Sometimes, your house just feels a little too stifling. Things are a little tense, and you’re more than a little stressed – not to mention, a single incident might just cause everything to bubble over and explode. These are the times when escaping into a different environment is like a breath of fresh air. What better place to do that than the wellness-focused lyf Bugis Singapore?
You’ve probably seen or heard about lyf Singapore before, with its most well-known location being Funan. Rather than the usual hotels you know, lyf Singapore’s properties lean a bit closer to a co-living space, with a focus on interconnectedness and social living. Meaning “live your freedom”, lyf Singapore’s property targets a younger audience, with sustainability, culture and more at its forefront. Each property has a different concept and focus, depending on its location!
The fourth and latest property at Bugis has holistic wellness at the core. Weaved into the foundation and easy-to-overlook details, every aspect of wellness has been incorporated into the building and experience. Tapping into all five senses, you’ll realise that they have features that play on all aspects of your experience. From workshops down to even the type of pillow you’re lying your head on at the end of the day, they thought of everything and then some!
Lobby & Check-In
As you walk into the building, you’re welcomed by a blast of cool air and the smiling lyf Guards at the counter, the words ‘say hi!’ emblazoned and glowing behind them. Simple and functional, the reception isn’t intimidating like many hotels’ are. So just walk right up and they’ll help you out!
Simple and easy, all you have to do is hand over your IC or passport, and they’ll get you checked in. But what comes after is the fun part. Never have I ever been asked about my pillow preference at a hotel, but there’s a first time for everything! With four different pillow types available, indulge in your own comfort and forget about the aches and pains that come with sleeping awkwardly.
As someone who has trouble falling asleep, especially in new and unfamiliar places, using scented sprays and aromatherapy isn’t a new thing. Here at lyf Bugis Singapore, that’s not a problem! Right at the reception, guests are given linen sprays for their stay. With a variety of scents available, my favourites are eucalyptus mint and tea flowers. Both are great for relaxation and calming, with the eucalyptus mint providing a fresher feel and tea flowers giving a sense of groundedness and familiarity.
Here is where you can request any amenities you need as well! From toothbrush sets to shower caps for a quick shower, or even vanity kits to look your best. Now that we’re done with check-in, let’s go up to the room!
Room
As I pushed open the door, a couple of things immediately stood out to me. But first, let’s talk about the room I got. The One Of A Kind (Studio) is one of the six room types available at this property and is the second biggest room.
It features a king-size bed alongside the usual amenities you would find at hotels – a desk and chair, a bathroom, a safe, a minifridge, and a mirror fixed to the far wall to admire yourself in, as well as a smart TV and a water dispenser.
A simple yet practical welcome gift waited for me as well. In a tote bag that has been packed to the brim, I unpacked to find their whole range of linen sprays, a cutlery set, some products from brands lyf has a partnership with and more. Now, let’s do a room tour and go through it all one by one!
Need To Do A Little Work?
Right in front of the window, a little wooden table connects two walls, a couple of plugs and an empty water dispenser on the side. Mugs occupy space on the second tier of the table, beside an empty water jug. A warm table light hangs above the table, ready to illuminate anything you’re working on.
As sustainability is a core aspect of the lyf Singapore brand, the rooms are devoid of bottled water, replaced instead with a refillable water dispenser. Whenever guests are looking to get some water, all they have to do is fill the water tank, select their temperature and wait for the water to boil. Effective and equally safe, single-use plastic is instantly reduced, and you don’t have to worry about running out of water and having to buy more.
I did encounter some problems with the table and chair – it was simply too small, at least for me. It’s great if you’re doing some quick work, but if you need to lock in at the laptop for hours? You’ll end up with more than a couple of sore areas at the end of it. My desk and chair are among the things I’m the pickiest about in my room, especially the chair, as I’m prone to back aches. If I’m being honest, sitting on the floor or bed might be more comfortable.
