If I had a nickel for every tea set review I’ve done, I’d now have two nickels–which isn’t a lot, but it’s funny that it’s happened twice. Once again, our review takes place in a Lobby Lounge. But this time, it’s inside Conrad Singapore Marina Bay’s own. Here, as part of its signature quarterly afternoon tea series, the luxury hotel has unveiled La Vanilla Afternoon Tea: the first full local tea set devoted entirely to vanilla!
Available from 19 May to 31 July 2025, this seasonal experience brings new attention to one of the world’s most quietly complex ingredients. This time, instead of playing a mere background role like it so often has, locally cultivated vanilla from Mireia is finally taking centre stage in this intentionally composed menu–and you’re invited to watch.
So, from softly whipped creams and perfumed glazes to delicate mousses and slow-steeped infusions, here’s everything I thought on what I saw, sipped, and snacked on during my time at Conrad Singapore Marina Bay, including why their La Vanilla Afternoon Tea set is anything but vanilla.
Interior
Let’s start with the Lobby Lounge itself, whose dominating palette of browns, golds and blacks sets a warm, comforting and cosy mood from the get-go. Meanwhile, material-wise, wood and marble run throughout the space from the spacious bar counter, down to the slim chair frames, assuring a sense of solid firmness across every square inch.
Strangely, everything reminded me of a ski lodge. Only, instead of keeping the breezy cold out, the Lobby Lounge fortunately keeps it in! Oh, but their service, their service was incomparable.
Yes, I get that they’re supposed to do that since the customer is always right and whatnot, but this experience was truly exceptional. On top of setting a napkin on my lap and touring through the menu when I was indecisive, the waiter even offered to let me smell the different selections of tea and coffee before ordering!
And though I didn’t take her up on sniffing every tin and can, I definitely did agree to trying all of the flavours she so graciously recommended. Because after all, why have your caffeine one way when you can have it in four?
TWG Tea and Bacha Coffee
Pink Flamingo
To begin, I tried the exotic Pink Flamingo, a TWG Tea blend of green tea and crimson hibiscus blossoms with tarte, fruity overtones. As noted by my waiter, it’s a refreshing pairing to the various sweets and savouries of the tea set. And while that’s true, something I discovered on my own was that it was more bitter than expected.
Don’t get me wrong: the Pink Flamingo’s no-nonsense sharpness is exactly what makes it a great contrast to almost every snack. But I just wish that its initial floral notes lingered a little longer–long enough at least for me to truly enjoy it on its own. Otherwise, it’s a solid brew, one that I especially wouldn’t recommend spoiling with a sugar cube or two.
Rating: 7/10
Orange Sky
Switching over to coffee, the first Bacha Coffee to make its way to my table was the Orange Sky. This flavour is imbued with the rich notes of fresh and dried fruits alongside the zest of citrus, and similarly to the Pink Flamingo, it contains hints of bitterness.
That should come as no surprise, considering it’s coffee. Instead, what really shocked me was just how strongly the coffee smelled of oranges, as if someone had poured essential oil straight into the pot! But even though the citrussy aroma didn’t fully translate into the brew’s taste, I still appreciated how elegantly the two combined together.
Rating: 7/10
Tolteca Chocolate
Following that, I ordered the Tolteca Chocolate, which as its name suggests, is full and warm with tones of ardent cocoa beans. Just like the Orange Sky, this brew smelled exactly as it promised: like a steaming cup of hot chocolate, perfectly in line with the ski lodge comparison.
However, unlike the Pink Flamingo, this is one drink I do recommend adding both sugar and milk to. Even if you’re a loyal dark chocolate main, do try a cup of this superbly harsh coffee with these additions and taste how it turns into a creamy, caffeinated sweet treat. What better time to celebrate winter than right in the middle of summer, am I right?
Rating: 8/10
Dragon Warrior
Last but not least, I had to take on the Dragon Warrior, because every badass name in a menu is worth trying. Crafted with a fragrant balance of black and blue tea, this brew smelled even more heavenly than the rest.
And right as you think that’s an impressive feat considering the competition, I’d also go as far as to say that its taste blows the others out of the water too! It’s what the Pink Flamingo envies to be, what the Orange Sky needs to take note of, and what the Tolteca Chocolate is equivalent to in its field of coffee. If you can only afford one pairing with La Vanilla Afternoon Tea, get this one.
Rating: 10/10
La Vanilla Afternoon Tea
A Sparkling Welcome
Now, let’s dive right into La Vanilla Afternoon Tea itself with a glass of Madagascar Vanilla & Elderflower Fizz. Despite what it may look like, this sparkling welcome is actually non-alcoholic, being a mix of elderflower cordial, Madagascar vanilla, and most importantly, zero-proof prosecco.
