Hotel Dining

With Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview this popular Four Points brand has in 2016 arrived to Singapore, situated by the Singapore River in the residential River Valley area. This is also a bit of green lung to appreciate, yet very much situated in the centre – this City State where (given the lack of land) buildings are otherwise increasingly replacing any remaining greenery. And that alone – given how most other densely populated large cities in Southeast Asia do not rank favourably on this front – is a factor that will play in Singapore’s favour (if it can see the value and save these eco-friendly features).

The area’s upscale high-rise apartment residences, along with an increasing number of hotel rooms, also feed the number of great eateries, cafes and bars that are situated along the narrow river. Four Points adds to the selection, both with rooms and F & B outlets; not least with its indoor-outdoor The Best Brew venue, a draw for both locals and hotel guests. The hotel’s plus points turn out to be more than Four…

Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview: revamped hotel

The high-rise hotel Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview is hosted in a revamped building (2016). Placed alongside the river guest rooms face this residential/water/green scene while the opposite side faces the nearby street.

This is actually a happening area with a vibrant dining/café/bar and increasing hotel scene, placing the riverside zone on the map as a much, one could say, more ‘chill’ alternative away from the big tourist areas. Anyone heading for the main shopping street Orchard road will immediately notice the difference.

And yet, this location is basically only 1.5 km away from upper part of that famous shopping road (a ten- minute, convenient bus ride from Somerset MRT station, or even faster by taxi)!

Four Points’ façade and exterior feels ‘old skool’, kind of 1970’s concrete, but is actually at the same time interesting in its odd shape; the building structure split into sections, vertically per row of hotel rooms, with a different positioning and angled, tinted windows.

Upon entering, the doormen are alert and ready to assist one’s arrival and take care of the luggage. Arrival to the hotel can be by car, bus, or subway as another route now has a station nearby.

There are several check-in marble desks, also with an extra handy counter on which one can put one’s check-in luggage to pick out the printed reservation details and passport. The lobby has illuminated, vertical glass surfaces on the pillars and within built-in wooden box shelves behind the check-in counters.

To the right the Best Brew is situated and in the back, beyond the check-in the direct access to the lifts to up to the rooms as well as meeting floors.

In the centre of the lobby is a glass-encased art piece, dating back to the originals of the building.

Four Points, is a really suitable brand name, as the hotel serves the upper mid-tier market, basically four-star level. It represents good convenience and modern design and services catering with good satisfactory to many business travellers and leisure travellers (without the perks of staying in a five star establishment): in-room complimentary internet and work desk, fitness centre, bar with entertainment on the premises, Cable TV entertainment with over 30 channels…

The brand is positioned as: ‘Classic and timeless, casual and relaxed. Modern style, always practical. and designed with the traveller in mind’.

The Premium Room comes with a beige and grey colour scheme, accented by a rust red wall-to-wall carpet with a yellow fishnet pattern in the bedroom.

In the hallway beige tiles and brown wooden built-in wardrobes and a cabinet with mini-fridge allowing you to create your own min-bar. A drinks and snack vending machine is found on fifth floor, and a convenience store is relatively nearby, at Great World City shopping centre. Room service is prompt and delivers ice cubes free of charge.

The brown leather headboard of the bed is equipped with smart reading lamps: just press on the closed lamp and it pops out with the light on! The bed comes with four big pillows and its mattress is superbly comfortable – a feature always essential for the overall plus points…

A nice feature is the lounge sofa by the window, enabling direct view when relaxing there. To the side of it is the work desk, where to get things done, or watch a movie, on your laptop.

The bathroom is furnished with a mix of beige bricks and marble material, a round sink and rain shower option.

As for fitness, the hotel has a smaller pool and steam sauna, but earns another plus point for the 24-hour access to the fitness room.

Best Brew at Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview

Four Points hotels do not come equipped with club lounge, which here makes the Best Brew the destination of choice for most guests, and that serves well as one’s living room and lounge, albeit with an entertainment vibe towards the evenings. And it is really a winner in making this hotel attractive and also this outlet a preferred waterhole.

This bar and restaurant venue also boasts its very own craft beer for ale connoisseurs, the Tall Tale Pale Ale. Wine with great taste is also served, in a proper high wine glass by the way, among a large selection of beers.

Wine lovers: Please ask for the wine list for a decent selection. Order any home brew (500 ml) between 3.00 PM to 6.00 PM and they’ll throw in a Free Piri Piri Fish Burger or Club Sandwich.

And here comes another plus point, making the count by far exceeding four: the extended happy hours, from 3 pm until 9 pm daily and on Sundays starting as early as 11 am! So on a Sunday stroll guests can relax al fresco on the terrace with cold brew or wine as you enjoy the soothing view of the Singapore River. Indoors there are plenty of seats (by the bar and around low granite tables) and semi-private corners, making up a great setting for business meetings or catching up on emails after at busy day out in the city. This tends to prolong one’s time spent there and seamlessly cross into a state of entertainment, with happy hour drinks and dinner – to the beats of pop and dance music.

Enjoyed alfresco in the evening The Parma Ham & Rocket pizza paired with well-chilled white wine, are superb. And it should be added that this setting is completely free from any traffic: no roads along the river, and with no on-water transportation whatsoever – with one exception, which is a nice river boat shuttle that on certain times in the day takes guests up and down the river just outside the hotel.

Other bar bites: Crusty Aussie burger (grilled tender lean beef patty with gherkin, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, mushroom, fried egg, cheese & grilled bacon) and The Best Brew club sandwich.

The bar also presents a schedule of events, such as football live telecasts; Brew & BBQ happenings with all-you-can-eat grills and free flow beer for 2.5 hours; or the ‘Chill and Grill’, a monthly Brew & BBQ at The Best Brew: Indulge in a tantalising spread of Mini Striploin Steaks, Tiger Prawns, Chicken Teriyaki and other freshly-barbecued delights while you complete your TGIF with free flow of the venue’s craft beer Tall Tale Pale Ale! The hotel also offers a Bed & Brew package, which includes 2 glasses of this exclusive beer.

There are also DJ events lasting until 2 am! Groove to the very best of music from the 80’s to 90’s at The Best Brew, home to Boogie Fever Vol. 4 is one example of happening.

Meanwhile Four Points Eatery offers continental, Asian and local favourites. The local wok section of the menu pays tribute to stalwart names: Old Time Bak Tuk The, Slipper Lobster Laksa, Nasi Goreing Istimewa, Seafood Char Kway Teow etc.

Among the pizza selection (Eatery food menu also available at Best Brew) you also find Margherita, featuring plum tomatoes, basil, buffalo mozzarella and rocket leaves; and Supreme with pepperoni beef salami, basil, black olives, capsicum, onion, mozzarella cheese and bacon.

Eatery also offers All Day Breakfast from 06:00 until 22:30! Grilled succulent chicken breast or salmon, bacon and grilled tomatoes with dressing, 2 sunny side ups, butter bread and seasonal greens, coffee and tea.

Or how about ‘Tea Time Signature’? A local indulgence with Grilled Otak-Otak, Grilled Egg Bread with Side Portion of Potatoes and Chick Curry, complete with “Teh Tarik or Kopi Tarik”.

And just to remember: you can kill some calories in the gym open 24 hours…