The Great Madras by Hotel Calmo

Rooms and decor

Picture an old 1940s shophouse on the corner of Madras Street, in a Little India full of color, spice smells and lively bustle, brought back to life in soft pastels and curvy Art Deco lines until it became one of the most photogenic corners of the district. That is the charm of The Great Madras by Hotel Calmo, a 3-star, 35-room boutique at 28 Madras Street. The selling point is old-building character married to contemporary design with real taste. Rooms come in several types to suit your budget and space, done in bright, cheerful tones against fun retro detail, and some have a small balcony for a morning coffee over the old quarter. Beds are comfortable and the rooms are kept clean. Reviewers agree the design has a character unlike a typical chain hotel and photographs well from every angle — you wake up in a stylish room and step out into the energy of Little India within a few paces, an atmosphere that is hard to find in other districts.

Food and amenities

If one thing sets this little boutique apart from places at a similar price, it is the outdoor pool tucked into the middle of the building, where you can cool off after a full day of walking — rare at this price point. The poolside is noticeably quieter than the street outside, good for a lie-back in the soft sun. Then there is the in-house cafe, more than just a breakfast spot — many people like to sit over a coffee, do a little light work or meet friends in a chilled-out room done in the hotel's pastel theme. There is free Wi-Fi throughout and common areas designed to look good in photos. The amenities are not as lavish as a big hotel's, but they are just enough and charming in their own way, leaning on cuteness, style and value — which fits this boutique's character. And the streets around are full of original eateries to keep trying.

Location and getting there

The location is another strong card. The hotel sits in the heart of the Little India heritage district at 28 Madras Street, about a 5-minute walk to Little India MRT (North East / Downtown lines), so you can hop a train to other sights across Singapore easily. Nearby is Tekka Centre, a well-known wet market and food court packed with original eats, and a short walk off is Mustafa Centre, the legendary store open 24 hours that seems to sell almost everything. Around the hotel is a real treasure trove for food lovers — original South Indian restaurants, roti shops, brightly colored sweets and street food lined up to explore all day, threaded with Hindu temples and boldly painted old shophouses to photograph along the way. If you want a stay that is both easy on the trains and steeped in Indian culture the moment you step out, at a price that is still kind on the wallet, this location scores a perfect ten.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. The first thing to understand is room size — several room types here are fairly compact and look smaller than the promotional photos, and some reviewers found the space tight with little storage. If you are travelling with a large suitcase or want more room, book a larger room type. Second is noise: the hotel sits right on a street in the middle of a very busy district, so lower-floor or street-facing rooms can pick up traffic and the bustle of the area, especially in the evenings and at crowded weekends. Light sleepers should ask for a higher floor or an inward-facing room. Third, being a restored old building and a small boutique, some amenities are not as extensive as a big hotel's, and a few rooms may show some wear with the age of the building. Anyone who wants everything spotless and brand-new may need to make a little peace with that. If you understand the draw here is design, location and value more than space and quiet, you will stay happily and fall for its charm.

Our take

After reading through a lot of real reviews, The Great Madras by Hotel Calmo is a boutique that delivers pastel Art Deco design in a 1940s shophouse, an outdoor pool and in-house cafe that are rare at this price, a location in the heart of Little India within walking reach of the MRT and original restaurants, and friendly, easy-going staff. If your trip picture is waking up in a stylish room, cooling off in the pool, sipping coffee in a cute cafe, then heading out for original South Indian food and a day of photographing the old quarter, all on a budget that does not hurt, this is a lovely and great-value pick. But if you expect spacious rooms, a quiet atmosphere or the full amenity spread of a big hotel, the compact rooms and the buzz of the district may not be for you. Overall we give it 7.8/10, best for couples, design-minded travellers and backpackers who want a stylish stay in the middle of a lively cultural district on a comfortable budget.