Location
Perch on top of a knoll, Capella is not too far from the entrance to Sentosa via the causeway. Despite its location, the entrance to Capella is rather inconspicuous. Guests to this hotel would have to look out for the entrance after driving pass the round about after the gantry at Sentosa Gateway. The driveway towards the hotel opens up to spacious beautiful garden and the hotel appears to be a jewel on a crown. The hotel lobby is situated in a colonial building that is part of Singapore's history. The hotel is situated right smack centre of Sentosa Island, with the beach as its backyard, guests enjoy a direct access to the beach via the hotel's back door. Despite its central location, guests are required to walk at least 10 mins to get to anywhere else on the island. The hotel provides shuttle service to Vivocity on mainland Singapore as well as Resorts World Sentosa, where one would find the theme park and casino. There are also regular beach tram service on the beach side of the hotel, accessible via the back door of the hotel.
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| Hotel Signage Outside the Lobby |
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| Lobby |
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| Corridor Outside the Lobby |
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| Around the Hotel |
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| Around the Hotel |
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| Around the Hotel |
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| Around the Hotel |
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| Around the Hotel |
The Room
I had the opportunity to return to this hotel for my advanced birthday staycation, arranged by my friend, after my horrid experience last December. The room I checked into this time round is Seaview Premier Room. The room layout is similar to the Garden Premier Room I stayed in last December. The room combines functionality with contemporary theme and made use of technology.
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| Entrance to Room 417 |
The main door to the expansive 77 sq meter room is oriented to the left of the room. The vanity cum walk-through wardrobe is situated to the right of the main door. The dual-sink massive vanity area with 2 mirrors and separate vanity lightings, stretches across the room. The counter-top where the sinks are located has sufficient space for guests to stow their toiletries. This is also where one would find a comfortable cushioned stool for ladies to sit on while putting on their make-up. One can also find the hairdryer here. Behind the vanity area is the walk-through wardrobe. I like the design of the open walk-through wardrobe, which not only saves space, it looked chic and is also functional. The open-concept wardrobe is convenient that give guests direct access to their clothings without having the need to open wardrobe doors. There is sufficient space for guests to store up to 2 weeks or more worth of clothings. There is also a couple of 3-tiered drawers for more storage space. There is a ledge on top of the wardrobe for guests to stow away their luggages when not in use.
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| Large Counter-Top with Dual Sink Vanity Area |
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| Quality Aesop Amenities and Amenities Kit Pouch |
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| Wardrobe |
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| Double 3-Tier Drawer |
To the end of the wardrobe is where one will find the toilet cubicle. Further into the room is where one would find the bath area. The open walk-in shower features both the rain shower and a massage shower head. There is a ledge at the walk-in shower where one will find quality Aesop bath amenities. Upon reading the wordings on the bottle, I realise the hotel chose its bath amenities very carefully. For example, the body cleanser, with Geranium scant is chosen so that guests can relax and fall asleep easier; the body balm is chosen with properties that hydrates guests' skin and to prevent sunburn given the hot and humid climate of Singapore. The non-slip walk-in area also have a stool placed in one corner for guests who needs to seat no to shower. The bathtub is situated opposite the walk-in shower, in front of a large window that overlooks into the balcony.This arrangement makes the bathroom feels bigger than it already is.
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| Toilet Cubicle |
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| Shower Area |
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| Panoramic View of the Bathroom |
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| Bathtub by the Window |
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| Paint Peeling on the Wall of the Bathroom |
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| Bathtub |
Further into the room, beyond the vanity area is the sleeping area of the room. Right in front of the vanity area is the king size bed. The comfortable bed with firmness level just right for my liking enabled me to sleep soundly throughout the night. The bed is large enough to sleep 4 adults comfortably. There are a couple of bedside tables on either side of the bed. One can find a tablet that controls the lightings, the blinds, etc in one of the bed-side tables. The bed faces a couch that can seat up to 5 adults without squeezing. The couch is situated in front of a large window that offers magnificent view into the hotel grounds. There is a coffee table between the bed and the couch. The view from the room that I was checked into indeed offers the best view in the hotel. It overlooked the 3-tiered hotel pool and the sea. One can sit by the couch and enjoy sunset with their loved ones while sipping coffee or even wine. The mix of greeneries and the waters is a sight that one can simply enjoy for hours.
