Five Stones Hostel
by the TopOfHotel team
Five Stones is a hostel deep in Kampong Glam's Malay-Arab streets — 3 minutes from Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane.
Five Stones is a hostel deep in Kampong Glam's Malay-Arab streets — 3 minutes from Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The dorms and private rooms are simple — bunk beds, personal lockers, and walls painted in bright colours and street art. Some of the dorms have no window, and the shared bathrooms are basic, with a few reviews flagging the showers as small. On the whole it's clean and does the job. Prices start around $17 a night.
Food and amenities
A light breakfast is included, and there's a shared kitchen if you'd rather cook. The lounge stocks games and books, and laundry is free — handy on a longer trip. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
Location and getting there
The hostel sits in Kampong Glam, Singapore's Malay-Arab quarter, packed with colour, street art and local food. Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane — a lane of independent fashion shops — are both a 3-minute walk, with Arab Street, Middle Eastern restaurants and indie cafes all around. A bus stop is right outside the door, and Bugis MRT is a 10-minute walk for crossing town.
Things to know before booking
Ask for a room with a window if that matters to you — some of the dorms don't have one. The shared bathrooms are basic, and some guests find the showers cramped. This is a backpacker hostel through and through, so don't come expecting hotel-grade comfort.
Our take
Book this if you want to live inside Kampong Glam — the street art, the indie shops on Haji Lane, the Middle Eastern food — for around $17 a night. It scores 7.8/10, and the trade-off is simple rooms and basic shared bathrooms. For budget travellers who want neighbourhood over polish, it's an easy yes.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Hard to beat the location: you're in the middle of Kampong Glam, with Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane both a 3-minute walk away.
- The lounge comes with games and books, and there's a shared kitchen and free laundry on top.
- Prices start around $17 a night, which is cheap for this group.
- A bus stop sits right outside the door, and Bugis MRT is a 10-minute walk for getting across the city.
- A light breakfast is included, so you can grab something before heading out to explore Arab Street.
- Some of the dorms have no window, so ask for a room with one if natural light matters to you.
- The shared bathrooms are basic, and some reviews mention the showers are on the small side.
- This is a backpacker hostel, not a place for anyone who wants hotel-grade amenities.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Walk 3 minutes to Haji Lane for indie boutiques and street art, then loop back through Arab Street for Middle Eastern food.
- If a window matters to you, ask for a dorm with one — some rooms don't have any.
- Skip the MRT for short hops: the bus stop right outside the door saves you the 10-minute walk to Bugis.