Royal Lodge @ Pagoda Street
by the TopOfHotel team
Royal Lodge is the closest hostel in the group to Chinatown MRT — 100 m, on Pagoda Street, right in the thick of Chinatown's shopping and eating.
Royal Lodge is the closest hostel in the group to Chinatown MRT — 100 m, on Pagoda Street, right in the thick of Chinatown's shopping and eating.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Plain dorm beds and a few private rooms inside an old conserved shophouse — small rooms, bunk beds, lockers and power outlets, with shared bathrooms that reviewers rate as clean enough. Guests are clear that the rooms are nothing special; the location is the real draw. Rates start at $19 a night.
Food and amenities
The basics are covered — free Wi-Fi, lockers and air-con. For food you are spoilt: you are standing on Pagoda Street in the middle of Chinatown's eating and shopping, and Maxwell Food Centre is about 5 minutes on foot for cheap hawker plates.
Location and getting there
This is the strongest card. Chinatown MRT is a 100 m walk, under 2 minutes, on Pagoda Street at the heart of the shopping drag. Ringed by the Chinatown Street Market, the Chinatown Heritage Centre and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, it is prime ground for anyone who wants to eat and shop their way through old Chinatown.
Things to know before booking
The downside is the same as the upside: the street is loud, busy all day and into the night, so light sleepers will feel it. Rooms are small, in line with the old building, and this is a no-frills hostel — bunks, lockers and shared bathrooms rather than anything plush.
Our take
Book it for the address. If you want to be in the middle of Chinatown and a step from the MRT on a tight budget, Royal Lodge delivers exactly that at $19 a night and a 7.8/10 score. Just bring earplugs and don't expect the rooms to impress.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Closest stay to Chinatown MRT in this group — 100 m, under a 2-minute walk.
- Sits on Pagoda Street, the lively shopping-and-eating heart of Chinatown.
- Within easy reach of the Chinatown Heritage Centre and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
- Maxwell Food Centre is about 5 minutes on foot for cheap hawker meals.
- Rates start at $19 a night, cheap for the group.
- The street stays busy and loud from day into the night, so light sleepers will notice it.
- Rooms are small, in keeping with the old shophouse it occupies.
- It is a basic hostel — bunk beds, lockers and shared bathrooms, with the location doing the heavy lifting rather than the rooms.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Ask for a room set back from Pagoda Street if you can — the market-facing side is the loud one.
- Walk about 5 minutes to Maxwell Food Centre for cheap hawker meals instead of eating on the tourist drag.
- With Chinatown MRT 100 m away, skip taxis and use the train to reach the rest of the city.