Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena

The service was to the point, and the location beside the MRT and bus station made it very convenient for getting around the city as a tourist. The rooms and amenities didn’t match the Courtyard standard I’ve experienced elsewhere, and there’s only one compact room category, with no other option for a Bonvoy Elite upgrade or a family with kids. For Titanium members, the daily benefit is two drinks and one snack per person from the reception stock, including cup or tub noodles, chips, beer, wine, soft drinks and coffee. You can collect them any time, with no time limit, and take them to your room. During our five-day tourist stay, we enjoyed that each day. At other hotels we might have come back for cocktails and snacks during happy hours, though I’d still have preferred the option of a cocktail when I was at the property between 6 and 8. Having both choices would give guests more flexibility. Apart from the limited room space and Titanium benefit options, the rest was great.

The hotel is compact, with a fantastic panoramic view. The Malay ladies at the Level 22 reception and the Indian porter at Level 1 were courteous and proactive, though I didn’t get their names. For the price, the location and service are great. I’d definitely recommend it to friends and relatives.

My father asked the doorman/concierge for directions, but the short, bald Indian man ignored him as if he wasn’t there. Only when I arrived did he pretend to be talking to someone outside through the glass door. That was the worst service I’ve had from a doorman. I’ve stayed at many Marriott’s outside Singapore, and none treated us like this. If the hotel wants to maintain a good image, it should take the initiative to hire someone with better service. I’m not saying this to be racist.

Having an MRT station in the basement made getting around so convenient. The rooftop pool was a lovely peaceful place to unwind, with stunning views, and the breakfast restaurant looked out over the city skyline. There was plenty of choice, including good coffee, laksa and dim sum, with sunshine coming in as we ate. The staff were friendly and efficient throughout. Our room was modern, clean, well designed and comfortable, with what we needed for a relaxing stay. It felt like a calm retreat in the city, and good value for a solid four-star hotel.