justwanadoit
09-06-2009, 11:07 AM
Very convenient, good for bros, no need go GL , just at ur door steps!
Budget hotel causes stir
Tiong Bahru residents worry that Hotel 81's presence might give area a sleazy image
ALMOST completed, nondescript building in one corner of Singapore's bustling Tiong Bahru estate is raising eyebrows within the community.
Several residents are concerned about the latest addition to their estate - a new hotel built by budget accommodation chain Hotel 81.
The prospect of an hourly-rate budget hotel in their estate has got them worried that the development might give a sleazy image to the neighbourhood, and depress the values of their properties.
When contacted, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), which approves the use of buildings as hotels, confirmed it had 'granted approval for a hotel development at 1-9 Eng Hoon Street' on Sept 12 last year. 'The proposed hotel development on the subject site is acceptable from the planning point of view as it is located in a mixed-use area where there are existing hotel developments in the vicinity,' it said.
Although a sign proclaims the name of the hotel to be 'Hotel 81 Osaka', it is unclear if the hotel will be an hourly-rate one or one that charges only a full-day rate. Hotel 81 declined to comment when contacted.
The budget hotel chain has aggressively expanded in the past few years to a network of 30 hotels islandwide. Most are located in the red light district of Geylang and other areas such as Joo Chiat and Balestier. The chain has one hotel in a residential area - Hotel 81 Kovan.
Residents said they are hoping the hotel will at least be one that offers a full-day rate.
Another resident who declined to be named pointed out that there are already a growing number of female hostesses from China living in Tiong Bahru, due to the estate's proximity to bars - such as the Tiananmen karaoke lounge - in the Havelock Road area.
Recently, The Straits Times also reported the rise of illegal dorm use in the estate, where landlords have been cashing in on the demand for cheap housing by converting conserved pre-war flats into dormitory-style housing for foreign workers, leading to concerns over noise, littering and overcrowding.
So while mid-tier hotels, such as Link Hotel Singapore, have sprung up, residents want to know how chains like Hotel 81 get approval to set up hourly-rate hotels in residential areas.
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Budget hotel causes stir
Tiong Bahru residents worry that Hotel 81's presence might give area a sleazy image
ALMOST completed, nondescript building in one corner of Singapore's bustling Tiong Bahru estate is raising eyebrows within the community.
Several residents are concerned about the latest addition to their estate - a new hotel built by budget accommodation chain Hotel 81.
The prospect of an hourly-rate budget hotel in their estate has got them worried that the development might give a sleazy image to the neighbourhood, and depress the values of their properties.
When contacted, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), which approves the use of buildings as hotels, confirmed it had 'granted approval for a hotel development at 1-9 Eng Hoon Street' on Sept 12 last year. 'The proposed hotel development on the subject site is acceptable from the planning point of view as it is located in a mixed-use area where there are existing hotel developments in the vicinity,' it said.
Although a sign proclaims the name of the hotel to be 'Hotel 81 Osaka', it is unclear if the hotel will be an hourly-rate one or one that charges only a full-day rate. Hotel 81 declined to comment when contacted.
The budget hotel chain has aggressively expanded in the past few years to a network of 30 hotels islandwide. Most are located in the red light district of Geylang and other areas such as Joo Chiat and Balestier. The chain has one hotel in a residential area - Hotel 81 Kovan.
Residents said they are hoping the hotel will at least be one that offers a full-day rate.
Another resident who declined to be named pointed out that there are already a growing number of female hostesses from China living in Tiong Bahru, due to the estate's proximity to bars - such as the Tiananmen karaoke lounge - in the Havelock Road area.
Recently, The Straits Times also reported the rise of illegal dorm use in the estate, where landlords have been cashing in on the demand for cheap housing by converting conserved pre-war flats into dormitory-style housing for foreign workers, leading to concerns over noise, littering and overcrowding.
So while mid-tier hotels, such as Link Hotel Singapore, have sprung up, residents want to know how chains like Hotel 81 get approval to set up hourly-rate hotels in residential areas.
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