Neighborhood and Singapore often do not go together. Few downtown areas are walkable, but the Orchid Hotel is one of them. We stayed in 3 different hotels during our Singapore visit- this hotel near chinatown, and one in Orchard Rd and one in the Marina Bay area. Even though the other hotels were far more luxurious, this hotel is one I'd revisit over the others. Reasons? Location. Singapore is a beautiful city with modern infrastructure and great sightseeing, however at the end of the day, I prefer staying in a location that had easy walkability and sights that are not found at home.

The Orchid hotel is on Tanjong Pajar, just steps from countless great eateries and bars. Chinatown is a few walkable blocks away, with it's temples and night market and access to everything imaginable. There's a small but managable hawker market and fruit/veg market just across the street, where we spent a few bucks each morning for delicious breakfasts, and Maxwell center is just down the way for endless other local delicacies including the Michelin famous chicken rice. Equidistant the other way is Amoy center, with two stories of more hawker stalls including a curry puff stall that sells pure nirvana. Aside from food though, the well preserved streets (such as AnnSiang) of old chinatown facades lends to an aura of authenticity that urban Singapore sorely lacks.

The hotel itself is perfectly fine. The front desk is polite and helpful, and the facility is clean with comfortable beds. Furnishings are similar to a Courtyard from 10-15 years ago, and amenities such as soap, TP, and towels are metered out carefully. Beds are comfortable, however if you book a two queen bed room and have 3 people you will get charged $50 per night for the third, even if using existing bedding. AC is good. Hotel pool is fine for laps, even if heavily chlorinated. There are large chinese tour groups at the hotel, but really only seen in AM or PM as they are gone touring most of the day. We did not waste $22 pp on the breakfast, as the options elsewhere were plentiful and much less $.

Though the location to the "main" sights was farther, it was just as accessible from this hotel with Grab or taxi as it was from our other hotels. Costs to MBS or Gardens by the Bay were about 6-8 singapore dollars, or less than 2$ via MRT which was located just a block away out the front door.

Had 2 nights here before a cruise. Excellent service on arrival and departure with friendly staff. Good location with MRT under the building just across the small park in front of the hotel. Good food options in the MRT food hall and in the streets around the hotel. Supermarket across the street. Walk to Maxwell hawker, Buddha museum & central Chinatown. Room was quiet and everything was clean & well maintained. Wifi was included and worked well. This is an affordable, quiet and convenient hotel with friendly and helpful staff.