PUBLISHED April 10th, 2021 07:00 am | UPDATED July 25th, 2024 01:31 pm
Wanderlusters, we usually bring you a new hotel stay experience in Singapore with each month’s edition of Staycation Spotlight; this April though, we might have something better to offer with HoteLux Singapore. Launched earlier this year, the membership-based luxury hotel reservation app connects users to more than 4,000 properties worldwide.
The USP? Members get privileges like daily breakfast, at least US$100 hotel credit to spend, complimentary room upgrade, and earning both hotel loyalty program points and HoteLux points with each booking made via the app. This applies to bookings made outside of Singapore too, when leisure travel resumes.
If it sounds too good to be true, the app does charge an annual membership fee of S$99. We put the benefits it claims to offer to the test with our own staycation booking at the Four Seasons Singapore – there are more than 20 local partner hotels to choose from at the moment, such as Andaz, Mandarin Oriental, and Capella.
One thing to note is that HoteLux doesn’t collect payment for the booking – the stay is paid for upon check-in, where we received an upgrade to the Boulevard Room (a step-up from the Deluxe Room booked on the app) that offered a lovely view of Singapore’s prime shopping district. While we didn’t put in a request to start our staycation early, a late check-out was secured before heading up to our elegantly appointed and spacious abode for the next 24 hours.
One might argue that members of HoteLux would more than make good on the membership fee with just one staycation, as the property credit of US$100 converts to at least S$125. We opted to spend it on food and drink instead, since Four Seasons Singapore is home to excellent establishments, and the credit went pretty far too.
We netted three cocktails at One Ninety Bar (now helmed by Gabriel Carlos who was previously at Manhattan) during Blue Hour and since it was raining, used the remaining on room service for Cantonese comfort food from Jiang Nan Chun. Being able to use credit on room service was surprising (and most welcome), since most credits attached to staycation packages are only valid at dining venues.
In a nutshell, there’s nothing to not love about HoteLux, particularly if enjoy upscale properties and have used up your SingapoRediscovers vouchers. The user experience of the app is seamless and fuss-free, and some hotels are even offering more perks to its members. For instance, Four Seasons is offering a complimentary third night with every two consecutive paid nights and US$200 credit per stay if you book a suite.
Plus, we’re a fan of the flexible cancellation policy, which allows members to cancel or postpone the stay at no cost up to the day before check-in.
For more information, see HoteLux Singapore’s website or download the app (Apple and Android). HoteLux’s annual membership is priced at S$99.
Top Image: Deluxe Room, Four Seasons Singapore