Somerset Serviced Residence: What to Expect at Liang Court Guide's Neighbouring Property

Located at 11 Devonshire Road, the Somerset Serviced Residence sits immediately adjacent to the Liang Court complex in the Clarke Quay district. Operated by The Ascott Limited, this 300-unit property occupies a 12-storey block that connects directly to the Liang Court shopping centre via a covered walkway on level two. For visitors planning a stay in the area, understanding what this residence offers — from studio apartments to three-bedroom suites — helps set realistic expectations about accommodation, facilities, and daily life in this part of Singapore's River Valley precinct.

Property Overview and Location Context

The Somerset Serviced Residence at Liang Court Singapore opened in the early 2000s as part of a mixed-use development that includes the Liang Court retail mall and the Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay hotel. The building shares its plot with the Novotel, creating a single integrated complex that covers approximately 1.2 hectares along the Singapore River. The serviced residence occupies the eastern wing of the development, with its own separate entrance on Devonshire Road.

Key location details include:

• Address: 11 Devonshire Road, Singapore 239825
• Nearest MRT: Fort Canning MRT station (DT20) on the Downtown Line, approximately 350 metres walking distance; Clarke Quay MRT station (NE5) on the North East Line, approximately 500 metres
• Bus services: SBS Transit services 32, 54, 195, and 970 stop along River Valley Road, within 200 metres of the residence
• Direct access: Covered walkway to Liang Court on level two, providing access to Meidi-ya supermarket, restaurants, and retail outlets

The residence sits within a five-minute walk of both Clarke Quay's nightlife and dining options and the quieter Robertson Quay walk and cafés, giving guests two distinct riverside experiences within easy reach.

Room Types and Configurations

The Somerset Serviced Residence offers five main room categories, ranging from studio apartments suitable for solo travellers or couples, to three-bedroom suites designed for families or corporate groups. All units are fully furnished and include a kitchenette or full kitchen, depending on the category.

Studio Executive

The Studio Executive is the entry-level category, providing approximately 35 square metres of living space. Each unit includes a king-sized bed, a separate work desk with ergonomic chair, a 40-inch flat-screen television, and a kitchenette equipped with a microwave, induction hob, and a compact refrigerator. The bathroom features a rain shower and hairdryer. Weekly housekeeping is standard, with daily housekeeping available at an additional charge of SGD 20 per day.

One-Bedroom Executive

The One-Bedroom Executive offers 48 square metres of space, with a separate living area that includes a sofa bed suitable for one additional guest. The bedroom is partitioned from the living area by a sliding door, providing privacy. The kitchenette in this category includes a full-sized refrigerator and a two-burner hob. Rates for this category typically range from SGD 280 to SGD 380 per night, depending on season and length of stay.

Two-Bedroom Executive

For families or groups of three to four people, the Two-Bedroom Executive provides 72 square metres across two bedrooms — one with a king bed and one with twin single beds. This category includes a full kitchen with a four-burner hob, oven, microwave, and full-sized refrigerator. A dining table seats four people. The living area includes a 50-inch television and a sofa bed. Monthly rates for this category start at approximately SGD 6,500 for a 30-night stay.

Three-Bedroom Premier

The largest category, the Three-Bedroom Premier, spans 110 square metres and accommodates up to six guests. It features three bedrooms — two with king beds and one with twin singles — plus a living and dining area that seats six. The kitchen is fully equipped with a dishwasher, oven, hob, and full-sized refrigerator. This category also includes a washer-dryer within the unit, whereas smaller categories use shared laundry facilities on levels three and eight. Nightly rates for the Three-Bedroom Premier range from SGD 550 to SGD 750.

Penthouse Suite

A single Penthouse Suite occupies the top floor of the residence, offering 140 square metres of space with a private balcony overlooking the Singapore River skyline. This suite includes a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom featuring a bathtub, a separate guest toilet, and a fully equipped kitchen. Rates for the Penthouse Suite are available on request from the property management and typically exceed SGD 1,200 per night.

Facilities and On-Site Amenities

The Somerset Serviced Residence provides a range of facilities primarily located on level three and at the rooftop area. These are available to all guests and residents as part of the nightly or monthly rate.

• Swimming pool: A 25-metre outdoor lap pool on level three, surrounded by deck chairs and sun loungers. The pool is open daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
• Gymnasium: A 24-hour fitness centre on level three, equipped with treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, free weights (up to 20 kg dumbbells), and a multi-gym machine.
• Children's playroom: An indoor play area on level three with toys, books, and a small slide. Supervision is required for children under six years old.
• Business centre: Two computer workstations with printing and scanning facilities, located adjacent to the lobby. Free use for guests, with printing charges of SGD 0.50 per page for black-and-white and SGD 1.00 for colour.
• Laundry facilities: Self-service laundromats on levels three and eight, each with three washing machines and three dryers. Cost is SGD 4.00 per wash and SGD 3.00 per dry cycle, payable via EZ-Link card or Singapore dollar coins.
• Concierge services: The front desk operates 24 hours, providing luggage storage, taxi booking, and tourist information. A mobile concierge service is available via WhatsApp at +65 6733 8888.

The property also offers weekly social activities, including a free guided walking tour of the Clarke Quay area every Saturday morning at 9:00 AM, and a children's craft session on Sunday afternoons. These activities are subject to minimum participation numbers and may be suspended during low occupancy periods.

Pricing and Booking Considerations

Rates at the Somerset Serviced Residence vary significantly based on length of stay, booking channel, and seasonal demand. The property operates a tiered pricing structure that rewards longer stays with lower per-night rates.

