly livable for the long-term and the additional fun amenities attest to this. If you’re looking to be pampered in a serviced apartment setting, then this property’s hard to beat.

Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard
96 Somerset Road
Singapore 238163
+65 6884 5222