Wash Away The Day’s Troubles
Before flopping on the bed, let’s check out the bathroom! As you slide the bathroom door open, you’ll be met by a very simple sight. A toilet on one end with towels and bars on top of it, and the shower area on the other end. Nothing mindblowing, but it was missing a crucial element – a bidet. I don’t know about you, but I need one of those, especially for a long-term stay (it certainly is that deep).
Toilet problems aside, the shower area was clean and simple, with three bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash from Ideology. Citrus and fruity, these shower essentials fell in line with lyf Singapore’s sustainability movement, in large bottles rather than minis.
For those who are for that rain shower experience, you can find it here as well. I stuck to the normal shower head, however, and bumped into a very wet problem – there was no separation from the toilet to prevent the other side of the bathroom from getting completely drenched. Oops? At least, I was the only person staying in the room.
As you walk over to the bathroom, you might notice one peculiar thing – the sink is outside the bathroom. Well, imagine if you and a friend were sharing the room and one needed the sink while the bathroom was occupied. With the sink on the outside, problem solved! Additionally, you don’t need to step into a post-shower bathroom and get your feet wet just to wash your hands – a plus point in my book.
The next-to-non-existent counter space was more than a little frustrating, though. That sink was made to wash your hands and brush your teeth in, and nothing else. If you want to get your skincare routine done after you shower or do your makeup in preparation for the day, your best bet is sitting on the floor before the floor-to-ceiling mirror. Not only is there no space, but the way the light reflected on the tap to your face throws off absolutely everything. Make-up girlies, we can never win at hotels, can we?
Time To Unwind
And finally, the main event! Pushed against a corner – just the way I like it –the mattress was nothing insane; comfortable but nothing mindblowing. With a total of four pillows, I already knew that the setup for this bed was going to be so easy. With two pillows braced in the corner and the other two stacked normally, I was ready to cosy down to a night of TV.
Speaking of the TV, it was mounted off to the side of the bed, with an arm that allowed it to extend out. While it was a little bit of an awkward angle, nothing the mini pillow fort can’t fix. Here, guests can check out the full extent of what lyf Bugis Singapore has to offer as well as connect the TV to their phones to watch videos from the big screen. While the connection does go a little wonky at times, I definitely prefer it to the tiny display on my phone.
My only issue wasn’t even related to the bed itself, but rather a lack of plugs near the head of the bed. As someone who uses their phone until the moment I knock out, having my charger within reach is crucial, else I’d find a dead phone the next day. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll be transforming into a blanket burrito for the time being.
Wander Around The Building
Okay, bedrotting is done, let’s explore the building! I’m not sure if you noticed (because I didn’t at first), but from the lobby up to the room, inspirational, comforting and quirky quotes litter the wall, and beautiful designs by local artists paint the walls of the lifts and corridors of the hallways. In fact, there are paintings in every room as well, making each room more than just a plain, minimalistic hotel room.
And it’s not just the rooms! On the elevators, coral-hued lanes of iconic spots in Bugis can be spotted. Along the corridors of the rooms, you’ll spot wallpaper reminiscent of platformer games in the colours of purple, pink, and green.
Pantry
On every floor from level five to 16, there is a pantry of sorts in the corridor. Here is where lyf Singapore’s sustainability movement is showcased again. How often do you use an ironing board when you’re staying in a hotel? Or maybe the microwave?
Instead of having these lesser-used amenities in every room, consuming extra power, having them as a feature that is shared among the guests on the floor definitely cuts down the electricity wasted. A larger shared fridge is also available in this area, just in case the mini fridge isn’t enough or available in your room.
CONNECT & BOND
Okay, let’s explore the lower levels – more specifically, level 2! Slip into CONNECT and lock in for your next project. This co-working lounge is filled with comfy chairs, soothing music and art that pleases the eye. Whether you’re here to chill and relax without feeling isolated in your room, or to take advantage of the high-speed wifi and many plugs to max out your productivity, this space is tailored for socialising. If you’re bored, I heard you can rent games from the lyf Guards down at the reception as well!