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| King Size Bed |
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| Artwork on the Wall |
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| Bedside Table |
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| I like the use of Technology. This Tablet Controls the Curtains and the Lightings |
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| Very Thoughtful Housekeeping Staff whom took the initiative to coil up my wires so that it will not look messy. The attention to details is superb |
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| Couch with a view |
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| Welcome Fruit and Chocolate |
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| This room has the best view in the entire hotel |
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| View from the Room. I can see the 3-Tier Pool and the Sea |
Facing the window, to the right of the couch is where one can find the work desk. The desk is large enough for one to do some decent work on. The hotel provides standard stationeries, placed neatly in a box on the desk. There is a 2-plug power point on the desk. The desk has 2 drawers, creating more space for storage. The in-room save can also be found in the cabinet under the work desk. To the left of the couch is where one can find the minibar and in-room entertainment. 3 cabinets tucking away the complementary mini-bar, Nespresso capsules, tea and electric kettle. The Nespresso machine is placed on top of these 3 cabinets, together with Bose sound system and iPod dock. Here is where one can find a 46 inch flat screen TV, mounted on a rack that allows guests to swivel to allow one to watch cable channels on the TV on either the couch or on the bed. One feature I like about the room is the automatic blinds. Somehow the sensor in room would detect prolong periods where guests are not in room, upon entering the room, the blinds and curtains automatically draws up to allow light into the room.
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| Work Desk with Stationeries |
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| Entertainment Area with Nespresso Machine and Bose System |
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| Complementary Wine |
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| Contents of the Minibar are Complementary. The Staff already placed my birthday cake with complements from the hotel in the fridge prior to my arrival. |
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| Coffee and Tea |
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| Electric Kettle and Ice Bucket |
Between the Bathroom and the entertainment area of the room is the doorway to the balcony. The balcony has a single seater armchair and a 2 seater long couch for one to enjoy the sea breeze. The balcony in this room is rather small, nonetheless it is still a great spot to chill out or even smoke from.
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| Seating in the Balcony |
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| View from the Balcony |
The Library
Swimming Pool
Capella has a 3-tiered infinite pool that overlooks into the sea. The top two tiers featured a free form pool and the lowest tier features a lap pool. The pool is a great place to soak in the sun on the sunny island of Sentosa. I did not utilise the pool on my previous stay as it was raining most of the time. This time round I had plenty of time to relax by the pool. The pool on the top tier is an adult only pool, while the middle tier is more of a family pool, with a shallow end for children to swim in. There are no lack of deck chairs around the pool. The water in the pool is not too cold and provided us a great place to cool off the scorching sun during the period of my stay. The pools are not too deep (1.2m), which is rather "friendly" even to those who are not strong in swimming.
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| Gorgeous Pool |
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| Panoramic View of the Pool |
Gym
Service
The service I received this time round is impeccable and different from my last experience. This time round the service rendered around the hotel truly reflects its 5-star status. I was well taken care of by the staffs in the hotel and almost everyone is friendly and warmth.
Prior to my checking in, I received a call from one of the personal assistance, Jayce. She checked if there are any special occasion during my stay in the hotel and my preference of the room. I mentioned that I will be in the hotel for my birthday celebration and that I would like a room that faces the swimming pool and the sea. I also requested for firmer pillows from Jayce and to my delight, these pillows where found in the room waiting for me when I checked in. Jayce called back a few days later to inform me that she has gotten the best view room in the hotel. She even checked the timing that I will be at the hotel so that the room can be ready. Indeed when I reached the hotel, the room was already ready for my occupancy. Jayce took the initiative to arrange for a birthday cake and a bottle of wine in the room with complements from the hotel for my birthday. Jayce not only followed through my requests and even went above and beyond my requests.
