davis gareth
I had the misfortune of visiting the Sultans of Shave at Palais Renaissance, and it was, without exaggeration, one of the most infuriating and incompetent experiences I’ve ever endured at a so-called “premium” barbershop. This place is a sham, marketing itself as an upscale men’s grooming haven while delivering a service that’s worse than a budget haircut at a local HDB stall. Save your money and avoid this overpriced, arrogant, and utterly deplorable establishment. Booking an appointment was the first red flag. I had to chase them relentlessly via WhatsApp, sending multiple messages just to secure a slot. Their lack of responsiveness was a harbinger of the unprofessionalism to come. Upon arrival, I was greeted by tiny, uncomfortable seats that felt like an afterthought in their pretentious setup. Worse, the staff were shockingly rude, failing to even acknowledge my presence. No greeting, no courtesy—just a cold, dismissive vibe that set the tone for the disaster ahead. The appointment itself started late, with no apology or explanation offered for the delay. I had explicitly instructed the barber, Hannah, to handle my moustache with care. After seven weeks of careful growth, I wanted a light trim to maintain its volume and explicitly told her to leave the sides untouched. What followed was nothing short of a travesty. Hannah, displaying either gross incompetence or a complete disregard for instructions, proceeded to butcher my moustache, shaving off most of it without a second thought. It’s frankly questionable whether she even understood basic English, given how blatantly she ignored my clear directions. Horrified by the carnage unfolding on my face, I had to cut the session short and leave, but not before witnessing the staff’s complete lack of remorse. They showed zero understanding of the magnitude of their screw-up, offering no apology or attempt to rectify the situation. To add insult to injury, they had the audacity to charge me full price for this facial massacre. I reached out via WhatsApp to express my frustration, only to be met with stone-cold silence—further proof of their arrogance and utter disregard for customers. Sultans of Shave is a scam, plain and simple. They hide behind a veneer of sophistication while employing inept barbers who can’t follow basic instructions and rude staff who treat customers like inconveniences. You’d get a better, more respectful experience at a neighborhood HDB barber for a fraction of the cost. This place is a rip-off, run by people who clearly don’t care about their craft or their clients. I wouldn’t recommend this shambolic excuse for a barbershop to my worst enemy, and I sincerely hope their abysmal service leads to the bankruptcy they so richly deserve. Stay far, far away.
