The Bus Collective — Attraction in Singapore

The Bus Collective: A Unique and Quirky Staycation Experience (4/5 Stars)

Rating:

• Concept & Design: 5/5 (Unique and charming, with a perfect blend of vintage buses and lush tropical landscaping)

• Rooms: 4/5 (Spacious, modern, and well-designed, featuring luxurious touches like a round bed and freestanding bathtub)

• Amenities & Services: 4/5 (Private sheltered area with BBQ pit, friendly and helpful staff; however, limited parking and breakfast options are on the pricier side)

• Location: 3.5/5 (Quiet and peaceful, but limited attractions in immediate vicinity; rental bikes would be a great addition for exploring the area)

Overall: 4/5

Donkey and I were looking for a special place to celebrate his birthday, and we decided on a staycation at The Bus Collective, a unique hotel located in Changi Village, Singapore. It's the first hotel in Southeast Asia built from repurposed public buses, offering a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

We were immediately impressed by the hotel's charming contrast: vintage buses nestled within a lush, tropical landscape. The neatly manicured lawns and shaded patio areas created a tranquil and inviting atmosphere.

When we entered our bus room, we were amazed by the spacious and modern interior. The minimalist design scheme, featuring neutral tones and clean lines, created a feeling of sophisticated comfort. The round bed and freestanding bathtub were particularly luxurious touches that added to the unique and romantic feel of the room.

I especially loved the bathtub, which was sparkling clean and felt brand new. I also adored the round bed, which we both found very romantic. The living room area was well-spread and well-organized, and we were very impressed with the bathroom and toilet area, which were separate, clean, and well-stocked with amenities.

The hotel's attention to detail is truly impressive. We especially loved the private sheltered area just outside our bus, complete with a BBQ pit. It's a great way to enjoy the outdoors and create a truly unique experience. We considered using the BBQ pit, but the BBQ package for two was $70, which I felt was a bit pricey. Instead, we decided to head to Changi Village to pick up some delicious nasi lemak and sugar cane, which we enjoyed in our private sheltered area. It was a lovely, relaxing, and authentic way to experience the local flavors.

I also booked the breakfast set, which isn't included in the room rate. Donkey had the American breakfast with coffee, while I chose the Tuna croissant with coffee. While the food was good, we found the breakfast to be a little expensive, so we recommend exploring other breakfast options in Changi Village if you are looking for cheaper breakfast options.

If you're looking for a unique and fun staycation experience, The Bus Collective is a great option. The hotel is quiet and peaceful, making it perfect for a romantic getaway or a celebration with friends. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the attention to detail is commendable. The only downside is that parking is limited, and you might have to park at the Changi Village car park and walk a short distance to the hotel.

One suggestion for The Bus Collective would be to offer rental bicycles for guests who want to explore the area. Besides the nearby Changi Beach, Seagrill Les restaurant, Changi Hawker Centre, and coffee shops, there isn't much else to do in the immediate vicinity. Rental bikes would allow guests to easily explore the surrounding area and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Overall, we had a memorable and enjoyable stay at The Bus Collective. The hotel's unique concept, well-maintained rooms, and tranquil atmosphere make it a great choice for anyone looking for something different.

We are giving The Bus Collective a 4-star rating. It's a unique and fun hotel with a lot to offer, but the parking situation and pricier breakfast options are things to keep in mind. Rental bikes would be a...

