I was excited to visit the property as the official photos look really nice and it is in fact time for Singapore to welcome a brand new Mercure on top of the tired looking Mercure Roxy. Doesnt hurt that I have Accor membership too.
ADDRESS – 122 Middle Road Singapore 188973. Website. Tel: (+65)6521 6088.
DATE – 25 – 25 June 2016
PRICE – SGD220++ per night after the 40% Accor Sale.
LOCATION – Quite convenient right next to Bugis+ connecting to Bugis Junction and also Bugis MRT station, although not sheltered. Its walking distance to rather quaint stuff around the neighbourhood but the blazing weather didnt make it a very leisure walk.
CHECK IN – Check in at 1pm was not too quick, due to the front desk not recognizing that my Executive Loft comes with Lounge access until i showed them an email from reservations. I also overheard another guest complaining rather grudgingly about not having hot water in his room right beside me (?). We were also given welcome drinks which we could redeem at the bar, including beer.
ROOM – I was assigned a loft on level 5. I knew the room was 25sqM (including the loft) from the website and it did feel like that, although there were very clever use of the space. I also found out that loft designs are fun, but are actually not too practical as it felt like a chore getting up and down after the novelty wore off. Also not too good for more elderly guests. I also found watching TV right next to the toilets a little bit strange. Bed was nice though, and cleanliness was not an issue. They also managed to put in the usual amenities like water flask, fridge, work desk and all that!
AMENITIES – the gym, pool are not ready yet but they would reimburse you for cabs 2-way if you choose to visit the facilities at Novotel Clarke Quay. Was too much trouble for me though.
PRIVILEGE LOUNGE – located on level 3, same level as the only restaurant for the hotel for now (chinese restaurant). Old school luxe decor but probably one of the smallest lounge I’ve ever seen. The bites were really just 4 kinds of canepes and wines and coffee / tea but still, it was rather nice and cosy. Staffed by 1 lovely Korean lady who was all smiles throughout.
BREAKFAST – served at the restaurant. Variety was quite lacking and unwillingness to go an extra mile for guests showed when I asked the egg station chef for 2 hard boiled eggs. She soticly told me we dont have hard boiled eggs here. I had to ask the restaurant manager to grant me this seemingly unusual request before he agreed.
CHECK OUT – Quick and fuss free. Overheard a nasty male guest complaining / lecturing the staff about everything under the sun: how the hotel is not prepared, how its the worst Mercure he has every stayed at, how there was no taxi after waiting for 10mins. 10mins is NOT a very long time I must say, and when a cab came, he scolded the staff again and insisted that he doesnt want this, and for them to get a ‘normal’ taxi. What is a ‘normal’ taxi?! Anyhow, the poor staff had to walk out in the light drizzle to try and flag down a ‘normal’ taxi for the unreasonable man. Kudos to the duty manager who not at any point expressed any reaction facing such a crazy man.
NOT-SO-GOODs: I did say the hotel is not too well prepared to open. Apart from the lack of gym and pool (which the hotel did email to inform prior to check in), the phones in the room didnt not work. When I pressed the service button, nothing happened. No other button could get you anywhere and you actually have to press ‘zero’ to be connected to someone – hardware without the system set up. Staff at the restaurant also looked confused when I asked them where the lounge is. But nothing major in my opinion.
Other misc pics….
In summary, I still had a great stay. Would return in fact, but perhaps the normal rooms next time 🙂