HIX (Holiday Inn Express) Orchard Singapore.

[markis10]

My first real stay at a HIX so I was keen to see what they are like. This property has only just opened, it has 16 floors and is a new build so everything has that new feeling, including the staff (checkin took a while).

Location: Great, about halfway between Somerset and Orchard MRT stations, on Bideford Rd (diagonally across from my old corporate hang out at Ngee Ann City). There is construction next door, request a north facing room if that's going to be an issue re noise.

Rate: I used points (20000) which is around $130 worth, going rate for the night was SGD $209 so points made sense, with reward stays now counting to status and this being a different brand to what's locally available back home (with regard to status qual accelerator) and no upgrades possible, I was not missing out on anything.

Room: Small but adequate, it was quite warm as the aircon was off and took a while to cool the room. There is no minibar (already visited 7-11 inbound) but there is a fridge, two bottles of water and tea and coffee. The clock radio has a generic non lightning IPOD connector and a USB socket at the back, having left the Ipad charger at home I was glad to see this, while its not a 2.1A outlet it managed to recharge the IPad overnight.

The shower door is also the bathroom door, so its one or the other, two friends travelling mind find privacy an issue should the toilet be needed with the other is showering for instance.

 

[markis10]

Breakfast is included in all rates and offers a pretty good spread considering its free, there is a choice of four hot dishes, scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, dim sum and fried me hoon. There is also pastries and the normal continental fare, all very fresh.

Compared to some Executive lounges, this was a reasonable spread.

 

[markis10]

There is also a takeaway breakfast option including a pastry, fruit and drink on offer.

 

[markis10]

Other facilities on offer.

The hotel has two macs in the lobby as its business centre otherwise there is nothing else. Room service consists of takeaway menus from the likes of KFC that deliver, alternatively a limited selection of food and drinks including beer etc is on offer in the dining area/ bar. There is no pool, spa or gym on the premises.

Conclusion.
This hotel is great if your needing a base for shopping etc and don't intend to spend much time in the hotel. It's facilities are adequate, free breakfast and WiFI adding value while location is also good. If you after a low cost (for Singapore) short stay that earns points and you want to get good value for your points, its hard to go past this hotel (once you find it given the adjacent construction).

 

[DGW]

Thanks for this. I'm off to Singapore for the first time on an expedia.br special in late-November and have plenty of PC points up my sleeve, the HIX looks like a good option.

 

[Cynicor]

Other facilities on offer.

The hotel has two macs in the lobby as its business centre otherwise there is nothing else. Room service consists of takeaway menus from the likes of KFC that deliver....

That is awesome! is there a hotel markup? Most room service is so overpriced and I've never had the KFC delivery there. Would try it just for novelty factor.

P.s. For any KFC lovers, the store in Raffles City has the Double Down permanently...

 

[markis10]

That is awesome! is there a hotel markup? Most room service is so overpriced and I've never had the KFC delivery there. Would try it just for novelty factor.

P.s. For any KFC lovers, the store in Raffles City has the Double Down permanently...

No markup, its just part of the island wide service AFAIK, the HIX have just provided menus etc. Ordering can be done online:

www.kfcdelivery.com.sg

 

[Cynicor]

No markup, its just part of the island wide service AFAIK, the HIX have just provided menus etc. Ordering can be done online:

www.kfcdelivery.com.sg

Even better then! I just feel a bit rude getting deliveries of food in a hotel, and some specifically prohibit it. Won't be staying there anytime soon, but I love the concept. Heard about Hilton NYC stopping their room service (permanently? at night only?) IIRC.

 

[docjames]

Looks like a fairly standard HIX.

I've always found HIX great value and used them a lot (if you're prepared to have "just the basics").

 

[serfty]

Used a HIX at TLS a year or two ago. Cost 15000 points.

Impression was more or less the "Hampton Inn" of the IHG.

 

[Mal]

Have tried the other two HIX in SIN. Fairly similar really. At the right price they are good value if you want a clean bed and room.

 

[markis10]

Have tried the other two HIX in SIN. Fairly similar really. At the right price they are good value if you want a clean bed and room.

What other two, HIX Clarke Quay (yet to open ) and ????

 

[DGW]

I'm at this hotel now and so far, I like it. Check in was hassle free when I arrived at around 5pm yesterday, and the staff have otherwise been good. I'm downstairs having brekky now and it's a pretty good selection with continental and local hot options.

As markis noted the rooms are small, but clean and the aircon was pumping for my arrival which was appreciated. I was surprised to find there were no toiletries in the room (shampoo, conditioner, bar soap etc) however that's a minor annoyance and I was able to pick this stuff up at the 7 Eleven a couple of minutes up Orchard Rd.

This is my first trip to Singapore and it's only a brief one so I'm already thinking about coming back in Feb/Mar next year, and for 20k points per night I'll stay here again.

 

[markis10]

I'm at this hotel now and so far, I like it. Check in was hassle free when I arrived at around 5pm yesterday, and the staff have otherwise been good. I'm downstairs having brekky now and it's a pretty good selection with continental and local hot options.

As markis noted the rooms are small, but clean and the aircon was pumping for my arrival which was appreciated. I was surprised to find there were no toiletries in the room (shampoo, conditioner, bar soap etc) however that's a minor annoyance and I was able to pick this stuff up at the 7 Eleven a couple of minutes up Orchard Rd.

This is my first trip to Singapore and it's only a brief one so I'm already thinking about coming back in Feb/Mar next year, and for 20k points per night I'll stay here again.

The toiletries are on the wall as in dispensers, don't expect high brow contents though. Also note there is a ice machine on the fourth floor, along with a laundry and snack machine, both of which have trouble taking the new coins.

 

[DGW]

The toiletries are on the wall as in dispensers, don't expect high brow contents though. Also note there is a ice machine on the fourth floor, along with a laundry and snack machine, both of which have trouble taking the new coins.

Yeah I saw those but wasn't confident on the contents, plus I'm strictly a bar soap man. Next time I'll pack some from my extensive collection of hotel toiletries...

Thanks for your initial post on this hotel markis. If I hadn't seen it this place mightn't have been on my radar.

 

[get me outta here]

Also, found HIX Clarke Quay SIN, opening next year specials
Announcements
OPENING SOON!

Book now for 1st April 2014 onwards, enjoy our Opening Special starts from SGD 180++ per night, inclusive of free breakfast and wi-fi throughout the hotel.

 

[erkpod]

That is awesome! is there a hotel markup? Most room service is so overpriced and I've never had the KFC delivery there. Would try it just for novelty factor.

P.s. For any KFC lovers, the store in Raffles City has the Double Down permanently...

I had KFC delivered to my hotel in the Hong Kong a couple of years ago. It was awesome! Did it online which was handy considering my lack of language apart from English.

 

[Dino84]

Thanks for the report, thinking of staying at the HIX Clarke Quay when it opens next year. Might have to try the KFC delivery too.

Scott.