That said, the taste of the wine’s acidic aftertaste is still present. But against the rich, refreshing body of fragrant vanilla and sweet elderflower, it’s really not noticeable, even for the staunchest teetotaler.
Honestly, between this and the Dragon Warrior, I’d go for a cool, crisp glass of the former. Unfortunately, the Lobby Lounge only serves one glass per guest. Though at least the slice of freeze-dried apple made for a nice crunchy memento after I’d finished my fill–a reminder that good things only come in small packages…
Rating: 10/10
Savoury, Subtly Infused
Tempura Mushrooms & Vanilla Essence
Starting us off into the food, we’ve got the Tempura Mushrooms & Vanilla Essence–a simple canapé of locally farmed mushrooms with a shoyu-vanilla dip. As we all know, first impressions are very important, and that’s why I’m so glad that this dish delivered an outstanding one.
The mushrooms were perfectly cooked, with a firm yet pleasantly bouncy texture. And while the vanilla in the dip didn’t shine through the waves of intense umami that the mushrooms brought, the shoyu nonetheless added a little touch of saltiness and thus another layer to the savoury.
Rating: 9/10
Seared Scallop & Vanilla Elixir
The same could also be said about Seared Scallop & Vanilla Elixir regarding its satisfying texture and rich umami, but I might prefer this one more—if only by the slightest of margins—due to its mango-jalapeño salsa and crustacean-infused vanilla essence toppings.
These extra touches really went the extra mile, adding both a contrasting crunch and burst of floral flavours to what would’ve otherwise been a bowl of squishy, one-note scallops. And in case you’re wondering–no, the flowers don’t taste like anything; but they make for a tasteful view!
Rating: 10/10
Truffle Egg & Vanilla Brioche
Continuing with the theme of simplicity, the uncomplicated Truffle Egg & Vanilla Brioche is exactly that: truffle-infused egg mayonnaise on a soft vanilla brioche. Its name truly speaks for itself, and while there’s nothing to fault in its execution, nothing particularly stands out either, which could potentially be the point!
Specifically, though I could clearly taste each ingredient’s flavour without any of them clashing, that’s exactly why they all blended into one creamy yet ultimately plain aftertaste. Sounds bad, doesn’t it? Yet, this also makes the dish the perfect culinary break amidst the heavier sweets and snacks on this “intentionally composed” menu–a thankless hero against the jelat menace.
So, while this eggy canapé doesn’t score much on taste alone, I’ll still give points for prompting me to pause and ponder about its existence.
Rating: 7/10
Parisian Ham & Comté with Vanilla Butter
To round off the savouries, La Vanilla Afternoon Tea presents the stacked Parisian Ham & Comté with Vanilla Butter–a biscuitless Lunchable that’s buttery smooth, thanks not only to the obviously comforting butter, but also to the richness of the Comté cheese.
It’s surprisingly light on the palette as well. However, unlike the Truffle Egg & Vanilla Brioche, that lightness feels more intentional here, especially with the use of the famously delicate, slow-cooked Parisian ham to great effect. As the meat adds a juicy depth to the oily cheese and butter, I must give it my biggest merci beaucoup.
Rating: 9/10
Warm Bakes, Familiar Comfort
Scone break! Yep, just like my last tea set review, we’re taking some time again to review some of the best goods the British Isles have ever baked.
Today, it’s a humble duo of Homemade Vanilla Plain and Raisin Scones on my plate, along with servings of equally Homemade Clotted Cream and Wild Strawberry Jam to match. As always, both scone variants brought their own unique strengths to my mouth, from the aromatic warmth of the vanilla scone to the sweet fruitiness of the raisin one.
As expected, the clotted cream was deliciously decadent. But while the wild strawberry jam was disappointingly lacking in sizable fruit pieces, its homemade quality nevertheless elevated it into a decent and authentic spread. Overall, every possible pairing of scone and filling works well, so make like the strawberry jam and go wild!
Rating: 8/10
Sweet, Sculpted, Vanilla-Led
The Vanilla Pod
Alright, let’s continue right where we left off with the sweet section, beginning with The Vanilla Pod. This frighteningly accurate depiction of the real deal is sculpted from Tahiti vanilla whip, vanilla cream, caramel, and almond praline crunch. So yeah, you can imagine how sweet it is.
Though personally, that’s not a bad thing. I appreciate how the almond was added to further enhance the illusion that the glossy shell was genuinely nutty. And as common as vanilla and caramel are in ice cream and cakes, that’s precisely why they remind me of my childhood and my now-lost sweet tooth.
Am I being nostalgia-baited by this unfortunately-shaped dessert? Yes, yes, I am.
