This smallish hotel recently opened in Singapore. As I didn't find a review of it here I thought I'd share my recent experience.

The property is located next to the Raffles Hotel in Seah Street. I find this location excellent as, although it isn't extremely close to anything, it is walking distance to almost everything. Seah street itself is interesting with a mix of local foodshops and more eccentric options such as designer shops and bars (try the Shanghai Jazz bar). The hotel itself is an interestingly designed 10 story building with each floor only having a very few rooms. The lobby is very modern - a bit stark to my taste for actual use, although nice to look at.

I booked a promotional rate of $350 for a 52m2 room (can't remember the actual designation) but had $30 taken off as I didn't use the airport pickup. This included internet, free minibar, and breakfast for two. Checkin was friendly. I had told them I'd be checking in after 18:00 but showed up at 14:00. They apologised and asked if I'd mind waiting 5 minutes so they could check the room. In the mean time I was offered a drink of my choice. ^

The room was great. We had just spent 3 nights in a premier 'suite' at the Ritz Carlton but this room just 'worked' better. Unlike the RC it had great lighting and the technology was more advanced and easier to operate (I liked the Cisco IP phones which you can take with you around the hotel). It had a small kitchen with a good espresso machine, a very useable desk, a cozy living area (very designer-ish but liveable) with an enormous Samsung plasma TV, a semi-separate bedroom and an average size (but certainly adequate) bathroom with a freestanding bath and a good selection of Aesop amenities.

There was a small view over the neighbouring shophouses.

The infinity pool on the roof is small but spectacular - the views are even better than at the Fullerton. ^

Breakfast was buffet style with an egg station and included sparkling wine. Th selection, although not huge, was good and the quality was pretty decent too.

Minus points were 1) the absence of a bellhop; I arrived in the pouring rain and had to leave my luggage outside to find someone to help me. Of course then someone did quickly come out to assist. 2) in our room (this could be different in other rooms) the noise from the shower in one of the neighbouring rooms was very loud. This would not have been good if the neighbours had decided to take a shower in the middle of the night. 3) the airconditioning rattled but this was probably just a small mechanical problem. We mentioned it in the morning when we checked out and they immediately sent someone up to fix it. There were a few other, minor quirks but nothing too serious.

Overall we had a very pleasant stay and would consider coming back. Especially now that hotel rates in Singapore are so high, the rate we paid here ($320) is very competitive for such a large and nice room and I would choose Naumi over, for example, the Oriental.

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On a different note, we were ever so slightly disappointed with our stay at the RC. This used to be my favourite city 'business' hotel. It still is a great hotel but having stayed at places like the Peninsula in Tokyo recently, it is just showing its age now, especially the rooms. Carpets in the hallways were torn in places and there was quite a bit of general wear and tear visible (not in the lobby/public areas). This was particularly true for the wooden floors in the rooms, which were badly scratched in places. This place needs to be careful as it is on the verge of looking tatty - it needs a refurbishment soon if it wants to stay at the top. It also really needs to upgrade its technology which is not of this time anymore (at the top end, that is). In addition the lighting was terrible. Food in the Club was hit and miss with some presentations being truly fantastic and others being terrible. The unlimited Moet does help though and service on the whole is friendly although for some reason (like in the past) it always takes forever for the phone to be answered. On the other hand, the Bulgari white tea amenities are great and small touches like Valrhona chocolates by the bed and a handwritten welcome note from the GM were nice.

I stayed at the MO on several occasions this year and now find it somewhat overpriced. It is a very decent hotel at all levels, but it is not great. Unless I need large-hotel amenities (e.g. restaurants/bars on site, conference facilities) I would rather stay in one of the quirkier places in Singapore such as Naumi or the Scarlet hotel.

My second stay at the Raffles Hotel was superb. I had only been once before but was 'welcomed back' both in person and with a handwritten note from the GM, home-made chocolates and fruit. The room, even though I used a very cheap AMEX PLAT voucher, was wonderful. The hotel feels enormously private. Overall, the service was great and the stay was one of the best I have had in quite some time. If money is not a concern this is my preferred address in Singapore.