York Hotel

The York Hotel is a fine bet, with little to complain about for travelers wanting to be near Singapore's most famous retail district -- Orchard Road. It's a modern hotel with rooms spread between a 21-story tower and a 13-floor annex. The large marble-floored lobby is a bit featureless -- a flaw that defines this hotel -- dominated by a large bronze bust of the hotel's founder. The style is classic and eminently beige, with a plant-edged walkway separating the coffee shop and restaurant seating. There's plenty of space, though, and it has a calm atmosphere. Space is, in fact, one of this hotel's major advantages, as rooms are far larger than most we've seen in this category in Singapore. The hotel mainly attracts tourists, especially families and mature couples looking for a quiet base close to the shops. 

The York Hotel is located on Mount Elizabeth -- a quiet, mainly residential road just off the center of Orchard Road. It's a no-through road and neighboring buildings are either hotels or apartments, so traffic is light, though Mount Elizabeth Hospital along the street receives a steady flow of cars. It's less than a 10-minute walk to the shops and malls on Orchard Road from the hotel, and about the same amount of time to Orchard Metro station. Note that the walk back from Orchard Road is uphill. Orchard Metro station is on the North South line, so it's just a couple of stops to Dhoby Gaut for Fort Canning Park, the museums, and connections to Clarke Quay. Expect a 30-minute metro journey to Raffles Place for downtown and the business district. The nearest bus stop is outside Lucky Plaza Mall on Orchard Road, less than a 10-minute walk away, and also links easily to all of the above destinations in about the same transit time. Changi Airport is a 30-minute drive depending on traffic, or can be reached on the metro in about 75 minutes.

The 407 rooms at the York Hotel are spacious -- especially when compared with other Singapore hotels in this category. The style is classic, rendered in pale neutral tones, though it's far from memorable and we spotted just a bit of wear and tear. A variety of configurations are available, including Family Rooms and suites. The main tower houses the Premier Rooms, which are also ideal for families or friend groups (with king-size beds plus two twins). Some rooms have unfurnished balconies. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, safes, flat-screen TVs, fridges, tea/coffee facilities, irons, robes/slippers and free Wi-Fi. Cabana Suites are located beside the pool and have a subtly tropical feel, with tiled floors and dark wood furniture, although previous guests have commented that there can be noise from the pool. Other guests have mentioned hearing noise through the thin walls that separate the rooms. Bathrooms are done up with white tiles and generously sized vanities. They all feature shower/tub combos and hairdryers. Shower curtains and shabby tiling make them look rather tired, and they could do with updating.

Features here aren't numerous, but sufficient enough for travelers who only need a few basic extras. A pleasant outdoor pool area is a welcome addition in steamy Singapore. It has two pools, including a shallow kids' pool, plus a whirlpool raised on stone steps. The space is fairly private, despite being surrounded by high-rises, due to the many palm trees, and there are loungers and chairs down each side. A poolside bar serves drinks and food throughout the day and there's a small fitness room overlooking the pool, with a handful of cardio and weight machines plus free weights. The lobby-level White Rose Cafe serves a variety of Western and Asian dishes from breakfast to dinner, while the coffee shop across the walkway has a good selection of pastries, cakes, and drinks. Room service is offered 24 hours a day. There's a business center, hair salon, and a small gift shop on the ground floor and there are eight function rooms in varying sizes, some with audiovisual systems. Wi-Fi is free, as is parking.