Margie T Logarta, Reggie Ho and Randall Sim review a selection of hotel club rooms and executive lounges around the region
Many of us pay a premium to stay on the club floor, and lounge access is the primary reason. It’s good to have an exclusive space for breakfast and avoid the horrors of a noisy coffee shop, and a dedicated concierge, free use of computers and meeting space (usually two hours a day), and evening cocktails are some of the usual perks. Complimentary wifi has also become standard, as have flatscreen TVs for new and renovated properties. A few establishments, however, offer something extra to improve the experience, be it unique décor, a library or just great views. Here are five we have visited.
INTERCONTINENTAL SINGAPORE
Staying true to its credo of promoting local culture, InterContinental’s property at the Bugis Junction complex in Singapore has adapted a theme inspired by the culture of the Straits Chinese – a result of the intermarrying of Malay and Chinese groups – who used to live around the area. This is expressed most prominently in the Club InterContinental lounge and shophouse rooms and suites with their wooden window shutters, timber flooring and colourful porcelain decorations.
Total number of rooms: 403 guestrooms and suites.
Number of club rooms: 65 shophouse guestrooms and suites are on the second and third floor in a wing overlooking the Bugis Junction shopping arcade, with another 93 club rooms in the tower block. All include access to the Club InterContinental lounge on the second level.
Room highlights:
- Shophouse guestrooms and suites, closed for an extensive S$7.2 million (US$5.6 million) renovation from February to July 2011, emerged with refreshed decorative features such as the duck-egg blue panelling, louvred windows and shutters and upgraded bedding
- Peranakan black lacquer oval minibar cabinet detailed with hand-painted Chinese art on its fascia
- Bose Wave music system and DVD player
- iPhone/iPod docking station
- EPIC organisers (media panel includes HDMI and USB inputs, internet data connections and PC links)
Club lounge: Prior to 2008, the space for premier guests was a smaller facility on the 11th floor, which generated feedback requesting a roomier product. Management responded, transferring the club lounge to the second floor, expanding and giving it an unmistakable Peranakan – another name for the Straits-born residents – atmosphere that provided a link with the shophouse annex and the historic neighbourhood. The present facility exudes an elegant residential feel, accented by ornate art, fine ceramics and richly embroidered tapestries, a mark of that particular community. This strong sense of place ties in nicely with InterContinental’s “In the know” experience, which promises customers a deeper and more authentic experience of a destination.
Other highlights:
- Peranakan welcome tea service upon check-in, offering a selection of tea blends including varieties to aid jet lag recovery
- Peranakan canapés
- Boardroom with a capacity of up to 10 persons comfortably
- Library carrying leading business publications and Peranakan literature
Price differential:
Shophouse room from S$470 (US$370); club room from S$420 (US$330); deluxe room from S$320 (US$252).
Contact: www.singapore.intercontinental.com
Margie T Logarta
KERRY HOTEL PUDONG, SHANGHAI
This property opened as part of the Kerry Parkside complex next to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, signalling the Shangri-La group’s efforts to go after a younger demographic. Strong design elements and cutting-edge technology – note the paperless check-in and check-out system using a PC tablet – inform the overall experience. As with all Shangri-La properties, wifi access is complimentary throughout this hotel.
Total number of rooms: 574 guestrooms and suites.
Number of club rooms: 149, located on levels 25 to 31.
Room highlights:
- DVD player
- iPhone/iPod docking station and sound system
- Built-in LCD TV above the bathtub
- Complimentary minibar upon arrival, including craft beers from The Brew contemporary craft brewery
Club lounge: Located on the third floor instead of the usual high floor, the lounge makes up for its lack of a great view with its size and wide range of facilities. The 670 sqm elongated space is broken up into three sections, with the breakfast room being the largest, followed by two other rooms that lend themselves to lounging and small meetings. They feel cosy with the placement of knick-knacks, reading material (even reading glasses for the visually challenged) and comfortable seating.
