ZEN Rooms Boat Quay

The staff were really nice, and the two hair dryers worked wonderfully. They had rain showers and handheld showers, plus toiletries, though I brought my own. Toast and cereal were available for breakfast, but I had to skip it to catch my flight. I stayed one night on a recent conference trip, and it was quiet enough to sleep comfortably. Other guests weren't noisy, and neither were the neighboring bars. The best part was being able to leave my luggage before check-in, assuming you arrive early in the morning, so I could explore without carrying it around. The building looks old inside, and the room can get hot because they don't seem to run the air conditioner 24/7.

The stay was awesome, and, luckily, I didn't encounter any bedbugs despite the other reviews. The location near Marina Bays and Downtown was as good as it gets for the price. Breakfast was simple but enough to keep me going until lunch, and the staff were helpful. The nuisance was guests talking loudly at 1am and not keeping their mouths shut. If you're travelling with four or five friends, book a hotel or an Airbnb, not a hostel for solo travellers. Would recommend 10/10.

The toilets were spotless whenever I used them, and having bidets was a great touch. I also liked how pleasant the area is for walking, especially my daily stroll to Clarke Quay. It was my first hostel stay, so I’d read lots of recommendations before choosing this one. The room was cool and comfortable, the service was great, and I had a really good time. I’d book it again.

The central location and friendly staff made this a nice hostel. The Filipino woman on staff had especially good suggestions, so ask her if you’re unsure what to do. I did have one concern: bed bugs. I think the hostel should use a vacuum cleaner to tackle them, since it’s a very effective way to get rid of both the bugs and their eggs.