Set in colorful East-side heritage district, Joo Chiat
Bright, cheery rooms with air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs
Plenty of dining options within an easy walk of the hotel
Free-to-use computer workstations in lobby
Wi-Fi is free throughout
Entry-level rooms are small and have wet-room bathrooms
Situated away from tourist attractions and train stations
Soundproofing issues in some rooms
Hotel has no restaurant and features are sparse
Sister property to the nearby Venue Hotel The Lily, Venue Hotel is a modern budget hotel situated in Joo Chiat, a colorful heritage district in East Singapore. Its 81 air-conditioned rooms are simple, with vibrant interiors and amenities like mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs, though some rooms show wear and tear. The property is far from Singapore's main sights, and the nearest train stations are 20 minutes away on foot, but it attracts unfussy guests looking for an affordable stay on the outskirts of the city. Travelers who want to be closer to public transportation and are seeking additional features like a pool and a cafe that serves breakfast might want to compare rates with Santa Grand Hotel Bugis.
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Scene
Budget hotel with jazzy interiors and a laid-back vibe
Just like Venue Hotel The Lily, this hotel's sister property, the four-story Venue Hotel is set in a black-and-white shophouse in the Joo Chiat area. However, the Venue Hotel is more design-focused, even if its interiors are a bit of a mismatch in terms of style. Expect to see accents like glossy, bold-colored armchairs contrasting a grand, undulating floor-to-ceiling cocoon-like sculpture that serves as the hotel's lobby. These eye-catching twists tend to add to the hotel's fun, laid-back vibe. However, the hotel is the definition of basic when it comes to extras and perks. Aside from the lobby, there are no public spaces for guests to lounge around or socialize. Venue Hotel appeals to a good mix of leisure tourists, including families and couples seeking a no-frills stay that doesn't break the bank.
Location
In East Singapore's Joo Chiat district, far from city center and 20-minute walk to trains
Venue Hotel is a street-side property in Joo Chiat, a quaint East-side neighborhood known for its rich history and famous local dining spots. The 20-minute walk to the nearest MRT train stations -- Dakota and Paya Lebar -- is far by Singapore standards, so those who want to get out of the East and visit central Singapore can take a taxi instead. It's a 13-minute drive to Bugis for shopping as well as the Little India cultural precinct, while destinations like Marina Bay and Chinatown take 20 minutes to reach in a car. The family-friendly island of Sentosa is less than a 30-minute drive. Budget 15 minutes in a taxi to reach Changi Airport.
Rooms
Bright and cheery air-conditioned rooms with mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs
The rooms are simple, but like the rest of the hotel, interiors are bright and cheery. Contemporary artwork is framed on colored walls, which tend to come in hues like purple and yellow that hardly match. It is worth noting that entry-level rooms can be small, even by Singapore standards, and wear-and-tear is evident in some rooms. They are, however, impeccably clean. The bathrooms tend to be basic, with white walls, dark tiling, square sinks, and free toiletries like soap and shampoo. However, note that some units have wet-room bathrooms, meaning that the toilet and bathing areas aren't separate and the floors might be soaked after a shower. Alternatively, some of the higher-tier rooms feature bathtubs.Standard features include mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, safes, hairdryers, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and free Wi-Fi. There are no wardrobes in the rooms, only bars with hangers -- making the hotel suitable for short-stay guests who don't require much storage space. There have been complaints of soundproofing issues, mostly due to the thin walls.
Features
Free Wi-Fi throughout property and Internet-ready computers in lobby
As a budget hotel, features are almost non-existent here, so expect only the basics. The hotel doesn't have its own restaurant, and breakfast isn't available on-site. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and there are internet-ready computers in the lobby for guests to use. Also, the reception desk is open 24 hours and provides concierge services and luggage storage.
