Hotel check: M Hotel
TESTED BY Clement Huang
HOW MANY ROOMS? 413 rooms, including six Suites and four Suite Premiers
PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS Excellent in-room connectivity options, good F&B offerings, and quality club floor facilities
PRICE Rates for a Club Room Premier in mid-December start at S$375 ($270), excluding additional taxes or fees
CONTACT M Hotel Singapore, 81 Anson Rd; tel: +65 6224 1133; millenniumhotels.com.sg
VERDICT: A highly efficient and pleasant hotel that provides attractive business-friendly amenities for discerning travelers, M Hotel Singapore is well worth a serious look.
BACKGROUND: The property that would eventually become M Hotel Singapore began its life under Millennium’s management in 1995 as Copthorne Harbor View. Following a S$40 million ($28 million) renovation project that lasted two years, the tourist hotel was rebranded, and is now firmly positioned as a four-star business hotel, joining Millennium’s two other existing properties in famed Lion City, founded in 1299.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? A modern, glass-clad building with a stylish and contemporary lobby area. One side houses the main reception area that is complemented by a comfortable seating area and attached Tea Bar, while the other end – clearly identified by a statue of an imposing bronze bull – features more seats as well as Café 2000.
ROOM FACILITIES: The 413 guestrooms are divided into six categories – Deluxe Room, Premier Room, Club Room, Club Room Premier, Suite Room and Suite Premier. My Club Room Premier room was tastefully furnished, although the wooden décor is beginning to show its age.
The luxury hotel is in the midst of refurbishing its Deluxe Rooms, with the new design featuring a darker, more contemporary palette.
The Club Room Premier offers a solid range of amenities that business travelers would appreciate, including fast WiFi and wired Internet access and a large work desk with three power ports. The in-room ironing board complements the standard M Club privilege of daily complimentary laundry/pressing for two pieces of clothing.
It was refreshing to stay in a hotel that had lighting controlled by simple on-off switches that were easy to manage. A minor complaint is the lack of power outlets at the bedside, which meant that all mobile charging had to be done on the worktable.
The bathroom came with a rain shower and a bathtub. The pressure of the rain shower was excellent and I appreciated being able to change the water temperature to my liking quickly.
EXECUTIVE CLUB: All Club and Suite guests have access to the modest-sized but well maintained M Club Lounge on the 28th floor. Private check-in and check-out facilities are provided at the lounge, as is a daily international buffet breakfast with a live egg station. Other club benefits include all-day refreshments, evening canapés, one-hour complimentary use of the attached meeting room, and late check-out at 3:00 PM (subject to availability).
RESTAURANTS AND MEETING FACILITIES: M Hotel Singapore is home to five F&B outlets, including Café 2000 for all-day dining, the Tea Bar in the lobby for high tea, hotpot at The Buffet, and drinks at J Bar. There is also a Japanese outlet at the hotel, Hokkaido Sushi Restaurant. The property has more than 13,000 square feet of event space, including a ballroom and nine conference/meeting rooms.
LEISURE FACILITIES: A relatively small and cardio-heavy gym is open all day. There is also an outdoor pool, spa bath and five spa treatment suites. Golf, tennis, squash and other water sports activities can also be arranged on request. All recreational facilities are located on Level 11, with massage and beauty treatments, personal trainers and complimentary hatha yoga classes.
