Review: Hotel 81 Chain & Other Interesting Hourly Hotels to Book

Not familiar with Hotel 81 chains? Worry not. We’re here to get you acquainted with this hotel chain.

Did you know that you can also book a room at boutique hotels and luxury hotels by the hour? Some big-name hotels actually offer hourly rates that are much more affordable than regular day rates – see our recommendations of high-quality alternatives to Hotel 81 that accept online reservations!

Reputation

Hotel 81 is the largest budget chain in Singapore. With over 20 convenient establishments across the city, the no-frills hotel chain is backpackers’ and budget travellers’ favourite.

Domestically though, to most Singaporeans, Hotel 81 is synonymous with ‘hourly hotels’ or ‘love hotels’, offering less-than-stellar micro-stays to those in need of a romantic escapade for a few hours.

Despite what people might think, Hotel 81 is among the hotel organizations that are awarded the SG Clean quality mark, meaning its hotels are staycation-approved.

Hotel 81 has a major competitor called Fragrance Hotel, a homegrown hotel brand with 8 different locations. It’s worth comparing rates between the two if nearby.

Locations

Most hotels under the Hotel 81 chain are located in the red-light district of Geylang. You can see the brand’s signature blue exterior dotting this scandalous neighborhood.

If Geylang doesn’t vibe well with you, the chain has other accommodation options in the city centre and other strategic locations across Singapore, away from the red-light district. Some might require you to do a bit of a walk from the closest MRT Station as they’re usually tucked away in alleyways in bustling areas.

Rooms

Hotel 81 offers fairly decent rooms considering its low cost. Its outposts are easily accessible, usually in areas brimming with adorable cafes, authentic eateries and quirky bars.

The Standard rooms are fitted with regular queen beds with small desks on the side. Some have no windows but offer a cheaper rate. While the space is sufficient for movement, there really isn’t much for anything else.

If you wish for more ample space, you can opt for the Superior or even Deluxe units. Some Hotel 81 properties also provide a Triple Room consisting of three single beds, which are best for those traveling as a group.

The ensuite bathrooms are particularly compact, with shower heads sitting right above toilets and sinks. Every tile and every piece of furniture is placed with functionality in mind, as what one can expect from a budget hotel.

Be that as it may, Hotel 81 is pretty well-maintained and clean. The decors are tasteful and modern, setting the hotel apart from the musty motels with century-old wall-to-wall carpeting.

All branches are SG Clean certified, meaning they uphold to a certain hygiene standard that is approved by the government.

Amenities & Facilities

The amenities and facilities might not be top-notch, but they are sufficient to cover your essential needs and comfort if you stay here just to get some rest.

Every room comes with free Wi-Fi, two bottled water, and some sachets of tea and coffee. You will also find towels and toiletries in the en-suite bathrooms. Some rooms also feature in-room mini-fridges, electric safety boxes, and LED TVs.

Surprisingly, Hotel 81 Tristar on Onan Road features an outdoor pool. But other than that, the facilities available are only the essentials, such as luggage storage and on-site parking. All hotels in the chain have a 24-hour front desk, meaning you can check-in after midnight.

While there are no in-house cafe or restaurant in most establishments, you will sure find many interesting food options within walking distances. Convenience stores and other services you may need are also available in the vicinity of the hotel. Rest assured, you will be set.

As a majority of Hotel 81’s business relies on local demand, foreign travellers may find desk staff’s knowledge of local tours and sightseeing tips lacking. Good news is, its outposts are usually within walking distance from tourist attractions and MRT Station, sophisticated travellers will have no trouble finding their own routes.

How to Book

Hotel 81 accepts online reservations on their official website, but only overnight bookings are available. The front desk on each establishment may open for hourly-based reservations on the spot, but it can be a hassle because the rooms are not always available for short-time use.

Interestingly, you can book a room in most of these hotels with hourly rates. Browse Flow, our hourly hotel app, to see your available options. Currently, there are more than 20 hotels from this chain are available on Flow. The rates for these accommodations start from SGD 28 per 2 hours only.

Which Hotel 81 is best to Book?

Picking which hotel to book should be based on what you need or want from your accommodation. Location is by far the most common factor for people to choose their hotels, especially if they only plan to stay for two hours or so.

The most popular accommodations from Hotel 81 chains is Hotel 81 Dickson because it is super convenient location in the heart of Little India and less than 5-minute walk from Jalan Besar MRT Station. Other options with short walk from MRT Stations are Hotel 81 Chinatown, Elegance, or Lavender. They are only less than five minutes of walking from Chinatown, and Bendemeer MRT Station, respectively.

