Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Which is better to stay in, Hotel 81 Dickson or Beach Hotel?

I reserved Beach Hotel last week thinking that Dickson couldn't accept my request because their rates were outdated. Now, I got a surprise that Dickson emailed me confirming my reservation.





What should I take and what should I cancel? Please don't say to cancel both.Which is better to stay in, Hotel 81 Dickson or Beach Hotel?
There are many factors which you may have to consider. Most importantly, what would you be doing in Singapore during the stay.





In terms of age, Beach Hotel has been around for several years, and Hotel 81-Dickson has been just retrofitted from an old hotel call Dickson Court, and was just recently opened.





In terms of location, Beach Hotel is about 5 - 8mins walk from Bugis MRT station, while Hotel 81-Dickson is about 10-12mins walk from the same station.





Location wise, Beach Hotel is in a slightly upper market vicinity compared to Hotel 81-Dickson. You can visit Bugis Junction, Bugis Village, Bras Basah Complex, even Raffles City, all are within walking distance. Distance to Central Business District and Orchard Road (the central shopping district) is about 10 - 15mins by car or the train. There are also many restaurants, eateries, watering holes near the hotel, unlike Hotel 81-Dickson which is pretty much dead near its vicinity after midnight.





Hotel 81-Dickson is near to Sim Lim Tower and Sim Lim Square, both famous for its electronics and computer products. It is also minutes from Little India by foot. It is about 10 - 15mins by car or the train to Central Business District or Orchard Road as well.





Beach Hotel is slightly nearer to the Central Business District while Hotel 81-Dickson is slightly nearer to Orchard Road.





In terms of cleanliness, I would rank both of them on the same par, though Hotel 81-Dickson would be newer since they just reopened.





In terms of service, I would just say Beach Hotel does give you a more homely feel, as Hotel 81-Dickson, being part of a chain, gives you a more ';standardized'; service. I have heard stories about Hotel 81 staff being very ';automated'; in terms of everything they do, not necessary a bad thing though, but I always enjoy the personal touch when I travel.





They are both about the same rates, so the decision would probably be what the intention of your visit to Singapore would be.





Enjoy your stay at either of the hotel!Which is better to stay in, Hotel 81 Dickson or Beach Hotel?
I have checked the local map. Beach Hotel would be better. The location is well-lit, huge range of local foods in the vicinity both day and night, and it is also 5minutes away from Bugis MRT (subway in Singapore). This subway is also a direct line from the airport (Changi Airport to Bugis Station). There shouldn't be any problem with safety even after mid-night.


Hotel 81 Dickson is further away from the subway. It would not be easy to navigate between the subway and the hotel. It's not exactly as brightly lit because surrounding shophouses open for business mainly in the daytime. The location is also sandwiched between foreign workers' hostels. The only advantage is that you will be staying in the vicinity of Little India, one of the best places to visit. I would say, this part of Singapore is still an authentic place.
Isn't Hotel 81 famous for charging by the hour... you know what that means????
Consider the surroundings and location. I don't know if you'd be sleeping in mostly or roaming about. If the latter, Beach Hotel may be a better choice as it's closer to Bugis and Haji Lane. Hotel 81 Dickson ain't that far too, but then again, in Singapore's weather, any further would make it a long walk to some. (It's about 10-15 minutes by foot from Hotel 81 Dickson to Bugis MRT/train./subway.)





Note that Hotel 81 Dickson is newer than Beach Hotel; it's been open around a year only. I'd recommend Hotel 81 Dickson for this (since both hotels are pretty much in the same league).





There is generally no issue with safety no matter what time of the day (or night) whether you pick Beach Hotel or Hotel 81 Dickson. In fact, that's true for most places in Singapore.





I would have to disagree with the statements below of ';It's not exactly as brightly lit because surrounding shophouses open for business mainly in the daytime. The location is also sandwiched between foreign workers' hostels.';





Would you think Singapore roads are not as brightly lit by the street lamps? 'cause the one way street along Hotel 81 Dickson has those same street lamps.





Hotel 81 Dickson is also most definitely not ';sandwiched between foreign workers' hostels';. To its right is a coffeeshop and to its left is a small empty lot where they tore down an old shophouse. Opposite? More shophouses, none of which are foreign workers' hostels.





And anyway, what would be the problem with foreign workers' hostels? ._.





Edited to add: I read that Beach Hotel is old but clean so I'd still take Hotel 81 Dickson over Beach Hotel as Hotel 81 Dickson is new and clean. They're both hotels that are *not* on the high end, so when you say to compare the quality, I'm thinking room service and the extra goodies (like hot coffee or complementary breakfast) that are simply not present in these budget hotels.

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