Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium

Whilst I enjoyed the town and city area of Singapore, I was craving for some place different. As such, I went to the Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium for a staycation this weekend. I checked into the hotel at 1pm and the front office already had my details on file. Although I had initially booked for a superior room, I was awarded a two level upgrade to an Executive Room on level 26 (with access to the Executive Lounge on top the floor - level 27) with my Platinum Elite status with IHG Rewards Club. The duty manager at the counter introduced himself and handled the check-in personally which was a nice touch. I was also given two free welcome drinks at the Lobby Lounge that I could redeem for wine, beer or other drinks. On top of that, free breakfast was also awarded to me as the hotel was running some lucky draw promotion for the time being. I was then given a name card containing a direct line to the duty manager in case I needed anything at all during my stay. 5/5 stars for the duty team and the level of service they have provided to their Platinum Elite members. 

It is worth noting that IHG has the most number of properties worldwide and therefore, if you're looking for only one hotel loyalty programme that you can benefit the most from, it is definitely a strong contender. Amongst other perks that participating hotels may extend to Platinum Elite members, we also benefit from free internet, complimentary room upgrades, 50% bonus earning on base points, priority check-in and late check-outs. 

Although the dated decor continues to affect the hotel holistically for many, I found it to be charming in its own way. While the room was not immense, it was extremely clean and it had everything I needed. I was greeted with complimentary drinks and a fruit basket when I entered the room. There was also a Pillow Menu detailing over 6 types of pillows that I could choose from to make my stay more enjoyable. 

The bathroom whilst not having a separate bath and shower area was clean and the chrome was sparkling. The toiletries were an in-house brand but they smelt really good. Toothbrush and other basic toiletries seem to be made of a more sustainable material and were definitely of greater quality even compared to most of the more expensive hotels in the area. One thing you will most definitely notice when you stay in this hotel is the view from above. 

I really enjoyed how the atrium looks from the top. The symmetry that accentuates the very structure of this architecture proves to be both pleasing to the eye as well as intriguing in some ways. 

The Executive Lounge at the Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium as mentioned earlier, is located on Level 27 and is only accessible with a valid key card. I accessed the Executive Lounge at approximately 5pm only to find it completely empty with only a handful of staff around. They were preparing for the cocktail hour from 6pm but were quick to take my drink orders. Although the lounge was not luxurious, it exuded a rustic and cozy sort of charm. I've heard from seasoned travelers that the very same lounge offers a great view of the fireworks on National Day at the Marina Bay area. Following a quick caffeine fix, I decided to take a walk around Robertson Quay before returning to my room. 

I returned just in time for the cocktail hour and there was a basic range of drinks to choose from on top of the usual offerings - red, white, sparkling and beers. The food options were limited and rather lackluster so I would recommend giving the cocktail hour a miss unless you're really too lazy to go out of the hotel. I was greeted with an amazing view -  the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel near the popular night club Zouk as well as the Great World City - from my room when I got back.

In the morning, I chose to have my breakfast at the Melting Pot Cafe instead of the Executive Lounge since I favour variety for my meals. The food was decent for a four star hotel - nothing too fancy with mostly predictable offerings. There was an omelette station for all you egg lovers out there but if you're here to visit Singapore, take my tip - skip breakfast in the hotel and take a walk along Robertson Quay instead. 

All things considered, the Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium proves to be a fantastic property that offers you both great service and value. I will definitely be back soon to enjoy what this charming property and its surroundings have to offer.

Book your next Holiday Inn stay here. 

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium
317 Outram Road, Singapore 169075
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PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur

I had to go to Kuala Lumpur to attend a friend's wedding in January and I chose the PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur for two nights worth of accommodation. After touching down at 9am, I booked for a prepaid taxi at the ALM Cabs counter located in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) arrival hall. It costed me 75 Malaysian Ringgit to get to the hotel and I was there in just under 45 minutes. 

I have chosen the Orchid Club King room for this trip. Upon reaching the hotel at approximately 10am, I proceeded directly to the check-in counter who then guided me towards the Orchid Club located on level six for check-in. Firstly, this is one of the few properties where Club guests check-in separately (and therefore do not need to queue). Secondly, I was not expecting my room to be ready and I just wanted to leave my bags at the hotel before heading out. To my surprise however, they had the room ready and the staff were more than happy to extend the club benefits for an early check-in. My Platinum status with GHA did not get me much this trip - possibly only a late check-out of 2pm. 

