Furama RiverFront Review: What It’s Really Like To Stay Here

Thinking about staying at Furama RiverFront in Singapore? I’ve stayed here myself, so I’m sharing everything you need to know before booking, including what the rooms are like, the location, facilities, Club benefits, and whether I’d actually stay here again.


I had passed through Singapore a handful of times before this trip, yet somehow I’d never made it beyond the very impressive Changi Airport. So, for my first proper visit to the city, I wanted somewhere comfortable where we could relax between exploring, and Furama RiverFront seemed like the perfect choice.

We stayed in a spacious Courtyard Club Room with its own private outdoor area, access to the swimming pool just steps away, and plenty of extra club benefits. Add in the friendly staff and convenient location, and our first stay in Singapore got off to a pretty great start.

In this Furama RiverFront review, I’ll share what our room was really like, the hotel facilities we used, and whether I think it’s worth staying here during your own trip to Singapore.

Check out my full guide on where to stay in Singapore with locations and hotels.


Pillow menu provided with our Courtyard Club Room at Furama RiverFront
Getting super bougie with the pillow menu

🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Singapore: 12Go Asia


Furama RiverFront Location

Furama RiverFront is located on Havelock Road, close to the Singapore River and not too far from areas such as Chinatown and Clarke Quay.

When we stayed, Havelock MRT was still under construction, so we had a bit of a walk whenever we wanted to catch the train. Thankfully, it’s now just a couple of minutes from the hotel, which honestly makes the location so much better.


Getting There From Changi Airport

When we stayed at Furama RiverFront, we decided to save some money and take the MRT from Changi Airport. After getting through immigration and collecting our bags, we followed the signs to the station, bought our tickets, and jumped on the next train.

At the time, Outram Park was the closest MRT station to the hotel. The journey involved one train change and took around an hour, followed by a roughly 1-kilometer walk with our backpacks.

Thankfully, getting to the hotel is even easier now. From Changi Airport, take the MRT to Tanah Merah and change to the East-West Line toward Tuas Link. At Outram Park, change to the Thomson-East Coast Line for one stop to Havelock. From Havelock MRT Exit 5, it’s only around a two-minute walk to Furama RiverFront.

If you’re tired after a long flight or traveling with lots of luggage, taking a taxi or Grab will definitely be the easiest option. It’ll drop you right outside the hotel and take around 20 to 30 minutes, though it’ll obviously cost more than the MRT.

Read my full guide on how to travel into the city from Changi Airport.

Tasha Amys backpack loaded onto a trolley at Singapore Airport
My bag loaded onto a trolley
Driving along the highway from Singapore Airport into the city
Driving along the highway in Singapore

Getting Around Singapore

Getting around Singapore from Furama RiverFront is now super easy thanks to Havelock MRT Station, which is just a couple of minutes from the hotel. It’s on the Thomson-East Coast Line, giving you direct access to places such as Orchard Road, Marina Bay, and Gardens by the Bay.

Outram Park is also only one stop away whenever you need to change lines.

If you’d rather avoid the MRT, there’s also a taxi stand directly outside the hotel. Otherwise, you can easily book a ride using Grab or another ride-hailing app.

Furama RiverFront hotel entrance decorated with hanging red lanterns
Hanging lanterns for Chinese New Year

My Courtyard Club Room

During our stay at Furama RiverFront, we were in a Courtyard Club Room on the fifth floor. The first thing I noticed when we walked in was just how spacious it was, which was a pretty big deal when traveling with our oversized luggage.

There was plenty of storage, a large bathroom, and even our own private courtyard outside.

Honestly, the outdoor space was what really made this room special, especially since the swimming pool was only a few steps away.

Tasha sitting beside the window overlooking the private courtyard of a Courtyard Club Room at Furama RiverFront
Enjoying some relaxation time
Outdoor courtyard walkway lined with potted plants and wooden decks at Furama RiverFront
Entry into our room

Bedroom

The bedroom had a large double bed with super clean bedding, and we had no trouble getting a good night’s sleep here.

Directly opposite was a wall-mounted TV above a long desk, which gave me plenty of space to sit down and get some writing and photo editing done.

Along the desk was a kettle with tea and coffee, as well as a stocked minibar.

One small detail I really appreciated was the number of power outlets. I counted eight, and that didn’t even include those in the bathroom! When you’re traveling with cameras, laptops, and phones that all need charging, this is a pretty big win.

Next to the bed was a huge window looking out into our private courtyard. It made the outdoor area feel like an extension of the room and gave us another lovely place to relax.

