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I spent a night in Singapore's most notorious hotel chain. It's not as bad as people think.

Marielle DescalsotaApr 14, 2022, 10:33 IST

Hotel 81 Premier Star.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I spent a night at Hotel 81 Premier Star in Singapore's red-light district.
A superior room cost $55 — much less than the average nightly hotel rate of $187 in the city-state.

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Geylang, a town in central Singapore, is the home to the city-state's only legal red-light district.

The main street in Geylang connecting all of the lorongs.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Hotel 81, a hotel chain in Singapore, is often associated with the red-light district in Geylang.

Hotel 81 Premier Star.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

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When I arrived on Monday afternoon, the street was quiet and empty.

Lorong 18 in Geylang.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

While the exterior of Hotel 81 Premier Star was quite old-school, the lobby was modern and spacious for a budget hotel.

Lobby of Hotel 81 Premier Star.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

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The only thing that reminded me I was staying in a budget hotel was the janky elevator.

A dusty and faulty elevator in the hotel.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

My room was on the top floor. It was cozy and furnished with wooden accents.

Superior room in Hotel 81.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

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While the bathroom was clean and tidy, the toilet did not have a bidet.

The room's sink and bathroom.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The window had a view of the surrounding neighborhood and part of the city.

The view from inside the hotel room.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

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While most of the houses across the street of the hotel looked inconspicuous, many — like the one pictured below — are "fish tank" brothels.

Fish tank brothel in Lorong 20.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Along the main road that connects the lorongs, I spotted a handful of men selling illegal sex drugs.

Illegal sex drugs in Geylang.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

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At night, I began to notice the sheer number of budget hotels in the area.

Lesser-known budget hotels in Geylang that have hourly rates.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

If you don't mind staying in Singapore's red-light district, Hotel 81 Premier Star is a great choice for travelers looking for an affordable hotel in an expensive city.

The room was value for money.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

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