Many travelers to Singapore dream of booking first-class flights and staying at the city’s fanciest hotels. But for those visiting on a regular budget, this fantasy likely won’t become a reality too often. Vacationers who don’t go for top-of-the-line accommodation will have to find alternative ways to make their more budget-friendly options more comfortable and maximise the offered amenities.
Luckily, there are many travel hacks you can use to elevate the feel of a budget hotel room and ensure you get the best possible service during your stay. Singapore visitors in search of hotels near Changi Airport will want to utilise the following helpful tips:
Check Your Room Thoroughly
Whether you’re planning to stay in a Changi Airport hotel or somewhere a little farther, you don’t need to just accept your given room as-is. As soon as you arrive at your hotel room, you’ll want to conduct a thorough spot check.
Before all else, sit down on your bed and listen for any noise coming from the adjacent rooms or from outside. Do you hear the fire escape door slamming or any ice machines running in the rooms next door? If you’re staying in Singapore airport accommodation, can you hear planes taking off from outside, and is it bothering you?
Once you’ve checked your room for noise, verify that the sheets are clean and that the air conditioning unit is working properly. Next, move into the bathroom and check for clean towels, functioning taps, and—most importantly—hot water. Lastly, examine the locks on your doors and windows to ensure that your room is fully secure both when you’re inside it and when you’re out and about.
If you find yourself unhappy with anything about your room, like dirt, noise, or amenities that don’t function as they should, don’t just grin and bear it. Call the front desk and ask them to move you.
Bring Your Own Toiletries
A travel hotel probably won’t provide you with high-end toiletries, so you’ll have to find ways to pamper yourself during your stay. Stock up on small-sized beauty and hygiene products from duty-free stores or bring your own favourites from home. The samples and sachets that you can often get for free from magazines or sales personnel at malls are great for this purpose. You can also decant the shampoo, conditioner, and liquid soap you use at home into small plastic bottles for travelling.
Many frequent travelers find that staff in department stores are eager to give samples to customers that act especially interested in the items on sale. Chat with store assistants about their brand’s latest offerings and don’t be surprised if they heap you with loads of freebies. You can then take these pretty products back to your hotel room for some well-deserved me-time.
Chat Up the Staff
Interacting with the staff is a frequent highlight of staying at luxury hotels. They’re almost always friendly, courteous, and highly knowledgeable about the hotel and the surrounding areas. In line with their professional training, they’ll probably pull out all the stops to provide you with anything you might want or need.
The staff at a budget hotel may not be so inclined to go the extra mile for you, but befriending them will make them much more likely to do so. Endearing yourself to hotel staff may motivate them to keep your room extra clean, answer your questions thoroughly, and even extend you a special offer or two.
Stock Up on Treats
Having snacks and drinks you enjoy close at hand can make even the most spartan of hotels feel that much homier. Skip the overpriced room service menu and stock up at a nearby supermarket or convenience store instead. If you’re feeling really fancy, you may even want to treat yourself and your travel companions to some chocolates or a bottle of wine. For longer stays, some good-quality coffee and tea may help you wake up on the right side of the bed each morning.
Put On Some Movies
Your budget hotel room might not feature wide-screen TV with a state-of-the-art sound system, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy quality entertainment in your downtime. Before you fly, download a few of your favourite movies or TV show episodes onto a laptop or tablet so you can watch them when you arrive at your destination. As long as you come prepared, the chance to catch up on the latest flicks from the comfort of your bed will feel like a major indulgence all on its own.
You don’t have to check into a five-star hotel in one of Singapore’s swankiest neighborhoods to feel like you’re living large. As demonstrated above, you can take advantage of all sorts of tips and tricks to get the very most out of your stay at a budget hotel. With a little ingenuity, you’ll be able to indulge in luxurious-feeling accommodation for a fraction of the price.
