The first Dao by Dorsett in Asia is a forward-thinking, hyper-local aparthotel that works well for all types of guests, regardless of whether they are weekend staycationers or long-stay expats
Location
Rebranded from the Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore, the 268-key aparthotel is located at OUE Downtown in the heart of Singapore’s vibrant business district and a five-minute walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT Station.
Accommodation
I stayed in a one-bedroom serviced apartment, which was spacious and featured a full-sized kitchen, a dining table with four chairs (which doubled up as my workspace), a sofa in the living room and a TV – there was a king-sized bed and another TV in the corner bedroom.
The view from the bedroom is unbeatable, where windows running along the L-shaped wall of the building opened out to a glittering sea view, the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, and Tanjong Pagar Terminal.
The property is still in the middle of conversion, so the small bottles of shampoo and body wash will soon be replaced by big refillable aluminium pump bottles from vegan-friendly brand Abyssian. The sustainable brand is known for its hair care products, and will be exclusively producing shower gels and hand washes for Dao by Dorsett.
We felt that the shower pressure was lacking, but as we were only staying a night it didn’t bother us much. We raised it to duty manager Peng Wee upon check out, and he promised to look into it.
My stay also included a Dao+ experience, similar to a club experience, as the hotel has no club room floors. This can be opted in for a fee, and is chargeable by day. Guests have the flexibility to add on the benefits for just a day, or their entire length of stay.
The Dao+ experience includes a fruit platter, welcome snacks, Bacha coffee, in-room dining breakfast with prosecco, a turndown service, and complimentary Dao+ cocktails and canapes from 17.00 to 20.00 at The Living Room.
F&B
Collective is the only F&B offering on-site, offering a mix of local and Western dishes. Highly recommended dishes include the Truffle Wagyu Beef Horfun, and their elevated take on Nasi Lemak (sambal river Prawn, squid, turmeric chicken, fried egg, coconut-infused rice). Portions were substantial, and arrived not long after we placed them.
The menu also has a page dedicated to plant-based dishes, created in collaboration with vegan restaurant Green Common.
Dao by Dorsett AMTD uses TWG tea in all of its rooms and F&B service, and is currently developing an exclusive Dao tea blend.
Facilities
An outdoor swimming pool, gym, boardroom and event space, are all found on level seven. There is also a complimentary shuttle service to several locations – such as Vivocity and Marina Bay Sands – at fixed times.
What sets Dao by Dorsett AMTD apart from its competitors is that the hotel is all about personalising a guest’s stay according to the brand’s three attributes: Harmonious, Custom-Fit and Social. To this tune, the hotel has collaborated with several local partners to offer guests experiences not commonly found at other properties.
For instance, upon arrival, I was invited to visit the custom-built Dao Plant Library presented by The Botanist & Her Thieves – where I learnt that as part of the Harmonious concept, one could adopt a houseplant for the duration of the stay. Although I opted out, I can see how long-stay guests would appreciate a spot of green in their apartments.
Instead, I chose the Custom-Fit experience, where I received a food box from local fresh produce company Avo & Co to whip up breakfast within the comfortable confines of my room, as opposed to Collective for a buffet breakfast. My fresh produce box included fruits such as green grapes and strawberries, as well as a packet of granola, yoghurt, a box of eggs, cherry tomatoes on vine, and a carton of milk. Hotel staff also thoughtfully provided a small jar of olive oil, salt and pepper for my cooking needs.
Dao by Dorsett is also one of the few hotels that extend a warm welcome to furry companions, and offers a specially-designed package that includes comfortable beds, treats, toys, and bowls to make their stay as comfortable as yours.
Other custom-fit options include guests being able to request for fitness equipment like dumbbells, yoga mats or spin bikes, as well as in-room spa accessories such as a sweat blanket and LED red light therapy.
Under the Social umbrella, the hotel has also struck up partnerships with Brass Lion Distillery for cocktail-making tours, and The Bloom Box for flower-arranging workshops. For fitness enthusiasts, complimentary trial classes at Absolute Cycle, Haus Athletics, and Boulder Movement can be arranged.
Service
Warm, welcoming and attentive – from the driver who picked me up to the service staff at the restaurant.
Verdict
My stay was sequestered and peaceful, a far cry from the hustle and bustle reflective of its prime location. For my 24-hour stay, I didn’t even step out of the hotel once; that’s how comfortable I was. I left recharged and refreshed, which I reckon should be the case for all staycations.
Contact details
Tel: +65 6812 6000
Website: https://www.daobydorsett.com/dao-by-dorsett-amtd-singapore/hotel-overview.html
