The Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium is one of the first few hotels that I have visited when I first started writing about hotels and loyalty programs. I remember how I was pleasantly surprised by the level of service rendered - especially to Platinum IHG Rewards Club members. To compare and contrast how the rooms in this property looked back then, click on the following link: http://www.theshutterwhale.com/blog/2014/1/25/holiday-inn-singapore-atrium

On a really busy weekend where room rates were sky high due to an international event happening in town, I looked around the IHG properties and the Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium was still available for 25,000 IHG Points. Considering how high room rates were, this was not actually a bad idea at all!

Having scored an upgrade to a refurbished Deluxe Room in the Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium for being a Platinum IHG Rewards Club member, I arrived at this rather contemporary room. This is quite a far cry from what it was previously and I strongly urge you to check out my previous review to see the difference. I really like what they did with the wardrobe - no more creepy wardrobe that vaguely reminded me of a scene from The Exorcist. More importantly, the whole room felt more lively definitely less dated than it was before.

Actually the bed really reminded me of the bedroom at the Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay which only opened earlier this year. Click HERE to read more about my experience at the Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay (and to see the slight resemblance!). I believe the beds are the same as they felt similar to what they were previously.

You also get a much bigger working desk with the refurbished rooms here at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium. No more fingerprint-trapping glass table in your room - you now have a large wooden table with a flexible desk lamp to get your work done. If you are here for leisure, there's a healthy range of cable channels that will entertain you before you make your way down to Robertson Quay (if you are fancier) or the Zion Road Food Centre for some delicious local cuisine.

You will also find a stocked up minibar with cold carbonated drinks, beer, water and juice if you require them. If you are staying in one of the rooms with Executive Lounge access, just head on upstairs to get something from the lounge. I went up briefly for cocktail hour from 6pm but I'm not a big fan of this lounge. Although it is charming in its own slightly-rustic way, I did not personally like the selection of wines and food options here. As such, I only popped by to grab a gin and tonic before heading down to Xin Cuisine (located within Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium itself) for dinner. Click HERE to find out which were my favourite dishes at Xin Cuisine!

While I was generally impressed with the work that has been done on the refurbishments of these rooms, I was slightly disappointed to find out that the bathrooms were exactly the way they were as before. I do not think there are immediate plans to refurbish these as well but I think they are in desperate need of a little refresh.

On a property level however, I still think the Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium offers immense value to a traveler who wishes to stay in a quiet yet accessible location. While same may argue that Robertson Quay isn't exactly close to anywhere by public transport, it is only a S$5 to S$7 taxi ride away from Orchard, Clarke Quay, Tiong Bahru and other surrounding areas. Besides, if you are traveling with family, it might actually make sense to pick a taxi over the subway just because it is far more convenient (and probably cheaper too if you think about it).