The Hive Backpackers Hostel- Singapore

Address: 624 Serangoon Road, Singapore

Website: www.thehivebackpackers.com

The hostel gave excellent directions on how to get to their place on the confirmation print out after we had booked a week's stay here at Singapore on the Hostelworld website, so after an hour or so of travelling on the city's efficient MRT system from the airport, we arrived at the hostel. It's located within sight of the Boon Keng MRT station, and directly across a football field so it's quite easy to spot when you first arrive.

It was a delightful stay, from the time we stepped into the airconditioned lobby and were greeted by the friendly staff to when we left with our luggage to head to the bus terminal a week later, which is only about 10 convenient minutes away.
We were shown into a Japanese styled block of rooms, with about two or three bathrooms per level of private rooms. The dorms were located on the ground floor near the reception. Our room (the Sakura room) was a room with airconditioning and windows facing Lavender Street (bewarned for those who sleep lightly because this room is quite noisy as it is closest to the busy intersection with Serangoon Road which has traffic all night long and only stops in the early hours after midnight). The windows were only covered by a light straw/bamboo style hanging so the sun rising also happens instantaneously in this room. The room itself was meticulously clean, even down to the bedposts. We later saw the cleaner wipe these down, which showed a level of effort rare in budget accommodation, which made it all the more admirable. They also use vacuum cleaners to clean the floor. The room also had an IKEA like table which was useful.

For around S$25 (A$25) per night and airconditioning, this was a great choice as the breakfast, although simple enough, was plentiful. Cornflakes, toast with jam/butter and coffee/tea made a great start to the day, as one would need as much help as possible to survive the huge and numerous shopping malls to Singapore! When one would run out during the breakfast hours, the staff were only too happy to refill. The free wi fi connection would occasionally drop out during the peak night time hours however that was pretty much the only complaint about the place. Oh, and besides the toilet in the nearest bathroom that would remain regularly stubborn and refuse to flush. The bathrooms themselves were quite clean and provided toilet paper.
The hostel also had four or five computers in the lobby for those who didn't bring laptops with them which was quite nice of them, and also had free tourist brochures and maps, as well as a nice hang out area with cable tv as well. As it was located on Serangoon Road, the region of 'Little India' was just a short walk away, with its well known temples, the Mustafa shopping plaza and the many sari and restaurants close by. There were also several bus stops nearby which made it handy to get to various parts of the city.
Overall, the best place that we've stayed at by far. The staff were friendly and nice, the rooms were spotless, the bathrooms were great and it was in a good location for , with even a foodcourt about five minutes away which we went to numerous times for dinner. Two thumbs up.

Rating: 9.5/10