The hype
Travelers love the clean, modern rooms and the Balestier food scene, but often underestimate the distance to the MRT.
Aloft Singapore Novena
$140-220/ night
Book this if You want a modern, high-value base in a foodie neighborhood and don't mind taking a shuttle to the subway.
Why People Love It
- Direct access to Zhongshan Mall (supermarket & food)
- Two distinct wings offering different price/amenity balances
- Excellent local food scene (Balestier Road) right outside
Quick Take: A tale of two towers: book the West Wing for the pool and convenience, or the East Wing to save cash and burn calories walking to the gym.
Reviewed by @katespans: I couldn't resist checking out this spot after seeing the exterior! The room is compact but super stylish—that 'BOJIO' pillow cracked me up immediately. Waking up to those sweeping views of Balestier made the stay feel way more expensive than it was. Perfect solo city base.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
East Wing guests frequently complain about feeling 'second class' due to the lack of an in-building pool and smaller room size.
- You are a Marriott Bonvoy member chasing elite nights on a budget
- You prioritize local hawker food over tourist traps
- You need a halal breakfast option (21 on Rajah is excellent)
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8.5
- Housekeeping: Generally excellent daily service; rooms are freshly renovated and feel crisp.
- Bathroom hygiene: Sparkling. Grout is new (2023 renovation), no mold issues reported recently.
- Maintenance: Top-notch overall, though isolated reports of noisy AC units exist.
- Linens & towels: Fresh, white, and fluffy. One video review noted a 'ducky' smell in pillows, but this is an outlier.
- Odors & scents: Lobby has the signature Aloft 'vibrant' scent; rooms are neutral/fresh.
Sleepability™
7.5SILENT
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Traffic noise from Balestier Road (especially lower floors)
- Loud air conditioning units (specific complaints about 'tornado' sounds in some rooms)
Before you book
Good to know
- East Wing = formerly Days Hotel (Budget); West Wing = formerly Ramada (Premium).
- You get one complimentary parking coupon per room per day.
- The pool and main gym are in the West Wing; East Wing has a smaller gym only.
What to pack
- Umbrella/Poncho (the walk between wings is not fully sheltered)
- EZ-Link card or contactless payment for the public bus (Bus 21/131 stops right outside)
Room Genie
Best picks
- West Wing 'Urban' King Room (High Floor) – larger (23 sqm), direct pool/gym access, and better views.
- West Wing Patio Room – if you want direct access to the pool deck.
Rooms to avoid
- East Wing 'Breezy' rooms facing the main road (noise risk)
- Room 1561 (specific recent complaint about deafening AC noise)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I would appreciate a room in the West Wing (Urban Room) on a high floor, facing away from Balestier Road for a quieter stay. If possible, please avoid rooms near the elevator.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is there a shuttle to the MRT?
Yes, a free shuttle runs to Novena MRT every 20-40 minutes from ~8:30 AM to 9:10 PM.
Which wing is better?
The West Wing is superior. It houses the pool, larger gym, and is connected to the mall. East Wing rooms are smaller.
Is breakfast Halal?
Yes, '21 on Rajah' in the East Wing serves a Halal-certified buffet. 'Yuè' in the West Wing is not Halal-certified.
Can East Wing guests use the pool?
Yes, but you have to walk ~50m outdoors to the West Wing to access it.
Is it walkable to the city center?
No. You are in Balestier. Orchard Road is a bus/train ride away. Walking to Novena MRT takes ~15-20 mins.
Are there connecting rooms?
Yes, connecting rooms are available, but subject to availability—request early.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Bus 131 or 145 right outside takes you directly to Vivocity/Harbourfront or Chinatown—often faster than the MRT shuttle loop.
- ✨
The 'Sky Lounge' in the West Wing is an outdoor terrace accessible to elite members, but it's unmanned and often empty.
- ✨
Zhongshan Mall next door has a FairPrice Finest supermarket for cheap drinks and snacks.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'Breezy' rooms in the East Wing have the sink located outside the bathroom (in the main room area).
💡The West Wing gym has an outdoor area with a punching bag and tire flip—rare for a hotel gym.
💡You can hear the live music from W XYZ bar in the West Wing lobby if you are on the lower floors above it.
💡The shuttle breaks for lunch/dinner, so there are gaps in the schedule around 1pm and 7pm.
💡The 'park' between the hotels (Zhongshan Park) is tiny but has a nice playground for toddlers.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Aloft Singapore Novena is located and what's nearby.