Bliss Hotel Singapore

In contrast to the gleaming high-rises that line so many of the city's streets, Singapore's Chinatown is filled with colorful temples and low-rise traditional buildings. One of these houses the Bliss Hotel, which has a charming white colonial-style exterior. Inside, the lobby area is modern, with dark woods and light marble flooring, drawing on its location by adding Chinese wall-art and ornaments. A dramatic color-changing chandelier illuminates the front desk, there are a few suede benches to sit on and a workstation with two PCs for guest use. The hotel doesn't have a restaurant or bar, but does have a sunny decked courtyard where palm and fruit trees, whitewashed walls and plenty of stylish seating together create a nice space to relax. It has broad appeal, and while rooms are small, they can sleep up to four. As such, expect to see everyone from business travelers to families here.

Bliss Hotel is located on Cross Street in the center of Singapore's bustling Chinatown. Next door is the oldest Chinese restaurant in the city, opposite the hotel is Chinatown Point mall and two blocks away on Pagoda Street are vibrant Chinese street markets and beautiful temples. Chinatown Metro station is a two-minute walk away and can get you to the harbor-front monorail for attractions on Sentosa Island in five minutes. Popular nightspot Clarke Quay is 10 minutes away on foot, with many bars and restaurants along the waterfront. Just behind that, five minutes across the road, is Fort Canning Park and the museum district. The trip to Changi International by car takes about 20 minutes, or 70 minutes by using public transit. 

The 42 rooms here are small -- which isn't surprising in Singapore -- and many lack windows, especially the Superior Rooms on the ground floor. Single Rooms have only 10 square meters of space (108 square feet) though Deluxe Doubles are a little more spacious, at 19 square meters (204 square feet). Rooms are well designed, with gray suede headboards and glass topped desks, and all have an en-suite bathroom -- but beds are often wedged into corners or against walls and the rooms with windows are often obscured by exterior shutters, so little daylight slips through. There are a variety of configurations available, including those for families that fit up to four people. All include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, mini-fridges, safes, and free Wi-Fi. The Executive Suite has an extra large 42-inch TV. Bathrooms are stylish, with a contemporary finish using gray stone tiles, with glass-partitioned rainfall showers and counter-top basins as well as hairdryers and toiletries. Bathrooms in some rooms, including the Executive Suite have glass-walls which may not suit some guests, but the majority are frosted. 

The Bliss Hotel's main asset is its location, and features are otherwise slim. It has a pretty outdoor terrace decorated with palm and fruit trees, with plenty of stylish seating, though that's the only common area at the hotel. It's location in the center of Chinatown makes it easy to find places to eat nearby, and there's a 24-hour convenience store next door, though it's a shame breakfast is not available. The hotel offers a laundry and dry-cleaning service, free luggage storage, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout. There are also two PCs in the lobby and the front desk is open around the clock.