Those who want to change the environment - but who still want to stick to their budget - usually opt for a suspension. With so many options to choose from, I would like to add to this range with the opening of the new bespoke boutique hotel in Chinatown Singapore, the Soloha Hotel.
It is nestled in the side street of Teck Lim Road, starting from Keong Saik Road, so it is perfectly hidden but very accessible from both Chinatown MRT and Outram MRT.
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The decor
The name of the 45-room hotel is an original combination of "so" and "aloha", culminating in an expression that means living life to the full. As you enter, on your right, the wall is adorned with a three-meter wide pop-art fresco by local artist Ethrisha Liaw.
The mural, as well as his works of art presented in the bedrooms, revolve around the central theme of "play". The visuals incorporate tropical elements mixed with pop elements to create a whimsical scene. This will naturally lead you to walk around the hotel for that perfect #OOTD background.
But what I really found adorable was the 13-meter-high hand-painted artwork by local artist Danielle Tay. Simulating the different layers of the forest, animals, and flora, this mural is on the forest floor to the top of the forest canopy.
Each floor also has its own "spiritual animal" - like the gecko, snail, and toucan - with a subtle background track played on each level. The track plays forest sounds in rehearsal, with chirps and claws, so you will feel like you are transported to a forest wonderland.
The rooms
Room categories range from Standard (11 - 16 m²) to Deluxe (12 - 14 m²) to Loft (16 - 21 m²) to Suite (15 - 29 m²) and Exterior Suite (16 - 23 m²), with prices from around S $ 200 ++ per night.My partner and I spent one night in a deluxe room and discovered their clever ways to maximize space, given the rather small size of the room.
For the Loft, there is an option for a family size loft where an additional mattress can be placed on the lower level. Two pillows, representing a caricature of colloquial terms and local food, are placed on each bed in the bedroom.
For those who want a more intimate and romantic experience, the outdoor suite has an outdoor bathtub.
After soaking in the bathtub, you can treat your skin with their homemade blend of soap, shampoo, and conditioner, with a relaxing rain shower.
On the second floor, they even have a courtyard, perfect for relaxing in the evening. Currently, it is accessible to everyone, but soon it will only be open to those who have a room with rear doors that open onto the courtyard.
Unfortunately, the hotel is not large enough to accommodate a small pool.
For dining at the hotel, you will find the Takeshi Noodle Bar. Her pride is to serve Singapore's first mala ramen, in which we have done an independent review on this, so be sure to head over to our verdict!
Breakfast is included in the price of the room and takes place at the Takeshi Noodle Bar. However, we were unfortunately not informed of this included breakfast and missed the opportunity to try it for ourselves. On that note, be sure to ask the person at reception when registering for your rights, lest you miss out on enjoying the full experience like us!
The inconvenients
I must add a note that I was terribly ill the weekend we stayed, so for me, comfort was of the highest priority. For some, it would be accessibility, amenities, meals, or even the view. The biggest downside of my stay was without a doubt the small room. Although the category is Deluxe, don't expect a lot of roaming space.Luggage must be stored under the bed and the shower is right next to the bed. Also, since the shower and toilet share the same sliding door, for those who want privacy while doing the act, you will need to make sure that no one is showering at the same time.
It was the little space between the sliding door and my legs when I was sitting on the toilet. Large guests may have no choice but to keep the bathroom door open. There is also a lack of rolls of toilet paper and extra towels if you need them urgently.
The sink is also outside the shower, so be careful not to get your clothes wet (as there is a hanging rack for jackets right next to the sink). Speaking of hanging clothes, the Deluxe room doesn't have a wardrobe, so accessing your clothes from your luggage whenever you change them can be a task.
We were told that the soundproof quality of the room was exceptional, given the need to provide guests with an escape from the bustling nightlife of Keong Saik. The truth is that we could still hear most of the noise happening right outside our window, even with the windows closed and the blackout blinds pulled. So if you are looking for peaceful sleep, you will probably only find silence between 12:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. (a weekend).
Another thing that kept me from sleeping at night (apart from my inability to breathe due to my stuffy nose) was the rough sheets. They felt coarse and stiff; not the type you would immediately sink into.
Advantages
Although there were a lot of downsides to our stay, there were also some aspects that we liked. For example, the control panel near our bed allowed us to remotely control many aspects of the room lighting directly from the bed.We even discovered that it had mood lighting for different occasions. This dark red hue is apparently for a romantic night (nervous laughter). There is also a changing multicolored light for the holidays in your room.
There are a number of USB ports, and even an HDMI port, above the headboard to easily charge your electronic gadgets. My partner joked that spending a night there gave him a brief glimpse of life in a shoebox.
On the entertainment side, YouTube and Netflix apps are installed on your TV, so just login with your account details.
Without forgetting that the region is full of good dishes, whatever the budget. From street vendor delicacies at the Chinatown Complex Food Center to great bars like The Old Man and fine restaurants like Olivia Restaurant & Lounge and Burnt Ends. For more recommendations, we even have a list of places to eat at Keong Saik Road!
Despite our less than impressive stay, it was always a good chance of a scene to stay in our room all weekend. I suppose that with each new hotel opening, there will necessarily be minor problems that will have to be sorted out over time. I also liked having had the chance to discover new places where I would not have bothered to travel otherwise.
Overall, if you are looking for a one or two-night stay in a boutique hotel in Chinatown Singapore that is very well located and economical on your wallet, I would always recommend the Soloha Hotel.
Damage expected: S $ 200 ++ - S $ 300 ++ per night