The trip began with a thoughtful phone call from the resort to remind me about my booking for the day, which I appreciated as it made me feel well-prepared. However, I was informed during the call that parking was chargeable, which slightly dampened the mood, especially considering the overall cost of the stay.||Upon arrival, the check-in process was smooth, and the receptionist, Kelvin, was both welcoming and accommodating. He provided excellent service and made us feel at ease right from the start. Our first impression of the room was positive—the interior was clean and well-maintained, though I did notice that the exterior required some attention. There were stains visible on the bus, which gave the impression that it hadn’t been properly cleaned or maintained recently.||The room's amenities were well stocked, and we were particularly impressed by the high-quality products from Ink & Water, which added a nice touch to our stay. One slight issue we encountered was that the room we were allocated had some plants blocking the view from the bus driver’s seat. This made it difficult for us to take clear pictures of our kids in the driver's seat, which was a bit of a disappointment.|The minibar in the room, however, was lacking refreshments, which was a bit of a letdown. It would have been nice to have some basic drinks or snacks available for convenience.||The Wi-Fi connection in the room was unfortunately unreliable, which left our kids disappointed as they were looking forward to some online entertainment. However, Kelvin was very understanding and offered a kind gesture by providing an alternative solution to make up for the inconvenience, which we greatly appreciated. It’s small acts like these that can make a big difference in the overall experience.||The BBQ area had a grill available, but unfortunately, the grill mesh was not cleaned, so we had to prepare our own grill wire mesh. The seating area was well-lit, although the lighting was spoiled on the first night. We reported this issue to Kelvin, and while we were informed that it couldn’t be swapped out, he offered a lamp if necessary. On the second night, after further feedback, the staff were kind enough to help resolve the issue, ensuring we had proper lighting for our BBQ.||The room’s air-conditioning worked well and kept us comfortable throughout the stay. All the beds were incredibly comfortable, ensuring that we had a restful night.||Breakfast offered a variety of options, including Western, Malay, Indian, Chinese, and Vegan sets. While the taste was passable, it was convenient to have such a diverse selection to choose from.||Check-out was scheduled for 11 am, with no flexibility in timing, despite it being a Sunday. We were informed that the resort would be packed, which is understandable, though it would have been nice to have a bit of leniency in case we needed more time. The main reason for a later check-out was that our kids were napping, and a little extra time would have been appreciated to avoid rushing.||As there were no staff operating after 6 pm, we were provided with a number to call in case of an emergency. However, during office hours, there was no number available to call, and we had to walk over to the office if any issues arose. This could be an area for improvement to make communication more accessible.||The resort offers two exits: one leading directly to the beach and the other towards the Changi Village Hawker Centre. Both options were convenient for exploring the area, and we appreciated the...

The trip began with a thoughtful phone call from the resort to remind me about my booking for the day, which I appreciated as it made me feel well-prepared. However, I was informed during the call that parking was chargeable, which slightly dampened the mood, especially considering the overall cost of the stay.Upon arrival, the check-in process was smooth, and the receptionist, Kelvin, was both welcoming and accommodating. He provided excellent service and made us feel at ease right from the start. Our first impression of the room was positive—the interior was clean and well-maintained, though I did notice that the exterior required some attention. There were stains visible on the bus, which gave the impression that it hadn’t been properly cleaned or maintained recently.The room's amenities were well stocked, and we were particularly impressed by the high-quality products from Ink & Water, which added a nice touch to our stay. One slight issue we encountered was that the room we were allocated had some plants blocking the view from the bus driver’s seat. This made it difficult for us to take clear pictures of our kids in the driver's seat, which was a bit of a disappointment.The minibar in the room, however, was lacking refreshments, which was a bit of a letdown. It would have been nice to have some basic drinks or snacks available for convenience.The Wi-Fi connection in the room was unfortunately unreliable, which left our kids disappointed as they were looking forward to some online entertainment. However, Kelvin was very understanding and offered a kind gesture by providing an alternative solution to make up for the inconvenience, which we greatly appreciated. It’s small acts like these that can make a big difference in the overall experience.The BBQ area had a grill available, but unfortunately, the grill mesh was not cleaned, so we had to prepare our own grill wire mesh. The seating area was well-lit, although the lighting was spoiled on the first night. We reported this issue to Kelvin, and while we were informed that it couldn’t be swapped out, he offered a lamp if necessary. On the second night, after further feedback, the staff were kind enough to help resolve the issue, ensuring we had proper lighting for our BBQ.The room’s air-conditioning worked well and kept us comfortable throughout the stay. All the beds were incredibly comfortable, ensuring that we had a restful night.Breakfast offered a variety of options, including Western, Malay, Indian, Chinese, and Vegan sets. While the taste was passable, it was convenient to have such a diverse selection to choose from.Check-out was scheduled for 11 am, with no flexibility in timing, despite it being a Sunday. We were informed that the resort would be packed, which is understandable, though it would have been nice to have a bit of leniency in case we needed more time. The main reason for a later check-out was that our kids were napping, and a little extra time would have been appreciated to avoid rushing.As there were no staff operating after 6 pm, we were provided with a number to call in case of an emergency. However, during office hours, there was no number available to call, and we had to walk over to the office if any issues arose. This could be an area for improvement to make communication more accessible.The resort offers two exits: one leading directly to the beach and the other towards the Changi Village Hawker Centre. Both options were convenient for exploring the area, and we appreciated the...