Village Hotel Bugis by Far East Hospitality

The Village Hotel Bugis is a decent hotel with a great central location, but the combination dated areas and a constantly busy atmosphere are disappointing. Travelers enter the hotel through a shopping mall at street level to a small reception area before heading up an escalator to the main lobby. A pretty pond with goldfish and pink orchids sits beside the escalator, but the mirrored columns and gleaming black-and-brown marble of the lobby don't look fresh. A convenience store lines one side, and opposite is the hotel's Chinese Restaurant. The area has the feel of a busy mall, which -- of course -- makes sense. Upstairs on a mezzanine floor, the hotel's second restaurant has a more welcoming, brighter feel, with intricate chandelier lighting and a view over the outdoor pool. The hotel is popular with families and large tour groups, meaning some noise is inevitable, but it also appeals to couples and business travelers due to its central location.

As with many high-rises in Singapore, the Village Hotel Bugis is perched on top of a shopping mall. The entrance can be hard to spot, as it's within the Golden Landmark Mall itself. The Arab Quarter is one of the city's oldest and liveliest neighborhoods, filled with boutique shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as the impressive Masjid Sultan Mosque and vibrant street art. For travelers who like to explore on foot, it's a 15-minute walk to the museum district and a farther five minutes on to historic Fort Canning Park. From there, you are five minutes from Clarke Quay and downtown. Getting around Singapore from the hotel is simple; it's a three-minute walk to Bugis Metro station, which has two lines and will get you downtown or to the marina -- home of the pretty Gardens by the Bay and the family-friendly ArtScience Museum -- in less than 20 minutes. The nearest bus stop is on Parkview Square, a five-minute walk south of the hotel, where buses into the center take the same amount of time. Transit time to the airport is about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic, and the hotel does have an airport shuttle. It's possible to get there on public transport, although the fastest route using both metro and bus still takes around an hour door-to-door. 

Rooms at the Village Hotel Bugis vary a great deal. Superior Rooms are simple and bright, but the furniture is dated and the lack of wall art makes them feel bland. Deluxe and Club Rooms are more modern and include dark wood floors and white furniture -- some feature a patterned wall and with the addition of a desk chair and comfy recliner they have a more welcoming feel. Unfortunately, Club Suites aren't the freshest when it comes to style, but have separate bedrooms and living areas plus small kitchenettes with microwaves and some tableware. Rooms all have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, safes, irons, hairdryers, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, while the Deluxe and Club Rooms add bathrobes and slippers along with a larger 40-inch TV. A notable feature in all rooms are the smart phones, which are free to use in or out of the hotel for local calls and internet. The small standard level and suite bathrooms are a disappointment, with tired-looking decor and dated shower/tub combos. The counter-top sinks are nice but on the whole they're in need of renovation. Bathrooms in the Deluxe and Club Rooms are much better, replacing the tub with a glass-screened rainfall shower. Although they're still compact, the white and wood tiles create a nice bright space. 

Features are fairly numerous at this hotel. There are two restaurants on-site, which both serve food throughout the day, including a buffet breakfast. The Mooi Chin Palace is an authentic Chinese restaurant, while the Landmark serves a wide range of international food with tables out beside the pool. The outdoor star-shaped pool also has a collection of sun-loungers and a poolside bar plus two outdoor showers. The hotel gym has a collection of cardio machines and a variety of weights and bench presses. There are also several meeting rooms available. One of the hotel's best features is its Club Lounge, which is a pleasant space with bright red velvet seating and some nice artwork, hot/cold drinks, snacks, sweets, two iMac workstations, and great views out over the city towards the harbor. Club-level guests are served free breakfast and evening drinks. They are also permitted two free items per day with the hotel's laundry service. Wi-Fi is free for everyone.