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During my F1 weekend in Singapore, I stayed in a hostel for the first time, Habitat Hostel in Singapore (http://www.habitat-hostels.com.sg/). Habitat is well located near the Somerset MRT exit (which is near Orchard and all the main downtown stops- in fact you can walk to anywhere downtown within an hour).

My stay was about $62 USD per night, (booked through http://www.hostels.com/) which at first glance is really expensive for a hostel. But when you consider two things, 1) It was F1 weekend 2) Singapore is expensive for housing- the cheapest hotel for F1 weekend was about double the price, and that was when I had checked prices over a month before the actual weekend, it was not such a bad cost. At the same time, there are cheaper hostels in Singapore, and the costs don’t work out so well if you’re going with multiple people.

Not an issue for me, however, as I went alone.

Habitat Hostel bills itself at a boutique hostel, and that’s what made me try it out. I don’t feel like I’m really a backpacker type guy, and was always afraid I’d be uncomfortable at a hostel, but this sounded like a good middle ground for a first timer.

I really enjoyed my stay. Yes, I was only there to sleep basically, but the double/queen sized beds were really comfortable, and overall the atmosphere is quiet. There’s breakfast available any time in the kitchen, and there’s always a comfort of cleanliness everywhere in the house (in fact, you’re asked to take off your shoes before you walk in).

The staff is really nice (and remember your name) and understanding, and the people I stayed with were pretty cool too. No one was a jackass or anything. From their website, even for a person who had never stayed in a hostel, it sounded like they really paid attention to the details of creating a good experience, and after staying there, I can say it’s basically all true.

A very nice place I would certainly recommend assuming the price is within your means, and something that will open my mind to other hostels in the future.

Going through their website again for this review, I completely forgot they had a movie room (wasn’t shown to me while I was there)!

Their official description and some pictures I took below: (to see more photos, see my Smugmug: http://ispithotsoleyman.smugmug.com/M-2009)

HABITAT HOSTELS, Singapore’s only boutique flashpackers hostel, is the best choice for budget travelers looking for an environment of personal service, pampered luxury and chic furnishings, coupled with an excellent location.

Our fully air-conditioned rooms feature the unique first-of-it’s-kind pod dorms (to follow the Japanese pod-styled capsule idea) to provide backpackers with unparalleled privacy and personal space. The pod is self-enclosed while remaining spacious, and features its own reading light and a small ledge for personal items.

Capitalizing on personal service that includes regular social activities, games, outings and in-house themed parties (Popiah party, anyone?) will serve as an excellent icebreaker amongst guests at the hostel.

Habitat Hostel is housed in a 3-storey pre-war shophouse with a charming Chinese Baroque façade. We are the only hostel strategically located at Devonshire Road, just a 2-minute walk to Orchard Road – the epicenter of Singapore’s premium shopping and entertainment belt. Being located a stone’s throw away from Orchard Road and Somerset MRT stations gives Habitat Hostel the advantage of being easily accessible yet being away from it all. It’s rich heritage, charming ambience and relaxing atmosphere makes this the perfect location for a boutique hostel concept.

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