We love birthdays. They are great excuses for us to pamper ourselves. Staycation is one of our favourite indulgence for the occasion.
The Hotel
A couple of months ago, we had a night’s stay over the weekend at Oasia Novena Hotel to celebrate a birthday. Located next to Novena Medical Centre and minutes’ walk from Novena MRT, it was convenient enough for us to leave the car at home. If you are an overseas guest, it is worth noting that currently (as of Aug 2017) one of their Club Room and Club Suite’s feature is complimentary airport lounge access.
Checking in at the lobby. The high volume main lobby has a minimalist, natural outdoor feel with stone and wooden tiled walls and wooden benches.
Oasia Novena Hotel has just one dining option: The Marmalade Pantry, a modern bistro with Western food and pastries on its menu. With Novena Square and Square 2 just next door, there are, however, a wide range of dining options within stone throw.
The hotel was unable to grant us our request for late checkout. This, we were told, was to allow for turn-over time before the next guests check-in as the suites were fully booked. Tip given by the front desk for future visit was to call to check if early check-in is available rather than hoping for late check-out. Chances, as we were told, are supposedly higher.
Our Room
We took the Club Suite. The room was located in a corner, right at the end of a long corridor from the lift lobby.
The living room had a two-seater sofa, a lounge chair with foot-rest and a small round dining table with 2 chairs. It even has its own toilet and an air purifier in a corner of the room!
The view from the living room overlooking the nearby residential areas.
The bedroom with a comfy double bed and spacious writing desk.
The kids had a TV each to their own viewing pleasure with one in the bedroom with one in the living room. So no squabbling over which channel to watch.
The bathroom with a granite bathtub and rain shower cubicle. Toiletries given was a range from Biology, an Australian-made hair and body care.
The spacious hallway separating the bedroom and living room area.
The room was gorgeous and exceeded our expectations. But if you’re looking for a family-friendly club room with lounge access for the young ones here, you will be disappointed. Children below 18 years of age are not allowed to access Club floor facilities and the Club Lounge.
In the welcome letter we received during check-in, it stated that children below 18 years of age are discouraged from being in the lounge during the cocktail hours. However, we were told our little ones were not allowed access to the Club lounge during check-in. A quick check on their official website also confirmed this.
Our Experience
There was no welcome drink for us during check-in. A complimentary fruit platter, however, was delivered to the room after we had settled down. With excess to the Club Lounge, we could have the drink we wanted there. The kids, on the other hand, could help themselves to the complimentary beverages in the Suite’s min-bar.
Enjoying afternoon tea at the Club Lounge (also known as The Living Room).
As the hotel is not in a prime downtown location, frankly the view is not much to shout about. We were peering over the roof tops of neighbouring buildings as we sipped our tea and nibbled the light bites.
Neat rows of magazines for any one who fancies some reading.
The infinity pool on the club floor is open from 7am to 10pm for exclusive use of Club Room guests.
Ironically, because there were no young children, the lounge and pool were quiet with a feel of exclusivity.
The swimming pool (also know as The Oasis) on the 8th storey for use of all other hotel guests.
With 2 young guests in tow who were not allowed in the Club Lounge, we enjoyed breakfast at The Marmalade Pantry. The breakfast spread was decent and we had a good meal.
We took a peek at The Living Room’s breakfast spread too, to satisfy our curiosity.
Our stay was generally good but we are not likely to return any time soon. We would definitely prefer a club room that allows our children to access the Club Lounge during non-cocktail hours.