Stay here: Grand Hyatt Singapore review

Plenty of brand-new hotels have been built for less than the cost of the Grand Hyatt Singapore ’s extensive renovation. After two years offline, the 50-year-old Scotts Road icon, just a two-minute walk from Orchard Road, reopened in phases from mid-2024. As soon as the property was fully opened this summer, we went to see what had changed. From a glossy-yet-unimaginative business hotel, it’s been given a glammed-up new identity with a strong sustainability focus, bringing back into contention with the best hotels Singapore has to offer. The shift is both architectural and atmospheric: the hotel now feels more like a serene urban retreat than a corporate convention hub.

What’s the deal? 

The lobby is smooth and minimalist, a place for movement and transition rather than lingering. We were warmly welcomed and recognised throughout our stay, despite a hectic schedule. The team handled complex front desk requests with ease – even at 5am. If there were any service-level teething issues typical of a relaunch, they were imperceptible here.

It’s a hotel of two halves – the Grand Wing and the Terrace Wing – and the reno has embraced this duality, giving each a distinct visual identity. The Grand Wing offers urban luxury with Peranakan-inspired touches, while the Terrace Wing channels a garden oasis vibe with minimalist, nature-forward design. Entry-level rooms start at a generous 452sq ft and feel more like boutique apartments than standard hotel rooms. The Grand Suites add separate living areas and deep soaking tubs, while the Presidential Suite – a sprawling 2,712sq ft residence with a private gym, butler entrance, multimedia projector and dining room – is among the most discreetly luxurious in the city.

We stayed in the 581sq ft King Bed Deluxe room in the Grand Wing. With a palette of burnt orange and rich earth tones, it subtly nods to the property’s 1970s heritage while incorporating refined Singaporean details. A thick carpet was textured with bold Islamic motifs, and shutter-style window shades – reminiscent of traditional shophouses – added both character and energy efficiency, ideal for Singapore’s tropical climate. The bathroom was a joy to spend time in, featuring Balmain amenities, salon-grade hairdryers and flattering Hollywood-style mirror lighting.

Our room included access to The Grand Club Lounge, which offers dedicated check-in, breakfast, and evening cocktails and bites. We visited during peak hour and found the space handsome but hectic – children playing loudly, tables cluttered with uncleared plates and staff stretched thin despite a self-service bar. It lacked the calm and exclusivity expected of a club lounge.

Why stay? 

This is a hotel that wears its eco-credentials proudly, yet crucially, its sustainability efforts never compromise on luxury. Aligning with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, it runs on 100 per cent renewable electricity and uses a tri-generation plant for energy, heat and cooling. Rooftop gardens and a closed-loop aquaponics system supply fresh produce, while an in-house bottling plant eliminates single-use plastics. 

Dining is a major highlight, following Hyatt’s “Thoughtfully sourced, carefully served” ethos, with locally sourced vegetables, certified sustainable seafood and plant-based options. The dramatic Le Pristine, led by chef Sergio Herman, of multiple Michelin-starred Dutch restaurants, combines contemporary European cuisine with a Zeeland twist. The longstanding Pete’s Place serves rustic pizzas, pastas and freshly baked bread in a cosy trattoria setting. StraitsKitchen delivers a refined, halal-certified buffet of Singaporean classics, including chilli crab and laksa. Oasis, the poolside grill, transforms from a leafy daytime retreat into a lively barbecue spot by night. With its relaxed vibe, 10 Scotts is ideal for afternoon tea or casual meetings. Martini Bar offers inventive cocktails in a sleek glass-enclosed lounge, while the subterranean Brix brings nightlife energy with live music and three themed bars.

The standout Damai Spa is an expansive wellness hub inspired by Southeast Asian healing traditions. The Recovery – ideal for jetlag and stress – is a 120-minute experience combining full-body massage with heat, light and plasma therapy. If you want a treatment that does it all, this head-to-toe indulgence is the one to book. 

Additional wellness facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, an outdoor pool surrounded by tropical greenery, smaller relaxation pools and a new wellness concierge. Damai House, formerly an events space, is now a state-of-the-art mirrored studio for group classes, featuring Singapore’s first Mind Body Therapy wall – a series of wall-mounted straps designed to deepen your stretch.

Travelling with family? The hotel now offers interconnecting Wellness Rooms and a new Family Suite category, complete with bunk beds, child-friendly amenities and access to a curated list of Grand Hyatt Singapore-approved family experiences around town.

It’s still the same great location: you’re in the heart of Singapore yet just far enough from the main Orchard Road drag to feel removed from the bustle. The MRT is a two-minute walk away, and you’re within easy reach of the Botanic Gardens, the National Museum and the city’s best shopping and dining. For business travellers, the CBD is just a 10-minute drive.

Cathay editors say… 

“Amid the Lion City’s booming hospitality landscape, Grand Hyatt Singapore’s transformation has cemented the hotel as leader in sustainable luxury in Asia: design-forward, wellness-centric and sustainable – without comfort or service being sacrificed. Whether you’re here for business, leisure or a bit of both, this is a hotel that makes you feel good in every sense.”