Novotel Singapore On Stevens

The Novotel Singapore On Stevens shares one complex with a Mercure. I stayed in the Novotel, and I'd guess the Mercure isn't far off in standard and fittings. The room, the lounge and the pool were all excellent. The lobby and the breakfast set-up were the only weak spots.

Quick verdict: A modern, spotless hotel with a big upgraded room, a lounge right on the floor, a huge breakfast buffet and a fantastic 25-metre pool. The cold lobby bar and the cramped premium breakfast corner cost it some style points. JCI Score 4.0 out of 5.

Location

From Changi Airport I took a Grab. The ride took about 25 minutes.

The location works well. Orchard Road is about a 10-minute walk away. It's Singapore's huge shopping district, with trains and restaurants without end. We walked there every day, and it's a nice stroll. The hotel is also close to the Botanic Gardens. Downtown and the harbour are only 10 to 15 minutes from Orchard Road.

Getting There & First Impression

The drop-off is very comfortable. There's plenty of space out front, and the arrival feels easy. I liked that a lot.

The lobby is generous and modern, but it felt cold to me. The bar in the entrance area did too. It's cool and not very cosy, and it doesn't invite you to stay. That doesn't fit a warm welcome.

Check-In & Loyalty Experience

There was a problem with my reservation. The team still solved it in a very accommodating way. On top of that, I was upgraded to the Executive Floor, which is the top floor of the hotel.

Up there you get a bigger room and an Executive Lounge directly on the floor. Someone is always there, so if you need anything, you get help straight away. The lounge serves drinks all day. Once a day there's a happy hour around 5 pm, with snacks and alcoholic drinks.

The Room

The room is very modern. Everything is new. The amenities are good, and the towels are big and fluffy.

The bed is super comfortable and nicely large. Really great.

There's a small desk you can use. You can also work very well in the Executive Lounge, and I found that even more comfortable.

Food & Drink

The breakfast room is huge, and it's always busy. The buffet is enormous. You get Asian, Chinese, Indian and Western food, a bit of everything. It was very tasty, and the quality was great.

Status guests get their own breakfast area. That's a nice idea, but I found it the least cosy part of the room. It's in the back corner. You're close to the entrance, but you can't look outside. With the crowds and that spot, I didn't enjoy breakfast as much as the food deserved.

The Executive Lounge on the floor is the better place for a quiet drink. Skip the bar in the lobby.

Digital Customer Experience

Nothing digital to report.

The Bill & Value

Four nights, €562.18 (about $654) in total. That's about €141 (about $164) a night. I earned 1,980 Reward points and 1,125 Status points. For this standard, with a lounge, a pool and an upgrade, that's a good price. You can check current rates and availability on the official Accor page for the Novotel Singapore On Stevens.