The Serangoon House Little India, Singapore, a Tribute Portfolio™ Hotel

Our family had a very unpleasant stay at Serangoon House, Little India. The room was extremely cramped and badly laid out. All six of us got hurt at different times because there wasn't enough space and the movement areas were sharp and tight. That felt unsafe and impractical for a family, not just cozy. The toilet door also had no lock, a basic amenity that should be there, especially for a family. When we raised the problems, staff didn't acknowledge them or offer a solution. They gave the nonsensical excuse that “this is how the architect designed it,” which doesn't make the poor usability or discomfort acceptable. Breakfast was very disappointing, with few options and low quality, more like an afterthought than a proper hotel breakfast. Room service staff argued with us when we asked for basic things like dental kits or extra towels, which shouldn't require a debate. The hotel fell short on basic comfort, amenities, professional service and family-friendly design. I strongly discourage families, or anyone expecting reasonable comfort, from staying here. It wasn't worth the price and was far below expectations.

We spent four nights at Serangoon on holiday and booked three rooms. Little India and the Singapore MRT are nearby, and guests craving Indian food can find hotels nearby. The rooms were very small, perhaps 60 square feet each, with bunk beds to fit four guests per room. The restroom had no faucet, which was uncomfortable. Breakfast was complimentary but very limited: one starter, one main, one side and one beverage, brought out as ordered rather than served buffet-style. No airport pickup or drop-off was arranged.

As a Marriott Vacation Club member, I found the experience at Serangoon Hotel disappointing. We'd told the hotel well in advance that we'd arrive early, but they made no effort to accommodate us. Staff said there had been “3 walk-ins overnight within 5 hours,” which didn't reasonably explain the total lack of flexibility for a loyal Marriott member. I understand early check-in depends on availability. What was missing was empathy, proactive help, or even an attempt to offer an alternative, like a realistic wait time or some kind of service recovery. This fell short of what I expect from a Marriott-affiliated property, especially in Singapore.

The service was great, and the eclectic decor is well put together for a boutique stay. The hotel can sleep plenty of people, with king or queen bunk beds, but fitting so many rooms into this gem makes the experience feel cramped. Don't book if you need mobility assistance devices. There's no room in the bathrooms or bedrooms. We figured anyone over 6'2" and over 270lb might struggle too.