You guys know that I’m such a sucker for staycations at hotels and resorts or hotels that try to be resorts, especially if they are near any manner of water, be it a seafacing villa, or a suite with a jacuzzi/plunge pool/river etc.

So it was only a matter of time that I stay in the boutique-hotel sister of Fullerton, the Fullerton Bay Hotel.

I had hoped to gush about a wonderful pampered experience. But.

Well, as gorgeous as the hardware is – the hotel is indeed replete with luxury finishings and elegant touches  that afford it a 5-star rating complete with 5-star prices – but the soft skills clearly need polishing.

Let us first enjoy the good stuff. Our class of room is one down from the $1500 suite, so I guess we got good sqm for our pretty penny, with a sizeable sundeck, but beware of trash landing from above! Nice bathtub with retractable blinds and  TV; beautiful marble finishings and Molton Brown amenities.

Now let’s get into the reality of things. I had asked for an early check-in (we got a room for the inlaws at Fullerton hotel as Bay’s all booked out for the long weekend, and I was able to check in for them at before 1pm), but at Fullerton Bay,  we were told that whilst our room is empty and ready, they need to give it a final once-over before guests could settle in. I have known this to be their standard procedure, so I said ok, we could have lunch while waiting for the room to be ready. The food took a while and as it happened, the room was ready before lunch arrived. My hubby asked the restaurant assistant manager if they could deliver the food to our room (which incidentally, is on the same level, and in fact just less than 10 metres from the restaurant – yes it is a small hotel).

His response shocked us. Alan, the assistant manager, was reluctant to send the food to our room, because he can’t give his word on the quality of food, once it leaves his premises. I really didn’t know to laugh or cry at his fierce and loyal protection of territory.

Pretty amazing stuff eh.

Our room came with complimentary cocktails rooftop bar Lantern (that we have to claim on the day of arrival, I checked) but the entire place is booked out. I had gone up  at 5ish, way before the National Day crowd arrived, but when I offered to stay only 30mins (enough time to down my drinks) if they could allow me use of one of the numerous empty ‘Reserved’ tables, I was firmly told a ‘No.’ Shouldn’t they have put aside tables of their inhouse guests who would splash more than a thousand dollars’ spend for a night’s stay and food.

For goodness’ sake. Oh, and to add salt to wound, when I said fine I shall stand whilst I down my drinks, the door bitch (a guy) refused to serve me til I show him my welcome letter.

Woah.

But there were a few gems: Kadir Mohammed brought class to the  otherwise tragic Clifford restaurant. The porter had a great manner about him, but our luggage got mixed up. But with a smile like that, I was willing to forgive the mistake, though I panicked a little on the missing bag with the Reisling and cigars.

After the night died down, I went out to the sundeck to find cigarette butts, probably thrown from one of the rooms from above.

Money doesn’t buy you class eh.