“ Good Quality Low Cost Hotel ”

Reviewed May 14, 2013

by mr_mozam (6 reviews) , Australia

Stayed 1 and a half nights. A good way to start the adventure.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

“ Petite and neat ”

Reviewed Oct 5, 2012

by oxfordtraveller (2 reviews) Wantage , United Kingdom

Smallish rooms but everything new, clean and functional, with useful little gadgets like USB chargers.

Happy 60th

Singapore, Singapore

This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

“ On the curve ”

Reviewed Nov 13, 2011

by comfortablynumb (6 reviews) Mandurah , Australia

I believe that hotels in Singapore follow the "you get what you pay for" theory. I see it as a curve with a tight correlation between price and room standard and comfort. The Ibis on Bencoolen is $180-220 per night and you get a clean, bright and comfortable room in a good location. We requested a high floor so we have a nice view. So we got a room on the 15th floor with a lovely view out towards Orchard Road. This is a relatively cheap hotel for Singapore and if you pay much less for a room in a hotel elsewhere it may result in a fairly uncomfortable and unpleasant stay.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

“ Great Hotel ”

Reviewed Sep 28, 2011

by arezoosh (6 reviews) Toronto , Canada

My room was tiny however quite modern and well equipped. This hotel is located in a nice area, close to two temples one Buddhist and one Hindu. There is also an open market right beside it. It has a nice bar/restaurant on the ground floor where I had my first Singapore Sling. It's also a short walk to public transportation and stop for hop-on hop-off tours. I enjoyed my stay and would recommend this hotel.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

“ Singapore ”

Reviewed Sep 13, 2011

by barryandclare (4 reviews) Waterford and Kilkenny , Ireland

V clean, compact rooms...ideal for a short stay..central enough.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.

“ Ok for a short stay! ”

Reviewed Aug 12, 2011

by chrisandjan (4 reviews) Gold Coast , Australia

One or two nights is all you could handle in the small uncomfortable rooms at the Ibis Hotel on Bencoolen, Singapore. Small entry foyer and very crowded at times almost impossible to get to the reception desk, and staff that didn't seem to be to helpful to welcome you to this hotel.
From Changi airport (about 30minutes and $S18) you arrive at the hotel from a side street, a small area that becomes congested with taxis.
For a hotel of this stature, you'd expect something pretty good. Alas, not to be. The rooms have terrible views, are small, wooden floors, no comfortable seating, two in a twin room is even a squash. No fridge for cool drinks, despite the humid and hot temperatures in Singapore. Staff advised fridges had been recalled due to a manufacturers fault, and left all rooms without a fridge. No arrangements had obviously been done to quickly replace them, poor management totally. This was extremely difficult to enjoy the stay.
Small bathroom with only shower, basin and toilet, basic toiletries provided but no toothbrushes or toothpaste, the shower had a dispenser that was shampoo and body wash in one!
Rooms were clean, and beds comfortable but you wouldn't want to stay in there too long.
Television is good, with good selection of channels, including the Australian Network (ABC) with news and live AFL games for Aussie travellers this was excellent. No radio channels or radio in room. Lighting was good but the noise from other rooms was annoying especially guests going in and out and you could hear doors slammed closed all hours.
From the other side of the hotel, the main doors take you out to a busy street where there is a 7eleven store, pharmacy, internet cafe and close to Bugis Market which is a must visit, so cheap and a great variety of souvenirs and everything else. Also close to electronics centre opposite Burlington Square. Orchard Road is about a 20 minute walk from the hotel.
The ground floor level has a very modern and attractive restaurant 'Taste' with bar, and the foyer has an information desk for guests, but the information we received from a staff member was incorrect and even told us Bugis Street Market has no souvenirs stalls. There were dozens of souvenir stalls there. Bugis Market is only a couple of minutes from the hotel which was excellent. Open from 10am to 10pm every day.
If you do not have access to wifi to use a computer at the hotel there are three computers available in main foyer area, stand up only, and very difficult to use.
The hotel is not close to anything! Singapore Zoo is nearly an hour away out of town, Singapore Flyer another half hour away, Sentosa and Universal Studios best accessed by taxi from hotel as the public transport system is chaotic and difficult to get to.
The hotel is placed right in an area that is not close to LRT system, but buses if you know where you are going are at the front door.
The rooms are well cleaned and serviced with hardworking staff, and they do a good job. Our room was lovely and clean each time we returned from a day out. But the many negatives for the price are too many.
I would stay elsewhere on my next trip to Singapore, but hotels are expensive, the country doe's not yet seem to be aiming towards the tourist market or overseas guests. Singapore is great for shopping and Universal Studios was awesome, be prepared for downpours at any time, we got caught in a huge downpour on arriving in Sentosa, and within half an hour it was so humid and hot, the climate is unpredictable.
The hotel provides a guide in rooms of attractions and how long it takes to get to them, but doe's not give any information on what is the best way to get there. Taxis became the preffered mode of transport as that seemed to be the best way to get around, but expensive with a minimum flagfall of $S3.20 before you start!
Sentosa Island is worth the visit especially Merlion Walk, IFly Singapore and ride the Sentosa monorail to Vivo city, a huge shopping mall where you can get taxis back to city.
From Vivo to the Ibis fare was $S11.
Check out other hotels, maps and look for location when booking before you decide to book at The Ibis.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TravelPod member and not of TravelPod.com.