I paid $45 to stay in a capsule hostel in the heart of Singapore's backpacking district for one night. I'll never go back to it.

Marielle DescalsotaMar 22, 2022, 10:33 IST

Me inside a pod.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I booked an overnight stay at Galaxy Pods at Chinatown, a capsule pod hostel in Singapore's backpacker district.
The stay cost 60 Singapore dollars ($45) a night for a double-bed pod, but it was so small it can only comfortably fit one person.

Chinatown is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Singapore.

A street in Chinatown, Singapore.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Chinatown is also popular with backpackers. Mosque Street (pictured below) is home to some of the city-state's busiest hostels.

Mosque Street in Chinatown.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Galaxy Pods at Chinatown is a spaced-themed capsule hostel on Mosque Street. With its blue-and-yellow color scheme, it stands out from the rest of the hostels.

Galaxy Pods at Chinatown.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Right outside the hostel was a rainbow flag and a row of electric cars.

Rainbow flag at Galaxy Pods at Chinatown.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

After I collected my key card, I made my way up the hostel's stairs. My first impression was a bad one: I was shocked by the pungent, rotten stench.

Inside Galaxy Pods at Chinatown.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The living space had around a dozen capsule pods. They looked more like oversized washing machines than spaceships.

A shared hostel at the top floor of Galaxy Pods at Chinatown.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The sleeping pod itself was tiny. I'm only 1.56 meters tall (5'1") and it was just right for me.

Me inside a pod.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The pod was replete with the basics: A duvet, towels, pillows, a television that wouldn't power on, and a mirror.

The bed inside the pod.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The mood inside the hostel was not welcoming. At times, I felt like I was intruding into people's homes. Some guests had heaps of belongings stuffed into corners of the room.

Some long-term renters had items tucked behind the pods.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The mood inside the hostel was not welcoming. At times, I felt like I was intruding into people's homes. Some guests had heaps of belongings stuffed into corners of the room.

The shared bathroom had an open-air layout, so it had better ventilation than the room did.

Toilets and showers in Galaxy Pods at Chinatown.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

However, the bathroom itself was pretty dirty, with grime on the floor, walls, and toilet bowl. Thankfully, it did have a water heater.

Toilet/shower at the Galaxy Pods at Chinatown.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

When I returned from a stroll to the nearby hawker center at Maxwell at around 2 a.m., I found the bistro was bustling.

Galaxy 28 Bistro.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I would stay in a hostel again — just not this particular one.

Taking a walk at 2 a.m.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I spent a day at the best beach in the US. It's great, but I'd prefer to go to a different one in the same state.

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I paid $45 to stay in a capsule hostel in the heart of Singapore's backpacking district for one night. I'll never go back to it.

Chinatown is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Singapore.

Chinatown is also popular with backpackers. Mosque Street (pictured below) is home to some of the city-state's busiest hostels.

Galaxy Pods at Chinatown is a spaced-themed capsule hostel on Mosque Street. With its blue-and-yellow color scheme, it stands out from the rest of the hostels.

Right outside the hostel was a rainbow flag and a row of electric cars.

After I collected my key card, I made my way up the hostel's stairs. My first impression was a bad one: I was shocked by the pungent, rotten stench.

The living space had around a dozen capsule pods. They looked more like oversized washing machines than spaceships.

The sleeping pod itself was tiny. I'm only 1.56 meters tall (5'1") and it was just right for me.

The pod was replete with the basics: A duvet, towels, pillows, a television that wouldn't power on, and a mirror.

The mood inside the hostel was not welcoming. At times, I felt like I was intruding into people's homes. Some guests had heaps of belongings stuffed into corners of the room.

The shared bathroom had an open-air layout, so it had better ventilation than the room did.

However, the bathroom itself was pretty dirty, with grime on the floor, walls, and toilet bowl. Thankfully, it did have a water heater.

When I returned from a stroll to the nearby hawker center at Maxwell at around 2 a.m., I found the bistro was bustling.

I would stay in a hostel again — just not this particular one.