Hotel 81 Palace

The hotel's Wi-Fi was fast and steady, and the staff were generally friendly, speaking both English and Chinese. Luggage storage was available. When we put up the Do Not Disturb sign, nobody entered; without it, staff replaced towels and took the trash. The room was small and noisy, with sounds from the corridor coming through. It wasn't very clean: some hairs were left behind, and the pillows had stains that couldn't be removed. The blanket and pillows were low quality. There was a kettle, tea and coffee, a hair dryer, and a TV, but no fridge. Instead of bottled water, there was a filtration system by the sink that claimed to provide premium drinking water. Water pressure was very strong. Housekeeping changed the sheets and towels, replenished tea and coffee, and left a toothbrush set. The soap felt more like hand soap than body wash. During the day, the Geylang area felt safe, with inexpensive shops and food stalls serving Chinese and Indian food. The $1 SGD curry puff is worth trying. The neighborhood is mostly Indian and Chinese residents. At night, though, sex workers and people loitering on the streets made it feel uncomfortable. Walking past them could be awkward. I wouldn't recommend this area to women traveling alone; going with friends and dressing modestly may help avoid unwanted attention. The hotel was acceptable, but nothing special. You can save money on food and lodging in this less touristy area, or pay more to stay somewhere more comfortable and touristy.

The surrounding area may feel intimidating, especially for solo women, so it's worth staying alert. Some men stood outside, but they didn't bother anyone. There are adult-related activities nearby, but they're outside the hotel and unrelated to its service. The location may not suit people wanting to explore the city. Inside, the hotel was clean, and my room felt cozy. The blanket was a little stiff, but everything else was well maintained. Service from check-in through checkout was genuinely 5/5. The receptionist kindly let me leave a little later, which I appreciated. I was satisfied with my stay.

The kind Chinese man at the front desk, I forgot to get his name for a shoutout, was really friendly and helpful. Keep it up. I've found staff at other 81 hotels kind of cold, especially when asking about rooms, even when I greet them and ask politely. I'd come back to 81 palace in the future because of this kindness. ☺️

The hotel is surrounded by brothels, though there are some good, inexpensive places to eat nearby. My room was so tiny that I had to live out of my suitcase for all five nights. They made the bed and changed the towels daily, but never cleaned the room.