Other highlights:
- Strategically positioned, wall-mounted LCD TVs
- Two boardrooms each with capacity for up to six persons
- Smoking room
- Made-to-order eggs at breakfast in addition to usual offerings
Price differential:
• Deluxe room starts from RMB2,600 (US$411) and club room starts from RMB2,900 (US$459)
Contact: www.thekerryhotels.com
Margie T Logarta
THE RITZ-CARLTON SHENZHEN
Situated in the Futian financial district opposite the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Centre, this hotel channels the “classic” luxury of The Ritz-Carlton brand with ease. The premium location also provides guests with quick access to the new Shenzhen metro system, which is connected to nearby Hong Kong. The property recently revamped its club level benefits, adding personalised in-room check-in, personalised stationery and even a complimentary limousine service.
Total number of rooms: 282 guestrooms and suites.
Number of club rooms: 70 rooms and suites from level 22 to 28.
Room highlights:
- Unobstructed views of the brightly lit Shenzhen central business district at night
- Nespresso machine – definitely a bonus for caffeine-addicted high-flyers
- Nine club suites have large balconies attached to them
- iPhone/iPod docking station in all club rooms and suites
Club lounge: Refreshments are available round-the-clock in the lounge, which also serves breakfast and a newly launched British afternoon tea set – already a favourite with many guests. Segregated into four separate areas to maximise privacy for guests, the lounge’s flexibility allows everything from private one-to-one chats to meetings of up to 10 people. Natural light is in abundance thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Furniture is intelligently customised for each section, while comfort is still the priority.
Other highlights:
• The interesting selection of books and DVDs in the library
• Exotic juices such as dragonfruit, guava and watermelon at breakfast
Price differential: For just RMB300 (US$47) you can get an upgrade from a deluxe room to the entry-level club room.
Contact: www.ritzcarlton.com/shenzhen
Randall Sim
HILTON TOKYO
Situated in Shinjuku – one of Tokyo’s most well-known commercial, shopping and entertainment districts – the Hilton Tokyo was one of the first international hotels to open in the Japanese capital and has since become an institution. Although the ground level, with its ever-popular lobby lounge, can get a little noisy at times, all rooms feature stylish designs in warm welcoming tones for a calming atmosphere. Also noteworthy are the spectacular views – the windows look out to Shinjuku Central Park as well as the sprawling city, giving you a view that is both open and stimulating. The hotel is directly connected to the Tokyo Metro Station via an underground tunnel.
Total number of rooms: 808 guestrooms and suites.
Number of club rooms: 120 executive rooms and suites (30 sqm-176 sqm) on floors 34 to 38, all enjoying spectacular views.
Room highlights:
- Free wifi (JPY1,680/US$21 per computer per day for non-club guests)
- iPhone/iPod docking station
- Commanding view of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district
- Designer lounge chair by the window and very long sofas in the living room of executive suites, making it a good space for small meetings
- Cover charge waived for club guests at the hotel’s St George’s Bar
Club lounge: Established in 1984 when the hotel opened, but fully renovated in 2006, this top-floor facility, at 234 sqm, is one of the biggest in the city. There are two almost identical sections across the corridor from one another, and the décor is understated with striped carpets and shoji screens, allowing the spectacular views from the big windows to be the centre of attention. Despite the number of rooms on the club floors, the lounge never feels crowded or noisy.
Other highlights:
- Light Japanese breakfast items such as grilled salmon, rice and miso soup served alongside Western offerings
- Seventeen high-speed internet access lines in addition to wifi
- Express laundry service at regular price
- Two PCs and an iMac for club guests’ use. Laptop computers are also available
- Stylish four-metre-long table in the centre converts into a bar counter for two hours in the evening
Guest relations officers welcome guests wearing Japan’s traditional summer kimono, the yukata, during cocktail hours for a cultural experience
Price differential: Rates on the Hilton Floor per person per night start from ¥26,900 (US$339) and executive floor rooms start from ¥36,400 (US$458) per person per night.
Contact: www3.hilton.com
Reggie Ho
HOTEL PULLMAN JAKARTA CENTRAL PARK
Situated in Podomoro City Super Block in West Jakarta, this property is located in what the developer promises will be the new central business district. Halfway between Central Jakarta and the airport, the development also includes a mega-mall, a lot of open space and office towers. The hotel itself is like a contemporary art museum, featuring interiors of industrial design, surreal sculptures and paintings (including some ant-infested Dali-style works), and high-tech amenities.