Monthly rates for stays of 30 nights or more include free utilities (electricity, water, and gas up to SGD 150 per month), weekly housekeeping, and complimentary access to all facilities. Internet is included at no extra cost for all stays, with Wi-Fi coverage throughout the property rated at 100 Mbps download speed.

Booking directly through The Ascott's website or app typically offers a 10% discount compared to third-party booking platforms like Booking.com or Agoda. Corporate rates are available for companies booking 10 or more room-nights per month, with discounts of 15% to 25% off the standard nightly rate.

During major events such as the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix (typically September) and the Great Singapore Sale (June to August), rates can increase by 30% to 50%. The property also sees higher occupancy during the December holiday period and Chinese New Year, when advance booking of at least four weeks is recommended.

Neighbourhood Amenities and Daily Life

One of the primary advantages of staying at the Somerset Serviced Residence is its immediate proximity to the Liang Court complex, which houses the Meidi-ya supermarket — a Japanese grocery store with a history dating back to 1910 in Tokyo. Meidi-ya occupies approximately 1,200 square metres on the basement level of Liang Court and stocks a wide range of Japanese groceries, fresh produce, meats, seafood, and household items. For guests staying in units with kitchen facilities, this supermarket provides convenient access to ingredients for self-catering.

Other notable amenities within a five-minute walk include:

• Liang Court retail mall: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, featuring Daiso (100 yen-style store), Guardian pharmacy, and several dining outlets including Japanese restaurants at Clarke Quay such as Shinji by Kanesaka and Sushi Airways.
• ATM machines: DBS/POSB and OCBC ATMs located in the Liang Court lobby, accessible 24 hours.
• Medical services: River Valley Medical Centre at 143 River Valley Road, approximately 400 metres away, open Monday to Saturday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. For after-hours care, the 24-hour clinic at 1 Coleman Street (Raffles Medical) is a 10-minute taxi ride.
• Parks and recreation: Fort Canning Park, a 18-hectare historical park, is a 10-minute walk from the residence. The park features walking trails, a spice garden, and the Fort Canning Heritage Gallery, which is free to enter.

For guests arriving at Fort Canning MRT station, the walk to the Somerset Serviced Residence takes approximately four minutes via the covered footpath along Devonshire Road. The station provides access to the Downtown Line, with connections to Chinatown (two stops), Bugis (three stops), and the Central Business District (one stop to Telok Ayer).

Differences from Nearby Hotels

The Somerset Serviced Residence differs from the neighbouring Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay in several key ways, which potential guests should consider when choosing accommodation.

• Kitchen facilities: All Somerset units include a kitchenette or full kitchen, whereas Novotel rooms offer only a minibar and coffee-making facilities. This makes Somerset more suitable for longer stays and families who prefer to prepare some meals themselves.
• Space: The smallest Somerset studio (35 square metres) is approximately 40% larger than the smallest Novotel room (25 square metres). For guests who value living space, particularly for stays longer than a few nights, Somerset offers a clear advantage.
• Housekeeping frequency: Somerset provides weekly housekeeping as standard for long-stay guests, while Novotel provides daily housekeeping. Guests who prefer daily cleaning should factor in the additional SGD 20 per day charge at Somerset.
• Reception and services: Novotel operates a full-service hotel reception with a restaurant, bar, and room service, whereas Somerset's front desk is more limited in scope, focusing on concierge and administrative services.
• Price: For equivalent dates, Somerset's nightly rates are typically 15% to 25% lower than Novotel's, reflecting the reduced service level and self-catering orientation.

For a comprehensive overview of the broader area, readers may consult The Complete Guide to Liang Court, which covers the entire mixed-use development including the Novotel hotel, the serviced residence, and the retail mall.

Practical Tips for Your Stay

Based on common guest feedback and operational patterns, the following tips can help make a stay at the Somerset Serviced Residence more comfortable.

1. Request a high-floor unit: Units on levels eight and above face the Singapore River and offer views of the Clarke Quay skyline, while lower-floor units face Devonshire Road and may experience traffic noise during peak hours (8:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM).
2. Check the Liang Court construction schedule: As of 2025, Liang Court is undergoing phased renovations to its retail areas. Some sections of the mall may be closed or have restricted access during your stay. The property management can provide current information upon check-in.
3. Use the covered walkway to Liang Court: During rainy weather (common from November to January), the level two covered walkway provides dry access to the mall and its amenities without needing to go outside.
4. Bring an international power adapter: Singapore uses the Type G three-pin rectangular plug (BS 1363 standard) at 230V voltage. The residence does not provide adapters, but they can be purchased at the Daiso store in Liang Court for SGD 2.16.
5. Register for the Ascott Star Rewards programme: Free to join, this loyalty programme offers points redeemable for free nights, room upgrades, and late check-out (up to 2:00 PM). Points are earned at a rate of 10 points per SGD 1 spent on accommodation.

Check-in time is 2:00 PM and check-out time is 12:00 PM. Late check-out until 6:00 PM is available at 50% of the nightly rate, subject to availability. Early check-in before 10:00 AM is charged at 50% of the nightly rate, while check-in between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM is free if the room is ready.

The Somerset Serviced Residence provides a practical balance between hotel convenience and apartment-style living, particularly suited to travellers staying a week or longer who want access to the Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay areas. Its direct connection to Liang Court's amenities, proximity to two MRT stations, and range of unit sizes make it a flexible option for both leisure and business visitors to Singapore's central river district.

Related Articles

• The Complete Guide to Liang Court
• Clarke Quay Nightlife and Dining
• Robertson Quay Walk and Cafés
• Meidi-ya History at Liang Court
• Fort Canning MRT Station Guide