Those of you who have read my first post on Singapore know how deeply in love I fell with that city/country when we first visited last year. So much that we decided to go back this year, as a short stopover before visiting Malaysia. We really enjoyed staying at the Oasia Singapore (detailed review here) but it really was a bit pricey, so we decided to try to discover other lodgings. It turns out everything is pretty expensive in this beautiful city. We still managed to find some decent rooms for cheaper, although not by a whole lot. Following are two of the hotels where we stayed.

Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen (6.5/10) 

It’s great to know what to expect when booking with Ibis, because the amenities and decor are pretty standard in all rooms of the chain. The room itself is clean, although small and dated. We liked the washroom less because of the mold starting to build in the tiling and the lack of ventilation (probably exactly the cause to the molding…)

The bed is comfortable and the black out shades are a must when you are jetlagged. The flooring is wood, not carpet, so it does feel cleaner but definitely more noisy. We were quite satisfied with both the staff service and the quality of the wireless internet. Both were quick and efficient. Ipads, computers and a printer are available near the reception desk. This turned out to be very useful as we needed to print our boarding pass before flying with Air Asia.

Location is great, with multiple dining options in the neighbourhood. Bugis and Little India are just around the corner, so it makes the atmosphere very lively when the locals head to the temples and the flower merchants gather around the crowded streets.  Closest MRT station (Bugis) is less than 10 min walk away.

Everyone knows that Singapore is a heaven for shoppers, although I find that good brands are so much more expensive than in North America. If you’re not one for international luxury brands, some reasonable priced shopping can be done at malls nearby the hotel such as Bugis + and Bugis Junction.

Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen (website)

PROS:

• Cleanliness
• Essentials like Wi-Fi, safe, flat-screen TV are provided.
• Affordable price for Singapore pricing (138 CAD/night)

CONS

• Bad soundproofing: the walls were thin and the absence of carpet make each step very noisy
• Outdated bathroom
• Needs a fresh coat of paint

OVERALL: 6.5/10

Park Regis Hotel Singapore 

At the end of our trip, we had a mini-stopover in Singapore again before heading to Tokyo. We arrived at Changi airport from Kuala Lumpur at 5pm and our flight the next morning was at 5 am. Last year, we cheaped out and camped at the airport from 10pm to 5am. It turned out to be the worst thing to do before a 12-hour Trans-Pacific flight, so I swore I would never repeat the same mistake again.

When we booked the one night (just a few hours in reality…) at Park Regis, we were honestly just looking for a good night’s sleep before embarking on the return journey. What a shame because it was really a nice hotel! The room and hallway decor has an extensive luxury feel to it. The furniture and bathroom fixtures are modern and in good condition, and of course the whole room shines with cleanliness. And the bed! One of the most comfortable hotel beds I’ve ever slept in, too bad it was such a short night.

The room offers all the essentials including TV, safe, fast wireless internet and (bonus!) complimentary slippers. It sounds a little frivolous but I do find that the hotel feels immediately classier when slippers are offered!

Location is also great. Steps away from Clarke Quay, where dining, drinking and nightlife choices are never lacking. The closest MRT station (Clarke Quay) is only an overpass away, about 5 min walk. The next morning, we took an Uber cab to the airport. With no traffic on the road (obviously… at 3:30 am) it took about 25 min and cost 20 CAD.

Park Regis Singapore (website)

PROS:

• Luxury feel
• Clean and extremely comfortable room
• Contemporary decor and modern furniture
• Excellent location

CONS

• Less affordable (185 CAD/night)
• Layout a little awkward as the sink is in the middle of the room
• Lacks privacy as the toilet and the shower are behind frosted glass walls with almost no sound dampening. You really need to be comfortable with your partner…