Why We Chose the Village Albert Court Hotel in Singapore

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I picked the Village Albert Court Hotel because I wanted to stay close to Little India and move through the area on foot. The hotel looked convenient, quiet, and a budget-friendly option to the Fullerton or Raffles. It gave us a good starting point for the long weekend we planned to explore the city of Singapore.

We arrived by Grab early, and I worried we would have to wait. Instead, reception checked us in straightaway and even upgraded us. I will never forget the wide smile on his face or the small, polite bow he gave when we walked up. The warmth felt immediate and sincere. The hotel sits in Little India and carries that soft colonial feel I grew up seeing in the Bollywood films I love. I half expected a full musical to break out every time I entered the courtyard.

Table of Contents

View Table of Contents

• Location
• What We Loved About the Neighborhood
• Room and Amenities
• Dining Options
• Architecture and Layout
• Would I Stay at the Village Albert Court Hotel Again?
• Like it. Pin it.

Location

Rochor MRT Station sits a one-minute walk from the hotel. The line connects to the Central Business District, Marina Bay, and other major areas across Singapore. Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple is within walking distance. Mustafa Centre is less than a mile from the property. Changi Airport is about a 25-minute drive.

Little India shaped our experience. The streets open early with fruit, flowers, incense, and steady foot traffic. Food stalls, small shops, and markets sit within a few minutes of the hotel. The property sits slightly off the main road, which keeps noise levels lower at night.

What We Loved About the Neighborhood

We loved all the neighborhoods. Little India is a great place to stay if you want easy meals at Tekka Centre and long walks filled with color, food, and multiple languages. The air carried curry and warm spices from nearby kitchens. I stopped on a side street and got a henna tattoo that lasted through the rest of the trip. We also had our eyebrows threaded and dyed, which became its own small adventure.

We also ate in Chinatown, Airport Road Food Centre, and Maxwell Food Centre where we tried dishes Anthony Bourdain once recommended. These were foods we had wanted to try for years. Each stop offered something different, so we chose meals based on what we felt like eating that day.

Kampong Glam sat close enough to reach on foot. I visited Sifr Perfume on Arab Street and created my own scent in a small workshop lined with glass bottles and warm light. Moving between these neighborhoods helped us see more of Singapore without long rides or complicated routes.

Room and Amenities

Our room felt modern and simple, with clean lines and tidy spaces. Small Peranakan details showed up in the tiles, patterns, and colors, reflecting the blend of Chinese and Malay influences found in Singapore. The room included a flat-screen TV, an in-room safe, air-conditioning, and a private bathroom with a glass-door shower. And I was really impressed with the water pressure.

Toiletries, toothbrushes, and toothpaste were provided. Check-in begins at 14:00, and check-out runs until 12:00. Free WiFi worked throughout the property, which helped me settle in without effort.

Our view wasn’t great, it looked onto some construction. There is no pool, but the hotel has a well-equipped gym. A convenience store sits inside the courtyard, and a 7-Eleven is located around the corner. The tour desk was helpful, helping us plan our itinerary around the city.

Dining Options

Breakfast costs $23 and is optional. Premier reservations include a free continental breakfast. We chose not to upgrade to include breakfast with so many hawker centers nearby. But if you like to start your day with breakfast, it runs from 06:30 to 10:30. Since it is located in Little India, I believe the hotel offers Halal options. I read it explicitly does not use pork or lard in breakfast dishes. And while we were there, the hotel was in the process of obtaining Halal certification during our visit. So if that’s important to you, you should contact the hotel in advance.

And while we didn’t eat there, I noticed the Albert Cafe serves local dishes. Shish Mahal Restaurant offers Northern Indian cuisine. There is a lively beer garden–style restaurant in the courtyard, no affiliation, and the lobby bar provides drinks and light snacks. There is a cash-only convenience store in the courtyard. Seven Eleven is just a block away.

Architecture and Layout

I like the British colonial style because it feels familiar to me, and my home carries touches of it with dark wood furniture, simple lines, rattan accents, and warm textured fabrics that soften each room. The look blends structure with comfort, and I feel at ease in spaces built this way.

The Village Albert Court Hotel reflects that same feeling. It occupies restored pre-war shophouses arranged around two small courtyards and blends older colonial details with modern updates. Teak furniture, ceiling fans, tiled floors, and louvered windows shape much of the interior, and an escalator connects the lobby to the mezzanine. The open courtyards let natural light reach the walkways and create a clear connection between the two wings. The spaces feel cozy and easy to navigate, and the simple modern touches made the stay feel calm and familiar.

You’ll find the same British colonial style in some of Singapore’s most expensive hotels, like Raffles Hotel, The Fullerton Hotel, and Goodwood Park Hotel. The difference is scale, not atmosphere. Instead of grand halls and towering verandas, the Village Albert Court Hotel offers a quieter, more intimate version of the same aesthetic, and that works in its favor.

Would I Stay at the Village Albert Court Hotel Again?

I will admit it. I was side-eyeing Marina Bay Sands, Raffles, and The Fullerton like someone checking prices they already know they won’t pay. Yes, I was. But the pool and the bragging rights to say I stayed at Marina Bay Sands were not enough to make me fork over a thousand dollars per night.

For that price, we would have spent most of our time in the pool and missed much of the city. That isn’t how we travel. Steven and I prefer neighborhoods where we can walk, eat, and reach other areas without long rides. This location allowed that.

The Village Albert Court Hotel met our price point at about 120 dollars per night. This mattered because many of the attractions we planned to visit were expensive. The hotel gave us a practical base close to public transportation and close to the places we wanted to explore.

We slept well, moved across the city without any trouble, and appreciated how the hotel helped us save money while still experiencing the best Singapore had to offer.

180 Albert Street, Singapore 189971 Phone: +65 6339 3939 Email: frontofc.vhac@fareast.com

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