Double bed with a tall wooden feature wall inside our Furama RiverFront room
The big comfortable bed
Leafy wooden pergola covering the private courtyard of our Furama RiverFront room
It even has a little pond

🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Singapore: 12Go Asia


Bathroom

The bathroom was super spacious, though the first thing you’ll probably notice is that the walls are made entirely from glass.

This means you can see straight into the shower from the bed but don’t freak out! There’s a large pull-down blind whenever you want a little privacy from your other half.

Inside was a rainfall shower, which added a lovely little touch of luxury. A huge mirror stretched along the wall above the basin, with the toilet tucked away at the far end.


Private Courtyard

The private courtyard was easily my favorite part of the room.

It was such a nice place to relax in the mornings and evenings once the weather had cooled down, or after jumping out of the swimming pool just a couple of steps away.

There was even a shallow pond running through the courtyard, which made the entire space feel super peaceful while still being completely private. Having our own outdoor area really made the Courtyard Club Room feel special and was definitely one of the highlights of our stay.

Private courtyard with floating plants and a stone water feature at Furama RiverFront
The perfect spot to relax

Facilities At Furama RiverFront

Furama RiverFront has a good range of facilities, though the swimming pool was easily the one we used the most.

Our room was on the same floor as both the pool and gym, meaning everything was pretty much right outside our door.


Swimming Pool

The Furama RiverFront has a decent-sized outdoor swimming pool on the fifth floor. Honestly, it’s quite resort-style compared with a lot in Singapore.

Extra bonus, because we were staying in a Courtyard Club Room, we could walk straight from our private courtyard to the pool, which honestly felt like such a treat.

The water was a little on the cooler side, but after spending the day walking around in Singapore’s heat and humidity, jumping in felt sooo refreshing.

Outdoor swimming pool beside the Furama RiverFront hotel building
There’s a good size swimming pool
Wooden walkway and waterfall feature within the Furama RiverFront grounds
Walking around the hotel grounds

Gym

Directly opposite our room on the fifth floor was a small but well-equipped gym. It wasn’t huge, but it had a couple of treadmills, free weights, and a bench press, which was more than enough for a basic workout while traveling.

Furama RiverFront gym with treadmills, weight machines and free weights
A pretty decent hotel gym

Vending Machines

There were also vending machines dotted around the hotel with a good selection of snacks and drinks for those late-night cravings.

The most unexpected one even stocked everyday essentials such as Panadol, which is honestly so handy when you need something late at night and don’t want to search for a store.


Courtyard Club Room Benefits

Because we were staying in a Courtyard Club Room, we also received a few extra club benefits that made our stay even better.

These included late checkout, buffet breakfast each morning, and access to the evening cocktail hour, of course we couldn’t miss that!


Buffet Breakfast

Breakfast was served on level two each morning, and there was plenty to choose from.

The buffet had all the usual options, including cereal, fruit, yogurt, bread, and cold meats, as well as hot food like hash browns, eggs, sausages, and beans.

One morning, they even had peanut butter-filled French toast, and trust me, it tasted just as good as it sounds! You could also order freshly cooked eggs, which the staff would bring straight to your table.

The staff quickly remembered our usual drink orders, which I thought was such a lovely little touch. Oh, and the Executive Lounge had some pretty impressive views across Singapore, not a bad way to start the day!

Bacon, potato wedges and pastries at the Furama RiverFront breakfast buffet
Good crispy bacon if that’s your thing
Peanut butter French toast served at the Furama RiverFront breakfast buffet
Incredible peanut butter French toast

Evening Drinks & Snacks

During our stay, evening drinks were held every day from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Executive Lounge.

There was free-flow beer, wine, and selected spirits, as well as plenty of snacks to enjoy alongside them. The cheese and crackers were a favorite of ours, plus there was a good selection of desserts for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Of course, we never dared miss one of the cocktail evenings! After a full day exploring Singapore, it was such a nice way to sit down with a drink, enjoy some snacks, and talk about everything we’d seen that day.

Honestly, this was easily one of my favorite club benefits.

Tasha Amy eating breakfast beside the floor-to-ceiling windows at Furama RiverFront
Great view at breakfast
Fresh fruit, salads and hot dishes at the Furama RiverFront breakfast buffet
There’s a great breakfast range

What Was The Staff Like?

I have to give a huge thank you to the staff at Furama RiverFront because they were seriously amazing. From the moment we walked through the doors, a friendly porter greeted us and pointed us in the right direction for check-in.

Every staff member we passed would smile and say hello, making us feel super welcome throughout our stay. The service at breakfast and during the evening drinks was just as good, with everyone always making sure we had everything we needed.

Honestly, this was some of the best customer service I’ve experienced at a hotel. The room and facilities were great, but the staff really made our stay!

