ParkRoyal Pickering is located within CBD area. The building was built as a hotel in a garden and designed by WOHA, a Singaporean architecture firm known for incorporating extensive greenery in their buildings.
Parkroyal on Pickering features greenery throughout the entire building, while the trees and gardens of the hotel appear to merge with those of the adjoining park.
Massive sky-gardens, draped with tropical plants, swathes of frangipani, and palm trees can be found at every fourth level between the blocks of guest rooms.
This striking hotel is also packed with eco-friendly features, from solar-powered systems to the use of rain harvesting to save water.
Checkin-in
The hotel is within walking distance from Chinatown MRT and only requires 5 mins. For those driving, the drop-off point is the same as those walking from MRT.
Safe entry is required before you enter the building, once past the door, there will be staff managing the temperature checking and the check-in counters are after you enter.
I did my check-in at 10 am and there isn’t any crowd. There are two counters available to facilitate my check-in, a maximum of four counters will be available shall the guest starts to arrive. A letter stating the timing of evening tea and cocktail timing was provided.
Booking of facilites can be done by scanning the QR code.
Collection Twin
My room on level 13 and the highest level is 16 and is also where the club lounge is located for this property.
Upon entering the room, you will feel that the room is very woody and makes you feel like you are in a forest resort. The carpentry is nicely done with pine woods color and doesn’t feel dated, unlike Hilton.
The room is not very big but decent enough to accommodate my family. From the door when you enter, the toilet is on the right side and the wardrobe is on the left.
The shower is a showerhead and there isn’t a rain shower available. Water pressure is great but it takes time to get used to adjust the temperature.
Bathroom amenities are from Metis, founded in Australia in 2016. Metis’ formulas offer protection and hydration to help care for the body and hair.
The toilet bowl is environment-friendly too. The handlebar and toilet paper holders are made from wood. Even the sliding door is using the same material.
Vanity table is pretty simple and none too fancy. You can find the toilets and hair dryer here.
The room is fitted with a 2 door wardrobe. Bathrobes, slippers and safe is located inside.
Beside the wardrobe is a Samsung 40″ television with cable/satellite channels. I got no problem mirroring my Samsung phone to the television for some Netflix.
The hotel provides a nice and proper table suitable for doing some work if you need to. A Herman Miller office chair provides you with comfort and a mesh backrest gives you the airflow so that you won’t feel warm after prolong sitting.
A phone and plenty of wall plugs and outlets are also available.
The side cabinet is where the fridge is located and a Nespresso machine with 4 pods of coffee. The fridge is empty due to Covid measures. Interesting is the fridge adopt a technology that once any item is removed from the fridge for more than 15 mins and it will automatically charge to your room.
The below drawers will be the cups and TWG teabags. Drinks cup and wine glass will be at the last drawers.
As a green hotel, they even provide you a recycling bin for your waste.
My room is a twin beds room, It comes fitted with two queen size bed.
On the right side table, there are two bottles of water and glass. The bottle is made from glass and from the label, it seems that they recycle the bottle after usage and if you like the bottle, it doesn’t come cheap. It cost $20 per bottle.
There is also a reading light and wall socket available.
On the other side of the second bed, the side table comes with another phone. Yes, this room has two phones in room.
The master control is located here also. Note that the master control only controls the lightings. You won’t be able to adjust the aircon temperature. It is fixed at 22°C and if you need to change, you will need to contact the hotel.
Local amenity was delivered shortly after I checked in. It was a plate of fruits and frankly speaking, I am disappointed with the fruits. I was expecting something like chocolates or some sweet pastry. The fruits look like it was leftover during breakfast service.
Collection Club Lounge
The club lounge is located at level 16. Those that book collection rooms will be able to access the lounge. The timing is shown below.
| COLLECTION Club Lounge | Timing | Days |
| Refreshment | 7 am to 10.30 pm | Daily |
| Champagne breakfast | 7 am to 10:30 am 7 am to 11:00 am | Monday to Friday Saturdays and Sundays |
| Afternoon tea | 3 pm to 5 pm | Daily |
| Evening cocktails | 6 pm to 8 pm | Daily |
Afternoon tea was served shortly after the staff got us seated. The food is pretty decent and tastes freshly made. The bread is soft while the pies are crispy and fluffy.
Afternoon tea can be refilled if your stomach still got space and the menu changes daily. What I like also is they got a very good selection of tea to complement the food.
As the menu changes daily, you can scan the QR code to see what selections are available on the day you are staying. My checkout is 6 pm on the following day thus I am able to enjoy another session of afternoon tea on the following day.
Evening cocktails were served by the buffet line, you just need to tell the chef what you like to have and the chef will serve you according.
Pickering is one of the many hotels that I visited that serve a decent selection of alcoholic drinks.
However, their selections of food are lacking.
The night scenery view towards Esplanade and Fort Canning is simply stunning.
Swimming Pool
The pool is located at level 5 and St. Gregory Spa is located at the far end of the swimming pool. The Gym is also located within the same area but due to Gov regulations, the gym is closed.
The pool is limited to 1.5 hrs per room per day and is limited to a maxinum of 12 pax per slot. The timing for the pool will be 6:00am | 7:30am | 9:00am | 10:30am | 12:00pm | 1:30pm | 3:00pm | 4:30pm | 6:00pm
Even if you don’t swim, you can soak in the Infinity pool overlooking city views or enjoy reading a book in one of the Poolside Cabanas.
Gym
The gym was closed due to government regulations but nevertheless, the gym seems to be stocked with all the machines you need for you to have a good workout.
Breakfast
After a night of cocktails, you are allowed to balance the alcohol content in your body with Champagne Breakfast served in Club Lounge.
Champagne breakfast is served daily and no limits on the number of flutes.
| Champagne Breakfast | Timing |
| Monday to Saturday | 7 am to 10.30 am |
| Sunday | 7 am to 11 am |
Similar to evening cocktail, breakfast is buffet style. Do not be shy to ask for more servings so as won’t need to keep on go queue for refill.
Eggs are cook on the spot which is a familar scene pre-covid.
Pickering does serve a pretty decent breakfast. In fact, better than most of the staycations I went to. I personally like the Omelette, Chicken congee, Hash brown which is nonoily and crispy, and lastly the smoked salmon which is not fishy at all.
Summary
I booked during discovery sales and due to GHA black status, I am able to check-in at 9 am and late check-out at 6 pm on the following day. The stay did refresh me up with the greenery and non-stop eating and drinking.
I will definitely be back when there are other sales. The only sad point will be the room doesn’t come with a bathtub while before my booking, I checked with the reservation team and mentioned that all Collection rooms are attached with a bathtub.
A fun fact, if you are assigned with a room either facing Great Eastern or Attorney-General’s Chambers. Make sure you drop the blinds before you take off your clothes. You can be seen clearly.
