Located on Club Street, with an array of culinary spots and experiences – how does Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre fare as a staycation spot? Here’s my honest review.
It’s that time of the year when we’re all itching for an escape. Golden afternoons by the pool, non-stop feasting, and exploring new haunts… Yup, basically anything to get away from never-ending emails and piles of work. I decided to do myself a favour and hop on a plane cab to a 3D2N staycation in one of my fave areas in Singapore: Chinatown. Delish nosh, shopping enclaves and easy accessibility – need I say more?
Of course, the newly opened Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre was on my radar. Boasting 989 rooms, this hotel on Club Street offers a superb location for exploring the historic Chinatown area and bustling CBD (while escaping from reality). With my hastily packed luggage in tow, I made my way there for a mid-week getaway.
Let’s talk first impressions
As the cab rolled into Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre’s drop-off point, I was at once captivated by the 19-storey building towering over the neighbourhood’s vibrant shophouses. And once I stepped foot inside, it was a welcome escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
The first thing that caught my eye? The colourful LED mural by local artist Ripple Root, which drew inspiration from the neighbourhood’s distinct culture and heritage. Psst: I hear that more of these artworks can be found across the hotel! A blend of the CBD’s urbanity and heritage-rich district, this modernity-meets-tradition design approach is echoed throughout the property – and I was definitely vibing with it.
Welcome home (for the next three days)
My abode was the Privilege 1 Double Balcony room that fits two persons comfortably. I wasn’t expecting the 22sqm room (inclusive of the balcony) to be huge, but was pleasantly surprised by how the sleek space accommodated all the amenities I needed. We’re talking about a cushy queen bed, balcony overlooking the pool and neighbourhood, relaxing rain shower, coffee machine and smart TV. Oh, and bonus points for the eco-friendly touches, including biodegradable bathroom amenities and a filtered water dispenser (plastic bottles, you were not missed).
One of my fave parts of the room turned out to be the cosy work corner, where I spent (far too much) time lounging lazily, catching up on emails, and sipping on a cuppa or two. And of course, the plush bedding and soft pillows deserves a shout-out, too. As someone who’s a light sleeper, I am happy to report that I dozed off in no time and woke up feeling well-rested.
Eat your way through gourmet destinations
One thing’s for sure when staying at Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre: you won’t go hungry. For starters, the hotel is right at the crossroads of Chinatown and the CBD. Charming restaurants along Club Street, Ann Siang Hill and Duxton Hill are mere short walks away, as are food havens like Maxwell Food Centre and Chinatown Complex.
But, I decided to dial back the exploration this time to truly experience what the property has to offer. After all, I was thoroughly spoiled with culinary hotspots at my doorstep.
Nestled on level 2 of the hotel is the all-day dining restaurant, Chara Brasserie. Featuring halal international buffet selections from day to night, it became my go-to spot every morning. Expect the usual breakfast fare of warm croissants and toasted bread, hash browns, sausages, Asian noodles and yoghurt. The standout goes to the egg station, where you could place orders for eggs your way. Judging by the constant snaking queues, most guests had similar thoughts, too.
But the highlight was hands-down the sumptuous buffet dinner. I piled my plates with fresh seafood and sashimi, hearty hot dishes like wok-fried chilli crab and black pepper crayfish, and roast meats from the rotisserie. And how could I forget the dessert table? From mini pistachio and strawberry tarts to banana fritters with vanilla ice cream, every creation satisfied my inner sweet tooth.
A stone’s throw away from the lobby lies La Table d’Emma. Helmed by veteran chef Michael Muller, this homely resto (named after his wife, Emma!) serves authentic Alsace traditions and French cuisine with a twist. My lunch here was far from a simple affair, featuring the seafood bun with Comte crust (a crisp bun chock full of scallops, prawns and crab meat), signature Les Bouchees A La Reine d’Emma (delicate butterfly puff pastries with a creamy sauce), and mousse au chocolat with streusel. Coupled with the warm hospitality from chef Michael and his team, you bet I’ll be back soon.
Fans of the movie, Eat Pray Love, are probably privy to this renowned pizzeria hailing from Naples. Yes, L’antica Pizzeria da Michele landed its first Asia Pacific outpost in Singapore – and it’s right around the corner. The 70-seat restaurant was packed when I came by for dinner and I counted my lucky stars to be seated right in front of the massive brick oven to witness all the action. My top picks are the signature Margherita pizza, linguine alle vongole featuring fat, juicy Asari clams, and drool-worthy tiramisu. Needless to say, my dining companion and I left with happy and stuffed bellies.
With my accommodation just in the vicinity, it would be a huge disservice to call it a night so soon. I made my way to beer bar, Upward Taproom, for a nightcap. Situated next to the hotel building, this newly opened watering hole offers a tranquil spot to try a variety of craft beers. I had a tasting flight of four Chinese craft beers from PandaBrew and award-winning local brewery, Brewlander. If you’re new to craft beers (aka yours truly) or just curious about new tipples, you can’t go wrong with this sampler. And rest assured, the passionate team will be eager to answer any burning questions you have.
Holistic wellness experiences under your nose
After all that indulgence, I was itching to break a sweat. Plus, it didn’t help that I could see the glistening swimming pool from my balcony – which was tempting me to go for a rejuvenating dip. There’s also a 24-hour gym. While modest in size, it offers the essentials of treadmills, elliptical machines and varied weights for a decent workout.
Right next to the pool is the Wellness Deck. Surrounded by verdant plants and trees, this area is open 24 hours for guests looking to stretch it out, do an outdoor workout, or for a quiet nook to unwind. During my check-in, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the hotel offers complimentary yoga classes for guests. Available on Mondays and Fridays (6am-7am), and Wednesdays (6pm-7pm), all you have to do is to reserve your spot at the front desk at least a day in advance. Mats are provided so just turn up in your fitness gear and be ready to move.
My evening yoga sesh was held in a small group of three, where the friendly instructor led us through a low-impact flow routine. Although it started drizzling mid-way and we had to cut it short, it felt satisfying to clock in some movement before dinner. Tip: morning sessions tend to be higher intensity (think power flows) for an invigorating start to the day, while evening classes are slower and designed to help you unwind – so pick wisely!
Is it already time to leave?
No surprise, but I was utterly reluctant to wrap up my staycation after three days. From its well-equipped rooms to spectacular culinary destinations, Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre hits all the marks for an all-inclusive staycation destination. Boasting direct connectivity to Chinatown and Telok Ayer MRT stations, the stellar location is yet another plus point. Even tourists and business travellers will appreciate the easy accessibility to the CBD, key attractions and shopping enclaves.
Psst: we’ve got intel that a new underground link will be opening soon at Basement 2 of the hotel! Slated to open by end-2024, keep your eyes peeled for retail and dining options across the 20,000sqft space.
Curious about Singapore’s newest Mercure hotel? Here’s your sign to book a stay at Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre to experience the best of the city and more. For now, I’m back to being buried in my work while dreaming up my next getaway…
Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre, 8 Club Street, Singapore 069472
This post is in partnership with Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre.
