How do you strike the balance between easy access and real stillness in a busy city-state like Singapore? We found our answer on Stevens Road, beneath its rain trees and among its upscale residential pockets, in the form of a discreet hotel just off Orchard Road.
Minutes from the city’s ever-blooming shopping hub, my Grab pulled up to Novotel Stevens’ understated porte-cochère and everything immediately felt more spacious. Singapore moves fast, but here you get a sense of pause, without giving up location. You’re still connected to Orchard and the Botanic Gardens via the hotel’s complimentary shuttle. But being well-placed is only the start. Here’s what actually makes this stay stand out.
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A Warm Welcome
Even with the neighbourhood’s unhurried pace, service was impeccable: swift, efficient, and warm. At reception, genuine smiles greeted me. Beyond the seamless check-in, an arrangement of local kueh and fresh fruits was waiting in the room after my flight – a lovely, sweet welcome that eased travel fatigue without overwhelm.
Smart Design For Busy Travellers
True to the hotel’s urban resort concept, the rooms strike a clean, modern look with natural cues. Earthy tones and diffused lighting give everything an easy, grounded feel.
Sustainability shows up in the details. Bathroom amenities come in kraft packaging instead of single-use plastics, shower products are housed in refillable pump bottles with responsibly sourced formulas, and a filtered water tap in-room makes staying hydrated simple while cutting plastic bottles altogether.
We stayed in a Premier Room on the 10th floor. At 24 square metres, it’s compact on paper, but the layout is cleverly handled, with rainfall showers, sofa seating, and a neighbourhood view that makes the space feel open and airy. The mattress was a standout too, delivering genuinely deep rest, which says a lot coming from someone who usually struggles with sleep. Accessibility is also well considered, with smooth room flow and supportive handrails that make movement easier. Unpacking, getting ready, and answering emails all felt low-effort, which matters when your itinerary is packed or you’re in town for business.
Effortless Exploration
Orchard Road is easy from here, either via the hotel’s free shuttle or by taking the greener route on foot toward the Botanic Gardens. Within minutes, you can shift from retail time at ION Orchard, 313@Somerset, and Design Orchard to culture stops like the Botanic Gardens and the National Gallery, all comfortably close by Grab.
What we loved most is the ability to switch between the city’s high energy and the garden’s hush without feeling like you’re choosing one over the other. Novotel isn’t planted right in the thick of it, and that’s the point. The slight remove gives you breathing room, while still keeping everything you came for within quick reach.
Crafting Connection Through The Senses
More than a place to sleep, Novotel’s dining and drink line-up is a genuine highlight. Over at Food Exchange, the buffet is built for variety, with gluten-free and plant-based options that feel properly thought-through. Then there’s L’Apéritif, glowing blue beside reception, setting the tone for the evening with Singapore-inspired cocktails like the chrysanthemum tea-infused Stevens Spritz, plus the signature Stevens Snack Platter that’s hard not to finish.
The most memorable detail sits just beyond the bar. The Scent Bar, a collaboration between L’Apéritif and Singapore fragrance house 37 Scents, turns a night out into something you can take with you. After catching up with a friend over drinks and bites, I blended my own fragrance from an assortment of locally made essences, creating a sensory keepsake that felt far more personal than anything on a souvenir shelf.
Upstairs, the Premier Lounge delivered a softer kind of comfort, with beautiful natural light, attentive service, and space to settle in and focus without interruption.
Wellness That Whispers
The infinity pool beside Food Exchange has a low-key polish, rarely crowded and blissfully undisturbed. Its waterline melts into the treetops of Stevens Road, making it ideal for a morning dip before heading back for the guest-favourite breakfast buffet.
For active recovery, the Anytime Fitness gym runs 24/7 with modern equipment and floor-to-ceiling windows, while the dedicated pickleball court, a rare find for a city hotel in Singapore, invites a little friendly competition.
For Explorers Who Crave A Convenient Escape
Novotel Singapore on Stevens isn’t for those chasing neon-lit chaos at every moment. It’s for the traveller who wants the Orchard Road rush by day, then somewhere more grounded after 10pm, and for the professional who needs a base where work runs smoothly and rest comes naturally. Starting from SGD$220 a night, it’s a stay that makes the city feel easier.
Novotel Singapore on Stevens, 28 Stevens Road, Orchard, Singapore, 6491 6100, www.novotel-singapore-stevens.com
Rachel Tang
Rachel Tang is the Social Media Manager and a contributing writer at Friday Club., where she combines her expertise in PR and Marketing with a passion for storytelling. She began writing for a media platform early in her career, which sparked a love for storytelling that still drives her work today. With a deep passion for fashion, music, and all things pretty, Rachel is always on the lookout for the next best thing – and she’s quick to rave about it to those around her.
