December is already here! Just a few weeks away to a new year. How was 2021 for you? Not gonna lie, moving to 2022 gives me a little anxiety! So many uncertainties, I’m just hoping for a new normal where everyone is safe and healthy from the COVID chaos.
Oh, that could be my resolution and wish for the new year!
For the final month of 2021, the theme or segment rather, for my hotel reviews will focus entirely on the budget and boutique properties in Singapore. They’re are not only incredibly affordable, but also beautiful and quirky in their own ways.
I always want to make my content relatable and by doing this, I’m sure it will cater to hopefully everyone so we can all experience the same thing. However, I still don’t believe in putting up the rates or the price of the hotels cause it doesn’t stay the same. The rate of the rooms fluctuates, depending on the time and date you book. So to avoid inaccuracy, I’ll still refrain from sharing the prices I paid but don’t worry, all of them is definitely lower than $150.
Harbour Ville Hamilton, Singapore [$80-$150]
Located very near to Lavender MRT is the newly-renovated hotel, Harbour Ville Hamilton. I wouldn’t consider this a boutique hotel, but a 3-star budget hotel. Now, let’s not underestimate this property just because it’s a budget hotel. There’s more to this than meets the eye.
Check-in was a fast and efficient process. I was served by a male staff, he was massively courteous and polite. He has that Fullerton-quality service and that is literally very impressive. I asked if they have glasses or paper cups, but like most 3-star branded hotels, they don’t. I was fine because 7-Eleven is only metres away but the way he apologised was so cute and innocent, he was saying sorry repeatedly like my life depended on paper cups.
The hotel itself is rather cute. No doubt, it seems a little rundown. However, it’s in a process of revamping the interior but their lofts are all ready to go!
Do note that since constructions are still going on, it’ll get pretty noisy in the morning so if you’re sensitive to noise, it’s probably best if you wait for a few more months or so.
Let’s go up to my room! The category that I booked was The Loft, that has a maximum capacity of two guests.
The layout and design for the loft was simple and minimalistic which is great cause you won’t be overwhelmed with so many details in one small setting. What greeted me when I opened the door was the living space where the sink and the coffee and tea-making station is.
Nothing complicated about the furnishings here, it was clean and neat. There was also a mini sofa by the entrance, perfect for you to sit and just put your shoe on.
The vanity area was where the toilet amenities like hand soap, toothbrushes and toothpastes are placed too, together on the same counter as the coffee-making station.
Tea and coffee sachets by Dilmah and Nescafe was provided throughout my stay and you could ask for more if you need. Other than the water bottles, a kettle is available too for your hot drinks. What would make the counter more perfect is a coffee machine. Not only it is more efficient, it’ll look aesthetically amazing too. There was certainly a lot of potential to make the property more boujee and posh, but then again, the rate of the rooms will prolly be higher right?
There was also a mini fridge which is located just underneath the counter. I’ll give credit where credit’s due, the mini fridge was functioning really well and it was freezing cold. I mean, you might think that’s common sense right? I don’t know if this ever happened to you, but it’s weird and ironic when minibars in certain 5-star hotels are always warm and not functioning. Instead of turning my drinks cold, it acts as a microwave instead.
It wasn’t a surprise to me that everyday amenities like bathrobes, slippers or iron aren’t provided in the room considering it is a 3-star hotel. However, ample amount of hangers are provided for your usage.
On the ground level too, is the bathroom.
I absolutely love the combination of traditional brick-tiling with the zig-zag ones, it makes the whole design so unique and different.
I must say, the bathroom is the most important aspect for me when I’m booking a room. It has to be clean, spacious and hopefully has a bidet. The bathroom here in Harbour Ville Hamilton checked all my boxes!
As tight as the space can be, the shower space wasn’t that squeezy either. It was perfect! Not only was there a hand-held shower, there’s a rainshower system too which I really prefer. The water pressure was perfect! I know right? That’s really random, I never talked about water pressure before. Some time ago, I saw a video of Kylie Jenner addressing an issue about the water pressure in her shower, then I realised some people would wanna know that too. Really random.
