Oasia Hotel Novena
BACKGROUND This business hotel is a part of Far East Hospitality and is celebrating its sixth anniversary this year. While it is popular amongst corporate travellers, it is also known for staycations amongst the locals. This is one of three properties under the Oasia brand in Singapore and the fourth worldwide. Oasia Hotel Downtown and Oasia Residence are both in Singapore; Oasia Suites is in Kuala Lumpur.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? It has a busy feel to it. The lobby is abuzz with business travellers and families. Wooden boards layer most of the lobby walls, lending it a cosy feel. Stone and wooden installations add character to the otherwise bare space. Continuing with the theme are wooden benches just opposite the reception desk that is manned by three people.
On the same level is all-day Marmalade Pantry where the buͿet breakfast is served. The rest of the day it serves modern bistro cuisine. Beside it, there is a business centre that can be accessed by all hotel guests.
WHERE IS IT? It is a 20-minute drive from Changi airport. The Novena MRT station is in its basement. Orchard Road is two train stops away. From the hotel’s basement one can enter two malls – one dedicated to sports and the other is a general shopping arcade.
ROOM FACILITIES I stayed at the Club room. It is the same size as the Superior and Deluxe rooms – 25 sqm – and the highest category of guest rooms on the property. The next level is the 50 sqm Club suite.
Guests of the Club room and Club suite are allowed free laundry service for two pieces per day. They also have access to The Living Room on the 22nd Áoor, which has its own swimming pool, breakfast buͿet, all-day free non-alcoholic beverages, cocktail hour, and a panoramic view of the city.
In fact, all rooms of the hotel either have a view of the greener side of Singapore that includes an aerial view of the Bukit Timh Nature Reserve in the distance, or of the commercial and residential buildings in the vicinity. My Club room had a green view, which I particularly enjoyed through the large French window whilst working on my iPad at the abutting L-shaped work desk.
The rooms are compact such that there is enough space for two bedside tables. The minibar is tucked into a cupboard that also has tea coͿee making facilities (Nespresso coͿee-making facility in Club category). Packaged coconut water from the minibar is free for guests of the Club room and Club suite.
I particularly appreciated the handy phone placed in all rooms. Oasia encourages you to carry it when venturing out of the property as it oͿers free internet, unlimited local calls, and free international dialling to Australia, China, Indonesia, Korea, the UK and the USA. This is available across all room categories, as are the LCD television, free wiÀ, iron and ironing board (upon request), rain shower (bathtub in the Club room and Club suite), free water bottles, and room service from 11am-6pm daily.
As the corner rooms of the hotel are most sought after by regulars because of the two French windows, Oasia will introduce them as Premier rooms this year. The category will be one level below the Club room. RESTAURANTS AND BARS
The only restaurant on the property is Marmalade Pantry. The all-day diner serves modern bistro cuisine. In the basement, just before the subway station is a street food centre, a recommendation for those feeling adventurous. MEETING FACILITIES The Courtyard is divided into three rooms and can hold 50 people each; The Boardroom can hold 30 people. LEISURE FACILITIES There are two pools on the property. One is at The Living Room and the other, open to all hotel guests, is on the eighth Áoor. Both pools have an adjoining Jacuzzi. The gym has basic cardio machines with attached screens that allow you to surf TV channels, browse the internet or sign-in through preloaded social media apps.
VERDICT A well-equipped property for business travellers.