THERE are few places more thrilling from which to take in the geography of Singapore than the infinity pool of one of its newest hotels.
Courtyard By Marriott Singapore Novena joined the impressive skyline of this Southeast Asian powerhouse less than two years ago.
And it is giving good value to visitors seeking to take in the city sights without sky-high prices.
And it is giving good value to visitors seeking to take in the city sights without sky-high prices.
NO map will quite have the same effect of getting to know a place than a dip in a rooftop swimming pool flanked by panoramic views.
And with one of the complimentary drinks in hand from the Urbana Rooftop Bar, the highest point of the Courtyard By Marriott Singapore Novena is a great spot at which to both recover from a potentially significant flight and get your bearings.
And with one of the complimentary drinks in hand from the Urbana Rooftop Bar, the highest point of the Courtyard By Marriott Singapore Novena is a great spot at which to both recover from a potentially significant flight and get your bearings.
Located in a pleasant suburban neighbourhood on the edge of the city centre, the area’s tallest hotel occupies the upper floors of a tower within mixed development, Royal Square.
This lies on a major road and includes one of three shopping malls in the district and an underground line of the efficient Singapore MRT metro service.
In fact, it is close enough to Novena station that the public transport network represents a time – if the traffic is on the busy side – and cost efficient alternative to grabbing a cab from Changi International Airport.
The terminals lie right across the other side of the city, but are just 25 minutes away if you get your transport choice and timings right.
This lies on a major road and includes one of three shopping malls in the district and an underground line of the efficient Singapore MRT metro service.
In fact, it is close enough to Novena station that the public transport network represents a time – if the traffic is on the busy side – and cost efficient alternative to grabbing a cab from Changi International Airport.
The terminals lie right across the other side of the city, but are just 25 minutes away if you get your transport choice and timings right.
These attributes are part of what makes the Courtyard both a budget-friendly business hotel, and a good base for tourists wanting to spend a couple of days exploring.
More of those informative and inspiring good views can be experienced from bedrooms that, while not huge, offer floor to ceiling windows for great light and a sense of space.
Like many newer city centre hotels, square metres are at a premium - but our high floor Deluxe Greenery Room packed a lot in, including seating with a table and workspace, room for our luggage and a compact bathroom.
And - perhaps most importantly - a sumptuous king-size bed from which you can watch the city lights twinkle around the nearby nature reserve.
Breakfast offers another perspective on the surrounding skyline, as well as more examples of the stylish design poured into this four-star property.
More of those informative and inspiring good views can be experienced from bedrooms that, while not huge, offer floor to ceiling windows for great light and a sense of space.
Like many newer city centre hotels, square metres are at a premium - but our high floor Deluxe Greenery Room packed a lot in, including seating with a table and workspace, room for our luggage and a compact bathroom.
And - perhaps most importantly - a sumptuous king-size bed from which you can watch the city lights twinkle around the nearby nature reserve.
Breakfast offers another perspective on the surrounding skyline, as well as more examples of the stylish design poured into this four-star property.
Sharing the same 22nd floor as the lobby and its lounge, Sky22 is the hotel's signature all-day dining restaurant and shows some of its creative flair from its first service of the day with an intuitive mix of intercontinental breakfast options.
With medical tourism on the rise in Singapore, proximity to a premier hospital and medical centres is key for some guests opting for the Courtyard.
But as a traveller returning to the city after 20 years, and a three-week journey through Indonesia, I was seeking a blend of comfort, convenience and style, which is also offers is spades.
For those wanting to discover more about Singapore’s social and historical past, the Courtyard is also a good starting point from which to join the Balestier Heritage Trail.
With medical tourism on the rise in Singapore, proximity to a premier hospital and medical centres is key for some guests opting for the Courtyard.
But as a traveller returning to the city after 20 years, and a three-week journey through Indonesia, I was seeking a blend of comfort, convenience and style, which is also offers is spades.
For those wanting to discover more about Singapore’s social and historical past, the Courtyard is also a good starting point from which to join the Balestier Heritage Trail.
Otherwise, a short and relatively simple metro ride takes you to prime tourist hotspots such as Marina Bay Sands Hotel with its breathtaking 57th floor rooftop Sky Park and the nearby spectacular Gardens By The Bay – from which Dubai’s Blue Waters has surely borrowed some design ideas – best seen at night for the light and music show, or by day if you wish to take in the millions of plants.
This, in turn, is well situated for the bay’s evening light show, flanked by prime shopping and F&B opportunities along Marina Boulevard.
From here you can walk via the ground-breaking Helix Bridge, or bus, cab or metro it to other celebrated areas such as the again relocated Merlion fountain, and the recently refurbished and re-opened Raffles Hotel for that trademark, if pricy, Singapore Sling.
This, in turn, is well situated for the bay’s evening light show, flanked by prime shopping and F&B opportunities along Marina Boulevard.
From here you can walk via the ground-breaking Helix Bridge, or bus, cab or metro it to other celebrated areas such as the again relocated Merlion fountain, and the recently refurbished and re-opened Raffles Hotel for that trademark, if pricy, Singapore Sling.
The huge Chinatown remains one of the most vibrant parts of the city with street markets and a myriad food carts and cafes giving good value and photo opportunities.
The shops of Orchard Road can keep your wallet busy, as can the nightlife of Clarke Quay, which mixes historical architecture at the mouth of the Singapore River with trendy bars and diners.
Boat Quay is also well known for its array of feeding and drinking opportunities and arguably presents a contrasting blend of preserved architecture set against the globally familiar financial towers of Singapore’s modern skyline.
Given the time, you could also check out the Botanic Gardens, Singapore Zoo, the Singapore Flyer ferris wheel, Jurong Bird Park or Sentosa – the Singapore island destination made famous by the Trump/Kim Jong Un summit.
The rest of the time it is better enjoyed for its Universal Studios theme park and lively Palawan Beach. You can reach Sentosa by cable car and monorail as well as road and pedestrian bridges.
The shops of Orchard Road can keep your wallet busy, as can the nightlife of Clarke Quay, which mixes historical architecture at the mouth of the Singapore River with trendy bars and diners.
Boat Quay is also well known for its array of feeding and drinking opportunities and arguably presents a contrasting blend of preserved architecture set against the globally familiar financial towers of Singapore’s modern skyline.
Given the time, you could also check out the Botanic Gardens, Singapore Zoo, the Singapore Flyer ferris wheel, Jurong Bird Park or Sentosa – the Singapore island destination made famous by the Trump/Kim Jong Un summit.
The rest of the time it is better enjoyed for its Universal Studios theme park and lively Palawan Beach. You can reach Sentosa by cable car and monorail as well as road and pedestrian bridges.
Several galleries and museums also beckon around the city-state, as do temples.
If you only do one of the latter, check your timings and head for the five-storey Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
DETAILS:
FOR more on Courtyard By Marriott Singapore Novena facilities, availability and prices, please click on www.courtyardsingapore.com
TO know more about what to see and do, go to https://www.visitsingapore.com/en/
If you only do one of the latter, check your timings and head for the five-storey Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
DETAILS:
FOR more on Courtyard By Marriott Singapore Novena facilities, availability and prices, please click on www.courtyardsingapore.com
TO know more about what to see and do, go to https://www.visitsingapore.com/en/