The water heater can get intermittent though. I showered one too many times and I realised, the water can get heated quickly in the afternoon but during the night, it’ll take too long to get heated. I ended up having a cold shower in the wee hours of the night and I truly hate that.
The toiletries provided in the bathroom is unknown, really. The contents are poured into bottles like these so I’m unsure what brand they’re using. Boutique and budget hotels usually opt for this option to cut cost and I honestly applaud that idea. Just imagine the cost of making hundreds, thousands of shampoo bottles only to be discarded later in the end.
Do you know it takes 450 years for plastic to decompose?! Do you know toxic gases are released when plastics are burnt?! I live in Jurong leh, where they burn garbage in Jurong Island, I’ll be breathing the toxic air. Say no to plastic bottles and you’re saving a life, my life!
Hmm, suddenly I’m Greta Thunberg.
Let’s go up to the second floor!
The stairs might be steep for some so be careful! I’m a little afraid of heights, so I literally need to hold on to the railing.
Hold on, you are still strong. Love will soon come, just hold on. Hold on.
Have you heard Adele’s new album, 30? It’s so soothing.
Just like the ground floor, the second level is simple and minimalistic too. Even with the constraint of spaces, they somehow managed to make every corner very practical.
At one end is the work desk, which was massive. A plug socket and an ethernet outlet is available for usage. As spacious as the desk was, it was truly a missed opportunity. An amenities basket or any decorations could be placed there to avoid the space looking dead an empty. A welcome letter could be placed there too! Anything can surely make the space look more lively.
On the other side of the second floor was where the king-sized bed is placed. Of course, beds from 5-star hotels are much more comfortable than this one but there’s really nothing major to complain about.
The pillows were too soft for my liking and only two pieces were provided. I didn’t like the duvet either, it wasn’t thick like the usual ones I always snuggle in.
A tissue roll, remote controls are placed on the bedside table. Light switches, plug sockets and USB slots are also located there for your convenience. Also! I liked how the lights above the bed is dimmable, so you can actually dim it to your own preference. I prefer mine only slightly dark cause I’m so used to sleeping with my moodlight switched on. Notice there isn’t any phones available in the room. It can get really inefficient and frustrating if you have enquiries or need help for your room. Plus, for safety and security reasons, all hotel rooms should have a phone available in all the room categories. You really can’t depend on your mobile phone.
Do you know if someone plants a bomb near you, you can unknowingly activate it just by making a call or send a text through your phone? The situation might be rare, but it can happen anywhere, anytime and to anyone.
The loft also comes with a flatscreen TV, with the local channels. Unfortunately, it isn’t a smart TV so this is where your HDMI cables come in handy. I brought mine, and I was blasting Adele all night long. It was great, not so sure about my neighbours.
Why? Because the walls here are incredibly thin. I don’t know why I said incredibly, there was nothing incredible about it. It was freakishly thin! If you switch off your television, you can literally hear people next door talking, as though they’re just beside you. It gets really annoying cause I’m a light sleeper and the people next door just couldn’t stop laughing and banging the floors. But! Nothing a beautiful singer like Adele couldn’t help. I blasted her new album and not only did it drowned my sorrows, it drowns all the unwanted noise too.
Again, do think twice before booking a room here if you’re sensitive to noise.
I would definitely recommend this hotel to those who wants an affordable staycation with either friends or their loved one. It’s pretty near to the shopping mall and MRT, as well. Since the hotel doesn’t provide in-room dining, City Square mall has a huge variety of food you can choose from!
Also. If you’re a light sleeper like me, this hotel probably won’t be suitable for you. At least for me? I’m fine with the construction noise but hearing conversations from next door was really frustrating for me.
Another tip! Do check our their website and book directly with them for more discounts. I know I said I love TRIP, but sometimes I love to compare the rates from different apps just to see which one is more affordable and worth it.
If you’ve been here, tell me all about your experience! Did you hear conversations from the people next to your room? Or was it just me?