Let's start with internet access at $27/day from a wired link in your room -- might be high for wireless access, but excessive for wired links in this high-tech city (of course, they're outsourcing the service to Malaysia, so who knows). Then, despite the service stating you'll have time remaining after checkout, you don't.
The floors (at least in the "old" highrise) reek of smoke, and the beds are like boards (firm is fine, but these are something else again). If you get stuck here by your travel agent, like I did, avoid the rooms by the elevators, unless you really like the sounds from the shafts (26 floors) all night. International direct calls are problematic and spotty. The elevators are plagued by glitches. Certain ones keep forgetting floors entered and send you back to the lobby, and others take you to your floor and...don't open -- you have to press the "open door" key repeatedly and hope it happens before the elevator goes to another call. Then you can get to your door, 20+ flights up, and have your room key not work.
Oh, and if you think being assigned to a crap room on a "Carlton Club" floor gets you into the Club, you're wrong. Unlike chains like Marriott, Sheraton, Hyatt, and even some better Holiday Inns, no such courtesies apply here.
You'd be a fool to stay here, and I won't ever do so again. Management wanted to have a chat just *after* I'd checked out. Not exactly a helpful service. But at that point there's really not much to be done, anyway. Stay elsewhere and have a better time in Singapore.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
no way!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Older travelers, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Other
Management Response
CarltonHotel, Manager
(Management representative)
Apr 14, 2008
FEEDBACK FOR ROOM ACCOMMODATION FROM 17 TO 20 MARCH 2008
Thank you very much for posting your detailed feedback on this forum following your recent stay at the Carlton Hotel Singapore. We apologise that we did not meet your expectations on this occasion and please allow us to provide a couple of clarifications in our review.
The high-speed broadband Internet access rates are in-line with hotels in Singapore for this outsourced service. Furthermore I understand that the wireless service has been made available to you well beyond the time you have checked out from the Hotel.
As for the Elevators, please be assured that our guest lifts are constantly being monitored and serviced according to the regulatory stipulations to ensure optimum performance and safety for all lift passengers’ comfort. Despite immediate follow-up and Investigation, contrary to your comments the hotel has not experienced any technical malfunction reports pertaining to any of the guest lifts.
Again your feedback with regards to ‘spotty’ international calls around the said time and date appear to be an isolated case as no other adverse comments were received nor from the national service provider.
Due to the high occupancy on the day of your arrival, you were assigned a room located on the Club Floor, although you had purchased a package via your Travel Agent for a standard room. This room category upgrade does not automatically include entitlement to the Club Lounge Benefits and we were disappointed by your unexpected reaction towards our associate trying to assist you.
We also regret that you did not allow our Front Office Manageress to address your concerns in person when she met you during checkout. Several previous attempts to contact you prior had failed, leaving the point of your departure the only alternative.
We trust that the above explanation has adequately clarified your concerns.
Yours Sincerely,
Carlton Hotel Singapore
76 Bras Basah Road
Singapore 189558
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.