Hotel review: Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium

As part of my recent business visit to Singapore, I spent an extra night there just so I could catch up with friends, some of whom I haven't met in over a decade. And because I needed one more stay to qualify for the bonus under IHG's Accelerate 2016 promotion, and also simultaneously earn a few more IHG Rewards Club bonus points under the Book Direct promotion, I decided I was going to spend the extra night at an IHG hotel.

Luckily for me, just hours before my flight to Singapore, I was able to get a rate of SG$150++ a night, which is a fantastic rate for Singapore, especially for a booking as late as mine was. However, I had received mixed reviews when I sought inputs from my Singapore-based friends, and so I decided that I would have a dekko at this myself.


I had already been in touch with the hotel (even before my booking was done), to check if they were able to offer me early check in (official check in time is 3 pm, and my flight was to land at 9 am). They said they'd do their best, and I sent them my confirmation number in due course.

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium entrance

I reached the hotel around 10 am, and processed my check-in. However, the agent mentioned that while a room was empty, it would take about an hour for housekeeping to get it ready for my use.

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium lobby


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium check in

Interestingly, an American gentleman (and IHG Platinum member) was checking out then, and had an unused voucher for a complimentary drink. We got chatting quickly, and he kindly allowed me to use his voucher, seeing as it was that he wasn't going to be able to use it. So I was happy to wait in the lobby lounge, over a cup of coffee (on that voucher) and catching up on emails, etc, while the room was being tidied up.

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium lobby lounge


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium lobby lounge seating


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium lobby lounge seating


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium lobby lounge coffee and cookies

I then wandered around the hotel premises for a bit.

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium's atrium!


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium lobby 


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium check-in desks


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium lobby seating


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium interiors

By 11 am, the room was ready for use. Here's a look at the room.

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium room


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium bed


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium TV and work desk


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium room


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium view from my room


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium bath


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium bath amenities


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium towels


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium bath tub


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium coffee and tea


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium wardrobe and safe

Very soon, there was a knock at the door, and a room service staff handed me a small fruit platter as a welcome amenity. Not bad!

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium welcome amenity - fruits

I decided to skip breakfast (was quite late anyway), and after a shower, went out to meet some friends for lunch.

The hotel itself is located at the junction of Outram Road and Havelock Road, and is in a rather verdant area, with China Town and the Singapore River close by.

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium surroundings

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium surroundings


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium fountain


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium exterior view

Back from lunch, and with a long evening ahead, I decided to nap for a bit. The bed was extremely comfortable, though I'd have preferred firmer pillows.

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium bed

The hotel had this put out in my room, during the evening turndown service.

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium bonus points for going green

I recall Starwood did something similar a few years ago.

I also noticed this in one of the desk draws.

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium work desk

This was the first time I'd heard of Kiblat (or Qibla), and so decided to look it up. Apparently, this is the exact direction of Mecca from within the hotel room, to enable prayers in the correct direction, under Islam. This is mandatory in Malaysian hotels (can't say the same of Singapore, but this hotel had it nonetheless).

The following morning, I woke up rather late, having come back in the wee hours of the morning. I went up to the swimming pool for a quick dip and a few laps. The pool is located on the 6th floor of the hotel, as is the gymnasium.

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium gym and swimming pool


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium swimming pool


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium gym


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium view from swimming pool level


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium swimming pool


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium gym


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium towels for swimming pool

I wanted to make sure I had breakfast (which was part of the room rate, by the way!), because my lunch plans were rather iffy at that point. So I headed down to level 4 where the Atrium Restaurant was.

The place was packed, given it was a Sunday. However, the buffet spread was varied, and going by what I saw, most items on the buffet must have been quite good. In all, they had the usual set of Asian and continental items on the spread, along with fresh fruit, fruit compotes, different types of yogurt and muesli, pancakes, eggs to order, what have you!

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast

There was also a separate kids section for...well, kids, I assume.

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium breakfast


I checked out after noon, having requested for late check out till 2 pm. I had an hour to kill, so I headed to the Lobby Lounge once more - with my own drinks voucher this time - and used it for a beer. Singapore can get pretty warm.

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium beer at the lobby lounge

Overall, I simply loved the stay at the hotel. The staff were really friendly and helpful, food was great, rooms weren't the size of matchboxes and the internet speed was really good. What more can one want from a hotel?

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