Purchased a great accommodation deal thru SIA Holidays and chose the Allson Hotel as it was the cheapest 3-star option and the TA reviews generally gave it a decent score. The deal included airport transfers and a half-day city tour and one nights free accommodation. When I arrived at the hotel, the concierge on the 1st floor (Ground floor for Oz travellers) offered to hold my luggage whilst I checked-in at reception which was up the escalator on the 2nd floor (1st floor). The receptionist was quite indifferent, unforunately. She hardly looked at me and I had difficulty understanding her English (probably my fault there). So I refrained from asking her too many questions. However, the process was quick and efficient.

I discovered that I was upgraded to a Premier room as there weren`t any smoking rooms available for my 5 day stay. As mentioned in previous reviews, the smoking floor hallway had a strong residual aroma of smoke, but surprisingly not in the room. The room was on the 8th floor and had a view to the south where I could see a quarter of the Flyer thru the vista of skyscrapers. It was well appointed, functional and very clean and the bed was extremely comfortable. The room-controlled air-con provided a wonderful refuge from the oppressive heat that Singapore can provide. The hotel pool was also a welcome relief. Accessed from the 5th floor corridor, you take the outside stairs down to level 4. It`s mostly exposed to the sun but there are areas of shade and blue pool towels are available for guests.

Daytours from Allson may mean a pickup from outside the adjoining hotel at the rear - Hotel Royal @ Queens. It backs on to the Allson and is on Queen St. Access is thru the sliding doors on the reception level past the tour desk. This also makes it convenient if you`re going to visit places north of Victoria St. There is an evening bar on this level as well.

As a guest, I was able to enjoy the breakfast buffet at half-price (SGD18) in the hotel`s Café Fontainebleau which also operates buffets for lunch and dinner - plus set menus. The staff there are very welcoming and attentive. The food was varied and plentiful. Western and Asian palates are catered for, but the quality I`d say was only average. There is another, more formal and upmarket, restaurant attached to the hotel as well.

My accommodation deal afforded me the slightly later checkout time of midday. It also provided the option of an even later checkout (up to 4pm) subject to Allson`s availablilty. As I was not departing for the airport until 6pm, I requested this option the day before and reception graciously allowed me a 3pm checkout. The TV even counted down before switching off 25 mins before checkout time. It certainly gave me a hurry on. They have a luggage holding system and they also advised that there were shower facilities available for checked-out guests before their departure from the hotel.

As I was fortunate to receive an upgrade from my booked Deluxe room, a lot of my expectations were often surpassed in that capacity. But the general service, facilities and features of the hotel were excellent. Its location is practically perfect. So when you look at all the Allson has to offer, it is extremely good value. I`d certainly stay there again and would definitely recommend it to others… even without a special deal.