I met with Emanuel who was the duty manager at the time of my arrival at the hotel. Emanuel greeted me with the warmest smile. The efficiency of processing my check in by Emanuel ensured that I will be in my room in no time, comparing to my previous experience this is heavens and earths apart. Emanuel personally showed me to my room and took the pains to explain the features of the room. Emanuel repeatedly requested me to call front desk if there are anything they can do to make my stay more comfortable. A few occasions I walked pass the front desk and met Emanuel, he checked with me if the room was alright and if there are anything else that they can do to make my stay more comfortable. Whenever I walked up to the front desk and met Emanuel, he would address me by my family name, taking note of me as a guest in the hotel. This gesture shows that Emanuel bothered to remember his guests by face and addressed them by their family name. This has made me felt welcome and somewhat important.
Daniel is the Front of the House Manager and remembered me from my previous stay. He ensured that I was well taken care of by his staffs and my requests are being attended to almost immediately. I brought to Daniel's attention that the air-conditioning in my room was did not seem to be working well. Without delay Daniel personally sees to it and brought a technician staff with him to my room to investigate the air-con issue. Daniel has done what most managers of other hotels has not, he actively engages his guests and ensured that all are felt welcomed in the hotel. Whenever I bumped into Daniel, he would always ask how was my day and how's the stay so far. Daniel shared with me the architecture of the hotel and the different rooms there is in the hotel. He even volunteered to show me some of the other category rooms, unfortunately I was not able to visit these other rooms due to clash in schedule. Daniel displayed what being customer centric is all about and went all way to ensure that my stay is fantastic.
I met Sherwin at the Library, whom is one of the personal assistants in the hotel. Sherwin recognised me and my friend and addressed us by our family name whenever we visited the Library. This small but warmth gesture made us felt welcome. Sherwin would always asked how was our day and initiate conversation with me. There was this instance we met Sherwin at the Library, he immediately recognised me (my sister and brother-in-law popped by the hotel to visit and was pleasantly surprised at the impeccable service Sherwin rendered). My sister is very impressed with the service that Capella has rendered through the acts of Sherwin. He even brought us freshly baked pastry from the kitchen before it is being displayed during high tea without asking. This thoughtfulness and the passion in customer service is being embraced by Sherwin.
I called up in-room dinning at 11.30pm as me and my friend wanted to have some fish and chips. Michael took the call and ensured that we got the fish and chips that we wanted despite this dish is not in the in-room dining menu. The fish and chips that was delivered to our room is fresh and tasty, thanks to Michael, who went all out to meet our request. In some establishments if the item is not in the menu, the food will not be made available. However Michael did not do what the others would, instead he checked with his colleagues and made it happen for us.
When we were at the pool, Jani, one of the staffs working at the pool, saw us laying towels on the deck chairs and immediately brought two buckets of ice with bottled water in it for us to drink while we were at the pool. This was done without asking. The pool area is always tidy as I had witness Jani cleaning up after guests left the pool tirelessly. Jani even did his rounds with complementary apple and cranberry juice for guests at the pool to enjoy.
There are however one instance of service lapse and this time is in the Knoll restaurant, where breakfast is being served. I was at the juice bar wanting some freshly squeezed juice. The bar was not manned and I waited for around 10 mins. Numerous staffs walked passed me without even acknowledging my presence. I was left hanging until one of the staff, who was responsible for the tables in the area I was seated, saw me standing and there was no one serving me. She quickly asked what I would like to have and the drinks would be delivered to me. Almost immediately after I returned to my seat, the fresh juices were delivered to me.
Overall
The hotel has great hardware as can be seen from the room and the facilities. The room is spacious and comfortable. What I like most about the room is view that overlooks the pool and the sea. In terms of service, it is 180 deg from my experience in December when I first stayed in Capella. This time round it felt like an old friend returning the hotel for a stay. At the end of the stay, my friend and I agreed that we do not feel like checking out. We will definitely return to try out the other category accommodations. The services that was rendered this time round truly reflects the 5-star status of Capella.
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