Total number of rooms: 317 guestrooms, comprising 45 deluxe park view rooms, 150 deluxe city view rooms, 67 executive deluxe rooms, 53 executive suites and two presidential suites.
Number of club rooms: 67 executive deluxe rooms on floors 10 to 12, and 53 executive suites on floors 1 to 12 – all of which come with access to the executive lounge.
Room highlights:
- King-size bed and an extra 42-inch LCD TV in executive suites
- High-definition TV
- A “refreshment centre” that includes a coffee machine and coffee filter packs
- In-room yoga mat and dumbbells
- iPhone/iPod docking in all suites
Club lounge: Situated on the 12th floor, this place has to be one of the funkiest looking executive lounges I have ever seen. The wall against the hot food station is a pop art mural, and the long glass-topped table is surrounded by bright yellow cushioned high chairs. Doodle-shape decorations add a whimsical note. The view from the window is also very open, and there is a lot of natural light during the day.
Other highlights:
- Ultra-stylish food presentations throughout the day, with dishes including mussel salad, prawn cocktails and a multi-tier pastry setup
- Meeting room with yellow boardroom chairs for up to six, two hours free per day for club guests
- Cocktails and mocktails of the day
Price differential: Standard room rate starts from IDR1,183,380 (US$125); club room from IDR1,957,780 (US$208). Curiously, breakfast at the lounge costs INR187,000 (US$20), but evening cocktails and meeting room facilities (for up to six) are free.
Contact: www.pullmanhotels.com
Reggie Ho
New and noted
CONRAD MACAO
This is the largest and newest property under the Conrad brand with 636 units, and even a stay in a standard room comes with luxuries such as in-room Nespresso machine, satin slippers, hooded microfibre robes and complimentary Fiji water. Its Conrad Club boasts an all-suite offering, with all 194 units equipped with JBL iPod/iPad docks. A number of suites have their own exclusive entertainment rooms with mini home theatres, and premier suites feature multi-purpose media hubs to connect gadgets to the in-room LED HDTV.
Perks extended to executive floor guests include dedicated concierges and butlers and exclusive check-in and check-out areas. In the lounge there are eight 27-inch iMacs and eight PCs at club guests’ disposal, as well as an exclusive bar, two distinct lounges, and a business centre with two meeting rooms looking out to the Cotai Strip.
Deluxe rooms start from HK$1,698 (US$219), and club suites from HK$2,698 (US$348).
That extra touch
To make their club products a little more special, some hotel groups have established brand-wide initiatives that enhance the experience. Here are two examples:
Fairmont
This Canadian hotel chain’s Fairmont Gold floors promise “hotel within a hotel” experiences that highlight the locale, especially in their residential-style lounges. Honour bars, cocktail hour canapés and complimentary continental breakfasts are some of the standard amenities, but certain properties also offer something extra. Examples include Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, whose seventh floor lounge boasts stunning views of the Abu Dhabi creek and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, as well as an extensive kitchen area with live cooking stations for breakfast.
Local food items are also served, for example the Boston cream pie served as a late-night snack at Fairmont Battery Wharf, and the tortilla soups, nachos and salsa offered by The Fairmont Dallas during the day. White chocolate replicas of the city’s historical monuments are presented at The Fairmont Washington DC, as a sweet reminder of where the guest is in residence. Fairmont Gold floors across North America also offer an iPad for guests’ personal use.
The Ritz-Carlton
When club and suite guests of this luxury hospitality chain arrive at the hotel, they are escorted directly to their rooms and privately checked in. A complimentary pressing service is offered, with garments returned within the hour – just enough time for you to take a shower and get ready for your appointment.
There is also a complimentary limousine service to shuttle guests around. Stylish personalised stationery with letterheads in embossed gold or silver is a nice touch. At The Ritz-Carlton Lounge, traditional tea is served elegantly on a three-tiered stand complete with scones, sandwiches and at least five specially selected brews. There are five food presentations throughout the day so club guests almost never have to venture out for a bite.
