Hotel Review: Mercure Singapore Bugis (Signature Loft with Privilege Lounge Access) - Affordable Property Close to Attractions and MRT Station
In an effort to achieve Accor Live Limitless (ALL) Diamond status before the year ends, I’ve been dedicating my rare weekends in Singapore to staycations whenever possible. In June, there was a targeted promotion for ALL Gold members to earn up to 8,000 bonus points for stays completed by 31 August 2024. Although I’m an ALL Platinum member, I was able to register for this promotion. Unfortunately, my gamble didn’t pay off, as none of the bonus points posted from those stays (which is fine, since I am technically not eligible for the offer anyway). On a positive note, I secured multiple bookings at the Mercure Singapore Bugis at a very competitive rate by taking advantage of the Red Hot Rooms promotional rate, which starts from just S$109++ per night for Accor Plus members.
Click HERE to check out the latest promotions for Mercure Singapore Bugis!
Living Room
Signature Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis
Beyond the attractive room rate, I chose Mercure Singapore Bugis for its convenient location near many fitness studios I frequent on weekends. While the property is a four-star hotel that most wouldn’t typically consider for a staycation, the sheer convenience made it an ideal choice for me. That said, the Mercure Singapore Bugis is quite decent at this price point. I stayed at the hotel three times in the last two months and was upgraded to an Executive Loft from the Signature Loft once as an ALL Platinum member. On one occasion, I was also proactively offered a late check-out, although I declined as I needed to return to work on Monday.
Living Room
Signature Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis
There are actually quite a number of hotels in Singapore that offer loft-style rooms and just off the top of my head, I can think of Studio M Hotel, M Social Singapore, Lloyd’s Inn, Dorsett Singapore, and the Holiday Inn Singapore Little India. Unlike most of these hotels, the Mercure Singapore Bugis actually has quite a number of these loft-style rooms. It has been years since my last stay at Mercure Singapore Bugis, and it feels like not much has changed. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, considering many luxury hotels have scaled back their offerings compared to pre-COVID days. The Signature Loft, measuring 22 sqm, features a bedroom on the mezzanine floor. It’s worth noting that this room type may not be suitable for guests with mobility issues, as accessing the bed requires climbing stairs.
View from Room
Signature Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis
The Signature Loft I was assigned for this stay was on the top floor of the property (Level 14, if I remember correctly), offering views of the surrounding area with partial glimpses of the city skyline. As mentioned earlier, I paid only S$119++ per night for this room type (I did not receive an upgrade to an Executive Loft on this stay), and for the price, it's genuinely a great deal for travelers looking to keep accommodation costs low. Bugis is an excellent location for tourists, with plenty of nearby attractions and landmarks within walking distance. Additionally, the convenient access to trains and buses makes it easy to get around without needing to rely on taxis.
Welcome Amenities (ALL Platinum)
Signature Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis
As an ALL Platinum member, I received two bottles of sparkling water and a small box of chocolate pralines as my welcome amenities. During all three of my recent stays at the Mercure Singapore Bugis, I noticed that the check-in staff do not go over the ALL Platinum benefits and entitlements in detail at check-in. Instead, a printed letter outlining these benefits is delivered along with the welcome amenities after check-in. To be honest, given that this is a Mercure property, I prefer this approach as it allows for a quicker check-in process, letting me get to my room more swiftly.
Open Closet
Signature Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis
The Signature Loft includes a small area for hanging clothes near the entrance, situated within the dry area of the bathroom. The standing shower and toilet are adjacent, each with a separate door, allowing two people to use the space simultaneously. There is a single sink in the room, accompanied by a filtered water tap, offering easy access to drinking water. While Singapore’s tap water is potable, the convenience of a filtered water dispenser is a welcome feature for those who prefer it.
Bathroom
Signature Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis
The shower area features both a handheld showerhead and a rain shower, but I don’t believe any rooms at the Mercure Singapore Bugis are equipped with a bathtub. During two out of my three recent stays, I noticed that the handheld showerhead had noticeable hard water stains. Even though this is a four-star hotel, this is something that should be addressed, as these stains can easily be removed with bleach or a gentler cleaning agent. It can be quite off-putting for guests to discover such stains when they are about to take a shower. While the water pressure in the rooms is generally adequate, I did encounter low water pressure on my most recent stay, where the taps (including those outside) had minimal water flow.
Bath Amenities
Signature Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis
The bath amenities at the Mercure Singapore Bugis are by Citron Fresh, a brand I first came across during my stay at the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa during the pandemic. While they are adequate, they aren't the kind of toiletries you’d be inclined to purchase and take home, even if that were an option. Rather than having separate pump bottles for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, the hotel provides a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner.
Personal Amenities
Signature Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis
While the hotel has made an effort to minimize single-use plastics, you will still find some disposable personal amenities in the bathroom. Items like disposable toothbrushes, razors, and other essentials are thoughtfully provided for guests who might need them, which is especially convenient for those on shorter stays or who may have forgotten to pack these items. This small yet considerate touch ensures that guests have access to basic necessities without having to make a trip out to purchase them, balancing eco-conscious efforts with practical guest needs.