My room was located on the fifth floor (one level under the Orchid Club). It is worth noting that all club rooms are located in a separate wing/building from the other rooms. There is also a dedicated lift that services levels one to six for the Orchid Club rooms. The room was spacious and it had a separate working desk/seating area. There wasn't a pillow menu for the room and the pillows were too soft for my liking. There was also no coffee machine and only basic teabags/instant coffee/bottled water were provided. 

The bathroom was clean and spacious (although the bathtub was slightly smaller than what I am used to). It has a separate rain shower (which came with a seating area inside) and bath area. The toiletries were from the St. Gregory Spa and weren't too fancy. There was practically no view from any Orchid Club Rooms since the highest floor is only five levels up (but the Suites are located in the main building). 

Buffet breakfast was served from 630am to 1030am in Chatz Brasserie, located on the Lower Ground level. There was a wide selection of continental breakfast items as well as Asian flavours (which tasted really good). Personally, I think the best part of the hotel is possibly the location. It is located just across Sungei Wang and next to Lot 10 which meant that you can get pretty decent food at really good prices (approximately 10 Malaysian Ringgit). Also, you could essentially walk to the Pavilion and the Suria KLCC building in about five to fifteen minutes respectively.

Overall, a pretty good property but I probably will not pay for the Orchid Club rooms again since they were not as impressive as I thought they would be. I would rather spend the same amount of money in Grand Hyatt or the Mandarin Oriental the next time. 

PARKROYAL Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 
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Pan Pacific Orchard

Nestled away one of the busiest areas of Singapore - Orchard Road, the Pan Pacific Orchard is hidden to offer both convenience and the quiet that may be desired. With the completion of renovations in 2012, the refurbished property with only 206 rooms provide the level of intimacy and privacy that many other luxury hotel chains fail to provide. 

I've recently stayed at the Pan Pacific Orchard in an Executive Room, after being upgraded from a Premium Room (one of the benefits of having Platinum status in the Global Hotel Alliance Discovery Programme. I was also given a late checkout until 3pm as a Platinum member (instead of 12pm). Consequently,  if you are a member of a major airline partner, you may also earn miles on each qualifying stay. As a Krisflyer member, I earn 500 miles per stay (which makes short stays more lucrative).

The check-in process was swift as I am a returning guest. Upon presentation of my credit card (and NRIC/Passport for first time visitors), I received confirmation that my room was ready and was informed of the breakfast timing (0600hrs to 1030hrs). Newspaper and wakeup call preferences were then confirmed before I was being directed towards my room. 

Pan Pacific Orchard - Executive Room

The most important things to me for a staycation (in order of importance) include:

1. Deep Bathtub
2. Comfortable Bed
3. View
4. Toiletries
5. Breakfast (where applicable)

The Executive Room boasts a deep bathtub, a comfy king-sized bed and a range of toiletries from Elemis. Unfortunately though, similar to my previous visit, the view was nothing to be excited about. I had a view of the swimming pool downstairs but the general view was blocked by the architecture of the hotel building with constructions happening outside the hotel area. 

Pan Pacific Orchard - Executive Room (Bathroom) 

Breakfast at 10 on Claymore was not extensive and whilst it did contain a variety of items as listed below, there were only about 3-4 items for each major category.

Breakfast Food Category:

• Cereal
• Western
• Asian
• Omelette/Pancake Station
• Fruit Juice
• Coffee and Tea (by Gryphon Tea Company)
• Cheese
• Fruit section

Pan Pacific Orchard
10 Claymore Road, Singapore 229540
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Pan Pacific Singapore

The Pan Pacific Singapore is my most frequented and definitely one of my favourite hotels in Singapore. Situated near Marina Bay, the hotel offers a luxurious escape for the city dweller despite being right smack in the middle of all the action. The hotel underwent a major refurbishment that was completed in 2012. As an almost permanent structure in one of Singapore's most prominent area, I was pleasantly surprised to see what has been done to the hotel internally. 

At check-in, I was upgraded to a Harbour Studio from a Panoramic Room as a Platinum GHA member. Be mindful that the check-in area can be quite messy during peak hours and there isn't usually a clear line for checking in. While staff are generally eager to help you, I found that many of the front office staff lacked initiative in organising guests. 

The Harbour Studio room was spacious and it even offered a separate mini-bar area with bar stool. I had a really good view of the iconic Marina Bay area from my room. The room came with a Nespresso machine which meant that you could enjoy decent instant coffee (not an oxymoron I hope) while gazing out into the magnificent view. There were also automatic curtains for your convenience (which proved to be of great value in the morning and before bedtime).

