ibis Singapore, the latest addition to Accor – an international hotel group – welcomed its first guest at 11am on 2 April 2011. It is the second ibis hotel in Singapore and is positioned as a three-star international brand hotel which offers a value-for-money proposition for both business and leisure travellers keen on comfortable accommodation at an affordable price. It is also an ideal hotel for affordable staycations with its close proximity to the Central Business District (CBD) and the Orchard Road shopping belt.

PassportChop had the opportunity to review ibis Novena Singapore through a weekend staycation. Each of ibis Singapore Novena’s 241 rooms are equipped with modern facilities e.g. 32-inch LCD TV, complimentary broadband and Wi-Fi internet access. The work desk is wide enough to accommodate a laptop and a number of documents and files – perfect for the busy executive on a business trip. Guests can also enjoy the view of the surroundings through the large bay windows in each room, by the wide and comfortable settee around the work desk. Guests can find all that they need for a leisurely staycation (including a comfortable queen-size bed which can be separated into 2 single beds) in this room. While the rooms are not very big, you don’t feel boxed in or claustrophobic due to the 3-meter high ceiling – the timber flooring adds to the classy contemporary look of the rooms.

The bathroom/toilet is small but adequate – with soap and clean towels. ibis Singapore Novena is also doing its bid to save the environment with a combined 2-in-1 shampoo/body wash dispenser in the shower area. Guests might want to bring their preferred shampoo and body wash if they are not used to multi-purpose shampoo/body wash solutions – there are convenience stores along Balestier Road where you could get your favourite brand of shampoo.

ibis Singapore Novena’s Oopen Pasta & Grill Restaurant which offers pork-free and lard-free Asian and Western cuisines for all meals, is located on the ground floor adjacent to the hotel reception. It is also an in-house bar with a wide selection of international beer, wine and spirits – you can also choose to chill out with their wide range of non-alcoholic drinks.

Breakfast is served at this restaurant from 6am to 10am. The buffet breakfast spread also covers various Asian and Western cuisines e.g. nasi lemak, porridge, sausages and scrambled eggs. There is also a good selection of croissants and cereals with fresh milk and fruit juice.

ibis Singapore Novena is located north of the Singapore CBD, only 2 MRT stations to Orchard Road and 5 MRT stations to City Hall. It is also near the Singapore medical hub at the Novena area where a number of hospitals, specialist clinics and medical centre are located. Along Balestier Road, there are also buses which go straight to the cities. There are also 2 large shopping centres in Novena – Velocity (which specialises in sporting equipment) and Novena Square 2 (which sells just about everything and host to a wide range of food outlets catering to different cuisines).

Balestier Road is also home to a wide range of shops selling bathroom/lighting/home accessories and furniture so ibis Singapore Novena would also be a perfect base for homeowners shopping for such items – a weekend staycation where the day could be spent gathering quotes and ideas for home decor before settling back at the hotel just a quick 5-minute walk away for discussion and comparison of the quotes in the evening.

Room rates for ibis Singapore Novena hotel starts from SGD138++ – do check out http://www.ibishotel.com/7451 for special promotions and room deals if you are planning a visit to Singapore and looking for an affordable hotel with close proximity to the city.

Address of ibis Singapore Novena Hotel
6 Irrawaddy Road Singapore 329543
http://www.ibishotel.com/7451
Tel: (65) 68089888