Somerset Bencoolen has new minimalist interior. We ( 2 adults, 2 children - 4 & 8 years) spent 3 nights in 2 bedroom apartment.
The rooms are very clean. The bed are quite conform for our back. Our children had try the swimming pools and mini children playground. The breakfast was very limited choices of asian foods. We only had breakfast at 1st morning. The next mornings we had breakfast at mini foodcourt accross the hotel around S$ 5 per person. The best thing of Somerset Bencoolen is the location. It is not to croweded like Orchard area and not far from Orchard road. About 500-600 m walk to dhoby ghout MRT station. There are some restaurant at dhoby ghout MRT station. We also walk to Bugis street (500-600 m) to get some souvenirs. Most of souvenirs around S$10. It is much cheaper than other places in singapore for souvenirs.

The 2 rooms apartment is spacious with open kitchen and cutlery. But the breakfast is less of choices not even have local food choices with something hot to eat eg, Singapore's fried mihoon or fried rice. Only serve breads.

Stayed here for three nights with our daughter and grandaughter who is almost one year old in a two-bedroomed apartment. The master bedroom has a 6' bed, fitted wardrobes which include a safe and a bath in the ensuite. The second bedroom has a 5' bed, fitted wardrobes and a desk area. There is a separate shower room. The combined living/kitchen area contains a full-size 'fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster. Bottled water, tea and coffee are provided and replenished daily. Bed linens and towels are white and good quality. The cleanliness of the apartment was excellent. A cot was provided which was sturdy, clean and provided with decent bedding. Soft furnishings are beginning to look tired, ie, a couple of stains on sofa cushions and black mould is starting to form in the shower enclosure. The complimentary breakfast is sufficient for most people's needs. The rooftop swimming pool is a terrific bonus in steamy Singapore.

A big plus to this accommodation is the staff who are first-class and for whom nothing is too much trouble; we were greeted like family each day we returned.

The hotel is in a very convenient spot, a short walk from everywhere one would like to visit, ie, Little India, Chinatown.

I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this place.

We stayed at the Somerset Bencoolen for two weeks over Easter 2010 with our young 8 year old boy, in a two bedroom apartment.

For the moment you check into the place you are made to feel welcome. I have never met more friendlier staff in any establishment. It's like being part of an extended Singaporean family. By the second day (and I don't know how they do this, they must have a photographic memory) they were greeting us all by name. They are always ready to help, guide, assist and recommend on whatever you could want.

The apartment itself was spotlessly clean, very spacious and great for families. The master bedroom had a king size bed and ensuite bathroom, the second bedroom a queen size bed and study nook. The rest of the apartment had a full bathroom, and kitchen / meals / living area. The kitchen was great for the full size fridge, so you can keep fruit, drinks, snacks etc. cold, but we didn't really use the rest of the kitchen because it is so cheap to eat out in Singapore, and breakfast is included in your stay! The room had a TV in the living area with free StarHub cable TV access, and there was also free wireless or wired internet access in the room (which was a real bonus). The room is serviced every day (except Sunday) with fresh sheets and towels, and kept immaculately clean by the staff.

The facility has a reasonable gym on the 5th floor, and a fantastic pool area on the roof with a full size lap pool, a small children’s wading pool as well as a Jacuzzi (although not heated) and a playground. We spent many afternoons by the pool and it is a great place to hang out with the kids after a steamy day of tramping around Singapore.
The place is located in an excellent position; about ten minutes walk from Doby Ghaut MRT station, or about ten minutes from Bugis, Sim Lim Square and Little India. Raffles City (City Hall MRT) and Raffles Hotel is also fairly close at about three blocks walk. It appears to be ten minutes from everywhere! With the upcoming opening of the MRT Circle Line, the new Bras Basah MRT station is literally only 100 meters from the front door which is going to make it even more convenient.

Locally to eat there is an excellent Kopitiam on the corner or a small Hawker centre across the road where you can feed the whole family for around S$15! There is a supermarket to the rear of the property to get supplied from, or a 7-Eleven right across the road, and a taxi rank right out front if it's raining.

I couldn't recommend this place any higher if you are staying in Singapore for a week or more and have the family in tow. It’s a shame you can’t stay for short term stints. It is a great establishment with great location, service, facilities and the friendliest and most helpful staff you could come across.

We will be back for sure.