Hotel Review: Novotel Singapore On Stevens – Free Minibar & Fantastic Infinity Pool

Novotel Singapore on Stevens is the latest property of Accor Hotels to open in Singapore, cementing this chain’s status as the largest in the Lion City with over a dozen hotels. The new Novotel property is located around 2 bus stops from Orchard (take the #190 bus from the Orchard Station bus stop to be exact) making the location within a residential neighborhood good for a nice escape without losing the city center convenience.

The Novotel Singapore on Stevens is part of a mixed use complex developed by Oxley Holdings. The building includes the Mercure Singapore on Stevens next door as well as a couple of restaurants and bars in the lower floors. It is the second Novotel property in Singapore, the other being the Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay.

Shuttle Service from Novotel Singapore on Stevens to Orchard Road and Singapore Botanic Gardens

It is worth noting that Novotel Singapore on Stevens provides complimentary shuttle service between the hotel and Orchard Road. Departures occur every half hour from 10AM to 9:30PM daily with the drop-off point being the DFS Galleria at Scotts. The hotel also provides free shuttle service to the Singapore Botanic Gardens with departures at 7:30AM, 8AM, 8:30AM and 9AM from Mondays to Fridays.

I have stayed in quite a number of Novotel properties worldwide and thought that I fairly knew what to expect. Entering the Novotel Singapore on Stevens for the first time, I was, however, struck by the design atypical of the chain. This property does not carry the business vibe of Novotels elsewhere but instead there is a palpable theme centering around the stars and the constellations as evidenced by the hanging fixtures from the ceiling as well as the walls surrounding the check-in counters.

The room categories at Novotel Singapore on Stevens are relatively straightforward. The Superior, Deluxe and Premium categories are all of the same size at around 24 square meters. The difference is with the in-room amenities. The nuances are are follows:

• Superior Room – this is the entry-level room
• Deluxe Room – one notch above the Superior Room, this comes with a free minibar
• Premium Room – one notch above the Deluxe Room, this comes with a free minibar, in-room Nespresso machine with coffee capsules plus access to the Premier Lounge (hotel’s version of the club lounge)

I stayed at one of the Deluxe rooms during my time at the Novotel Singapore on Stevens. As mentioned previously, the rooms all carry the same layout. First impressions – lots of glass with one side of the barrier between bath to bed fully transparent to allow lots of natural light to penetrate the shower and wash areas. This also makes the room look bigger than it actually is.

The rooms at Novotel Singapore on Stevens are notable for its decorated headboard with triangular patterns. This is complemented by triangular throw pillows (first time I’ve seen such things!) which create a more vibrant atmosphere to the room.

The walls are also a departure of anything I’ve seen in a chain hotel with its semi-industrial finish. Walls are decked in gray which create a glaring juxtaposition with the blue and yellow room furnishings.

One of the best things about the room is the free minibar which you get for Deluxe Rooms and above. I am hard pressed to name another 4-star hotel in Singapore that offers a free minibar so the Novotel Singapore on Stevens is definitely one of the rare few in this department. The beverages and snacks on offer aren’t exactly meagre as well. I spotted a selection of juices, beer, softdrinks as well as chips and a chocolate bar. These are replenished on a daily basis.

While the room screams more leisure guest than business traveler, there are enough fittings to get some work done. There is a relatively compact work desk that comes with power outlets and USB ports. Seating options come in the way of the sleek office chair or a suede couch. There is also a nice compact round table that is just high enough for people sitting on the couch. While this table does not have enough space for people looking to work, it’s great for those who need a place to rest their devices as they stream their preferred programmes.

For a room that comes with no tub, Novotel Singapore on Stevens does its bath area nicely. It comes in three partitions similar to other Accor Hotels in Singapore such as the Mercure Singapore Bugis but I love the uninhibited and transparent walls. If you prefer to shower in greater privacy, curtains can be turned down and sliding doors can separate the wash area from the rest of the room. As with Novotel properties elsewhere, toiletries are from the fair-trade in-house brand.

Premier Lounge

My stay at the Novotel Singapore on Stevens came with access to the Premier Lounge. As a 4-star hotel, the lounge services are less elaborate with a breakfast and evening cocktails service only. However, the lounge is open between 6AM to 11PM for guests wishing to chill or get some work done through the communal PC stations. Guests who stay at the Premium Room, any of the suites or are Le Club Platinum members get to access the lounge.

As I had an event to attend to, I didn’t manage to check out the evening spread at the Premier Lounge. However, I did drop by the next morning for breakfast. The buffet spread is more modest here compared to the all-day dining restaurant, Food Exchange. But I loved the quieter surroundings of the lounge. I also loved the iPads provided in each table which allow guests to surf without having to deplete the batteries in their own devices – a thoughtful touch if I may say so.

Breakfast at Food Exchange

I also dropped by the main breakfast area – Food Exchange. At the time of my stay, Mercure Singapore on Stevens had just opened and their restaurant was not open yet. As such, the Mercure guests were also having breakfast at Food Exchange which made it a bit crowded while I was having my morning meal.

The breakfast spread at Food Exchange is relatively modest but of note is the many types of cuisines represented here. I even spotted some sushi rolls for the morning meal.

For a nicer ambiance, guests can also choose to have breakfast outside overlooking the pool. Guests staying at the Novotel Singapore on Stevens can make use of two pools – the main infinity pool which overlooks the greenery and residences of the surrounding area or the lap pool located next door at Mercure. It’s an especially scenic spot during sunset when the pool is also lighted up.

There is also a relatively spacious 24-hour gym that is shared between the two hotels. The equipment is quite comprehensive with a nice balance between free weights, exercise machines, treadmills and exercise bikes. I thought it could actually stand on its own as a proper gym but the only downside is that there are no lockers to be found here.

Verdict

The Novotel Singapore on Stevens offers a peek at Accor Hotels’ new interpretation for the Novotel brand. Gone is the stuffy corporate vibe and this is now replaced by a more refreshing and vibrant look that can crossover to the leisure segment. The property is definitely the most beautiful Novotel hotel I’ve encountered thus far and I love how the small things such as the iPads at the Premium Lounge and the free minibar really add a nice touch to the overall guest experience. The property is also pricing decently making it one of the more affordable 4-star hotels in Singapore today. This is one of the very few hotels in the Lion City where you can book a room with Premium Lounge access for well under S$300 a night.

Novotel Singapore on Stevens
28 Stevens Road
Singapore 257878

Phone: +65 6491 6100

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