citadines mount sophia or somerset bencoolen

[andreawhoo]

hi all, i just arrived here in singapore for an 8 month work assignment.

my company gave me two choices of where to stay either in citadines mt. sophia or somerset bencoolen. would you have any recommendations between the two?

anyone staying here in citadines?

thanks!

[zzm9980]

Somerset is slightly more convenient to MRT (the subway system) and probably other things too.

I stayed for a month in Ascott @ Raffles Place, which is the same chain of Service Apartments as Somerset. It was really nice, no complaints. The Somerset Bencoolen is about the same price per night, so I assume comparable.

Never tried the other place.

[JR8]

I've stayed in Citadines Mt. Sophia, twice I think, and had a good experience.

You're always going to have that niggle of 'being around the corner' from Orchard. But on the flip-side Mt. Sophia is a relatively peaceful place*. Bencoolen always strikes me a bit of a mad one-way cut-through. I imagine you'd get to notice these kind of things after a while, especially 8 months.

As ZZM says the walk to the MRT is less from Bencoolen than Mt. Sophia, but then Dhoby Ghat has many more lines intersecting and Bras Basah is only Circle line.

My suggestion is to look at Tripadvisor and compare the respective details there. Anywhere I stay I review on TA, and that includes this particular Citadines.

* Do be aware though that last year they were clearing several condos right opposite Citadines that front onto Sophia Road and Adis Road. That at some point is going to be a HUGE (check out the scale of it on Google Maps!) construction site, and there is one access road... right past Citadines!

[aster]

I once considered Citadines Mt Sophia but there were two major drawbacks that made this place stand out in a negative way:

- no pool
- no washing machines in apartments

All other Serviced Apartments I looked at had them, so this seemed quite strange...

[zzm9980]

- no washing machines in apartments

Honestly, what's the point then over a hotel room? No one cooks when they stay in these things. Not with all of the cheap food in Singapore.

[lenoirgirl]

a place with no washing machines? oh dear. then i guess your choice should be clear good luck! but yes, somerset is a good location.

[JR8]

I think an in-room washing machine and dryer would be considered noisy, stinky and a waste of space, and so would expect to find external laundry rooms.

Either way, Citadines says it features a 'Laundrette' and Somerset 'Laundry & dry cleaning services'.

[andreawhoo]

thanks for the replies guys! really helpful thoughts.

but to clarify both apartments don't have washing machines in the units. there is a floor where there is coin operated washing machine and laundry service for a fee.

[zzm9980]

Oh ok, I assumed Somerset would have it as Ascott did. It was a small very quiet unit in hidden inside a kitchen cabinet.

It was my first experience at a Service Apartment. And honestly, except the washer and stove top, I'm not quite sure what the differences are otherwise from that and a nice hotel. Sure not the cost, as the per-night was MBS territory.

Why not a hotel then?

[aster]

I've stayed in Citadines Mt. Sophia, twice I think, and had a good experience.

I think an in-room washing machine and dryer would be considered noisy, stinky and a waste of space, and so would expect to find external laundry rooms.

Either way, Citadines says it features a 'Laundrette'

LOL, JR8.

So have you actually stayed there or is it now "Citadines says it features..." as if you were just browsing their web site?

Last time around you mentioned that you're living in a German palace and that I'm paying for it... so believing in what you write is proving increasingly difficult.

[JR8]

I've stayed in Citadines Mt. Sophia, twice I think, and had a good experience.

I think an in-room washing machine and dryer would be considered noisy, stinky and a waste of space, and so would expect to find external laundry rooms.

Either way, Citadines says it features a 'Laundrette'

LOL, JR8.

So have you actually stayed there or is it now "Citadines says it features..." as if you were just browsing their web site?

Last time around you mentioned that you're living in a German palace and that I'm paying for it... so believing in what you write is proving increasingly difficult.

Laundry might well figure large for you Aster, that doesn't surprise me.

I've always considered it the domain of women and types such as ...

[aster]

Laundry might well figure large for you Aster, that doesn't surprise me.

I've always considered it the domain of women and types such as ...

And this is coming from a guy who claims to have been slapped around and punched in the face repeatedly by... his wife?

I think we all know who was doing the laundry in that relationship!

[serenagoh]

I once considered Citadines Mt Sophia but there were two major drawbacks that made this place stand out in a negative way:

- no pool
- no washing machines in apartments

All other Serviced Apartments I looked at had them, so this seemed quite strange...

Just for your information, Citadines is considered a more "cost effective" as you are paying lesser for it does not provide the full services like a normal Service Apartment. thus, you just need to pay for the specific services you required.

If I'm not not wrong, the guests of Citadines are allowed to go over to their sister's property at Somerset Bencoolen for a swim to use the facilities for free but you will have to inform the staff first.

As for washing machine, due to the space constraints, their washing machines are located on a common floor within the property for all guests' use. It is a pay-as-you-need concept. So if you don't need such service, the cost is not included in your room rate. However, when you need it, you just need to pay as you use.

[serenagoh]

Oh ok, I assumed Somerset would have it as Ascott did. It was a small very quiet unit in hidden inside a kitchen cabinet.

It was my first experience at a Service Apartment. And honestly, except the washer and stove top, I'm not quite sure what the differences are otherwise from that and a nice hotel. Sure not the cost, as the per-night was MBS territory.

Why not a hotel then?

Basically, Service Apartment is more for people staying for a short to middle term stay of 1 month to 1-2 years stay. It is like a home away from home, with the "hotel" services provided at a cheaper rate compared to hotel (plus hotel does not have a kitchen). The minimum stay requirement for Service Apartment in Singapore is 7 nights unless they have a hotel license which allow them to lease out the apartment by per night like a hotel (like Ascott). Thus, it is cost-effective for expats or family who wants a home-like feeling with the comfort of the hotel services like housekeeping services, laundry services and concierge services. It is very well-like by a lot of people these days.

[zzm9980]

I see. My only experience was the Ascott, and it just felt like a really big nice hotel room to me, with a tiny washer. For the cost, SGD$9300 for 30 days, could have done much better at a hotel. I guess that is just personal preference though. If it was just a stipend to do as I wanted, I'd have stayed at Hotel 81 for the month and pocketed the change