On the other side of CONNECT is BOND, a communal kitchen. If you’re feeling a little homesick or just sick of getting takeout, get your hands dirty and whip up something new or something familiar. With a huge shared fridge to the side, store any ingredients you need to make the perfect meal to cure your homesickness. There’s even a wine cellar to the side, if you feel like treating yourself!
Remember to take a break as well, and indulge in the tea and coffee available at the pantry. While they have your usual packet teas and coffee sticks packed on an adorable tree-like organiser, the clear packet of tea is what I want to draw your attention to.
In a partnership with amuse tea & co, the pantry stocks their tea and is perfect for a soothing escape from the bustle of daily life. Warm, calming and best drunk right before bed (in my opinion), give this a try when you’re staying there. And if you find that you like it just as much as I do, lyf Perks gives a little discount and lets you bring some home!
At the end of the day, if I needed to lock in at CONNECT while someone else was cooking up a storm at BOND a couple of steps away, I would definitely be irked. But if that’s not a concern for you, this co-working lounge is way more conducive than that bed!
BURN & WASH & HANG (Gym and Launderette)
Okay, now that we’ve eaten, it’s time to burn it all. Behind another door on level 2, you’ll find the gym, known as BURN, as well as WASH & HANG, the laundry area. Push the door open and you’ll immediately be hit by the scent of bubbly scent of softener.
Past the teal laundry area, you’ll see the gym, decked out with all kinds of equipment. I’m by no means a gym junkie but the creativity here is pretty cool. Whether you like working out first thing in the morning or as a late-night treat to distract yourself, this gym is here 24 hours for you. It’s easy to let time flow by quickly in this little nook of a room, so go crazy!
Once you’re done with your gym sesh, the launderette’s just a couple of steps away! Load your laundry into the washer, and all you have to do is wait. In the meantime, you might have noticed the little bubble-reminiscent mirror all over the walls at WASH & HANG. Don’t be shy, snap a photo! Whether it’s a post-workout pic or just to show how cute the place you’re washing your clothes is, this is definitely a photo-op you cannot miss.
lyf Hacks
So we’ve explored the entirety of what the building has to offer, but how can we make the most of the stay? Lucky for you, lyf Hacks can easily be accessed through the TV in the rooms or just by searching online! With four main columns that guests can delve into, find out how to tailor your experience in lyf Bugis Singapore to your tastes!
You’ll find everything from a comprehensive cheatsheet of the building to neighbourhood hood guides curated by the lyf crew. There are even lyf Perks, where all guests who are staying at the hotel get deals with lyf’s partners!
And finally, did you know that lyf Bugis Singapore has specially curated events? Since wellness is the property’s core concept, guests can partake in wellness-oriented workshops and activities organised by their Ambassadors of Buzz. From activities like creating scent diffusers or exploring perfumeries, to herb harvesting for a communal cook-out, you never know what lyf has in store for you. Check out the TV in CONNECT for the most updated event listings!
lyf Bugis Singapore
lyf Bugis Singapore has proven that it is more than just a place to crash at while you’re in a different country. Located at the heart of the trendiest neighbourhoods of Singapore, travellers will never get bored!
With Middle Child and Wild Honey located on the first level of the building as well as Bencoolen MRT being a four-minute walk away and Bugis+ Mall a straight line down from the building, everywhere is easily accessible. Fancy a walk around some greenery? Fort Canning is a quick walk as well!
While there were aspects that annoyed me about the room, they weren’t complete dealbreakers. I will say, though, lyf Bugis Singapore is definitely more suited for solo travellers than a family—perhaps a duo at the very most, if you don’t mind being in close proximity to whoever you’re travelling with for extended periods.
Nonetheless, the facilities and amenities in the building are pretty unmatched. Additionally, with a location like this, you really can’t get any better. If you’ve been convinced, make sure to book your next stay with them!
📍Location: 200 Middle Rd, Singapore 188980
Great for a quick getaway, live your lyf freely at lyf Bugis Singapore and check out their Instagram page for the latest news on everything lyf!
Photos by Heng Yu Cheng & Zheng Yi of the DANAMIC Team.
