JEN Singapore Tanglin by Shangri-La

This hotel is super convenient, just about 100 meters from Orchard Boulevard MRT station. Singapore is small, so getting around to all the city attractions via different MRT lines is a breeze. It's also really close to the Botanic Gardens, which are absolutely stunning and a must-visit. The breakfast was pretty standard. They have fresh juices, usually cucumber, beetroot, and watermelon, and occasionally apple, carrot, and starfruit. Sometimes you'll find rose apples among the fruit selection, which is a nice touch. The Chinese master chef at the noodle station was great; he'd greet everyone with such positive energy every morning. Both noodle dishes were decent, but the other breakfast options really weren't good. The durian ice cream, however, was alright.

It's pretty good, and worth the price. Although the hotel is a bit old, it's well-maintained. The staff greets you, and there's one front desk person who speaks Chinese.

This hotel is super close to Orchard Road MRT station, practically right outside the exit! I've been in Singapore for a few days and haven't needed a single taxi, relying entirely on the MRT and LRT, which has been incredibly convenient. The hotel pool isn't huge, but the water is really clean and it's never crowded. We arrived on an early flight, and a front desk staff member who spoke Chinese was a lifesaver, letting us check in early – we really appreciated that! There's a small mall directly opposite the hotel's restaurant, with a supermarket and other eateries in the basement. On the ground floor, there's a Starbucks where you can grab Merlion bear souvenirs, and it's never too busy. Just a heads up, a bottle of water at 7-Eleven can set you back over 10 RMB, and Starbucks is around 30 RMB. The hotel provides drinking water, and you can find public drinking fountains at attractions too, so definitely bring your own reusable bottle to avoid paying for their expensive water.