Rating: 7/10
Vanilla Peach Tart
Now, if the savouries were “intentionally composed” to be simple, then I’d reckon the sweets were designed to purposely contrast that with their complexity, with no other dish taking the cake quite like the Vanilla Peach Tart.
This dessert’s lengthy recipe calls for—wait for it—white peach compote, ruby peach pieces, a sable base, and Madagascar vanilla ganache. And the craziest part? Everything somehow works together while still standing out on its own.
Whether it’s the thickness of the white peach compote, the freshness of the ruby peach pieces, the crispiness of the sable base, or the cheesecake-like consistency of the Madagascar vanilla compote, every element in this dessert pulls its weight equally in making this one of the overall best dishes on the menu.
Rating: 10/10
Vanilla Orchard
So far, every sweet has been a surprise, and the Vanilla Orchard is no different. Initially, based on the dish’s vibrant red petals, I thought there would be more of that wild strawberry jam inside this tart. Therefore, imagine my surprise when I bit into it and tasted…banana?
I’m not kidding: together with the airy vanilla hazelnut mousse and nutty coconut sable, this tart was a tropical shock to what had been, up to this point, a fairly understated menu. I have no idea how this sweet, instead of the literal Vanilla Pod, made me realise vanilla comes from the humid tropics!
Admittedly, it might just be my fault for being dense, which is what you can also say about this dessert. And so, for unexpectedly tasting better than the Vanilla Peach Tart and being more thought-provoking than the Truffle Egg & Vanilla Brioche, I thus crown the Vanilla Orchard as the best snack on this menu! It’s a shame I can’t give it an eleven…
Rating: 10/10
Matcha Vanilla Sonata
Obviously, after such a showstopping tart stole the spotlight, you wouldn’t expect much from the Matcha Vanilla Sonata–and honestly, you’d be right. But hey, they can’t all be winners, right?
In my opinion, the main flaw of this dish is its lacklustre parts. Surely, there’s no way the same masterminds—who made brilliant choices like the Parisian ham in the breadless sandwich and the complex, complementing layers of the Vanilla Peach Tart—could end this innovative menu with something basic.
But no, they opted for a generic matcha sponge cake with raspberry gel and vanilla mousse. I get it; maybe this dish is intentionally simple to ease in those less keen on the more wild, unorthodox creations. But for a menu that’s supposed to let vanilla take the centre stage, I just don’t think playing it safe by overpowering this cake with matcha was a good idea.
For the last time, don’t get me wrong: by itself, the Matcha Vanilla Sonata is a solid and even good piece of cake. However, in the context of the menu and especially as the closing act, it comes off as a jelat, cautious breather in great contrast to even its least daring, curious peers.
Rating: 6/10
Overall Thoughts
To conclude on a more positive note, I firmly believe that, for the most part, La Vanilla Afternoon Tea truly knocked it out of the park in offering a refined expression of vanilla. Of course, being one of the most complex ingredients, it’s hard to exactly explain how well the tea set managed to show me its many sides.
But as someone trying vanilla-infused savouries for the first time, I must confess: even while I felt that most of them missed the fine mark in balancing those bold ingredients with vanilla’s delicate nature, they weren’t far off. In fact, I also felt they were very close. And to their credit, it’s genuinely impressive that I could taste a clear hint of vanilla at all in every single one.
In hindsight, perhaps it’s better to leave the analysis of this gastronomic concept to the real chefs and bakers—because at its core, La Vanilla Afternoon Tea was a uniquely delicious experience through and through, even after including technical disappointments like the Matcha Vanilla Sonata.
Overall, with the coffee and tea, this set was absolutely worth reviewing–so here’s to hoping it’ll be just as worth your time enjoying!
La Vanilla Afternoon Tea
🗓️Date: 9 May to 31 July 2025
📍Location: Floor 2, Conrad Singapore Marina Bay, 2 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038982
💲Price: S$55++ per person (Includes a TWG tea or Bacha coffee pairing)
⏰Opening Hours:
- 1pm to 3pm, 3:30pm to 5pm (La Vanilla Afternoon Tea seatings)
- 9am to 11pm (Regular hours)
For more details or to reserve your spot for La Vanilla Afternoon Tea, head over to the Lobby Lounge webpage on the Conrad Singapore Marina Bay website or call +65 6432 7483 / 7357!
Plus, want a side of discounts with that vanilla? All you have to do is sign up for Hilton Honors free of charge to enjoy a 10% (for Blue and Silver members) and 25% (for Gold and Diamond members) off all dine-in experiences at Conrad Singapore Marina Bay and other Hilton hotels, including La Vanilla Afternoon Tea!
Finally, besides checking out their website, follow Conrad Singapore Marina Bay on Instagram for the latest updates at the luxury hotel! Have a good La Vanilla Afternoon Tea experience!
Photos by Zheng Yi of the DANAMIC Team.
