Continuing around the world, our next stop is Singapore for 3 nights. Here’s a fun one, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay. I’ve stayed at this hotel in the past and really enjoyed it, I’m excited to get back and see how the hotel holding up. Sadly, this is the last stop on our trip around the world though.
I can gladly report that the Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is still a great hotel. In fact, I think it’s the best Holiday Inn Express in the world. The rooms are spotlessly clean and comfortable, the roof top infinity pool is an amazing place to cool off on a hot day, the included buffet breakfast is diverse and fresh. Clark Quay is a great place to explore Singapore from. Lastly the lobby’s public spaces and bar are super unique for a Holiday Inn Express.
Bottom Line: Having stayed here multiple times, I would gladly come back to the Holiday Inn Express Clark Quay again and would recommend it to anyone visiting Singapore.
In This Review
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay Location
The Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is located right in the middle of Clarke Quay. It’s not on the Singapore River, but is a less than 5 minute walk to all of the popular Clarke Quay activities. This is also a great area to base yourself for exploring Singapore. There are convenient bus and subway stops all around the hotel.
The Clarke Quay Holiday Inn Express is located on a somewhat quiet street that’s easy to walk down towards the Singapore River and the Clarke Quay shops, restaurants, and night life.
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay Check-in
After our flight in from Da Nang, we arrived at the Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay after dark. This picture of the entrance is from the next morning.
We checked in at the front desk and were told about the hotel and the free breakfast.
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay Queen Room
We walked into the queen room at the Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay and I was glad to see that the Hotel is still in really good shape. It’s been several years since we’ve been here and sometimes hotels don’t age well, that was not the case here. The maintenance and cleaning regime has paid off well. Not a huge room by any means, but more than enough for 2 people and our bags.
The queen bed was very clean and well made up. On both sides of the bed are power to charge devices. There are also individual reading lamps along with lights for the room.
I love a fun alarm clock, this wasn’t one of them. Just a generic alarm clock.
In the corner of the room is a small desk. If you were here for work this would be adequate, but not huge.
Across from the bed is a TV inset into the wall. There’s also a thermostat to control the room temperature.
Near to the front door is a little counter space with a kettle for coffee or tea. Below that is a small fridge to keep drinks cold. There’s also a single luggage rack.
Just behind where the door opens, there is a closet. Nothing fancy here, it is a Holiday Inn Express.
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay Bathroom
Like the rest of the room, the bathroom is of modest size, but is clean and nice. There’s everything you’d expect in a bathroom, but keep in mind there is a sliding door. There’s also a little oddity that the mirror slides open to face the bed too.
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay Breakfast
I’ve said in the past I’m not a huge fan of hotel breakfast. It just doesn’t do it for me, I’d rather go out and get something rather than in the hotel. But here in Singapore at the Holiday Inn Express, we did eat the breakfast and I did enjoy it. The buffet selection is gargantuan. There’s a mix of both Asian, Indian, and western options. Here in the middle is mostly western options.
Along the wall are mostly Indian and Asian hot options. There are also pastries.
Along the back wall there is toast and other toasted pastries like english muffins.
There is the always popular pancake machine. I’m not a fan of these though.
For lighter options there are fruits, jams, and jellies.
In the center there are also cereals with juices and milk to drink.
Hotel breakfast usually is even too boring for me, but here I’m glad we got up and went down. The Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay breakfast is worth the effort.
Seating for breakfast is mostly outside under the cover of the upper floors of the hotel. Lots of space to find a table to eat. The half indoor half outdoor space really reminds me of the Holiday Inn Express Kailua Kona(Review here).
While busy, it never felt over crowded. The buffet was also very well stocked and tables were kept clean and plates cleared.
Lobby and Public Areas
The lobby of the Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay is a pleasant place. It’s a mixture of indoor spaces and outdoor areas. To the right of the front desk is the breakfast area.
From the inside looking outwards towards the fountains some of the seating for breakfast.
Just off the elevator on the guest floor looking down into the lobby. The hallways are all open to the outside.
Lobby Coffee Shop
In the lobby of the Holiday Inn, to the left of the front desk, is a coffee shop that’s open in the mornings and afternoons.
Lobby Bar
Behind the front desk is a well stocked bar. In the evenings lots of people were here enjoying a drink either before or after going out for dinner.
Rooftop Lounge and Pool Area
The rooftop of the Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay is a fun little spot to sit and relax with a drink from the bar. There’s a great view of Singapore at night. It’s also much cooler at night, during the day, maybe not so great.
The view from here was very good. Clark Quay is just outside of the prime business district so looking south is a great view of the modern skyscrapers.
If you’re up on the roof at night, the pool isn’t as enticing.
But during the day time, the pool is a fantastic place to cool off after exploring the city. Singapore is hot, We’re one degree above the equator here, it’s June, yes, the pool is a welcome amenity.
There are plenty of pool chairs to sit and relax. Just again, make sure you bring some sunscreen.
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay Final Thoughts
The Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is a great hotel for visiting Singapore. We’ve stayed here in the past and I was happy to book it again. I’m also glad to report that the hotel has been well maintained and is still a great place to stay. In a city like Singapore, there are plenty of hotel options, including some of the best in the world, but really, I’d rather stay at this Holiday Inn Express.
The Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay’s location in Clarke Quay is great for walking to the river, the busses, and the metro. There are also plenty of cabs parked out front too. The rooms are not huge, but they are clean, comfortable, and well maintained. The free breakfast is actually worth eating, not just crappy eggs and waffles, they have great Asian and Indian options too.
The rooftop pool not only is perfect for cooling off on the hot Singaporean days, but the view of the city is amazing. At night, when the lights are on, its a nice spot to enjoy a drink before going out for dinner.
I’d gladly stay at the Holiday Inn Express Singapore, and I’m pretty sure it’s the best Holiday Inn Express in the world.
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