Let's go straight to the point: the former "Duxton" is actually one of the Top 5 best hotels in town. It doesn't 
The hotel had been housed a decade ago in eight units of charmingly restored turn-of-the-century shop houses. Once we stepped the discreet entrance door, we were amazed by the intimate though top luxurious lobby: made out of precious marble, beautifully designed stained glass, with oriental carpets, and splendid british furniture. With the Raffles, it is the only one in Singapore reflecting that well the colonial past of the city.
This is a small hotel, with 50 rooms and 9 suites only. We stayed five nights in a Duplex Suite: this was simply great ! The suites we used to stay in, should it be in Paris or Cape town, always tend to be so huge and sumptuous we almost lost our way inside. Which was not the case at the Berjaya: fitted for human beings, with or without a crown, apartments make you feel like home at first sight. Let's rather say: "grand home"... On the ground floor was our living room, separated from the upper floor bedroom by a charming spiral staircase. It came completed with all the five star amenities one may expect in such a distinguished place. We enjoyed very much the bathrooms: among the ritziest in town, displaying a very complete set of Muguet d'Ogive toiletry. Ceilings, and therefore windows, are very high: the light was perfectly displayed, even on rainy days (and we had some of them, as we came during the monsoon...).
Service is anticipating. A beautiful and fresh young lady acted as a concierge. She called us by our name, which looks normal in that category of hotel; but when she was replaced by a colleague, he also knew our name before we had even told him our room number... How did he get informed, we ignore it: but this was fairly smart and professional. That kind of small detail is always much appreciated by those who stay in palace hotels: as, except from its size, the Berjaya goes in that category, indeed. Another thing we appreciated very much at the Berjaya, was that plush white Mercedes Benz chauffeured limousine they put at their guest disposal in the morning, to go downtown (it takes five minutes to reach Orchard Road)... on a complimentary basis !!! Believe it or not... In a city where taxis are that cheap and clean, where the underground is that safe and efficient, and where double deck buses are so numerous, we found it supremely elegant !
The British atmosphere stops at the door of the restaurant CASA MEDITERANNEA which, or course, just could be French. We mean really French !: with a French manager, and French chef Dominique Ferchaud who makes the unique Bouillabaisse available in Singapore. Our schedule was so tuff that we found no time to taste it; just enjoying the restaurant for our breakfast (generous one: with delicious Croissants Chauds, like in Paris). Which is our unique regret, after such a wonderful stay.
Rooms are not that expensive. Let's even say that, compared to the Raffles, they even tend to be cheap. During our last stay, a Standard Room was S$220. Superior Room was S$310. A suite like ours or, if you prefer, with French doors opening to a beautiful landscaped courtyard (Garden Suites), would cost about S$380 according to published rate. Taxes and charges in Singapore are 13%. Rates are variable, with quite of lot of interesting special offers.
Advance booking is essential at the Berjaya, as this delicious hideaway tend to become more and more famous among the distinctive travellers.
You just can love that place at first sight, and we warmly recommend it to you.
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