This is a delayed post, but since I stumbled on another clever website, it brought me back several months ago around May. I remember scouring online for places to stay for a Singapore sidetrip. Criterias were: centrally located to where the action is (near train stations preferrably), reasonably priced, decent reviews and with breakfast provided. Even my brother got into it and we were presented with a spectrum of choices for the posh hotel, mid-range hostel and the backpackers’ lodges. The problem was ultimately selecting which one. And I usually go for the polar extremes. It’s either we go completely cheapo and crash out in those chain-hostels that dot the city (a couple of which have some really dubious reviews as to location and price) or max out credit with swanky riverside and heritage hotels (a couple of which also have confusing reviews as to quality and price). I was so ready to go for the riverside places, but really could not decide if it was worth splurging…
Thankfully, when I was on my main vacation destination (Davao, my hometwown), I met up with a couple of former colleagues. Amidst food, conversations, drink and more drink, several recommendations from a Singaporean friend of my friend came up. So the following morning, at a not so decent waking up time, I started searching Hotel Rendevous, Hangout Hotel and Fragrant Hotels. Thanks to tripadvisor reviews and checking out each candidate’s website credentials, I was able to study the chosen ones. So in the end and for just a little under US$300, we booked for 3 nights and 4 days at Hangout Hotel @ Mt. Emily(nearest station is Little India, or was it Dhoby Gaut?).
Day 01 – Checking in was no hassle at all, even though my brother and I came in the evening separately at different flights times. Reception was helpful but of course there were no bellhops. They were quite clear on that at their website. The whole place has the feel of a hip, compact but cleverly-designed (and marketed) lodgings for the budget smart traveller.
good friend Connie testing the divan/ottoman by the reception
Night 01. Pictures you see in their website are what you get. Our room with twin bed was economical to decent-sized (probably tiny to western standards) and window was overlooking pool of the next building and the skyline of the city. In lieu of a closet, there was a tall hanger rod with a cabinet with sliding panels in the lower part. That gadget is quite common in Asia, either for drying clothes or just hanging them. I’d put a picture in, but our faces are plastered all over…on the other hand, what the heck 🙂
ignore the faces, only imagine the hanger
Day 02. Breakfast buffet was surprisingly pleasant with two main dishes (eggs & sausages) to go with your bread/roll (self-toasted or not). Cereal is a staple along with butter and jams. Beverages include coffee (brewed, at least), orange juice and water. At that price, can’t complain. A couple of western families with small kids were there as well as big groups of Asian families. My first impression was that this was more for solo or couples travelers, glad it was not so.. Quickly scouting the place in daylight showed us the Veg-out level with free access to PCs and internet (though they also have wi-fi throughout), Wash-out for your laundry, Patio for smokers and the roofdeck. Then we headed out for a day reserved for Sentosa Park and the Universal Studios.
Day 03. After the usual breakfast, we decided to just roam the city on foot, by bus and by train. Thankful for my friendly guide there. But got so tired of walking we had to return to Hangout for respite. From the station, this is the stairs that go through a park (which is nice and refreshing) with the hotel at the top. I think there’s another flight of stairs behind the hotel if you want to go to the other station in the opposite direction.
we were lagging behind my brother
After naps, only then did we start the evening at Esplanade, walking along the promenade and catching an amazing water and light show near the Marina Bay Sands.
glad we caught this just in time
We ended the evening late stretching to really early morning at Clarke Quay. Even got to enjoy local flavor at Bah Kuh Teh and a random riverside seafood restaurant (not in the glitzy side of CQ).
Day 04. At the crack dawn, sadly, we had to check out. My brother had to go back to Davao and I have to face almost 15 hours more travel to reach the Middle East.
In the end, the stay was fairly alright. I’d recommend though that the hotel use air fresheners or those organic potpourri. Or just shampoo the carpet more as it gives off a musty, old smell. Plus, changing the shower curtain would be nice. It’s not for everyone for sure, (no room service, no TV in rooms, only basic amenities) but the experience was interesting. Overall, everything else was clean and efficient and really a bang for your buck/peso. And look, they have a shower-dipping pool at the roof deck too..
look out at the roof deck
XS: about the clever website at the beginning of this post, the airbnb also sounds really cool and we might have tried that if I knew about it earlier… Reserve for next time then!
arkitrix 