Review of Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road

A new entrant in Singapore’s mid-priced hotel category is Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road, an offshoot brand from the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG ). The brand itself has been around for quite some time, with many similar properties in other Asian countries (and even in America, Europe, etc) that aim for the “no frills” concept. The Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road is the group’s first Holiday Inn Express branded hotel in Singapore, with another budget hotel in the works in Clarke Quay.

my room at holiday inn express singapore orchard road

The hotel hosted me for two nights during a recent weekend. Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road is located right behind Orchard Road itself, with popular shopping malls such as Paragon and Ngee Ann City only around 3 to 5 minutes walk from the hotel. I must say that staying here made me feel like a tourist all over again, with Orchard Road being oh so close. The location is definitely unbeatable!

apple computers with free internet at the lobby for guest use!

Stepping into the hotel for the first time, the hotel’s trademark “Stay Smart” concept became immediately apparent. Comfortable lounge chairs enveloped the lobby while the reception counter was located right at the center with staff not wearing suits for a change. I was promptly attended to during check-in and shown to my room.

panoramic view of the room

spic and span

The room itself is a big surprise. Honestly, for an “Express” branded hotel, I was initially expecting a much smaller room. The room area is advertised as 19 sqm but definitely seemed more like 25 sqm at least and was quite spacious. The furnishings inside are best described as efficient and functional. While remaining relatively simple, I thought the overall earthy, tropical ambiance was a step above the “express” category.

do you want it firm or soft?

The hotel goes an extra step by labeling the pillows “soft” or “firm.” Many hotels don’t make such distinctions. For the few that do, a special request often needs to be made so offering this upfront is certainly a nice touch.

Two bottles of water were provided daily as well as a selection of teas and coffee.

the bathroom

One glass door leads to the bathroom, which depending on your business, shuts the shower or toilet area. It’s an interesting space saving concept which I had also seen previously in other newer hotels. Also, as part of the hotel’s aim to be green, liquid soap and shampoo are provided in order to avoid wastage. In all honesty, I don’t think anyone uses up a fresh bar of soap during a typical 2 or 3 nights stay. Being environmentally conscious myself, I thought the usage of the liquid form was a great alternative.

This being said, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road offers a wide array of amenities, from cotton buds to razors, and these can be provided upon request from the reception.

it’s chow time!

three hot dishes that rotate on a daily basis

coffee counter

selection of jams – great for the croissants!

fruit selection

Breakfast is provided with every room stay at Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road. These are available in the Great Room from 6:30am to 10:30am and guests can choose from two types. For those with more time, the Express Start breakfast consists of a reasonable buffet spread with 3 hot dishes, cereals, pastries, juices and fruits. Those with less time can opt for the “Grab and Go” option with some fruits, muffins and a cup of coffee. Overall, the breakfast is quite filling regardless which one you choose.

meeting room suitable for small groups

 In the fourth floor, there is a meeting room which companies can book for small meetings. It can seat up to 12 persons at any given time. Also in the fourth floor is the self-service laundry and ironing area. The latter is available for free.

To sum it all up, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road is one of the good value hotels in the Orchard Road strip. While it markets itself as a no-frills hotel, I think the fantastic ambiance, relatively spacious rooms (versus its peers in the same class), standard breakfast inclusion as well as the unbeatable location makes it a worthy option for those traveling to Singapore and have a need to stay somewhere very central. It certainly can’t get any more central than this!

Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road
20 Bideford Road
Singapore 229921
Tel: +65 6690 3199
Official Reservations Website

Bino

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