My favourite part of the room has got to be the bathroom which comes equipped with a stylish and deep bathtub. I personally would not recommend the Deluxe and Deluxe Balcony room types since they do not come with a bathtub and are generally on lower floors. A wide range of amenities from Elemis were provided in this room. A small tin of bath salt (single use) was also provided by the tub. Devices can be connected via HDMI ports located near the work desk to be displayed on the 37" LCD TV. The bathroom also came with inbuilt speakers which meant that you could enjoy watching your videos while taking a deep soak. This hotel, like the Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, boasts a spectacular view of the atrium from above. 

The night view of the Marina Bay area is absolutely magnificent from the room. You can watch the laser and light show from Marina Bay Sands and I do believe that these rooms are absolutely perfect for the National Day fireworks display. The hotel is located near many eating places like the Makansutra Glutton's Bay which offers delicious hawker food at a reasonable price. Additionally, there are also many shopping malls around the area and as such, dining options are aplenty. 

There is also a complimentary turndown service that you can request for should you require one.

The breakfast at Rise restaurant is definitely one of the best that I have had in Singapore. There is a huge selection of breakfast ranging from light pastries to noodles and Chinese dim sum. It is worth noting that there is likely to be a line from approximately 930am so be down slightly earlier to enjoy breakfast before heading up for one final soak. 

The room rates in Pan Pacific Singapore do not come cheap so I strongly recommend shopping around online travel booking websites or contacting your travel agent for a better rate. I found the rates listed directly on the website to be quite expensive unless you're going for an advance booking rate (which does not include breakfast). Personally, I think that the breakfast at this property is a must. The quality and variety offered at the Edge restaurant are both sophisticated and extensive. 

Pan Pacific Singapore
7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, Singapore 039595
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PARKROYAL on Pickering St

The PARKROYAL on Pickering St, a PARKROYAL Collection hotel that received the BCA Green Mark Platinum Award is a beauty and in some sense, a marvel in hotel architecture. Participating in the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) programme, members can enjoy a range of benefits and privileges depending on membership tier.  

I made a reservation for an Orchid Club Deluxe room for my birthday and was told that I was upgraded for being a Platinum member under the GHA program. However, I realised that no upgrades in terms of room tiers were made - I probably enjoyed a room on a higher floor as a result of this "upgrade". 

Exclusive Orchid Club Lounge Privileges

• Complimentary welcome drink
• All-day refreshments
• Champagne breakfast
• Afternoon tea
• Evening cocktails (6.00pm – 8.00pm). Club guests are allowed to invite one guest up at no additional charge.
• Exclusive access to outdoor rooftop terraces

Business and Housekeeping Services

• Complimentary in-room wired and wireless Internet access
• Priority check-in and check-out
• Complimentary  local calls
• Housekeeping services (twice daily)
• Two pieces of laundry per day, accumulative during your stay
• Suit pressing (two pieces upon arrival)
• Shoe shine service available from 7.30am to 10.00pm
• Complimentary non-alcoholic executive bar
• 20% savings on all Business Centre services

Dining and Leisure

• 20% savings at Lime, the open-kitchen restaurant located at Level 1 (applicable for a la carte menu only)

As seen from the privileges above, club level guests should enjoy (i) priority check-in/check-out and a (ii) complimentary welcome drink. I did not receive both for this stay. While the architecture and design of the property have impressed me, the level of service did not. There were no clear signs or staff around to ensure that guests that were on Club level or those with GHA membership were served first. I was also not offered a welcome drink at the property despite it being listed as one of the privileges. It is worthwhile to note that it is common practice in other properties for Club level guests to check in at the executive lounge instead. 

The room was spacious and it included a extensive range of amenities. My room had a partial view of Clarke Quay which was nice. I also particularly liked the fact that the room enjoyed a lot of natural lighting. There were two automatic blinds that you could control for the bedroom - one for privacy (but still allowed light to come in) and one for sleeping. The room also comes with a Nespresso machine and ground coffee for those who prefer a French Press. There were also a wide range of ports (e.g. HDMI) that allowed you to display your videos on the TV or play music through the TV speakers. 

The sliding doors to the bathroom can be hidden to create a studio-like space (as shown in the photo above). Elemis shower amenities were provided and the bathtub had a backrest which allowed for a comfortable soak while enjoying a good read. Similar to the bedroom, the bathroom also came with two automatic blinds that were controlled separately. 

Unlike other properties that strictly enforce the no-children policy in club lounges (e.g. InterContinental), the PARKROYAL on Pickering takes a more casual approach regarding this. There were even kids in the lounge during the evening cocktail hours. Food in the club lounge was mediocre compared to other properties with similar price point in Singapore. There were very limited food offerings but the staff in the club lounge were largely attentive and enthusiastic.  

