The super-friendly place for backpackers

Name: The super-friendly place for backpackers
Item: Fernloft China Town
Rating: 5
Author: Adam S

Review of Fernloft China Town

Reviewed October 26, 2012

For me, staying at Fernloft Chinatown felt more like visiting a friend than being in a hostel. This is due to super-friendly Aunty Aini who manages the place. She takes care of each guest individually, she connects people, hangs out with them and she knows all the good places to eat. The location is great, in chinatown but also in walking distance to downtown, good connection to public transport. The fernloft is inexpensive, so do not expect any luxuries, but its excellent value for the money.

Date of stay: October 2012

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CathyPHL wrote a review Apr 2012
79 contributions14 helpful votes
Good location, AWFUL AUNTIE AINI
Since our flight was to come in at around 2am, we emailec them in advance to request for either an early check-in or luggage storage. The person my sister emailed was amenable to our proposed arrangement of leaving our baggage at 7am and then checking in at 10pm so we could make the most of our short stay in SG.

So imagine our surprise when we arrived in the hostel at 7am and nobody was answering the door. We were stuck outside under the humid SG weather for a good 30 mins or so before my brother thought of knocking at the door next to the hostel. Suddenly, a cranky old lady (who the above posts refer to as the "wonderful" Auntie Aini) emerged with a frown on her face. She told us that it was too early to check-in even without bothering to check if any of their anticipated guests had requested for luggage storage prior to check-in. That's no way to treat a guest! We were not expecting a five-star welcome but a smile would have been nice.

After spending the day at Universal Studios, we returned to the hostel at a few minutes past 10pm. One of the first things she says when we arrive is that we took so long to return to the hostel. Duh!? First, we had emailed Fernloft in advance and they were amenable to our late check-in at 10pm. Second, we very clearly told her that morning that we will be returning at 10pm because we wanted to make the most of our short stay in SG. Third, THERE WAS NO NOTICE THAT THE HOSTEL HAD A CURFEW, OR WHAT TIME IT WOULD BE IF IT HAD ONE! In any event, the curfew should be limited to the dorm rooms so as not to disrupt other guests. My siblings and I were staying in a room we had to ourselves so I really don't see any reason why she was so hyped up about our "late" arrival. She even had the audacity to tell us that she's already 60 years old and that she runs the place alone. So what? If she can't do it anymore, she should quit. It's that simple. It's not like we forced her into that job or anything. And, contrary to what she claims, she even stayed up later than we did because my brother caught her watching Indian movies when he was on his way to the bathroom.

On another note, this hostel is located a few meters away from the entrance to Chinatown, the bus station, and a hawker centre. It's also a walking distace away from several train stations so it's very accessible and convenient. Although it's not as pretty as I would have imagined, we had a good night's rest here. The airconditioning is a bit too cold, though.

All told, I wouldn't stay in this hostel again if it means having to deal with a horrible person such as Auntie Aini who acts as if she owns the place.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HannaF84 wrote a review Nov 2011
100 contributions110 helpful votes
Cozy little hostel right in Chinatown
My husband and I stayed for 5 nights in a private room. At first we didnt like the look of the place: the common area is really tiny and just the one bathroom for all guests. But in the end we really enjoyed our stay and felt really looked after by Aini who manages to do everything that needs doing all by herself (even had time to invite us for dinner!). Breakfast is good; just tea/coffee and toast. And there is a washing mashine that you can use for about 6 SGD.

Location is great! Right next to Chinatown and a beautiful Buddhist temple. Across the street is a huge hawker centre with great food.
But at night its all quiet so you get a good nights sleep.

Overall, a cozy place with a nice backpacker feeling!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fleur Y wrote a review Aug 2011
1 contribution1 helpful vote
Makes you feel like home
This hostel is very very nice! we really enjoyed our stay, unfortunately it was only for 2 nights. Auntie Aini, thank you for your hospitality!
Bas& Fleur (Netherlands)
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Adako wrote a review May 2011
1 contribution
Great little place
Aunty Ainie (appologize if misspelled) is a wonderful lady running this cozy hostel, she is very thoughtful and kind making sure you feel at home. I stayed in the dorms for 4 nights and found it to be a solid location and a clean place to crash.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
loosek wrote a review Apr 2011
122 contributions25 helpful votes
Good for short term stay
Travelled with spouse on our business trip. Chose Fern Loft Chinatown from research on Tripadvisor. However they didn't have 4 weeks' availability so I only stayed here for 2 nights before moving to the Fern Loft Little India branch.

Pluses: The lady who runs it goes to the greatest effort to make you feel at home and gives welcoming touches. After the first night there, we woke up to find that she had gone out early to buy a scrumptious Indian breakfast for everyone at the hostel. Sure beats the toast and jam provided! When we were transferring to the Little India branch, she not only covered the cost of the taxi to get there, but also came with us to make sure we got there ok. The other plus is the free wireless internet.

Minuses: It is not in the best of areas- we were apprehensive when the shuttle dropped us off because it didn't looked like a public lodging, but more like a private residence tucked away in an alley. Don't lug up your luggages up the stairs like we did. There are lifts around the corner. The place only has 2 private bedrooms (one of which the manager occupies), and a mixed dorm room. Very tiny common area and the bathroom is a toilet and shower combined. The bedroom is as expected in a budget accommodation- nothing flash. The door was a bit faulty though. Transport is easy enough via MRT about 5-10 min away, but this is really not the nicest area to live at I felt. The immediate streets (and the walk to the MRT station) surrounding the Little India branch is much nicer and felt safer at night.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.