Accommodation is always expensive in Singapore not only for the locals but also for the visitors. The price range for an average hotel relatively close to downtown is around 100SGD which is more or less 100USD or 60EUR. If you plan to stay more than a couple of days, it is sort of pricy for an ordinary hotel and makes quite a bit of money. On the other hand, there are some cheaper hostel options at Geylang where is the so called red light of Singapore is located "only during the nights"! Thus people, in general, are shocked how the neighborhood transform from day to night and escapes on the very next day... or not! Those hostels are mostly preferred by workforce influx as a temporary accommodation. It is really a matter of perception to stay around the area if you are a short time visitor who would like to enjoy the city and meet new travelers like you.
There is another option that you can experience an accommodation quite similar to the hostels in Europe. Fernloft hostel I stayed is located on East Coast Rd, 20 minutes away from the airport and 15 minutes away from the Marina Bay downtown. It is actually a part of a hostel chain with 5 hostels in Singapore and Malaysia. It has not only standard dorm rooms but also two double rooms if you want a bit of privacy. There are three dorms rooms: one 10 people mixed and two 6 and 4 people female rooms. The price range varies between 20-32.5SGD per person-night depending on your selection. Whatever you pick among the rooms, the hostel is quite small that you always end up in the same, cozy, friendly and warm meeting space. There is a dining-TV-internet room with a big table where you can have your free breakfast. Don't expect something much more than a standard hostel breakfast you can have, for example, in a hostel in Paris but it was kind of better for me since no body counts your bites. Though, the coffee, kopi!, was great. You can always bring your food an have it there, as well. There is a food court on 5 minutes walking distance. There you can have local food. If you want to stay cool, there is also a McDonald's 20 meters away. The visitors of the hostel are mostly backpackers, bikes and students from all around the world. Hence, you always have the environments to meet new people with whom you can share your experiences. I have met very nice people there. Everybody shares their experiences of the day with the others in the hostel and the rest of the world online. The hostel offers free broadband wireless connection so that you can post anything and everything online, make phone calls etc. There is also a nice computer at your disposal if you don't carry your laptop like me. It has a printer connected but you have to pay per page.
If we need to come to more vital facilities, there are two restroom/showers at your disposal for the personal care. At the beginning, you might think that they cannot be enough but finally you don't wait too long to get in. There is a washing machine and a dryer and cleaning agents. There is a small fee for those but that can quite essential sometimes under the burning sun of Singapore. You can barrow towels for 2GSD if you need and finally there is a balcony to breath or smoke! All of the rooms and common spaces are air conditioned and very comfortable, even a bit chilly during the night. No fans no useless stuff. That is very nice for a 20 dollar bed.
There is no time restriction to get in and out of the hostel but you have to take off your shoes and slipper at all time you are in the hostel. But don't worry! No body steels anything. If you want to keep your stuff even safer, you can always bring a lock and use the free locker reserved for you in the room.
The staff is quite kind and friendly. They really don't bother you at all like to other visitors. The environment was so calm and friendly, I was really impressed. There is a sports bar right downstairs where you can enjoy a cold beer or one of their nice burgers.
All and all, I really enjoyed Fernloft hostel, frankly much more than the ones I stayed in Europe, and I can recommend it without any hesitation. If you once plan to pass by Singapore, I advise you check out this website, http://www.fernloft.com/ . Not only because it is a cheap option but also it is a very good value. Regarding the other posts for more accommodation options, you can check out Kata Beach Center Hotel in Phuket, Thailand, Ecosfera Hotel in Bali, Indonesia and Omni Tower Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
Fernloft (Singapore) @ East Coast Contact Details
Location: 693A, East Coast Road, Singapore 459058
Tel: +65 6449 9066 / +65 9875 0875
Fax:+65 6449 9066
Email Add : eastcoast@fernloft.com
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