Ymca International

On my solo trip I stayed at YMCA One Hotel, and they exceeded what I expected. It's not a typical high-end hotel, but the mission behind the place and the heart the staff put into their work are remarkable. Special mention to sir Nicholas. Everyone was kind, gentle and easy to approach. The location is very convenient, with several metro stations, restaurants and tourist spots nearby. They can store your luggage if you still have plans around the city. This place is a blessing.

The room was tiny, though that seems pretty normal in Singapore, and the location was handy for buses, the metro, cafes, and malls. The walls are very thin, though. We could hear nearly everything in the hallway, even our neighbour’s little alarm beep.

The YMCA is quiet at night, and the rooftop pool is lovely. The staff were great, and the place felt well looked after and well run. It’s a solid, unfussy stay rather than a fancy hotel. Orchard Road puts you within easy reach of things, though the immediate area isn’t Singapore’s flashiest. Alchemy, my favourite third-wave coffee shop, is about five minutes away. I thought the price was a little high, even for Singapore, though accommodation here is expensive in general. I stayed three nights and had a very good experience.

I use a wheelchair, and the hotel couldn’t help with my access needs or arrange a parking space. The carpark has only about 25 bays, allocated first come, first served, so drivers should be aware of that. I’d booked three nights, but had to find somewhere else because the service wasn’t accessible for me. Booking.com’s policy meant I couldn’t get a refund, so I lost the money. Very disappointing, YMCA. It left a bad taste.