Sunday 4 October 2020

M Social Hotel

I was contemplating on which hotel to book through Agoda as I have almost S$80 Agoda cash expiring in Jul 2020. In the end, I decided to book the M Social Singapore Alcove room which cost $57.30 after 15% Passioncard discount and offsetting the Agoda cash. The rate which I paid for the room does not includes breakfast but it does not matter to me since there are many cafes near the hotel.

The nearest MRT from the hotel is Fort Canning MRT and it's almost a 15min walk to the hotel. Although the check in time is 2pm, we decided to try our luck by reaching the hotel at 1.30pm since we are having lunch nearby. Queues are forming when we reached the hotel and there are about 5 guests in front of us. At the entrance of the hotel, there's a table manned by hotel staff to take temperature, handle the safe entry check in and filling up of declaration form. After we have completed these, then we can enter the hotel and proceed with the check in. There are 4 check in counters and it was previously self check during pre-covid 19 era. However the check in procedures became manual now. It's considered fast that we are done with the check in procedures within 10min. I have inform the hotel that we are celebrating WB birthday and the hotel gave us a complimentary voucher to redeem at Beast & Butterflies.

Mural at M Social entrance
Check in counters
Hotel lobby

After we have gotten our room key, we still have to queue to take the lift as there are only 2 lifts functioning. Our room is located on the 5th level and both the gym and pool are also on the same level.
Corridor to the rooms

After staying at Fullerton Hotel, we feel a bit claustrophobic when we enter our room. The Alcove room is 19 square metre compared to Fullerton Hotel Premier Courtyard room which is 38 square metre. Even though the room is 4m high, everything is so compact inside the room. Well, I told WB we can't stay in boutique hotels after staying at luxurious hotels.

Our room is facing a condo UP @ Robertson Quay and their pool hence there is not much of a view here.
Alcove room

The bathroom is separated from the basin, this is something which I dislike as the water may splash onto the floor or even the edge of the bed. However the basin here is large which reduce the possibility. Another thing which I lament is the bed is queen size bed.
Alcove room
Open concept

At least the shower area and the toilet bowl is inside the same area compared to Studio M which was separated.
Bathroom

Basic amenities including toothbrush, Colgate toothpaste, shower cap, sanitary bag, soap and body lotion are provided beside the basin while shampoo, conditioner and body wash are provided in the bathroom.
Toiletries

After settling down, I called the front desk to enquire on booking the gym and pool. I was surprised that the gym has been fully booked till tomorrow 2pm which means that we wouldn't be able to use the gym during our stay. There is a maximum of 2 guest for every hr gym slot. No booking is required for using the pool although the front desk told me there's a restriction of 20 pax and it's on a first come first serve basis.

We did not get to swim as it was hot in the afternoon. Then we left for early dinner in the evening and woke up late the next morning.
Towel & laundry area
Swimming pool
Gym
View from Singapore river

I make reservation at Chinatown Point Tsukada Nojo. The latest time which they allows reservation is 6pm and only walk in is allowed after this timing. We had the house speciality Bijin Nabe which cost $25 per pax. The collagen soup is so good, I find it even better than Beauty In the Pot. The collagen soup is a result of stewing chicken for 8 hours. As this is our first time eating, the waitress explain to us the way of eating Bijin Nabe. The collagen pudding is heated and after melting, the waitress pour some soup into tea cup for us to sip. Then she remove pieces of chicken parts from the soup for our consumption before adding all the ingredients into the soup. We ordered the set portion and did not add on as we feel full at the end of the meal.
Collagen soup
Bijin Nabe set
Complimentary dessert

We head back to M Social to redeem the complimentary voucher from Beast & Butterflies. At first, the waiter told us that we can redeem 2 non alcoholic drink then subsequently updated us that we are able to redeem 2 dessert. We decide to redeem dessert instead of drink. Since the molten chocolate cake and molten cheese cake are not available for redemption, we ordered the creme brulee and profiterole.
Complimentary voucher
Beast & Butterflies Bar
Virtual Menu
The Profiterole
Creme Brulee

I have called the front desk and asked if late check out is available but was informed that they have back to back booking for the rooms. We checked out at 11.30am and walked to Toby's Estate which is just a few steps away from Beast & Butterflies for breakfast. I ordered Rodyk style which is egg benedict with smoked salmon while WB had Brooklyn style which comes with stewed beef. As we are using the HSBC Entertainer app, this breakfast cost us less than $25 for 2 pax. This is why I'm inclined to top up $20 per pax for breakfast at Beast & Butterflies.
Rodyk Style
Brooklyn Style

We headed home straight after our heavy breakfast. Well, Fullerton has set such a high bar for both of us. WB does not find it memorable for this staycation and I'm also not so keen in staying at boutique hotel rooms in the future as the rooms are so small.