Hotel Review: Mercure Singapore Bugis (Executive Loft)

The Mercure Singapore Bugis is one of Singapore's latest properties by AccorHotels and it is located along Middle Road in Bugis. Positioned as a higher-end four-star property, the Mercure Singapore Bugis offers 395 heritage-inspired rooms (including loft-style rooms!), two restaurants and two bars within the property. AccorHotels has many properties in Singapore and they range from luxury (like the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa) to mid-range business hotels like the Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay to more affordable properties like ibis which I have personally not checked out. 

Click HERE to find out more about the Mercure Singapore Bugis!

Private Check-in
Privilege Lounge - Mercure Singapore Bugis

Being a Platinum Le Club AccorHotels member, I was quickly ushered to the Privilege Lounge which was located on level 3 of the property (right next to Royale). My check-in documents were ready when I arrived and despite arriving slightly ahead of the check-in time, I was given a room fairly quickly. The indoor seating area of the Privilege Lounge (only accessible to Platinum members as well as guests staying in an executive room or loft only) is fairly limited and it will probably accommodate 6-8 different groups of people only. With that being said, there is also a decent outdoor space where you will find more chairs and tables - I actually prefer to sit outside in the evening! 

Living Area
Executive Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis

I proceeded to the assigned room and found out that the door was somehow jammed from the inside - I could not open it at all and so therefore, I was forced to return back to the Privilege Lounge again to get another room assigned. It was quickly sorted out but having to go back and forth the lounge was not exactly what I had expected. I stayed in an Executive Loft Room at the Mercure Singapore Bugis and this is essentially the best room type that you can get in this property. Offering 25 sqm of space and a queen bed on the mezzanine level, this is one of the rarer few properties in Singapore that offer a loft-style room. As mentioned earlier, booking the Executive Loft room would give you access to the Privilege Lounge where you will be able to enjoy all-day refreshments, snacks, breakfast as well as wines and beers in the evening. There is a small work desk that is located in the corner of the room and having the option to look out of the window while working is quite a nice touch (especially if you intend to spend some time working from the room). 

View from the Loft
Executive Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis

I actually visited the Mercure Singapore Bugis on a spectacular day so the view from my room was actually quite impressive - check out the clouds! I really love the floor-to-ceiling window and being able to stand by it to take in the sights of this city is quite something to behold. If you are lucky enough to get one of the rooms on the top floor, you will be able to spot a few iconic landmarks and buildings in the vicinity and beyond. 

Welcome Letter and Chocolates
Executive Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis

I also received a handwritten letter and two small boxes of chocolate as a welcome amenity. As a Platinum Le Club AccorHotels member, I was also given a handwritten drink voucher (just one instead of two which I got at the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa) where I could redeem for a free beverage at the BARtistry@One22 downstairs - the hotel is located on 122 Middle Road and thus the name! 

Living Room
Executive Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis

The Executive Loft optimises the use of space quite efficiently - the bathroom and the showers are located by the entrance and the 'bedroom' is situated directly on top of it - the living area which makes up most of the room comes with a TV that is well-stocked with both international and local channels.

Nespresso Machine
Executive Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis

The Executive Loft rooms here at the Mercure Singapore Bugis differ slightly from the regular Loft Rooms in a few ways. Firstly, the latter does not offer access to the Privilege Lounge (unless you are a Platinum Le Club AccorHotels member of course). Secondly, the Executive Loft rooms are actually slightly bigger (25sqm vs 22sqm). Finally, you will find a Nespresso machine with complimentary coffee pods in the former room - teabags are also provided! 

Shower
Executive Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis

With limited amount of space, the Executive Lofts here do not have a bathtub but they do have an excellent shower (complete with a rain-shower head) with great pressure. I do enjoy the occasional dip in the tub but if you are feeling up for a swim, the hotel actually has a pretty impressive swimming pool that offers a good view of the surrounding area. There is also a toilet located next to the shower and the glass between them are frosted for privacy. 

In-house Branded Bath Amenities
Executive Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis

Bath amenities are provided by an in-house brand and while it is nothing much to shout about, I did find the packaging to be rather attractive. 

Bathroom
Executive Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis

The Executive Loft comes with a single sink, bathrobes, towels and a safe box which is located near the basin. There is also a small space next to the sink for you to hang your clothes but there were no proper wardrobes here - it is probably suitable for short-term staying guests. The room did not come with an iron or an ironing board (even though I would assume that one could be arranged by picking up the phone) which I thought was a little bit strange considering how this is positioned as a four-star hotel. 

Bed
Executive Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis

You will find a queen-size bed and another smaller TV located on the mezzanine level - some of the loft rooms located on other floors have a slightly lower ceiling but since my room was located on the top floor of the hotel, I did not have any issues at all. Having stayed in a number of loft-style rooms before, I know how different it feels to have the bed located on the mezzanine level as opposed to one on the lower level (and having the living area on top). One thing to take note though - the air-conditioning does blow towards the bed so do take note if you have the habit of turning up the air-conditioning fan (like me!). 

