RELC International Hotel

RELC International Hotel was initially built to cater to teachers studying English, but it has since expanded to include all types of travelers, though mostly business travelers and families stay here. The hotel is situated in a stone and glass building with well-maintained interiors. The lobby is modern but a bit clinical with marble tan floors, glossy black and white reception desks, and marble white walls. Like the rooms, public spaces are spacious with little character in the design beyond diamond accented floors and contemporary seating. While it’s a clean and contemporary stay, travelers shouldn’t expect an overwhelmingly upbeat atmosphere or opportunities to interact with other guests. 

RELC International Hotel has a so-so location. It’s decent for those with cars or who don’t mind taking a taxi or the bus (which is a three-minute walk away). Shoppers will appreciate that Orchard Road, a shopper’s paradise, is just a 10-minute walk away. Most restaurants also take about 10 minutes to reach on foot. It takes five minutes by car (or an 18-minute walk) to get to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Downtown Singapore and major attractions like the Gardens by the Bay and Universal Studios take twelve to 16 minutes to reach by car. It’s a 22-minute drive to the Changi Airport. 

When we say these rooms are spacious, we mean it, as they range from 345 to 592 square feet and go up to 1,600 square feet in the apartments. With that said, the decor is generic and slightly dated, with wall-to-wall brown or blue carpeting and simple IKEA-like furniture. Orange statement walls or yellow headboards add a pop of color to the cream and brown decor. Apartments aren’t much different in terms of decor, though they include living rooms with modern art on the walls and contemporary couches with orange accents. Apartments are equipped with kitchens with refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, toasters, utensils, and platter and cookware. Some even have washers and dryers. While rooms aren’t overly impressive, amenities are, as all units are equipped with flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, kettles, and air-conditioning (though they are reportedly noisy). Travelers staying in Deluxe, Executive, or Apartments receive free Wi-Fi routers to use during their trips which provides unlimited data during a stay. Travelers staying in other rooms can rent the router for a small fee per day. Bathrooms are modern with glass showers with waterfall showerheads, Ecogenesis toiletries, and hairdryers. 

With a location that’s somewhat far from downtown Singapore, RELC International Hotel provides enough on-site to keep guests mildly entertained. In the mornings, a simple breakfast buffet is available and can be included in room rates. The small Chinese cafe-style restaurant may not have a big menu, but it offers more than what’s available in the vending machines. The hotel’s fitness center has a handful of cardio machines and some free weights and a weight machine. With 13 meeting rooms, a two-story auditorium, and free Wi-Fi, there’s a lot of features for business travelers to use. A coin-operated laundry room and free parking are also available.