Hotel Review: The Vagabond Club Singapore (Executive Club Suite)
Keywords: Hotel - Room review - Marriott Bonvoy - Shophouse hotel - French
Month of visit: June 2021
Youtube video review: Executive Club Suite (The Vagabond Club Singapore) | Hotel Review
Situated on Syed Alwi Road, just minutes from Lavender MRT station, The Vagabond Club Singapore is a luxury boutique hotel housed in a restored twentieth century shophouse. This hotel is a Tribute Portfolio hotel and so participates in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme. The Vagabond Club was conceptualised by renowned French designer Jacques Garcia and has a stylish Parisian theme. This small boutique hotel of 41 guest rooms and suites is very different from the traditional high rise business hotels in the city.
Hotel facade.
In this review, we will be looking at their Executive Club Suite, one of their two Art Executive Suites located on the top floor of the hotel. This suite comes with executive lounge access and breakfast for two guests. Checking in was done on the first floor and was a pleasant experience as we were invited to have a seat while the paperworks were sorted. The lobby was nothing short of ordinary with a warm gold-velvet theme featuring exotic ornaments like a golden rhinoceros desk and golden banyan trees. A good number of art collectables and paintings were seen throughout the common areas of the hotel.
Checking-in during our stay.
Our suite was located on the fourth floor of the hotel but the lift only served up to the third floor. As such, we had to transit to a flight of stairs on the third floor after stepping off the elevator. The Executive Club suites were called "Writer's Room" and "Musician's Room".
Corridors and stairs on the way to our suite.
Executive Club Suite
Do check out this unique Executive Club Suite in our immersive 360-degree room tour below.
360-degree room tour of the room.
The suite was open-concept with a square layout and at one glance, we were able to see almost everything in the room. There were no windows at eye level, with the only windows on the roof level and so it may take time to get used to it. The ceilings were very high and the windows illuminate the room well. Automated roller blinds could be controlled with the use of a remote if guests do not want sunlight in the room.
Overview of the Executive Club Suite.
The king sized bed was located on one end of the room, with Egyptian cotton linens and goose down pillows as well as comforters. We had a very good rest on this bed.
A king sized bed at one end of the suite.
On one side of the bed, a wooden wardrobe could be found. Inside, all the bedroom amenities like bathrobes, clothes hangers, bedroom slippers, laundry bags and a flashlight were available. Adjacent to it was a flat screen television mounted to the wall. Although it was of a good size, the position of the television was odd as it was parallel to the bed. Right in front of it was a free standing coat hanger.
Wardrobe and television by the bed.
On the other side of the bed was another set of wooden cabinet. Inside, a coffee machine and tea bags could be found. Teacups, sugar and creamer were provided. Below, a built-in safe was available for use. Next to it were wooden shelves with bottled water and antique decor pieces such as an antique clock and radio. Interestingly, these items were available for purchase and guests can find a price list here as well.
Bedside desk and cabinets.
Adjacent to that was a small work desk with unique drawings framed and hung on the wall above. An old fashioned telephone and writing materials were provided too.
A closer look at the minibar area and work desk.
This suite comes with a functional mini-kitchen. This included a full-sized fridge and freezer which was empty during our stay.
Mini-kitchen equipped with a stove and full sized fridge.
Interestingly, an electric stove, a sink and a wide range of kitchen utensils were provided for guests to do simple cooking. This provision makes it ideal for guests who wish to consider a long stay at this property.
An electric stove, sink and kitchen utensils.
In the middle of the room and directly in front of the bed was a sitting area with two large chairs and a low glass table that could be turned.
A sitting area with a rotatable glass table.
Beside the entrance was a luggage rack directly below a large mirror. Beside it was a nice standing lamp.
Luggage rack and a large mirror.
The bathroom had an open concept touch with the single vanity area visible from most part of the room. Towels and a floor mat were provided in the shelves below the basin.
A single vanity area on one end of the room.
Standard bathroom amenities such as hand wash, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner were provided by Etro. On top of that, dental kits, vanity kits and a comb were all available.
Standard bathroom amenities provided.
Fortunately the toilet and shower areas were concealed behind doors so guests can at least enjoy some privacy here. The toilet had black marble flooings and walls which were rather nice while the shower area had red mosaic tiles which reflected light. Both a hand held shower and rain shower were available.
Wet and dry areas of the bathroom.
Dining Highlights
Our room package came with a four-course dinner by Yellow Pot which we opted to pair with the evening cocktails and canapés service. Breakfast was also held at the same restaurant/bar area.
Dinner and evening cocktails service
The hotel has only one restaurant and bar on the lobby level and guests can find the familiar gold-velvet theme here. The bar area was rather nice, with a gold plated baboon stationed there. Lounge chairs as well as regular dining tables were available so guests can choose their seating preference. The ambiance was rather odd as the Chinese themed menu was paired with western music choices.
A stylish bar and restaurant on the lobby level.
The evening cocktails and canapés service for the executive lounge access offered a selection of beverages, both alcoholic and non alcoholic, and were free-flow. A one-time serving of finger food was brought to our table. The canapés were from a Chinese menu and included dim sum, dumplings and paus.
Dinner service by Yellow Pot and evening cocktails and canapés.
The dinner set menu for guests who book this package was fixed and so we had to endure the same menu for two consecutive nights. The four-course modern Chinese cuisine included delectable items like fried lion's mane mushrooms, hot & sour soup, crispy Sichuan chicken and dessert of the day. Overall the food was spicy but we found them to be good.
Dinner service by Yellow Pot and evening cocktails and canapés.
Breakfast service
Breakfast was served at the same restaurant and guests can only choose one main course from a limited selection. Beverages on the other hand were free-flow. Nonetheless, the food was really good in terms of portioning, presentation and taste. We opted for Eggs Benedict which came with sourdough bread, chilli crab omelette with generous chunks of crab meat and two steamed mantous as well as Eggs done your way which was a full American breakfast platter. A plate of fruits was served at the end.
Breakfast service at the restaurant.
Concluding remarks: Our staycation here was pleasant and modestly exotic as we normally stay at big chain business hotels. We enjoyed the unique interior design and art collections albeit the rather odd layout of the room. Service rendered was great and we definitely will be back given the competitive room rates and inclusions.
Location:
The Vagabond Club Singapore
Website:
https://www.hotelvagabondsingapore.com
