Mondrian Singapore Duxton

Mondrian Singapore Duxton stands out as a Michelin Key Selected property, offering a vibrant and art-centric luxury experience in the heart of Singapore's dynamic Duxton Hill. While generally well-received, guest experiences highlight both its strengths and areas for improvement.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Mondrian Singapore Duxton is largely positive, often described as a "5-star experience" and a "gorgeous hotel". It has garnered a "Fabulous" rating of 8.7 out of 10 based on over 4,000 reviews, with high scores for cleanliness, comfort, and staff. Travel + Leisure readers recognized it as Singapore's favorite city hotel for 2025, praising its impeccable hospitality and prime location. The hotel also holds an average guest rating of 4.5/5 on various booking platforms. However, some early reviews pointed to a "mixed bag" experience, particularly regarding initial service inconsistencies and "teething issues" after its June 2023 opening.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise the hotel's distinctive design, which incorporates high-style elements and large-scale art pieces, creating a glamorous yet serene atmosphere. The hotel features a six-meter-high bronze sculpture by acclaimed US artist KAWS at its entrance. Its location in Duxton Hill is a significant draw, described as a central, cool, and vibrant neighborhood rich with restored shophouses, trendy boutiques, cafes, and world-class restaurants and bars. Key amenities include a stunning rooftop pool with city skyline views, featuring a 1970s Hollywood vibe complete with cabanas and underwater speakers. Many also appreciate the 24-hour fitness center. The attentive service at the hotel's restaurants and by the poolside staff is also frequently highlighted.

3. Room Quality

The rooms, though some standard ones are compact at 22 square meters, are lauded for their clever design that uses mirrors to create a sense of spaciousness. They feature a "nice blend of modern design" and offer comfortable king beds with convenient bedside charging options, including wireless charging, though some noted it as slow. A 55-inch HD TV with screen mirroring capabilities is standard. Bathrooms are generally well-appointed with rain showers and Malin+Goetz amenities; some suites even offer a separate bathtub and shower. Thoughtful touches include Lavazza coffee machines, Monogram teas, and complimentary water in sustainable cardboard cartons. However, some guests reported issues with water leaking from shower doors and paint peeling in bathrooms despite the hotel being relatively new. Soundproofing was also noted as a concern in some rooms.

4. Dining Experience

Mondrian Singapore Duxton is recognized for its diverse and quality dining options. The hotel's signature restaurant, Bottega di Carna, led by "The Greatest Butcher in the World," Dario Cecchini, is highly praised for its delicious American, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisine, especially for lunch and dinner.

The breakfast, also served at Bottega di Carna, is a semi-buffet concept offering a wide spread of cold items, pastries, fruits, and made-to-order mains like chili crab omelets and scallion noodles. While extensive, some guests found the overall breakfast quality to be "ordinary" or "not particularly spectacular," with comments on weak coffee and sides that did not seem freshly prepared.

Other notable dining and drinking venues include Christina's for all-day dining, Jungle Ballroom for hidden cocktails with Southeast Asian flavors, Suzuki for izakaya, and Canyon Club, the rooftop bar offering tropical libations with 1970s Hollywood glam.

5. Service & Staff

Feedback on service and staff is mixed. Many guests experienced "always on point" hospitality, with staff being attentive, proactive in meeting requests, and even offering thoughtful surprises to families. The excellent service at the hotel's restaurants and by the poolside staff received positive mentions. Conversely, some reviews described service as "patchy" or a "mixed bag," particularly during the check-in process, where guests sometimes felt a lack of assistance with luggage or encountered confusion regarding Accor loyalty benefits. There were also instances of welcome drinks not being delivered promptly and some less-than-enthusiastic staff interactions.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location on Duxton Hill is a significant advantage. It's described as a central, cool, and vibrant area that bridges modern and vintage Singapore. Guests appreciate being surrounded by meticulously restored shophouses housing a plethora of acclaimed restaurants, bars, cafes, art galleries, and boutiques. Although bordering Chinatown, the immediate vicinity of Duxton Hill is noted for being quieter while still offering easy access to attractions and food hubs like the Maxwell Hawker Markets. Accessibility is excellent, with Outram Park MRT station a short 5-7 minute walk away, and Maxwell Station also nearby. A taxi from Changi Airport typically takes 20-25 minutes and costs around SGD $20-30 (USD $15-22).

7. Value & Pricing

Mondrian Singapore Duxton is considered a luxury property, with starting rates for Accor members around SG$335 (USD $250) per night. General room rates typically start around $220/night, with Kayak showing deals from $141 to $251. While some guests found the price point of around $360 (including breakfast) "just acceptable," a few indicated they might not return due to perceived "hassle" related to service issues. The hotel is generally seen as offering "very fair" value given its level of luxury. High season typically falls in December-January, while April tends to be the cheapest month to stay.

8. Common Complaints

Recurring criticisms include:

• Bathroom Issues: Reports of water leaking from shower doors and paint peeling in some bathrooms, which is unexpected for a new luxury property.
• Soundproofing: Some guests found the rooms to be "not soundproof at all".
• Inconsistent Service: A lack of consistency in service, particularly during check-in, and instances where loyalty program benefits were not proactively offered.
• Breakfast Quality: While varied, some found the breakfast offerings to be "ordinary" and the coffee weak.
• Gym Access: Early reviews noted that the in-house fitness center was either undergoing renovation or not part of the hotel, with guests directed to an off-site gym.
• Lack of Storage: One reviewer mentioned a "comical lack of storage" in rooms.
• Elevator System: Some guests found the need to take two elevators to exit the hotel inconvenient.
• No Executive Lounge: The absence of an executive lounge or personalized service was a point of contention for some loyalty members.

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