However, the most strategically located MRT-wise is Hotel 81 Bugis. It is only a three-minute walk from Bugis MRT Station, which offers subway trips through both the Downtown and East-West Line. Even better, it is also close to various dining scenes and entertainment.

If you plan to take a flight somewhere and need a place for a short transit, Hotel 81 Changi can be your best option. In Geylang area, the most popular ones are Hotel 81 Premier Hollywood, Premier Star, Orchid, and Gold.

Overall: What to Expect

Hotel 81 accommodations are considered affordable yet acceptable to stay in by tourists and locals alike. Hence, you may expect these properties to be fully booked on weekends or public holidays.

The more popular locations are usually crowded with couples standing around in the lobby and lining up outside, waiting for a room to be vacant on most weekends. Best to book somewhere online in advance if you’re trying to lay low or want to be efficient.

Both guests need to present their identifications upon check-in, even if you only take a 2-hour stay. You’ll be given a key to your room after the front desk clears your check-in. And, that’s it.

You may hear sheer noises coming from other rooms – a typical problem present at most budget lodging. There’s not much to complain about at this price. But like we said, if you can just afford a little more, there’s a world of better options.

High-Quality Hourly Rate Hotels Other Than Hotel 81

While Hotel 81 is probably the biggest player in the hourly hotel scene, it’s definitely not the only one. Plenty of boutique hotels offer special discounts on daycations and exclusive hourly rates. If you’re looking for somewhere to relax for a few hours to half a day without breaking the bank, these are our top daycation picks!

A Hotel Bugis

Look, we all have those days when we just need to disappear for a few hours, right? A Hotel Bugis is like that reliable kopitiam uncle who doesn’t ask questions – he just gives you what you need. Need to crash between shopping at Bugis+ and dinner plans? Check. Want to freshen up before a date? Done. Just need some AC and quiet away from the Orchard Road madness? Sorted.

It’s literally a 5-minute walk from two MRT stations (how Singaporean convenient is that?), and the rooms are exactly what you’d expect – clean sheets, working wifi, and blessedly cold aircon. Not gonna win design awards, but who cares when all you want is a proper nap?

Rate: From SGD 90 / 5 Hours – Book on FLOW

Highlight(s): Free parking, near metro station, cable TV

Address: 23 Middle Road, 188933 Singapore (Google Map)

Nearest MRT Station: Bugis MRT Station in five-minute walk

Hotel 1900

Hotel 1900 is a neat hotel in the heart of Chinatown, allowing you to explore many heritage spots of the district and the vibrant nightlife fun.

The classic British colonial exterior of the building looks harmonious with its picturesque surroundings, making it fun to have a little walk around the neighborhood before or after your short stay.

The interior gives out a homely ambiance with its warmly colored rooms and timeless décor, which gives just enough character to the lodging.

Rate: From SGD 86 / 2 Hours – Book on FLOW!

Highlight(s): Heritage building from 1930, In-house restaurant serving Chinese cuisine, laundry services

Address: Mosque St, #46, Singapore 059526 (Google Map)

Nearest MRT Station: Chinatown MRT Station in 2-minute walk

Fragrance Hotel Lavender

Fragrance Hotel has got to be Hotel 81’s biggest rival. At every popular Hotel 81 location, you can almost always find a Fragrance Hotel nearby, offering 2 to 3-hour stays to local lovebirds.

The very accessible Fragrance Hotel Lavender is located on Lavender Street, only 5-minute walk from Lavender MRT Station and a 15-minute’ walk from Bugis.

Rooms at Fragrance Hotel Lavender are brightly lit and simply furnished, equipped with the bare essentials. Online reservations can be made on our App around the clock. Even if you’re checking in after midnight, there’s no need to waddle up to the front desk and shyly ask about the room rates anymore.

Rate: From SGD 40 / 2 Hours – Book on FLOW!

Highlight(s): Flexible check-in time, check-in after midnight, great location

Address: 51 Lavender Street, Singapore 338710 (Google Map)

Nearest MRT Station: Aljunied MRT Station in 10-minute walk

— About Flow —

Flow is your luxury hotel experience by the hour, perfect for those who crave flexibility, spontaneous getaways or simply treating yourself to a little luxury. With Flow, you can enjoy the full hotel experience without committing to a full night’s stay whenever you want and whenever you need it.

Why book for the whole day, if you need to stay for just a few hours?

Our reviews and recommendations are honest and not influenced by compensation or sponsorship. Unless stated otherwise, we do not receive payment or free products for positive reviews. Any compensation or products received for reviews will be disclosed in the relevant post.

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