Aloft Singapore Novena Hotel by Marriott staycay review: Good food, well-equipped gym, friendly staff

We are familiar with the Marriott chain and all the luxury and comfort that are associated with the brand. But Aloft Hotels? Not so much, yet. A new entry to Singapore’s hospitality industry since the last quarter of 2023, Aloft Singapore Novena Hotel is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 31 extraordinary hotel brands. Touted as the largest Aloft hotel in the world, Yahoo Life Singapore is excited to check out what the new Aloft Singapore Novena Hotel brings.

Location

Nestled in the vibrant Balestier neighbourhood, a go-to district for their famous Bak Kut Tehs and premium durians, the neighbourhood is now transformed into an eclectic mix of local cuisines, culture, and entertainment. Parked beside Zhongshan Park and Zhongshan Mall along the Balestier Heritage Trail, you can walk to the Sun Yat Sun Nanyang Memorial Hall and the new Shaw Plaza with an 11-screen cineplex on top of a premium theatre concept with leather recliner seats. A short bus or cab ride away are the UNESCO-heritage Singapore Botanic Gardens, Newton Food Centre (leaving its international mark via Crazy Rich Asians), Little India, and Orchard Road. To make your navigation easier, Aloft has a complimentary shuttle bus for guests to head to Novena MRT every 20-minute intervals where Velocity@Novena and Square 2 malls beckon with more food and shopping.

Book your stay at Aloft Singapore Novena

Book your stay at Aloft Singapore

Award-winning design team

Designed by the award-winning KKS International, Aloft Singapore Novena adopts a “different by design” philosophy that champions personality and passion for music. The theme of music strings the hotel décor which starts with a 2.5-metre sculpture at the entrance, in-room decoration and furnishings, the carpeted flooring as well as ceiling panels that cleverly capture the visually-arresting display of light. This theme of music carries on at its Chinese restaurant Yue’s menu with interesting and fun names for the dishes, on top of a specially-curated playlist on Spotify. Be sure to check them out.

Taking a walk around the compound, I was impressed by how the hotel managed to carve out the feeling of spaciousness with its in-room high ceilings, wide open spaces which include an outdoor gym area (besides a well-equipped air-conditioned gym), a 30-metre outdoor Splash pool, pillarless meeting room and more. Reminiscent of other Aloft Hotels around the world, the Aloft Singapore Novena hotel lobby boasts an 85-inch video wall, showcasing electronic art from renowned artists.

The room

The hotel boasts a total of 785 contemporary rooms, each offering the choice of a comfortable king or queen bed, or twins. Whether you intend to check in due to business needs, looking for a staycay with your Significant Other, BFFs, or with your family, or wish to be close to Novena’s HealthCity, the rooms offer all the comfort you will need.

With at least three charging points within each room, a bay window and a decent-sized desk, a speedy WiFi network, work, and printing area in the lobby, business travellers will be well-equipped to handle any work presentations or Zoom meetings. Partners, friends, and families will revel in the 30-metre splash pool, complete with deck chairs in the pool.

A distinctive feature is their premium Sealy mattresses. However, I thought softer bedlinens with a higher thread count would have contributed to a better sleep all around. What I particularly like is the unblocked view of the Balestier district from my Urban King Room. Nothing was blocking my view and I believe no accidental peepshow can occur even without drawing the curtains as all the buildings were at a distance. I could choose to work or read in the air-conditioned comfort of the room or head out to the tables and deck chairs by the pools.

Here's what the room offers at a glance:

• 55” flat-screen television with screen casting features & cable channels

• Complimentary WiFi access and local calls

• USB charging ports (both Type A & C)

• Coffee-tea-making facilities

• In-room mini fridge

• Complimentary drinking water

• Iron and ironing board

• Electronic in-room safe

• Hair-dryer

Amenities and facilities within the hotel

Feeling hunger pangs deep into the night? Or pulling an all-nighter? The hotel is thoughtful of their guests' needs. Grab and go at Re:fuel by Aloft, a 24/7 station offering a selection of flavourful light meals and drinks. I spotted local favs such as Melvados in the mix of healthy snacks and bites. Do note all drinks and snacks are chargeable.

