Hotel Yan – A Hipster Boutique Hotel in Singapore’s Jalan Besar District

Singapore may have plenty of boutique hotel options but not a single one I have encountered possesses the industrial chic of Hotel Yan in trendy Tyrwhitt Road. Entering the lobby for the first time, I was greeted by grey, unfinished walls and reception counters contrasted against wood and glass. The brainchild of a husband-and-wife team who wanted to recreate Tyrwhitt Road’s past as a hardware store enclave, this property immediately stands out among the myriad of boutique hotels along the Jalan Besar area.

stunning lobby of hotel yan

The lobby has some similarities with a hipster café which made more sense to me after I found out that a café called Nido is due to open to take up half of the lobby’s space eventually.

Hotel Room & Complimentary Minibar

swallows are a recurring motif in the property

Hotel Yan has just over 60 rooms ranging from their most basic standard to a 28 sqm suite. There’s also another category of loft rooms which is expected to be ready in a few months’ time. For this particular stay, I was billeted at the Deluxe Double with Balcony rooms. It’s not in any way the highest room category but I found it suitable due to its balcony.

deluxe double room with balcony

The first thing I noticed as I entered the room was how bright it was. The room’s perfectly rectangular and the floor-to-ceiling window is actually situated at the longer side which allows a lot of natural light to come in.

At around 17 square meters, the room is roughly of average size for one in the boutique category. That being said, I appreciated how space is maximized. To do away with the cabinet and bedside table, a customized stand was placed beside my bed, with protrusions where you could place your mobile phones, clothes, wallets and other accessories.

Together with this customized stand was the working desk and this was where the phone, hotel’s directory, complimentary teabags and bottled water were placed.

The pale yellow walls were a departure from the lobby’s industrial design and in this regard the room had a more conventional look. If you prefer a look that’s similar to the lobby, there are the standard and superior rooms to consider. The highlight was undoubtedly the bed which was more spacious than I expected.

what’s in hotel yan’s complimentary minibar

The complimentary minibar was a welcome treat. It consisted of two cans of Coke, some chips and M&Ms. It was a pretty modest spread but for the price point, I found it to be a nice touch.

A dark glass panel with a sliding door separated the room from the bathroom. While some may not necessarily appreciate this modern approach, visibility to the bath area could easily be inhibited with curtains if you need the extra privacy.

I like how the property packages its toiletries set. While the suppliers may easily be similar to other more conventional hotels, it was quite apparent how much effort was spent on branding to derive a more differentiated look. The toiletry pouch which was thoughtfully included was also a nice touch and something I see (if at all) in luxury properties only.

The shower area was surprisingly spacious and came with an overhead rainshower while the shampoo, conditioner and shower gel were of the in-house brand.

As a small hotel, you’d most likely recognize the staff members if you are staying for a few days. While my interactions with them are mostly limited to the front desk and housekeeping, I loved how they addressed me by name. The front desk is also an excellent source of information especially on places to eat – and there are a LOT in the area.

Spacious Suite

As curious as I was with the hotel’s other room types, I had a look at the 28 square meter suite. It was markedly bigger, with enough space for a sitting area.

The bathroom features a standalone tub and has a pronounced industrial vibe. While the suite doesn’t include a balcony, the window extends through the entire length of the room.

Verdict

A hipster boutique hotel with rates as low as SGD 99+ per night? Yes please! While the Deluxe Room that I stayed in costs around SGD 20 more, I found this hotel to be of good value especially if you’re looking for a less conventional place to stay. The complimentary minibar and smartly packaged toiletries were nice touches. The only downside I could think of is the lack of a breakfast option. However, this is soon to change when Nido Cafe opens in a few weeks. In any case, it’s very easy to grab something cheaply from the many cafes or food courts nearby.

Hotel Yan
162 Tyrwhitt Road
Singapore 207581
Phone: +65 6805 1955
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