Breakfast plates with eggs, toast, baked beans, potatoes and bacon at Furama RiverFront
Delicious breakfast spread

What I Liked About Furama RiverFront

Honestly, there was a lot I really liked about our stay at Furama RiverFront, but these were the things that stood out the most:

  • The private courtyard: This was easily my favorite part of the room. It gave us our own peaceful outdoor space and put us only a couple of steps from the swimming pool.
  • The spacious room: We had plenty of room for both ourselves and our oversized luggage, plus loads of storage and more power outlets than we knew what to do with.
  • The club benefits: Between the buffet breakfast, evening drinks and snacks, and late checkout, staying in a Club Room definitely felt worth it.
  • The amazing staff: Everyone made us feel super welcome, and the service was easily some of the best I’ve experienced at a hotel.
Tasha walking into the private courtyard with a water feature and leafy pergola at Furama RiverFront
Walking into the private courtyard

What I Didn’t Like

Honestly, there wasn’t much I didn’t like about our stay at Furama RiverFront. If I had to choose one thing, it would have been the walk to the nearest MRT station.

When we stayed, Havelock MRT was still under construction, so we had to walk around 1 kilometer to either Outram Park or Tiong Bahru.

Thankfully, this isn’t really a downside anymore! Havelock MRT is now just a couple of minutes from the hotel, which solves the biggest issue I had with the location.


🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Singapore: 12Go Asia


Is Furama RiverFront Worth Staying At?

Yes, I definitely think Furama RiverFront is worth staying at, especially if you want a comfortable hotel with spacious rooms, a swimming pool, and easy access to the MRT.

If your budget allows, I’d also recommend upgrading to a Courtyard Club Room.

Having our own private outdoor area with the swimming pool just a couple of steps away was such a treat, while the buffet breakfast and evening drinks made the upgrade feel worth it.

The hotel is best suited to travelers who want somewhere a little quieter while still being able to easily explore Singapore. However, if you want to walk straight outside and be among the main sights of Marina Bay or Chinatown, you may prefer somewhere more central.

Furama RiverFront lobby with marble pillars, a chandelier and floral display
Entering the lobby

FAQs About Staying At Furama RiverFront

What is the nearest MRT station to Furama RiverFront?

The nearest MRT station to Furama RiverFront is Havelock MRT on the Thomson-East Coast Line. Take Exit 5, and from there it’s only around a two-minute walk to the hotel. Outram Park is also just one stop away, making it easy to connect with other MRT lines.

Does Furama RiverFront have a swimming pool?

Yes, Furama RiverFront has a decent-sized outdoor swimming pool on the fifth floor. Our Courtyard Club Room had direct access from its private courtyard, meaning the pool was only a couple of steps away!

What is included with a Courtyard Club Room at Furama RiverFront?

A Courtyard Club Room at Furama RiverFront includes a private outdoor area with direct access to the swimming pool, along with access to the Executive Lounge. Club benefits include complimentary breakfast and evening drinks, while we also received late checkout during our stay.

How do you get from Changi Airport to Furama RiverFront?

The easiest way to get from Changi Airport to Furama RiverFront is by taxi or Grab, which takes around 20 to 30 minutes. For a cheaper option, take the MRT to Tanah Merah, change to the East-West Line for Outram Park, and then travel one stop on the Thomson-East Coast Line to Havelock. It’ll take around an hour, with the hotel just a two-minute walk from Exit 5.


Wrap Up: My Furama RiverFront Review

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay at Furama RiverFront. For my first time actually making it beyond Changi Airport, I couldn’t have asked for a much better introduction to Singapore. Our room gave us plenty of space, the private courtyard was such a treat, and the staff were absolutely amazing.

Choosing a Club Room was definitely the right decision for us. The buffet breakfast and evening drinks added to our stay, while having the swimming pool just a couple of steps away was so good.

Oh, and now that Havelock MRT is open, getting around Singapore from the hotel is even easier! I’d happily stay here again, and if your budget allows, the Courtyard Club Room would definitely be my go-to pick.

I also stayed at Furama City Centre in Chinatown, check out this review for my full experience.


Any Questions? Let me know in the comments!


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Thinking about staying at Furama RiverFront in Singapore? I’ve stayed here myself, so I’m sharing everything you need to know before booking, including what the rooms are like, the location, facilities, Club benefits, and whether I’d actually stay here again.

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. So, if you click on it and purchase something, I get a small percentage at no extra cost to you. As always all opinions are my own and your support is much appreciated.

Backpackers Wanderlust was a guest at Furama RiverFront, however, as always, all opinions are my own.

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