My wife, Karen, and I recently traveled to Singapore as one of my ‘Bucket List’ destinations. We stayed for over two weeks at the Ji Hotel Orchard Singapore. In this review of their boutique hotel, find out what we liked and what they could improve upon to decide if it’s suitable accommodation for you.
Karen did a lot of research online, and the Ji Hotel met almost all of the criteria for our extended stay. Its location is within walking distance of the Dhoby Ghaut MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) station and was one of the criteria that gave the hotel an ideal location.
If you are considering visiting Singapore, this review will help you decide if the Ji Hotel Orchard suits you.
Getting To Ji Hotel Orchard Singapore
We flew into Singapore’s Changi Airport and took a Grab ride from the airport directly to the hotel. Grab is Asia’s version of Uber, so download the Grab app on your smartphone.
The 17km Grab ride was about SGD 23. The address of the hotel is:
- Address: 11 Penang Ln, Singapore 238485
- Phone: +65 6771 1121
- Email: [email protected]
Alternatively, you can take the MRT from Changi Airport and get off at Dhoby Ghaut station. However, you’ll need to change lines to reach Dhoby Ghaut. It’s a short 350 metre or 5-minute walk to the hotel.
There is no overnight parking for guests with their own vehicles, so I recommend taking public transit or ride-share to get to the hotel. Singapore has many rules and fees for cars as a way to reduce traffic congestion.
Also, as a former British colony, they drive on the left side of the road, which can be challenging for North American visitors like us. If you are determined to rent a car and drive in Singapore, get an International Driving Permit.
Check-in time is 3 pm, and check-out time is 11 am. Here are the reasons to stay at this boutique hotel.
🏠 Ready to book your hotel stay?
The Ji Hotel Orchard Singapore offers convenience near an MRT hub, affordable pricing, and contemporary design.
Book your stay here1. Pricing
Rates vary depending on the time of year and room availability, but you can expect to pay from SGD 230-500 per night. However, if you book far enough in advance, you should get a superior room for SGD 200-300.
Compared to Marina Bay Sands which charges SGD 700++ and Raffles Hotel at over SGD 999++ a night, it’s a great deal. Granted, they are not in the same class, but if you want a clean, quiet room in a good location, it wins hands down!
The Ji Hotel Orchard Singapore is a small boutique hotel of just eight stories. Nearby attractions include the National Museum of Singapore and Fort Canning Park, a great place to enjoy a self-guided walking tour.
From the outside, the hotel is nondescript and easy to miss. The front desk and reception area are clean and compact but functional.
I noticed the Japanese influence in the design, especially in our room. Overall, the decor is simple and minimalistic, which I like.
As with any hotel, there are things they get right and some things they could improve upon. Here are some of the things we found throughout our extended stay.
2. Location, Location, Location!
In real estate, location is king. If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing in Singapore, being next to an MRT hub is a bonus.
The hotel is in a central area, about 350 m from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. At this station, we could catch a train on the north-south line (red), north-east line (purple), and circle line (yellow).
In our 2-week stay, we got to virtually every place we wanted to visit within 15-30 minutes or less. Also, just beyond the MRT station was Plaza Singapura, which had over 300 stores, food vendors, and services.
3. Contemporary Style
I enjoy staying at large hotels with many amenities, shopping, restaurants, etc. However, Ji Hotel Orchard Singapore is a small boutique hotel in the Museum district of Singapore. The service is personal and had almost everything we needed due to its excellent location.
The “Ji” in Ji Hotel refers to “Japanese Influence,” which we noticed immediately. Everything is minimalistic, practical, and has a contemporary style.
Guest rooms contain a Japanese teapot, and Japanese tea is replenished daily.
4. Large Shower And Personal Items
The walk-in shower area is enormous and would easily accommodate two guests simultaneously. It includes a rain shower head and a handheld one for your convenience. There are large bottles of quality shampoo and body wash.
Post-pandemic, some hotels have cut back on providing complimentary items in the room to reduce costs. Today, hotels usually only supply hair dryers. So, I was surprised to find a box of personal items available for our use.
