Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay

Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay

★★★★★

Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay is the hotel we recommend most often to travellers who want a central, comfortable base without paying for luxury they will not use. It stands on Magazine Road, a few minutes' walk from the Singapore River between Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay, which puts the riverside restaurants, bars and the river walk to Marina Bay right on your doorstep. The 442 rooms are modern and practical, with floor-to-ceiling windows, good beds, power-shower bathrooms and smart storage; they are not large, but they are well designed for a city stay. The big surprise for an Express hotel is the roof: a 40-metre swimming pool with whirlpools and views over the city, which is a genuine asset in Singapore's heat and much better than the pools at many pricier hotels. Breakfast is included in most rates, a hot-and-cold buffet that saves time and money, with a grab-and-go option for early starts, and there is a 24-hour fitness centre. Fort Canning MRT is about seven minutes' walk, giving quick access to Chinatown, Little India and the Botanic Gardens on the Downtown Line, and Clarke Quay MRT is close too. Chinatown is a fifteen-minute walk, and the Civic District's museums, Fort Canning Park and the Merlion are all within walking distance along the river. What you do not get is full service: there is no restaurant beyond breakfast and no room service to speak of, but with Clarke Quay's restaurants and the hawker centres of Chinatown nearby, few guests miss it. For first-timers, families on a budget and couples who plan to be out all day, it is the best-value base on the river.

Why it works: location and the pool do most of the heavy lifting. Evenings can start with a swim at sunset on the roof, then a ten-minute stroll down to the river for dinner at Robertson Quay or drinks at Clarke Quay. Mornings start with the free breakfast and a short walk to the MRT. The hotel is busy, efficient and generally very clean, and the staff handle large volumes of guests well.

Room craft: ask for a high floor for better views and less street noise, and request a room facing the city rather than the neighbouring buildings. Rooms with two beds suit friends or a parent and child; families of four may need two rooms. The pool gets busiest in the late afternoon, so early mornings are calmest.

Practicals: 2 Magazine Road; check-in from 2pm; Fort Canning MRT about seven minutes' walk; on-site parking for a daily charge. Note that e-vaporisers are illegal in Singapore, which the hotel highlights to guests. Fit: first trips, budget-minded couples and families, and anyone who wants the river at the door.