Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel, Singapore

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money	Excellent
Quality of Rooms	Good
Cleanliness	Excellent
Quality of Facilities	Excellent

Advantages:	High quality rooms and facilities, good value for money
Disadvantages:	Some way from the main attractions

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I stayed here on a short stop-over in early 2005. I chose the Roxy because it was both close to the airport, and the ferry terminal, and as I'd been to Sing a few times before and done the tourist sights, this would be a handy location as I was planning a day trip to Indonesia.

It was wonderful after a long flight to zip straight out of the airport and arrive at the hotel in minutes, being welcomed by a courteous doorman, and entering into a cool, cavernous, marble lobby. Like most places in Singapore this was impressively spotless, with some chic leather sofas and a gaggle of efficient porters and receptionists.

The room was equally as welcoming and pristine, and seemed to have been recently furbished. The only downside was the size. As we were a party of three, they had squeezed a camp bed in between the regular twins, which made it feel a little cramped, and us feel a bit like sardines while we slept. However, it was very comfortable, with cable TV, coffee making facilities, safe, internet connections, and a well appointed bathroom, with that all-important phone by the toilet for the conference call you just can't miss. They were a little keen on the centrally controlled air conditioning, but blankets were rushed to the room soon after my call to housekeeping. That's the kind of efficiency that makes Singapore hospitality so great. The room also had a nice outlook, onto the courtyard, pool and leisure area.

As well as the decent sized pool, which is open well into the depths of the night, definitely my favourite time for swimming, when the air is a warm breeze and the water is gently lit from below, the facilities include a health and fitness centre with therapies available, jacuzzi, sauna and there is a shopping mall right next door.

There are two international style restaurants, and breakfast is a tasty buffet of cereals, dried and fresh fruits, yoghurts, toast, breads, cakes, cheeses, hot Chinese and English, with chefs present to knock up bespoke omlettes.

This did seem to be a very business orientated hotel, which I suppose is due to its location. Everywhere I went from the lobby to the sunloungers business people were tapping away on their laptops and shouting down their cell phones. The whole atmosphere is quite busy and functional, so I'm not sure it would be that suitable for someone looking for a hotel to relax in. Even the swimming pool and sun deck, though very aesthetically designed, are quite overlooked by the towering blocks of rooms, and the crowded bar area. Otherwise, it is excellent value, and because public transport and taxis are so reasonably priced in Singapore, and the hotel runs a free shuttle service, it would be a value place to stay even for people who want to spend all their time downtown, which is only 10km away.

This is a good, middle of the road hotel. To compare it with two other Singapore hotels I have reviewed on this site, it has high standards approaching the excellent Holiday Inn Park View, at a price little more than the below-par Miramar. If you want quality, but don't want to pay for it, this is the hotel for you.