There were lots to explore within the hotel. With fitness on my mind this year, I immediately checked out the Re:charge gym and Splash pool. And boy, was I impressed. Besides the usual elliptical and cycling machines, and weightlifting stations, the gym even comes equipped with a Bosu Ball leg raise machine, a CrossFit air fan bike, and a punching bag. Be sure to bring your boxing gloves. There's a water cooler and an ample supply of clean, plush towels too. All in all, I had a great time at the gym, exploring the various exercise machines. Nothing beats a relaxing dip in the pool after a workout, complete with swaying palm trees and the setting sun casting shadows by the pool. The open space beside the pool also added to the relaxed vibe, which is a huge plus for any hotel guest.

Book Aloft Singapore Novena at Marriott | Booking.com | Trip.com | Agoda.

Glorious food and drinks

Of course, no staycation is complete without trying the hotel's food offerings. Divided into the East and West wings, you will find 21 on Rajah, a Halal-certified buffet restaurant serving up innovative Mediterranean and Asian buffet cuisine at the East Wing and a modern Chinese restaurant Yue at the West Wing. Here, you will also find Marriott's signature W XYZ bar in its lobby with live bands every Friday and Saturday evenings. With its long list of cocktails and light bites, you don't even need to step out of the hotel, if you so prefer.

For this media stay, we were introduced to the delectable modern Chinese menu at Yue for dinner consisting of appetizers, seafood, meat, vegetables, rice/noodles, and dessert. We were truly impressed by its Crispy Baby Squid Rojak, Braised Fish Maw Soup, Poached Sliced Beef with Szechuan Peppercorn, and Rice All Balling with Almond Soup. We finished every single bite. Halfway through my meal, I was thinking about how more people should know about the good food offerings here.

We wished we could have tried every single dish but our stomach could only hold so much. The chefs helming the kitchen come with a long list of experience in various top hotels and came up with the menu together by adding their signature twists to their favourite dishes. Judging by Yue's extensive menu, there are many other dishes worth trying such as the Sweet & Sour Pork with Popping Candy, the twisted Fried Bun (good even on its own!), and the Dim Sum available for lunch daily. We hear that Yue is having a 50% off introductory offer on their Dim Sum menu until 31 January 2024, so be sure to get to it before the promotion ends. Their Chinese New Year sets are also available so be quick to book a table for your family.

Reserve your slot at Yue here.

After a fulfilling dinner, round up your night at W XYZ bar. You can ask for their in-house signatures, or chat up the friendly bartenders and request a special cocktail based on your favourite taste notes. You will be in for a pleasant surprise, I guarantee you. Then chill at the lounge with the live band playing from 8 to 10pm.

Reserve your slot at W XYZ here.

The next morning, I was all ready for the buffet breakfast, a highlight for me during any hotel stay. Guests can pick from Halal-certified 21 on Rajah or at Yue. The food selection is primarily the same, with Yue serving pork dishes. The comprehensive selection of Indian/Mediterranean dishes was mindboggling. I had the most delicious Thosai here and could not resist a second helping, even though the buffet included my favourite Teochew porridge (another highlight for me).

Reserve your slot at 21 on Rajah.

What sets this staycay apart?

A night at Aloft Singapore Novena will set you back at slightly over S$200, inclusive of a hotel buffet breakfast. Psst, there's no significant price jump for Valentine's Day, as I pen this review. So be quick to secure a reasonable rate for a surprise date this coming February. What sets this staycay apart is not its Sealy mattress or unblocked view. It was down to the vibe the affable staff exuded. From the reception to the bartenders, and hospitality team to the restaurant staff and everyone else I encountered during my 2D1N stay, I was greeted by genuine smiles all around and could sense that the staff truly enjoyed working here. I also enjoyed the expansiveness of the space with high ceilings throughout the entire hotel. Of course, there's no doubt I will return for the delectable food at Yue on my dime.

Aloft Singapore Novena is at 16 Ah Hood Road, Singapore 329982.

Book Aloft Singapore Novena at Marriott | Booking.com | Trip.com | Agoda.

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