Caroline Liang checks into the Park Hotel, Clark Quay, in Singapore

The check-inexperience: Was friendly and efficient. Our bags were delivered quickly to the room; a requested extra bag table also arrived soon. We chose this place because we wanted somewhere central and close to the river, and we preferred a place that came with breakfast included.

The hotel’s style: It’s a Raffles-style modern Singapore hotel with light colours throughout.

Cost: $200 per night. We were there from July 22-26. The room: We were in No 437 — a twin-bed room overlooking the pool at Fort Canning Park. There’s a kettle and fridge plus a desk but no way to brew coffee. The room was the smallest we encountered on our trip.

The bathroom: Has a bath with a hose shower and a rain head. The toiletries were the hotel’s own brand. But the bathroom doesn’t have a plug socket, and

there are no facecloths provided (as is normal in Singapore).

What’s in the neighbourhood: Singapore River is 50m away, the restaurants of Clark Quay are 300m, the Fort Canning station on the MRT (subway) is a three-minute walk. A 30-minute walk along the river gets you to Harbourfront, the site of Marina Bay.

Hotel facilities: The restaurant serves sizeable breakfasts — there’s an espresso machine and a to-order egg cook. A pool which was cool enough for swimming lengths.

Wi-Fi: Fast and reliable — even strong at the pool. I worked at the pool quite a bit!

Noise: Some road noise, but not a problem. Website: parkhotelgroup.com/en/clarkequay Stay again? Definitely — this place is stylish and central.