Wednesday deals: Singapore

Three good spots to rest your head in Singapore

Hi all,

You know when you’re going somewhere you haven’t been before and you open the interwebs search for “hotels in …” and you get eleventy billion results? No? Please tell me your secrets!

So where are we off to for the fifth edition? Crazy expensive Singapore. There is nowhere in Southeast Asia as hard on the wallet as Singapore, and nothing is madder than the hotel and hostel costs—they are bonkers. For each pick, I’ve looked up some prices on our partner Agoda, and listed them along with—as always—the direct contact details for each place. That way you can compare and figure out what works for you. Just a disclaimer here, Agoda is a Travelfish partner, so if you book a room through them a commission may be payable to us.

Cheers

Stuart

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Three cool spots to stay in Singapore this November

For pod-seekers: Wink @ Mosque Street

I don’t know how many times I’ve stayed at Wink over the years—a lot. I used to flit back and forward between Wink and Adler Hostel on South Bridge Road, but the latter changed hands and rebranded over the pandemic, and next time I’m in town I’ll be back at Wink.

Why? The location is excellent. It is close enough to Chinatown’s eating options without being right in the centre of the madhouse. It is well run—on every single stay I’ve had here I’ve found the staff to be great. The pods, well, to a point a pod is a pod is a pod, but these are better than your average pod. It also has a bit a social space—something that is getting rarer as Singaporean hostel-owners work to cram ever more bunks in. This is a popular hostel, and they now have three properties, but the original on Mosque Street is my pick.

On Agoda there are pods on 22-23 November 2023 for S$47 all in, making this good value-for a mid-priced pod in Singapore. Want to compare these to their direct rates? You can contact Wink via the details below.

Wink: 8A Mosque Street, Singapore. T: 9835 6850. https://www.wink.sg/

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Little India with a pool: The Daulat

Little India isn’t the backpacker quarter it once was, but if you’re wanting something a bit spendier and want to stay in this part of town, The Daulat, while a bit hidden away, is worth seeking out.

First the pool. Yes, there is a swimming pool. No, it is not a big swimming pool. It is in fact, the most lap pool lap pool I’ve ever seen. Think a perfect lap pool for one person—or two very close friends. All this is to say manage your expectations!

The rooms however are a good deal. They’re well designed and imaginatively furnished, with little touches that make them that bit more homely than most other hotels in this price bracket in Singapore. They’re also of an almost sensible size, which is really saying something for Singapore.

So who is this going to appeal to? Couples primarily. Oh, and anyone who wants to spend most of their time stuffing face in Little India. The Grand Madras is not far from here and has the same owners, but I think The Daulat is the better of the two.

If you’re looking for a stay here in high season, you will need to book well in advance. On Agoda I did find a superior room on 19-20 November 2023 for S$186 all in, but I think the extra $20 for a deluxe would be money well spent.

The Daulat: 16 Madras Street, Singapore. T: 6802 1069. https://hotelcalmo.co/the-daulat/

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Grown-up backpackers: South East Asia Hotel

I’m going to start here by saying the South East Asia Hotel will not be for everyone. That said, I think it is a great value spot. This is an old school hotel—built back in the day when the size of hotel rooms wasn’t modelled on AirAsia seat size. Ok, they also look like they’d qualify as sets in a Stephen King movie, but that is kind of charming I guess.

Everything else about the place—particularly the bathroom—is old. The TV old. The air-con old. The curtains old. The carpet OMG old. But there is this quirky old world charm to it, that makes it one well worth considering—if you like old things. At this price point, a room costs marginally more than two pods at a hostel, so if you’re backpacking and can’t face another dorm, this is worth considering.

Very friendly and accommodating staff, and the location, on Waterloo Street, is central to Bugis and within easy walking distance of plenty to see and do. Would I stay here again? Yes.

On Agoda I found a standard on 19-20 November 2023 for S$120 all in, and they also have family rooms for around S$200, which (for Singapore) is very good value.

South East Asia Hotel: 190 Waterloo Street, Singapore. T: 6338 2394. http://www.seahotel.com.sg/

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Past editions

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As always, suggestions are both welcome and appreciated. Many thanks to those who have sent me their favourites—they’ve been filed away.

Until next Wednesday then.

Safe and fun travels

Stuart