View from the Mezzanine Level
Executive Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis

The use of space is extremely crucial when the floor space of the room is limited and I dare say that the Executive Loft has a rather well-thought out layout. In fact, the seat that you see at the lower level can be converted into a larger seating area (in case you have guests!) and I just love the versatility of that. 

Outdoor Seating Area
Privilege Lounge - Mercure Singapore Bugis

Free-flowing beers and wines are served at the Privilege Lounge from 6:00PM to 8:00PM each day for guests staying in an executive room or executive loft - I did not notice any spirits or liquors that were made available during this time so I assume that the only alcoholic beverages served during this time are the ones that I have mentioned. Since it was a relatively nice and balmy evening, I decided to take a seat outside instead - I love the outdoor areas of the lounge but I did find it strange that other guests could roam about the same area freely as they can access it via a separate door near the lifts. While I understood the need for a public green space, I would have preferred a more private area where other guests do not walk around you as you are enjoying a glass of red. 

Evening Canapés
Privilege Lounge - Mercure Singapore Bugis

You will also find a small selection of hot food items here at the Privilege Lounge during the aforementioned hours and in my opinion, it is definitely not sufficient for a light dinner unless you are a tiny eater. The satay (which were cold by the time I got to them) was rather tough but I did appreciate that they included some local dishes in the evening spread - it is always a good idea to introduce local dishes to travellers and I applaud them for doing so. 

Evening Canapés
Privilege Lounge - Mercure Singapore Bugis

The free-flowing wines served in the Privilege Lounge were also mediocre at best - if you are here for a drink, I highly recommend just sticking with beer and damaging your liver somewhere else. While I can't help but to feel that the Privilege Lounge's lacklustre existence is simply to meet brand standards, I have to commend the lounge staff there for doing a good job - they are extremely friendly and are great to talk to. 

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Since the food selection at the Privilege Lounge was rather limited, I decided to head to Royale (located just in front of the lounge) for dinner. Previously known as Sauces by Chef Daniel, the all-day dining restaurant has been rebranded into Royale and it still serves up favourites like the Steamed Gindara Fish (which I have tried previously). I opted for the lamb shank and a steak but they failed to standout - I personally feel that the attention has been shifted from Royale to Song Garden (Cantonese restaurant) and your calories are probably better spent at the latter restaurant (check out Ah Yoke's review of Song Garden HERE!) instead. 

View from Room
Executive Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis

I also visited the BARtistry@One22 during my stay but the drinks were disappointing and weak - the bartender also seemed pretty unsure about the beverages that were offered. Returning back to the room seemed like the best idea then and I was glad to have done so. 

Buffet Breakfast
Royale - Mercure Singapore Bugis

I had the option of having breakfast in the Privilege Lounge or at Royale the next morning and since I was craving for a little more variety, I decided to head back to Royale instead. Since I got there pretty early, the restaurant was actually quite empty and after settling down on one table, I was told that the area was closed off (?) and was escorted to another section of the restaurant instead. Coffee orders were also not taken (I am not sure if this is the norm though) after 15 minutes so I decided to forgo my caffeine boost in the end. Food served at Royale was also disappointing - in fact, I ordered eggs from the 'live' station three times despite being one of the only guests there and somehow, the chef kept forgetting my order (I mean he literally took my order, turned around and asked what I wanted three times!). When he finally got my order (a sunny side up) right, he broke the yolk while cooking and decided to serve me that instead (something which I thought was rather appalling). 

Buffet Breakfast
Royale - Mercure Singapore Bugis

If you think that the food does not look that bad, bear in mind that special effort has been put in to plate the food (occupational hazard!) but if you do have access to the Privilege Lounge, I strongly recommend you to eat there instead - the selection is definitely much lesser but hey at least your coffee orders get taken and your eggs are done right. 

Breakfast
Privilege Lounge - Mercure Singapore Bugis

Once again, I have to commend the lounge staff (especially Siti) for doing a stellar job. Since it was early in the morning, she was tending to the whole lounge herself but there was no lapse in service at all. Coffee orders were quickly taken, food was drastically better but most importantly, the level of attention given here was significantly better. If you do not have access to the Privilege Lounge, I strongly recommend for you to sleep in and give breakfast at Royale a miss - there is plenty to eat around the area! 

View from the Mezzanine Level
Executive Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis

While I did enjoy the Executive Lofts over here at the Mercure Singapore Bugis, I personally feel that the rooms are the strongest component of the whole stay. Apart from the wonderful staff at the Privilege Lounge, everything else seems to be rather uninspired - Royale in particular was extremely disappointing for me (especially since Sauces by Chef Daniel then was actually quite decent). I do recommend the Executive Loft rooms and the bed is really quite comfortable but I will probably give the F&B here a miss if possible. 

Mercure Singapore Bugis
122 Middle Rd, Singapore 188973
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