@ Little Red Dot

Guests questioning whether or not to book @ The Little Red Dot might be turned off by its converted shophouse facade with its dirty pink exterior finished with an even dirtier banner announcing the name of the hostel. The interior has a certain kind of messy hostel charm, and most of the common spaces are outdoors, a refreshing choice, because the hostel's pods are windowless and the dorms are stark. A terrace area features lots of green plants, lounge chairs, tables, and a comfy covered spot with beanbag chairs set up near power outlets. Boardgames stacked high near a cluttered reception area foster a friendly social atmosphere, and free coffee and toast in the morning give guests a chance to gather. Cleanliness is adequate, though the property is a little disordered and tired throughout. It's a spot designed for budget-minded backpackers, and particularly attracts young solo travelers and groups of friends.

@ The Little Red Dot is one of the numerous hostels that occupy the area in and around Lavender Street, located on the northern most edge of Singapore's Little India neighborhood. The hotel itself is flanked by shophouses and shares the street with a five-story funeral parlor. The immediate neighborhood is fairly quiet at night (save for traffic), though several restaurants and cafes are an easy walk from the hotel. Mustafa Center, a popular 24-hour shopping mall in the heart of Little India, is about a 13-minute walk, and lots of Indian restaurants can be found near the mall. The boutiques of Haji Lane in the Kampong Glam neighborhood are about a 20-minute walk. For sights farther out, the Lavender MRT station is a nine-minute walk; Gardens by the Bay can be reached in about a half hour by public transit. It's about an hour to Changi International Airport via public transit, or as little as 20 minutes by car. 

Rooms are extremely simple, ranging from the more private, tiny capsule rooms -- closet-sized, windowless pods with just beds -- to compact shared female-only and mixed dorms for up to eight guests. Dorm amenities are limited to AC, reading lamps, and lockers, and there's nothing in the way of decor; it's just white and rust-red walls, wooden bunk beds, tiled floors. Bathrooms are shared with wet-room style shower stalls, with sinks located outside. Bed linens are included, but towel rentals cost an extra fee and guests should bring their own toiletries. Wear and tear is evident throughout. Still, guests generally find cleanliness adequate for a budget property in this price range. Light sleepers might consider ear plugs; traffic noise and the general noise of shared facilities can be a nuisance to some guests.

Extra property features here include the classic ragtag common areas of a social hostel as well as amenities geared towards backpackers and other budget travelers. Indoor spaces tend to be a little dark, but there's lots of outdoor hangout spots (couches, chairs, tables, beanbags) and the reception area opens directly into the backyard terrace. Common spaces offer up stacks of board games, an Xbox with games, and lots of guide books, in addition to more practical items like a fridge for food storage (there are also some drinks for sale) as well as self-service laundry facilities. The hostel offers discounted tour packages, bike rentals, and even free walking tours some days of the week. Breakfast is free, but it's just coffee, tea, and toast. Guests find the free Wi-Fi fast and reliable.