The Meritus Manadarin on Orchard Rd. mainly benefits from its prime location on Singapore's main shopping street next to the Takashimaya shopping mall.
Upon check-in we experienced the poor customer service of the Meritus Mandarin. Our confirmed bookings (via a reliable hotel reservation website) was allegedly not available in the hotel system and the hotel staff was not able and/or willing to sort the problem in an acceptable timeframe. It took more than 2 months and for the hotel to finally acknowledge its error and reimburse us the difference to the originally booked rooms. The hotel staff in general was lacking a smile and did not show any signs of hospitality (Service improves however if you stay in Executive Club rooms)
Our executive club rooms was unspectacular and what you usually expect in a standard business hotel. The cleanliness of the rooms was ok in general, but some surfaces were dusty.
Breakfast and High Tea in the Exective Club was quite good, nevertheless the choice of food was very limited. Due to the small Executive Club area it also felt very crowded in the morning. Internet in the Club area is free and fast enough.
Overall the Meritus Manadarin definitely is not up to the usually high standards in Singapore and its price/performance ratio could be improved considerably.

Date of Stay: January 23 to 25,2008
Room Type: Grand Tower Premier
Upgrade: none
Amount Paid Per Night: S$318.00++ ($223.80++)
Reservation Method: Company Reservation
Loyalty Card: none

Airport/Hotel Transfer: Just like any of my stay in Singapore I didn’t get any hotel transfers since it’s very easy to get a cab or limo at the airport.

Location: Orchard Road, one of the best locations on Orchard Road, right next to Ngee Ann City where Takashimaya is. Opposite Paragon and Heren. I have to admit its less walk from Grand Hyatt so location is an A+

Check-in: Quick check-in, got in at 11am and got a room when I checked in.

Room: I really lowered my standards after seeing the photos here by other tourists. So seeing an LCD TV was a nice welcome but the mirror headboard was quite disturbing. The room is spacious but I don't get the leather lounge chair, it doesn't seem to tie into the room well. The only problem I had is that the room lost power 3 times for an unknown reason which was frustrating and on my last day got locked out of the room and had to wait for security to bring in this long wire to open the door.

Bathroom: The bathroom is okay at least they have a separate shower stall which had rain shower sprinklers and body spray. Which can be very relaxing after a long day of work and/or shopping

Bed: The bed was okay but quite high, I've always preferred beds that i can sit up on and still have my feet touch the ground. I feel the bed springs have been wounded up too much because it was a bit hard.

Breakfast: Breakfast was okay, spread was good. Not happy with the taste though

Check-out: Check out was fast, asked for a late check out at 7pm and had to pay half a day extra. Everything was in order when I check out so nothing really worth noting.

Overall Evaluation: A good hotel to stay in Singapore especially when you want to go shopping. Don't expect it to be Shangri-la, Grand Hyatt or Fullerton...if you follow my advice you won't be disappointed.

we arrived at the hotel late (due to flight arrival) we were given a twin connecting room at the back of the building... we had booked a deluxe room double no smoking.. when we complained at the desk on arrival they said they could only offer us a smoking room which the housekeeper would spray!! they said the hotel was fully booked (1200 rooms!) we booked in august 2007 and the booking was confirmed with breakfast but on arrival they said it was room only...
next morning they offered us a room change to a king size room which was actually just a normal double...
the breakfast problem was never rectified they kept telling us to sort it out.. with the agent in london...
needless to say it was not worth it by the time we rang and the cost of the phone call, it was cheaper to buy our breakfast elsewhere..
we had breakfast on the first morning at the hotel, which was cold. absolutely not worth the cost 36.00 SGD...
the room was clean......although I did mention twice that the hairdryer was not in the room and twice the housekeeper was supposed to have looked into it, but we never did get the hairdryer..
location excellent, on orchard road..
would stay there again but absolute clarification needed before booking ...

I stayed here with my husband for 2 nights in November - it was a stop off on our way to Australia. We really liked the Meritus Mandarin. We had a nice room in the Grand Tower with a good view onto Orchard Road. The room was clean and very spacious. The location of the hotel is very good, among the main shopping area and right next to an MRT station (such an efficient public transportation system). I agree with of the other reviewers, the pool area is not much to look at so don't stay there if your looking to relax by the pool! We loved Singapore so much, it's a fantastic place and would love to go back and would be happy to stay in the Meritus Mandarin again.