Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore: Hotel staycation review

The spot for rest and respite, this new aparthotel concept in the heart of the central business district offers sweeping views of the Singapore Strait and Tanjong Pagar port

Revenge travel may be on the cards for many this holiday season and in the new year, but if the thought of navigating through busy airports, grappling with long queues and waiting times, and possibility of lost luggage is stopping you in your tracks, take all the time you need to ease yourself into it.

In the meantime, a change of scenery might do you good. The pandemic has changed the way we travel, but staycations are here to stay. For some rest and respite, consider a weekend away at Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore. This is the first property for the new Dao by Dorsett brand in Asia (the first opened in London this June) by the Hong Kong-based Dorsett Hospitality International, which is also behind the Dorsett Hotels, Silka, and d.Collection brands.

The best part: you don’t need to disrupt your routine and can still cook, do laundry, and get on the spin bike during your stay at Dao by Dorsett. Yes, you heard right: cook, do laundry, and get on the spin bike. We kid, you don’t have to, but it’s good to know that the best of serviced apartment living is available for guests here, whether you are staying for the week or weekend, or in for a long stay.

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This is the first aparthotel, or apartment hotel, concept from the hospitality group that allows guests to curate their own living spaces, with all the amenities of your own apartment, so you feel at home as soon as you step through the doors. In fact, the name is inspired by the Chinese word dao, which means “the way” when translated in English.

We check in for a one-night stay and curated our own weekend away.

First Impressions

Above The lobby at Dao by Dorsett (Image: Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore)

Dao by Dorsett, formerly Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore, is located within the mixed-use development OUE Downtown in the central business district. Upon arrival at the lobby on level seven, we were ushered to the reception desk (not the usual counter set-up common in hotels) where we sat on plush leather chairs while awaiting the check-in process, which was swift and seamless.

With its high ceilings and marbled floors, the lobby is spacious yet intimate, with The Living Room lounge area, where you can enjoy the signature tea experience, in one corner and the in-house restaurant Collective in the other. Greenery is brought indoors by way of the custom-built Dao Plant Library, curated by local plant boutique The Botanist & Her Thieves, lining the wall closest to the lifts.

Here, you can select your own houseplant to look after during your stay, with helpful care tips from the staff. This was our first encounter with Dao by Dorsett’s numerous approach to engaging with the local community and environment—and encouraging its guests to do the same.

Do Not Disturb

Above The one-bedroom premier suite (Image: Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore)

Our one-bedroom premier suite is one of the 268 fully serviced apartments available across various categories to suit every need. The interiors are tastefully decorated in a modern contemporary style with a neutral colour palette. Step inside and you are first greeted by the kitchenette, which is fully equipped with everything you need, from crockery to cutlery, to prepare your own meal, or even a feast.

Long-stay guests will be glad to know that the suite also comes with a full-sized refrigerator, dishwasher and washing machine. There is even an oven if you are so inclined to baking or roasting. Proceed further inside and you will find the cosy dining and living rooms, with ample storage space within cupboards and the television console. A Nespresso machine as well as TWG Tea and Bacha Coffee sachets are also available.

While the plush king-sized bed anchoring the bedroom is a notable highlight, don’t sleep on the spectacular view—which in itself is probably worth the price of the suite—overlooking the Singapore Strait (and the nearby Singapore Cruise Centre) where commercial ships and cruise liners are berthed as well as the iconic and colourful container stacks at the Tanjong Pagar port.

This is one of our favourite views in our island nation and waking up to it, with sunlight streaming through the windows, was such a treat. What would have made our stay even more enjoyable is a bubble bath. Nonetheless, with no bathtub in sight, but a rain shower in its place, we pampered ourselves with the bathroom amenities from cult sustainable and vegan-friendly beauty brand Abyssian.

The Extras

Above A seasonal fruits box by Avo & Co (Image: Hashirin Nurin Hashimi)

Above Bathroom amenities from cult sustainable and vegan-friendly beauty brand Abyssian (Image: Hashirin Nurin Hashimi)

To offer its guests a memorable experience like no other, Dao by Dorsett has formed strategic partnerships with various home-grown businesses. One notable collaboration is with local artisanal fresh produce company, Avo & Co, to offer a range of seasonal fresh produce boxes for guests looking to cook their own meals.

As part of the tailored Dao+ experience, we received a seasonal fruits box filled with fresh dragon fruit, kiwi, apples and oranges, which kept us satiated throughout our stay. Besides the regular fruit and vegetable kits, there are also themed produce collections such as an Asian Cuisine Box, Bread and Butter Box, to name a few.

Wellness enthusiasts can also loan out various self-care packs, from fitness equipment such as dumbbells, yoga mats and spin bikes, to sleep and beauty accessories, including a sweat blanket and LED red light therapy, from the in-house wellness library. To complement its in-house gym and infinity pool, Dao by Dorsett has also partnered fitness studios Absolute Cycle, Haus Athletics and Boulder Movement, all located downstairs in the same building at Downtown Gallery, to offer complimentary trial classes for guests.

Plus, the property is also pet-friendly with comfortable beds, treats, toys and bowls available for your furry friends.

Don't miss: 8 pet-friendly hotels in Singapore for a luxurious staycation

Food & Drink

Above Cocktails at the in-house restaurant Collective (Image: Hashirin Nurin Hashimi)

Above The menu at Collective includes plant-based options such as the Omni burger black (Image: Hashirin Nurin Hashimi)

While there are plenty of food options available at the nearby Amoy Street Food Centre and around the Telok Ayer and Ann Siang Hill vicinity, the in-house restaurant Collective can hold its own with a contemporary menu featuring both eastern and western influences.

For dinner, the comprehensive plant-based options, developed by leading plant-based product innovation platform, Green Common, deserve special mention. Notable highlights include the Omni tuna kueh pie tee starter, a fish-less tuna mix served in the quintessential crispy rice flour pastry cups, and topped with a dollop of hoisin sauce.

This innovative take on the Peranakan favourite kueh pie tee is truly happiness in a cup and so addictive, it was hard to stop at two. Another of our favourites is the hearty Omni burger black, its plant-based meat patty dipped in a signature pepper sauce and placed between vegan brioche buns and a Portobello mushroom, with a side of fries and mixed greens.

Aside from the plant-based options, chef-recommended dishes include the Dao’s nasi lemak. The version of the coconut-infused rice here is elevated with a delightful sambal river prawn, squid and crispy turmeric chicken.

A buffet breakfast is also served at Collective, but the in-room dining seemed a more relaxing option for us—we were on staycation after all. The usual American and continental breakfast of pancakes, waffles and eggs are available, but our choice oriental breakfast of congee (plain, chicken or fish) served with pickled vegetables, braised peanuts and black bean dace worked up an appetite. Of course, we also had to order the bakery basket, which offered a choice of two breads and pastries, including croissants and pain au chocolat.

Tatler Tip

Above The infinity pool overlooking the Singapore Strait (Image: Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore)

With the tailored Dao+ experience, you can enjoy complimentary cocktails and canapes such as chicken and beef satay, honey maple truffle wings and calamari rings from 5pm to 8pm, at The Living Room. Pre-prandial drinks can also be had at the new sky bar on the outdoor deck overlooking the infinity pool.

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