The living/working area of Studio M's room

So I went to check out the new Studio M in Singapore recently. Studio M is the new brand created by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels and chairman Kwek Leng Beng describes it as “limited service, with a twist”.

You can't twist about too much in the room though – but I get ahead of myself.

The first Studio M opened at Roberston Quay. Great location by the way, next to Gallery Hotel and right across from Book Café, one of my favourite cafes in town. The proximity to bars, restaurants and cafes should work well with the types it wants to attract which M&C says are “young travellers who want designer-type, quality accommodation at affordable prices”.

There are about 360 rooms, loft-inspired and about 22sqm in size. “This is not a five star hotel,” said Kwek at the official opening on June 17. He says it fills “the gap between a good four-star and a budget hotel”.

The day I went to the hotel, the lobby was packed with a group of guests checking out. Their suitcases were in one corner of the lobby – practically taking up half the space. The lobby’s not made for people to hang about – get them in and get them out, I say. Problem is, staff can’t handle that quick a throughput.

I quite like the steel-like chandelier hanging over the elliptically-shaped reception counter – looks a bit like a space ship being beamed up by the steel pipes.

Chandelier in the lobby

The rooms are built like lofts, two levels. Downstairs is the living/working/washing area, upstairs is the bed. Cramped into a 22sqm space though, it makes you feel like you’re living in a tube.

I like the loft-like tall windows. It gives a lot of natural light to the desk area where you’d normally work. Problem is, you can see into every room across from you, which means that everyone can see you too. So don’t come out of the bathroom stark naked with the curtains open – you might be charged for exhibitionism.

The shower room is so small that you can hardly move – and I am not that big. Yet. I think it’s one of those get-in-and-get-out jobs, no lingering and trying to get at awkward parts of the body.

The toilet is so tiny that when you sit down your face is almost up against the wall. If you’re claustrophobic, you might have issues.

The stairs up the bed are tiny and steep. You wouldn’t want to be climbing up or down them after a heavy night of drinking. But then since these rooms are aimed at the young, I guess they’re more agile and nimble and not as prone to midnight toilet visits as older chaps.

The bed is nice and comfy but there’s not much space between it and the glass panel that separates you from the floor below. You wouldn’t want to be twisting too much in that bed, I reckon.

The new hotel should do well though. Its location is good. Its studio feel should appeal to the young and restless, who don’t want to be spending too much time in the room anyway.

The reviews on TripAdvisor have generally been positive. Most of the complaints were about the size of the room and the layout over two floors. On July 1, its Popularity Index on TripAdvisor was #111 of 226 hotels.

And anyway, it’s a sellers market again in Singapore. According to Kwek, the hotel, which has been operating since March 26, has achieved over 80% occupancy. Costing S$120 million to build, the new product is charging opening rates of S$160 for weekends and $180 for weekdays. Normal rates will begin at S$200.

That’s a good rate for what it is.

• Photos courtesy of Studio M