Hotel Review: Novotel Singapore on Stevens (Premier Room) - Affordable Business Hotel near Orchard Road
Novotel Singapore on Stevens is the latest addition to AccorHotels' growing portfolio of properties here in Singapore. Alongside the Mercure Singapore on Stevens, the properties form Singapore's latest integrated lifestyle hub which features a grand total of 772 guest rooms and suites in total. As one of the latest hotels to open before the end of 2017, Novotel Singapore on Stevens offers 256 rooms and suites along Stevens Road and it is connected to the Mercure Singapore on Stevens with shared facilities (both leisure and business) in the same complex.
Bedroom
Premier Room - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
The Novotel Singapore on Stevens is not located near any MRT Stations so if you are checking-in to this hotel from the airport, I would highly recommend for you to take a taxi (or call an Uber!). Once you have settled in and are free from the hassles of carrying your luggage however, the hotel does have a shuttle that runs between the property and T Galleria By DFS along Orchard Road every half-hourly (the bus service does get suspended mid-afternoon though). I stayed in a Premier Room during my visit and even though my Le Club AccorHotels Platinum status would have given me guaranteed lounge access, the room that I was booked into gave the very same privilege.
King-size Bed
Premier Room - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
While the room itself is not excessively large, it had everything you would expect from a good 4-star property (and nothing like the Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay thank goodness!). The Premier Room is located on the highest levels of the hotel and the room size of this room is similar to the lead-in category at 23sqm. Now, I know what you are thinking - the room size does not sound like much at all - and I am probably the last person to consider this to be sufficient but strangely enough, the room felt a lot bigger.
USB Charging Ports and Universal Power Outlets
Premier Room - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
The Novotel Singapore on Stevens offers in-house guests complimentary WiFi throughout the property and if you are traveling with a number of gadgets, be rest assured that the power outlets are universal and that there are ample USB charging ports located throughout the room (some of which are conveniently located next to your bed).
Bedroom
Premier Room - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
The room itself may be small (in terms of floor area) but it is definitely sufficient even for a business traveller - it is possible to look into the bathroom (and vice versa) but there is a privacy blind that can be rolled down if you have friends over or if you are sharing the room.
Bathroom
Premier Room - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
The bathroom of the rooms here at the Novotel Singapore on Stevens are fairly basic and it comes with a rain-shower (no bathtub though!) as well as a single sink. Water pressure was great during my stay and the controls were straightforward and easy-to-use (some hotels require you to orientate yourself with the various knobs!).
Bathroom
Premier Room - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
There is a toilet (with a separate door) located on the furthest end of the bathroom (closest to the main entrance of the room) and there is a sink that separates the toilet and the shower area - two person could technically use the bathroom at once if you are in the mood of being gross (or simply rushing for time).
In-house Branded Bath Amenities
Premier Room - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
Bath amenities here at the Novotel Singapore on Stevens are in-house but they do smell rather decent. I actually do like how sleek and slender the packaging is - it does not look bad at all really! Like most business hotels, the bathroom is also stocked with disposable toothbrushes, shower caps and vanity kits for your convenience.
Nespresso Coffee Machine
Premier Room - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
If coffee is important to you, make sure you book a Premier Room (at least!) here at the Novotel Singapore on Stevens because the first two room categories (Superior and Deluxe) do not have a Nespresso machine in the room. Two out of three of the coffee pods were provided by Tripod Coffee while one was an original Nespresso pod - such inconsistencies give me goosebumps but I guess it is the property's way of giving variety.
Complimentary Minibar
Premier Room - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
Apparently the minibar is complimentary as well but I was not notified during my stay - no one mentioned during check-in as well. If it is indeed true, the minibar does come with some snacks, beer, soft drinks, a bottle of juice as well as a bottle of sparkling water.
