Singapore is a country I have been to a handful of times, though due to restrictions, never left the impressive Changi Airport. Therefore, for the best introduction to Singapore, we knew Furama RiverFront would provide the ultimate stay. With well-equipped rooms and modern facilities in a great location, our expectations were set high and we did not leave disappointed. This Furama RiverFront review will tell you all about our stay, helping you decide whether this is also the ideal hotel for your time in Singapore.
The Perfect Singapore Stay: Furama Riverfront Review
Location
Getting there
From Changi airport, we opted to take the MRT to get to FuramaRiverfront. Once we had gone through immigration and collected our bags we followed the signs to the MRT station. After using the ticket machine (thanks to a helpful staff member) we jumped on the next departing train. We found the closest station to be Outram Park. This involved one train change and the whole trip took around an hour. There is also the option of taxi which would be more direct to the door of the hotel but obviously more expensive. Also, there is the public buses which involved a couple of bus changes to get to the stop closest to Furama.
Getting Around The City
There are actually 2 MRT stations that are close by, but both still involve about a 1km walk to get to the hotel. For us, this wasn’t a big deal, even with our 18kg backpacks. Of course, for others, the taxi would be the best option. If this sounds more like you there is an organized taxi stand by the front door of the hotel and one of the staff there will be able to tell the driver where exactly to go in case there is a language barrier.
Although under construction is a new station called Havelock which is about 100m from the hotel, however, this is not due to be completed until 2021.
Courtyard Club Room
The room we stayed in was a courtyard room on the 5th floor. Upon entering, the first thing that I noticed was how spacious it was. The room provided plenty of storage space, perfect for our oversized luggage, The bathroom was very big as well and to finish off there is a nice outdoor space which was very roomy yet also private.
Bathroom
The interior bathroom walls are all glass, which means from sitting in the bed you can actually see into the shower. Though, don’t be freaked out as a huge pull-down blind gives you privacy from your other half. There was a rain showerhead as well, the perfect touch of luxury.
A huge mirror spans the length of the basin wall, right down the end is the toilet. Overall the bathroom is clean, spacious and has everything you need.
Bedroom
There is a long desk area with a chair, perfect sitting down to do any writing or photo editing. Here you will also find the kettle with some teas and coffee, as well as a stocked mini bar. Perfect for us is the plenty of international power points for charging devices. In fact a huge positive about the room is the number of power sockets, I counted 8 and that’s not including the bathroom.
A decent size TV sits on the wall above the desk as this wall is directly opposite the large double bed. The bed is a good size for 2. The bedding was extremely clean and we had no trouble enjoying a good nights sleep here. Next to the bed is a huge window that looks into your private courtyard. It’s the perfect space to relax after a long day of exploring the city.
Courtyard
The standout feature of the room is the beautiful courtyard. It is honestly perfect in the mornings and evenings when the weather is cooler or even midday after a refreshing swim in the pool which is only a couple steps away. A tranquil shallow pond creates a relaxing environment and this was certainly one of the many highlights during my stay.
Hotel Facilities
On the 5th floor (opposite our room) is a small but fully equipped gym. Equipment includes a couple of treadmills, free weights and a bench press. Vending machines are all around the hotel. Great range of snacks and drinks for anyone that has a midnight craving. We were amazed to find there is also one that carries items such as Panadol. This is perfect for keeping you covered for any emergency!
The Furama RiverFront hotel has a reasonably sized swimming pool located on the 5th floor (direct access from the courtyard). The temperature was on the cooler side. Though, after walking around in the muggy Singapore conditions, it was a great thing to be jumping in to feel refreshed.
Club Member Benefits
A part of our stay in the Courtyard Room at Furama Riverfront, we were given club privileges. This gave us access to a variety of bonuses such as late checkout, buffet breakfast and the access to the cocktail evening.
Breakfast
The most important meal of the day is served on level 2. The buffet has a wide variety of foods including cereals, fruits, cold meats, bread, yogurt and cooked options such as crispy bacon, hash browns, eggs, sausages and beans. Also, one morning we even had peanut butter filled French toast which was heavenly. The staff are always great and would remember our drink orders. They would even prepare fresh eggs and deliver them right to our table.
One of the highlights is definitely the views out of the executive lounge of the impressive cityscape across the road.
Evening Cocktails
The second benefit to being a club member is the evening cocktails which happens every day from 6pm to 8pm in the executive lounge. There is a free flow of beer, wine and selected spirits. There is also plenty of nibbles including a delicious selection of cheese and crackers, as well as a range of desserts for those with a sweet tooth.
We would never dare miss one of the cocktail evenings as we found it the perfect way to end the day and reminisce on all the sights we’ve seen.
Handy Phone
Probably the best feature of the room is the handy smartphone (called Handy) that is yours for your stay at Furama RiverFront. The phone is android and preloaded with a few apps and the best part is unlimited data. Make the phone your own, download whatever apps you want to for your stay. You can even take it out with you when you go exploring so you will never get lost or not sure what to see/do. At the end of your stay, the phone gets wiped so any data stored will be deleted, ready for the next guests using that room.
Being first timers in Singapore this is a major benefit for us. We were easily able to look at google maps, check out restaurant reviews and find out information on many of the countries impressive sights!
Staff
Just wanted to say a big thank you to the amazing staff that works at Furama RiverFront. From the moment we first entered a friendly porter greeted us and then directed us to the reception area. Every time we came across a member of staff they would always smile and say hello. The service at breakfast and evening drinks by the wait staff was superb.
This was one of the best hotels I have experienced for customer service which lead to an unforgettable stay.
We really enjoyed our stay at Furama RiverFront Hotel. It was the perfect way to experience Singapore for the first time. The room was clean and spacious with plenty of space to relax. Lastly, being a club member was a huge benefit, especially with the amazing buffet breakfast each morning. If you have the choice to stay in one of their club rooms I highly recommend it.
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Backpackers Wanderlust was a guest at Furama RiverFront, however, as always, all opinions are my own.
Our flight is not till 9pm are we able to store our cases in the hotel till are flight time thanks.
Love all of those natural green spaces around the hotel!