Arrival: warm greetings and luggage assistance by bellboy
Check-in: efficient registration with a warm welcome; escorted and introduction of the hotel by receptionist due to my first visit
Breakfast: table at riverside was recommended
Accommodation: typical Sheraton bed, renovated facilities, very nice riverview

We booked at the Royal Orchid on the basis of its riverside location and facilities. Whilst it occupies a prime spot on the riverside, we found it to be in an obscure place which is not as bustling as the precincts surrounding the Orient. Walking around the area to find good restaurants and sightseeing is a hassle. The hotel was really quiet when we stayed and we thought it was probably better suited to business travellers. We dined twice at the hotel's Thai restaurant, which served nice food but was also especially quiet. The breakfast buffet was a disappointment and we had to work really hard to get attention of staff. The good points of the hotel are its Microsoft zone with free internet access, the half-hourly shuttle boat to the MRT and its quick check-out.

Stayed for 1 night and part of the hotel is under renovation.

Room: Good that they provide 2 double beds for a deluxe twin room with beautiful river view. we can enjoyed sunset in the room! Funny that the safety box is installed in the drawer under the LCD TV, but not large enough to put my camera lens in it.

Location: the hotel complimentary shuttle boat operates every 30mins during 0900-2000, i'd suggest them to extend the operating hours or increase the frequency of the boat as there r lots of ppl awaiting for that especially lunch and dinner time.

Staff: decent and helpful as the taxi driver who we dated for transfer from hotel to airport was no show and the hotel staff immediately help us to call him and arrange another taxi for us. Smart and attentive!!

I have seldom seen such a deterioration in a hotel in one year, despite it still masquerading as a five star hotel.

I have recently (February 2010) returned from a week's stay there, following a previous visit in January 2009. During the intervening period the hotel has deteriorated to such an extent that it now appears to cater for the bottom end of the package tour market.

I gather that there was a change of management last year. I made three attempts to speak to the new general manager, (a Mr Graham) but was fobbed off by the reception desk.

It is sad that the standards of a hotel that had such a good reputation previously, should have fallen so rapidly. Perhaps this was a Sheraton Group policy in which case they should seek an early re-rating to 3 stars so that potential clients kow what to expect.