The box contained a comb, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shower cap, and cotton swabs. The slippers (his and hers) came in handy during our stay.
Also, the hotel provides courtesy umbrellas for its guests as a convenience. It rains frequently in Singapore, depending on the time of year.
However, if you plan on traveling around Singapore, consider packing compact umbrellas to have them throughout your stay. We purchased inexpensive ones from Amazon that kept us dry in the rain but have PF protection from the heat.
5. Nice Bedding
Hotel beds, bedding, and pillows can be hit or miss. However, the bed’s firmness felt a lot like home. We loved the mattress, duvet, and pillows, which made our home away from home very comfortable.
Across from the bed, the large TV appeared to be 65,” massive in the modest-sized room. There are limited channels, including local channels, BBC, CNN, etc. We also had complimentary Wi-Fi with no password.
6. Self-Serve Laundry Facilities And 24-Hour Fitness Corner
The self-service launderette was a HUGE bonus for us and one of the main reasons we booked the Ji Hotel Orchard Singapore. Two washers and two dryers cost SGD 6 each (including the laundry soap).
I washed a few times during our extended stay, spending SGD 18 each time (2 x SGD 6 for washing plus an additional SGD 6 for combined drying). Other hotels charge for laundry, which can quickly become expensive depending on your length of stay.
At the end of our hotel stay, we were cruising on Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas and wanted clean clothes to start the cruise!
The common room also has a microwave and coffee machine for guests. I used the microwave occasionally to reheat food that we brought back from one of the local restaurants. Open 24 hours, one corner housed had minimal gym equipment with a treadmill and a stationary bike.
As a person recovering from bypass heart surgery, I have a strict program of exercise that I try to maintain – even while traveling. This is strictly a personal issue for me; it would not be a concern if we stayed just 1-2 days.
The room also includes a beverage vending machine I used frequently to get a cold drink.
7. Kettle In The Room
Karen and I love having tea first thing in the morning and the evening before bed. The electric kettle was so convenient.
Mugs are provided, but be sure to bring your tea, coffee, sugar, etc., since the hotel only supplies Japanese tea and daily bottled water.
8. Helpful Staff
Overall, the friendly staff were helpful and accommodating. We had an issue with daily cleaning our room, but the front desk resolved it after Karen’s persistence.
Like many Singapore establishments, the hotel uses robots rather than paid staff to provide quick service. This is not something we are used to in North America.
It was fun after we checked in to order extra hangers and have them delivered to our room by “Mr. Robot.” It’s so cute and fun! After we collected the hangers from its conceived compartment, it suggested we take a selfie……..which we did!
We could request extra bottled water at no charge which the robot would deliver.
Things They Could Improve Upon
Initially, we had a challenge getting our room cleaned while we were out exploring Singapore. However, it appeared partly due to our location being on the top floor (Level 8) and at the end of the hall.
The cleaning staff mentioned they had three floors to clean, and ours was near the end of their 8-hour shift. On multiple occasions, we returned to our room at 3:30 pm only to find it had yet to be cleaned or attended to.
Karen notified the front desk of our concern, and after following some of their suggestions, the problem was resolved. The hotel had inadequate cleaning staff, which was a management issue.
However, most guests have short stays of 1-2 nights, and we were not a typical guest with our 2-week stay. Here are the reasons this hotel may not be for you.
1. No Dressers Or Wardrobe
Upon entering our room, we immediately noticed the need for a dresser, covered storage, or closet. Most traditional hotels have covered places to store clothes. The Ji Hotel Orchard Singapore does not.
This would be fine if you had a short stay and didn’t unpack. However, I lived out of my suitcase for most of our stay. There was a bench under the sink, which Karen used to store folded items like t-shirts and shorts.
2. Lack Of Private Bathrooms
The separate toilet and shower areas have a large glass door and panels, with the sink on the outside. You can easily see through the glass when the lights are on in the bathroom.
This was less of an issue for Karen and me as a couple. However, it may be awkward if two friends share a room.