TV and Minibar
Signature Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis
The living area in the Signature Loft is small but functional, with a sofa that can be converted into a sofa bed (note that a third-person occupancy fee applies). The loft has two 42" LED TVs - one in the living area and one on the mezzanine floor. However, there’s only one remote control, so you’ll need to remember to bring it upstairs if you want to watch TV in bed. The rooms are quite compact, providing only the essentials, although the upgraded Executive Loft does come with a Nespresso machine.
Bedroom
Signature Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis
Some of the lofts at Mercure Singapore Bugis seem to have air-conditioning issues. On one stay, I was upgraded to an Executive Loft, but the room temperature wouldn’t drop below 25 degrees Celsius, despite my efforts. I was eventually moved to another room, but even then, the temperature wouldn’t go below 21 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, I’ve had loft rooms that were extremely cold. It seems to be a matter of luck, but in my experience, rooms on the highest floor generally have better air-conditioning, so I recommend requesting a room on that level if you prefer a cooler environment. Not all the lights can be controlled from the mezzanine level, so be sure to turn off any lights you don’t want on before heading up to bed, unless you want to make an extra trip.
Indoor Seating Area
Privilege Lounge - Mercure Singapore Bugis
As an ALL Platinum member, I also had access to the Privilege Lounge (essentially a Club Lounge), which offers free-flowing wines and beers from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM daily. The Privilege Lounge at Mercure Singapore Bugis is accessible to guests staying in Executive Loft rooms, as well as ALL Diamond and Platinum members (staying in any room type on an eligible rate). It is important to manage expectations regarding the Privilege Lounge - it is not a venue you would return to every night. The Chilean wines are passable, and the food selection is mediocre.
However, I appreciate that the hotel offers this benefit, especially given a ridiculously low room rate of just S$119++ per night. Service at the Privilege Lounge is inconsistent; the lounge is rarely staffed, leading to delays in replacing empty bottles and clearing dirty plates. This seems to be a result of staff being required to work across different venues, potentially due to manpower issues at the hotel. On some evenings, I was fortunate to encounter more attentive staff who promptly replaced empty wine bottles and offered top-ups before the evening cocktails and canapés ended at 8:00 PM. As I’ve mentioned before, this isn’t the Sofitel or Raffles, so I don’t expect much - any extra perks are a bonus, and I’m happy to receive them.
Indoor Seating Area
Royale - Mercure Singapore Bugis
If your stay includes breakfast, it is served at Royale on Level 3, across from the Privilege Lounge. ALL Diamond and Platinum members can enjoy the full buffet breakfast at Royale when staying on an eligible room rate, as the Privilege Lounge does not serve breakfast.
Similar to the evening cocktail experience, breakfast at Royale is quite forgettable. I wouldn’t bother with it unless you need a coffee or a light bite before leaving the hotel. The hotel seems to be primarily occupied by group tour guests on breakfast-inclusive rates, so it gets very busy in the morning. In most luxury hotels in Singapore, breakfast peaks between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM, but Royale is usually full by 7:30 AM. The table management is somewhat disorganized, as you’re not shown to a table by the staff—you’ll need to find a vacant table yourself.
Buffet Breakfast
Royale - Mercure Singapore Bugis
The staff at breakfast appear somewhat disgruntled, possibly due to overwork, and they don’t hesitate to express their frustration. If you’re not an ALL Diamond or Platinum member, I highly recommend skipping breakfast, as there are plenty of excellent breakfast options in the surrounding area. The quality of food at breakfast is average at best, with mostly high-carb options and limited protein. There is an egg station where you can order eggs cooked to your preference, but there’s usually a line, and I’m not sure it’s worth the wait.
Living Room and Bathroom
Signature Loft - Mercure Singapore Bugis
The Mercure Singapore Bugis features a lovely outdoor infinity pool on Level 7. For a hotel of this size, the 25m pool is a pleasant surprise and is long enough for guests to swim proper laps if they want to get in a workout. On the same floor, there’s also a small fitness center, accessible 24/7 with your keycard. However, the gym is quite limited, offering just two treadmills, a bike, and a cross-trainer. If you’re serious about working out, you might be better off going for a run around Marina Bay, which is only 2km away. For those who prefer fitness classes, there are plenty of options nearby. I highly recommend using ClassPass, which allows you to book classes at various studios without committing to a large class package. Mercure Singapore Bugis isn’t a hotel I’d recommend when someone asks for my favorite hotel in Singapore. However, with room rates starting from just S$109++ per night, it’s a great option for budget-conscious travelers staying in a convenient location. Bugis MRT Station, where you can easily access the Green and Blue lines, is just a short walk away, and there are plenty of excellent local food options and restaurants in the area.
Mercure Singapore Bugis
122 Middle Rd, Singapore 188973
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TRIBE Living Bangkok Sukhumvit 39 is a great value choice for budget-conscious travelers but its slightly longer walk from Phrom Phong BTS Station may make it less convenient compared to more accessible (but pricier) options in the area.