The Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy is an Accor hotel located in the culturally rich Katong area of Singapore. Popular among transit passengers for its proximity and free shuttle to Changi Airport, it has also made a name for itself in the local staycation scene due to the “being away from it all” vibe that the property gives off. A few blocks to the south is East Coast Park while a block north are the Peranakan shophouses and eateries of Katong.
I was recently invited for a staycation at the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy. The property has been around for a while but was refurbished a couple of years back. Trappings of an Accor property are immediately evident as soon as I entered the hotel, with a Mac station located right in the lobby for surfing. Check in was fairly quick and I was given drinks vouchers which I could use for a glass of wine, soft drink or juice at Breez.
As the hotel has been around for some time and due to its position off the CBD, the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy boasts some of the largest rooms within its class. Even the entry level rooms are already at 32 square meters in size. For this particular stay, I was billeted at a Business Suite.
Table of Contents
Business Suite
The Business Suite at Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy follows a junior suite style layout – with just a single room but with a generous 54 square meters of space. This is the largest room category in the hotel.
The layout affords the room with plenty of open spaces and the minimalist décor exudes a zen feel. You basically enter through a small alcove with visuals of the large work desk and the minibar beside it. All rooms come with a Handyphone which you can use to make free calls and text to certain countries as well as for browsing the internet while in Singapore.
At the opposite end of the table is the bed – uniquely situated as it’s deliberately placed as the centerpiece of the room. The bed is almost 2 meters wide – among the most spacious I’ve encountered.
At one corner is the sitting area. The room is large enough such that it can accommodate an entire sofa set.
I got this nice welcome amenity when I first entered the room. Aside from the array of cookies, I got a refrigerator magnet with Peranakan motif.
I also need to mention that the flooring is parquet with only a small area that’s carpeted – better for people like me who get the sneezes easily.
A large standalone soaking tub is situated at the far corner of the bathroom of the Business Suite just waiting to be used. I dare say it’s also one of the most impressive hotel bathtubs I’ve seen in Singapore and definitely the most impressive I’ve seen in this class. In Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy, only the Business Suite comes with this type of tub.
Toiletries are of the inhouse brand and these were laid out copiously as I first entered the bathroom. I was relieved to find that they provided the complete set so I didn’t have to request for missing razors for instance, or an extra toothbrush.
During the stay, I initially had a problem with the WiFi as my room seemed to be situated in a dead spot. This was quickly addressed by the property when the duty manager brought a router to my room and I ended up with a faster than usual internet connection – just nice to get some work done.
Executive Lounge
Update: As of 2021, the Executive Lounge is closed.
Guests staying in the Executive Room as well as in the various suites get to have access to the Executive Lounge. A quick look at the room prices show that the supplement costs only a little bit extra so it’s definitely worth going for this option if you foresee yourself spending quite a bit of time inside the hotel – especially during staycations. The Executive Lounge benefits at Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy are the following:
- Personalised service and private check-in
- Complimentary breakfast
- All day refreshments
- Complimentary evening drinks with hors d’oeuvres
- Complimentary Wireless broadband Internet facility
- Selection of reading materials
- Complimentary two-hour use of the Executive Lounge Boardroom (subject to availability)
Strictly speaking, there are only two meal services in the lounge but when I visited during the afternoon, I spotted a modest fruit basket as well as some light snacks.
Service was generally good. Staff members were proactive enough to ask me if I wanted to have any drink whenever I went in although for the most part, my main purpose was just to appreciate the fantastic view which included East Coast Park and the Straits of Singapore.
The spread during evening cocktails is quite decent and can make for a light meal. I spotted around 2 or 3 hot dishes, 2 canapés, some cakes as well as cheese and pastries.
Breez Bistro and Bar
I dropped by Breez Bistro and Bar later that evening for dinner. The restaurant offers a 4-course set dinner that starts from S$36++. I was there early but noticed how the tables were quickly occupied by other guests. For a hotel restaurant, the brisk business surprised me.
Dishes at Breez are mostly Mediterranean featuring a hearty array of salads, grills as well as delicious cakes.
My personal picks are: Lamb Persillade and Rib Eye. The restaurant does its grilled items nicely and I saw the other patrons mostly ordering steaks as well.
The venue also benefits from a relaxing poolside setting. The swimming pool here is often busy in the day during weekends with staycationers but it takes on an entirely different look in the evening when it’s quiet and the area is floodlit.
Breakfast
Update: As of 2021, the breakfast provided is a set rather than a buffet.
The Peranakan theme again makes itself felt at the all-day dining restaurant where I had breakfast, Feast Roxy with decorated pottery and plates giving color to the buffet spread. You’ll also spot a vintage rickshaw right by the entrance.
You do get a nice variety for your morning meal here. What I particularly found notable was the presence of heavier hot dishes that could also fit in a lunch or dinner buffet. For instance, when I had my breakfast there they had sautéed fish fillet as well as beef rending. Those preferring standard breakfast fare such as eggs cooked ala minute or bacon and pancakes will also find these at Feast@East.
Tips for Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy
- Go for the suites – these room categories give you instant access to the executive lounge which has a decent breakfast and evening cocktails spread
- Within the suites, the Business Suite is the room to choose if you’d like to have a nice standalone bathtub. Otherwise, for a room that actually looks like a suite – the Junior Suite ironically comes with the separate living area even though it’s not the biggest room type
- If you opt for the Executive Lounge access – should you grab your morning meal at Feast Roxy or at the lounge? The former definitely has a greater variety, but like any hotel, can get crowded especially during weekend mornings. If you prefer the peace and quiet, opt for breakfast at the executive lounge.
Booking It
Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy has a staycation promotion where you can book their Superior Room for just S$120 net per night. You can book this offer here.
Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy
50 East Coast Road
Singapore 428769
Tel: +65 6344 8000
I was hosted by the property but all opinions are my own.
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from what i know, as of 1 Sep 2021, the executive lounge in grand mercure roxy remains closed and breakfast is a fixed set, not buffet. when did you review the hotel?