We absolutely love the high tea at Xperience with the best fried chicken wings and crispy wanton offered in its savoury pot. The pastry chef obviously thrives on being innovative with some elongated macaroons he calls 'eclaroons', supposedly hybrids of eclaires and macaroons. Whilst we can appreciate the thoughts and creativity that assembled these gorgeous entrees, we adhere to more traditional notions of food which dictate that soup should look and taste like soup no matter how fancy the title sounds.

Service here isn't disappointing, but also not exactly operating on an exemplary plane. Perhaps motivational aspects on staff well-being might work at the fundamental level.

A modern wing was raised parallel to the original building with glittering light fixtures cascading down its narrow atrium. The sumptuous suites come replete with ultra high ceilings and stares out moodily into Robinson Road through patios decked with outrageous palm seaters. As with most Sofitel properties, the rooms of this hotel are infused with continental flavours via portraits of Napoleon and mini Eiffel Towers encapsulated behind doors branded with an emblem designed by Monsieur Lagerfeld himself. Nonetheless when compared to the bold sartorial statements of SO Bangkok with its definitive elemental themes, SO Singapore's efforts in making a conceptual impression seems weak and wavering.