Work Desk
Premier Room - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
Despite being only 23sqm in size, the rooms here at the Novotel Singapore on Stevens do come with a decently-sized work desk with a separate table lamp. I am required to work from my laptop from time to time so a work desk is important to me both on work as well as leisure trips. As mentioned earlier, WiFi is complimentary here for all in-house guests so you do not have to worry about having to fork out money (shocking in this day and age!) for WiFi even if you do book your stay via an OTA.
USB Charging Ports and Universal Power Outlet at Work Desk
Premier Room - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
You will also find another universal power outlet as well as two USB charging ports here by the work desk so you do not have to worry about running out of juice!
Seating Area
Premier Lounge - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
Since I was staying in a Premier Room, I had access to the Premier Lounge on Level 10 of the Novotel Singapore on Stevens. The Premier Lounge is open from 6:00AM to 11:00PM daily and all-day refreshments are served here for eligible guests. I dropped by slightly before evening cocktails commenced so the lounge was relatively empty. While it is not exactly big, the Premier Lounge does have a nice working environment to allow me to get some work done.
All-day Refreshments
Premier Lounge - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
I was also offered a drink by one of the friendly staffs here in the Premier Lounge - they all seemed really happy to be there which is not common in my opinion. Despite having a Nespresso machine in my room, I could not resist getting another coffee while I waited for evening cocktails to begin. If you require a meeting room, guests staying in a Premier Room or Suite may also use the Premier Lounge Meeting Room free of charge but an advance reservation is required.
Evening Cocktails and Canapés
Premier Lounge - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
As you would imagine, complimentary drinks as well as canapés are served in the Premier Lounge during evening cocktail hours (6:00PM to 8:00PM). While the selection of drinks is limited (someone actually offered me a Chardonnay when I asked what kind of reds were available), the food is actually quite sufficient for a light dinner. In the event that you are too lazy to head out of the hotel, the spread during the evening cocktail service is actually quite decent. Alternatively, both Blue Lotus as well as PappaRich downstairs are decent choices for dinner.
King-size Bed
Premier Room - Novotel Singapore on Stevens
I retired back to my room after evening cocktails and fell asleep shortly after while watching Netflix in bed - the internet was fast enough for me to stream videos without any noticeable lag. Since I was able to turn off all of the room's lighting from the bedside controls, I did not have to get out of bed at all until the next morning.
As a guest staying in a Premier Room, I had the option of having a full buffet breakfast at the Food Exchange (all-day dining restaurant) downstairs or a more private one at the Premier Lounge. Since i woke up fairly early and was feeling rather hungry that morning, I opted for the former option. There is a good variety of food down at Food Exchange but there is not a lot to shout about. It is also worth noting that the restaurant does get very busy after 9:00AM (there was a snaking queue outside of the restaurant as I was leaving) so make sure you come down early if you intend to have breakfast!
Swimming Pool
Novotel Singapore on Stevens
There are two swimming pools here at the Novotel Singapore on Stevens but the more impressive one is located directly in front of Food Exchange - the other one is located near the gym and it functions more like a lap pool. There are plenty of chairs on the sundeck so chances are that you will not have any issues finding one if you are arrive early.
Swimming Pool
Novotel Singapore on Stevens
While I can't say that the Novotel Singapore on Stevens has the best location, it is definitely one of the better 4-star properties in Singapore. The rooms may not be large but they do have everything you need for a nice stay in Singapore and the regular shuttle service does help to make up for the suboptimal location. If you are here on business, chances are that you will already be taking an Uber to work so staying out of the popular zone may translate to lower transport fares (since it is less likely to surge with all things remaining constant). The room rates here at the Novotel Singapore on Stevens are also quite reasonable and considering how you are only 2 bus stops away from Orchard Road, I dare say that this is one of the best choices you can make if you are looking for a hotel near Orchard Road without wanting to pay top dollar for a room.
The Shutterwhale has stayed as a guest of the Novotel Singapore on Stevens.
Novotel Singapore on Stevens
28 Stevens Road, Singapore 257878
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Used one of my Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs) at the W Osaka to secure a beautiful Marvelous Suite. The hotel is located on Midosuki Boulevard and within walking distance to Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori.