I was happy to see that there is now a more affordable option with SPG in Singapore. I used to live and work on the Little Red Dot and like try different hotels every time I come back for a visit.

Found this of SGD 159++ per night. I booked the Deluxe City View and was upgraded as a Plat to Premium City View...

Location

It's located near Robertson Quay, which is somehow near Clarke Quay and Chinatown. You could walk from both those touristy areas to the hotel. It's not that far but it's just hot and humid. It's on a stretch of Havelock Road that has all these old school hotels: Miramar, Copthorne King, Furama but also the brand new M Social, Intercontinental Clarke Quay and the Warehouse (Design Hotel participating in SPG). 

No nearby MRT. You'd have to go for Clarke Quay station. But, there are at least 3 or 4 bus lines that stop right in front of the hotel. And these lines are are super convenient, they will take you directly to Great World City, Harbour Front, Chinatown to the West, Orchard Road to the North, City Hall, Bugis, Kallang, Geylang to the East. So if navigating the bus system doesn't scare you, it's pretty convenient. 

Lots of restaurant options (more like Western types restaurants than local eateries) as well as bars right along the river. It's quite a posh area nearby with lots of expats (Rivervalley, Robertson Walk, Orchard). For cheaper and more local feel, just head to Chinatown. Taxi drivers know where the hotel is, no issues there. Paid around SGD 35 from Changi airport on a Saturday late afternoon. Less than 30 minutes as there was absolutely no traffic.

That big black building is the new Intercontinental, still not opened (my stay was early August). Clarker Quay is where those two orange towers are (Novotel Clarke Quay).

Check In

Check-in was easy, efficient and friendly. A doorman is there to help you carry your luggage (he was quite old, I felt bad but he insisted). The Front Desk has 2 podiums I think. Only 1 was manned (it was around 7PM) and only after a few seconds, the Guest Services Manager showed up and greeted my by name, thanking me for being Plat blablabla and handed me her card. I have to say, I was really impressed. Very professional, very friendly. I booked the lowest cat room, Deluxe City View and got upgraded to a Premium City View... I was hoping for River View actually haha.

Late check-out at 4PM was granted, no issue at all. I chose the breakfast instead of the 250 points since FPs don't have a Club/Lounge floor.

Went up to my room without my bags as they would bring them. There are 6 elevators so that's super convenient and they were quite fast.

Room

When I entered the room, I was a bit surprised.... you litteraly walk into the room. Not sure how to describe this but there is not small hallway or separation. As soon as you open the door, you're in front of your bed. The room is ok size, not huge but not minuscule (I've seen worse in Singapore). Just a minute later, the Guest Services Manager was ringing and was with the doorman and my suitcases. She asked if the room was ok and if I needed any assistance. I just said I was surprised by the configuration of the room. She smiled and said "it's how the previous hotel was built, there was not much we could do" in a very polite way.

Room is clean and functional, desk with 2 plugs and 2 more plugs by the bed, one on each side. Safe deposit box, ironing board, small closet and nice bathroom with shower and the usual FP amenities.

They have this smart phone that you can take with you for free for free data and local calls I think. I didn't use it. 2 complimentary bottles of water on the desk and 2 more in the bathroom. No minibar, just an empty fridge for your to store your personal drinks.

Dining

Breakfast was great. Good size buffet with your usual items, a good mix of Asian and Western items. Some items change every day, mostly the Asian items: one day there were coffee custard dumplings, the next day it was red bean paste or kaya. Fruits, and freshly squeezed orange juice!!! It's a small detail but it's just so much better than concentrate. They even had fresh coconut water.

Enough seating, no queue at all. There are some seatings outside as well, on a covered patio next to the river.

Pool

The pool and the gym are on the 5th floor, between the guest rooms and the meetings and function rooms. It's a bit on a smaller side considering the size of the hotel but it's there. The gym is split in two small rooms. One with the treadmills and one with the free weights.

Interesting to note that they have washing and drying machines right next to the gym. It's SGD 10 per machine (don't know about drying).

Service

In general, service was great. Everytime someone from the Front Desk saw, me, they greeted my by name, which is not common at a Four Points (or is it just me). They really try hard to please their SPG members, which is a positive point.

They have a concierge desk as well, combined with some kind of travel/tour agent. They have a shuttle bus that runs to Chinatown and Orchard road, about once per hour but only a few times per day. You need to book your seat in advance as it's not their own shuttle. It picks up people from all the surrounding hotels, including the Holiday Inn Atrium a bit further down the road.

Overall

Overall it was a good stay for the price paid. I've checked some random dates now and the prices are even lower.... I randomly saw some SGD 140++ rates for September weekend.

I'd stay there again, no doubt. If I felt like I wanted to pay a bit more, I'd still book the Westin, love their rooms and pool.