Ultimately, we kept the bathroom lights out while using the toilet because there was enough ambient light outside the glass door. By doing so, the darkened glass was not translucent.
I assume the design was part of the “Japanese influence” and may be more culturally based.
3. Lack Of Outdoor Pool
Due to the excellent location and in an attempt to keep costs down, there is no rooftop pool. Several hotels in Singapore do not have pools.
After we were busy exploring Singapore each day, having a refreshing swim at the end of the day would have been nice.
Although, as a boutique hotel, there is simply no space to accommodate a pool. Karen knew there was no pool when we booked the hotel.
Be sure to decide if a pool is a ‘must-have’ for you before you book a Singapore hotel.
4. Lack Of In-Hotel Restaurant
The Ji Hotel doesn’t have a restaurant on its premises. However, a bar/restaurant next door shares the same address but isn’t affiliated with the hotel.
You can dine or get a drink there from noon until 2 am. Outside its opening hours, other venues within walking distance serve breakfast, and the Plaza Singapura is open each day at 10 am.
Not having an in-hotel restaurant wasn’t a big issue for us. We preferred to eat at various Singapore hawker centres to try out all the amazing food options instead. At the Plaza Singapura, we bought fruit, cereal, and snacks to enjoy during our stay.
What’s Near The Ji Hotel Singapore
There are several well-known attractions within minutes of Ji Hotel Singapore. Here’s what I recommend you check out when you stay there.
Fort Canning Park
Fort Canning Park is a historic hilltop landmark in Singapore. It has witnessed many of Singapore’s historical milestones.
The park features ancient artefacts and the remains of a 14th-century fort. It’s a popular spot for outdoor activities, concerts, and festivals. Be sure to visit the Tunnel, a popular Instagram spot.
You can explore its lush greenery, gardens, and heritage trails. Fort Canning Park is also known for its significance during World War II.
The Battlebox is one of Singapore’s hidden gems, set within the Fort Canning Park. We spent a morning there and were thrilled by the exhibit.
Plaza Singapura
- Address: 68 Orchard Rd, Singapore
- Phone: +65 6332 9248
Plaza Singapura is a prominent shopping mall on Orchard Road in the heart of Singapore. It is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
The mall offers over 300 stores and services, including various dining, retail, and entertainment options across multiple floors. It features a mix of local and international brands, a cinema, and various food outlets.
National Museum Of Singapore
- Address: 93, Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
- Phone: +65 6332 3659 and +65 6332 5642
The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest in Singapore, focusing on the nation’s history and culture. It showcases exhibits on the city-state’s past and present through interactive displays and multimedia.
The museum features a mix of permanent and temporary exhibitions, offering insights into Singapore’s heritage, art, and social history.
It is within walking distance from Ji Hotel Orchard Singapore.
The museum’s historic building dates back to 1887, blending neoclassical architecture with modern extensions. You can choose from guided tours, educational programs, and cultural performances.
Other Singapore Attractions Via The MRT
Singapore is a world-class destination with many unique attractions that I consider ‘Must-See’ when you visit. Here’s a short list of some of the sights you can see by travelling the MRT.
- Clarke Quay
- Heritage areas of Chinatown
- Marina Bay Sands
- Gardens by the Bay
- Little India
- Haw Par Villa
- Botanical Gardens
From the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, you can easily access Singapore’s two cruise ports if you’re taking an Asia cruise without changing lines. Use the north-south line (red) to reach Marina South Pier, and the north-east line (purple) to get to the Harbourfront Cruise Centre.
Final Thoughts
After our 2-week stay, I would give the Ji Hotel an overall score of 9 out of 10. Granted, it is a boutique hotel, but I consider it a great Singapore hotel. During our stay in Asia, we also stayed at the luxurious Swissôtel the Stamford, which offered amazing Marina Bay views. While it costs significantly more, it was worth it.
It has a good location in the heart of Singapore, with easy access to the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station and the Plaza Singapura shopping centres. Boutique hotels are top-rated. So, if you’re looking for one, you can’t beat its location.
