D'Hotel Singapore managed by The Ascott Limited

The room was spacious, and the shower had good pressure and temperature. Staff were friendly at check-in, and the lobby was a nice place to relax. Ana at reception was especially kind. There are some annoying details, though: the rooms are close to the stairways and elevators, and the floors are small, so doors opening and closing day and night can be frustrating, especially with noisy neighbours. Sound insulation is poor. Each bed has just one pillow, and there isn't a water boiler in the room. The lobby staircase is awkward if you have larger luggage.

The rooms didn't look like the photos we booked from. There was a constant damp smell, and water leaked from both the toilet and the shower. Looking at earlier reviews, I saw similar problems reported three years ago. Staff were polite, but cleaning was inconsistent and the general upkeep fell short of what I'd expect from a four-star hotel. It felt like two stars at best. We paid far too much for what we got, and the experience dampened our time in Singapore. I wish we'd chosen somewhere else.

The hotel was fully booked when I checked out, so it seems to be a popular choice with travellers. I stayed there because I had a course at SGH, and it was good value for exploring the nearby area. Tiong Bharu has plenty of food, including the nearby tiong bharu hawker, and the hotel is about a 5-10 minute walk from two MRT stations. My room was clean and had basic tea and coffee. There was no breakfast, which was a letdown, though the lobby had some snacks and water. To make do, there's a small kitchen area with a microwave, kettle and water filter dispenser, plus two vending machines outside selling instant noodles and snacks. I guess guests are expected to eat noodles for breakfast or go to the hawker centre.

My room was the biggest I've stayed in so far in Singapore, with lots of space and a nice bathroom. The hotel is on the popular Tiong Bahru street, between Havelock and Outram Park MRT stations. Ana looked after me from check-in through check-out and was very helpful, friendly and informative, which made the stay pleasant. I'd recommend the hotel and come back on another trip to SG.