There were a number of issues that I have encountered during this stay. Firstly, I was told at check-in that a late checkout would be possible but I received contrasting news the next morning. I was told that I had to check-out by 12pm despite being in a Club room and having Platinum status. Secondly, housekeeping entered my room (while I was in the Club lounge) despite having the Do Not Disturb sign on. She also removed the key card from my room which I later had to replace on my own in the lobby.  

I would say that the property is beautiful on its own and the area surrounding the swimming pool is quite amazing. However, more needs to be done by the management to ensure a higher level of service standard. Whilst the PARKROYAL brand is largely dated in most Asian markets, this property has definitely deviated from the norm by the augmentation of exterior beauty. 

PARKROYAL on Pickering
3 Upper Pickering St, 058289
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On Staycations

After spending over four years in Australia where I completed my bachelor's degree, I came back to Singapore missing one thing more than ever - Space. One of the greatest luxury I enjoyed during my time there was the abundance of space. It was not just about the physical emptiness across the country but also the perception of emotional capacity. 

Space in Singapore is extremely defined with limited land space and a growing global population. The energy of the society with its residents placing importance on attributes that I do not personally identify myself with, has taken a negative toll on my general contentment. People who know me well enough know I ramble on about the benefits one can enjoy overseas. Finding space to be yourself is difficult in Singapore. Since it's a small country with generally limited things to do on weekends, we often bump into friends and acquaintances on the streets. As a result of that, I believe that we are constrained to be our public self. Whilst I am not insinuating that we all are hypocrites, being only agents of good and acceptable behaviour, there is some semblance to some extent. Being alone in a foreign environment empowers you to be someone different. Although it is debatable as to whether this newly found potential can entrust you into being some one "better" or "worse" in the eyes of the public, it allows you to dig deep and learn more about yourself. 

Staycations in my opinion, allows you to do that. It puts in you a familiar surrounding in a different context. The busy Orchard road has now been transformed into your temporary surroundings in you temporary home. This makeshift residence now offers you peace and silence away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Whilst the degree of empowerment is reduced in Singapore, it presents an opportunity for a mental hiatus. 

“I believe one has to escape oneself to discover oneself.”  -  Rabih Alameddine

Hilton Singapore

The Hilton Singapore is located in a quieter part of Orchard Road and it also houses a shopping arcade that showcases brands like Mulberry, Rolex and Balenciaga among other fashion boutiques. I chose to stay at the Hilton Singapore on Christmas Eve.

I was offered a one-tier room upgrade to a Deluxe Plus room at check-in for being a Hilton Hhonors Gold member. This is essentially is a Deluxe room on a higher floor so it did not really feel like a real upgrade to me. However, I was also given free breakfast (since my room rate did not include this) and in-room internet (usually $5.35). 

The Hilton Hhonors Gold status offers a great deal of benefits for the frequent traveler. I particularly appreciate free breakfast since they can cost quite a bit at hotels. Some of the HIlton Hhonors Gold benefits include (but not limited to):

• 25% bonus on base points,
• Late check-out,
• Spouse stays free (in properties where double occupancy costs more),
• eCheck-in,
• Room upgrades (where available and applicable),
• Free breakfast or bonus points, and
• Complimentary internet. 

Although the room and linen were clean (as you would expect with a five star hotel), the hotel definitely shows sign of age through its tired décor. 

The toiletries were provided by Peter Thomas Roth which I personally adore. I do believe I was offered the same brand of toiletries in Hilton Brisbane when I stayed there a year ago. A bath tablet was also provided for tub usage.

Once again, the bathroom continues to exude signs of age. Like most older hotels, the bathroom came with a bathtub but no separate shower area. Personally for me, the bathroom was too small and the tub definitely leaking as the water stopper was unable to contain the water for a period of time. 

Apart from the leaky bathtub, I encountered a couple more unpleasant incidents during my stay. Firstly, there was a power shortage in my room when using the hairdryer but this was quickly rectified by the technicians on site. Secondly, housekeeping walked in to my room despite having the Do Not Disturb (DND) sign on outside. Thirdly, front office called to ask if I needed help with my luggage (a polite way to ask you to check-out of the room) despite having granted a late check-out time at check-in. Apparently, the late check-out was not updated in their system and so I had to go through the process of asking for one again. 

I will definitely give the hotel another try in the near future because of the location and the associated benefits but I don't think it provides enough for travelers without the Gold status to be charging such a premium in Singapore. 

Hilton Singapore
581 Orchard Rd, 238883
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