Thanks to my random stroke of good luck, facebook notified me that I won a 2D1N stay at this well located IHG property to be redeemed by May 2019. So stay I did, along with a shopping happy friend in tow who was more than happy to not need to fight the Orchard crowd transit back home after a day of spending money.

I’ve also thought Holiday Inn Express properties are clean quite good choices for travels, because they are always 1) clean 2) reasonably priced 3) free breakfast. The combination of all 3 makes its hard to ignore if the location is good.

You basically know what you are getting when you book a HIE – no surprises.

Address – 20 Bideford Road Singapore 229921. Website.

Contact details – +65 66903199. info.sinex@ihg.com.

Location – I think HIE Orchard hits the spot in all the right places – the location is unbeatable for shopaholics being right in the middle of the Orchard action. The only flaw is that it doesn’t have sheltered access to shopping which can be a bummer when it pours. But otherwise for what it’s worth, it is pretty much value for money.

Price – I lucked out winning the stay but the last I checked, rates hovered aroud $200++ a night for my stay dates.

Check In – Arrived to a semi crowded lobby on a Saturday afternoo 12:30pm and room was not ready. We decided to go get lunch and returned at 3pm.

Room – Room 0505 was twin bedded (couldn’t find any information about room size but probably around 20SqM), basic but very clean, and bathroom adequately sized with basic toiletries available and the usual HIE dispenser style all-in-one liquid soap. The bright yellow swivel sofa chair adds a colorful touch to the room alongside the small desk and chair.

Breakfast – this being a breakfast inclusive property as all HIEs are, I can imagine how busy The Great Room gets. Evident in a prominent signage saying “0730 – 0830” is best times, “0830 – 1000” rush hour, “1000 – 1100” peaceful. They are not kidding. I arrived before 8:30am and found seats easily but by 9am, the place has become crowded although still kind of orderly. Selection was better than I thought, with the no-carbs me leaving the place rather full.

Facilities – Mangaged to check out their very cool alfresco gym located on level 4 – its more adequate than I thought and a good 45mins was spent here killing those damn calories.

Service – Nothing to complain about and polite efficiency all round.

Check Out – Painlessly done at 2pm on a Sunday.

In summary, I would definitely recommend ths property for tourists looking for a spot to park themselves right in the middle of the action. No surprises and breakfast are sometimes the only things you need when you travel.