Fragrance Hotel - Oasis — Hotel in Singapore

My recent stay at a budget hotel offered a mixed bag of experiences that ranged from mildly inconvenient to pleasantly acceptable. From the onset, the size of the room presented the first of these mixed impressions. Despite understanding the constraints often associated with budget accommodations, the reality of our room's dimensions was somewhat disheartening upon first glance. This initial disappointment, however, was mitigated by our itinerary, which kept us out and about for the majority of our stay, reducing the impact of the room's size on our overall experience.In anticipation of our arrival, we had reached out to the hotel 1-2 days prior, requesting the possibility of an early check-in. This was based on the premise that should a room be available, we could conveniently settle in before the standard check-in time. The hotel's response, though non-committal, acknowledged our request, advising us to confirm the possibility upon our arrival. This interaction, although not promising, was appreciated for its clarity and professional handling of our request.Upon our arrival in Singapore, we were met with a situation that seemed hopeful at first. The specific room we had booked showed availability for early check-in, bolstering our optimism. However, our hopes were quickly dashed when the request was outright denied, not even allowing for a compromise of an hour earlier than scheduled. This strict adherence to check-in times, despite apparent room availability, was a first in my travel experiences. The option to leave our luggage at the front desk, though a small consolation, was offered with a disclaimer of risk, which did little to alleviate our initial frustration.Transportation options near the hotel were a mix of convenience and limitation. The proximity of bus services facilitated our daily excursions, offering a seamless connection to the broader cityscape. The absence of a nearby metro station, however, was felt, particularly in moments when the ease of metro travel would have been preferred. This minor inconvenience was factored into our travel plans, and though not ideal, it was manageable within the context of our stay.The interaction with the hotel staff varied greatly, painting a complex picture of customer service. Of the several receptionists we encountered, three provided commendable service, marked by professionalism and a willingness to assist. Their efforts added a layer of comfort to our stay, partially offsetting earlier grievances. The initial receptionist we dealt with, however, left much to be desired. Her demeanor was off-putting, marked by a brusqueness and an apparent annoyance at our arrival. This interaction, unfortunate as it was, framed our first impression of the hotel's hospitality, setting a tone that subsequent interactions worked hard to rectify.In summary, our stay at this budget hotel in Singapore was a journey through a spectrum of experiences. From the constraints of physical space to the fluctuations in customer service quality, each aspect contributed to a nuanced overall impression. While not without its drawbacks, the stay offered valuable lessons in managing expectations and finding appreciation in the smaller gestures of hospitality that shone through the less...

I chose Fragrance Oasis for 5 nights as I wanted to try a Fragrance Hotel, got a very discounted price by booking on Agoda, and I like the Balestier area. The hotel has a bus stop outside to get to Novena MRT station, and there are other bus stops across the road. Also, Zhongshan Mall is nearby which has a supermarket, chemist, bakery and other food outlets. There is also another Fairprice supermarket in the basement level of Shaw Centre which is over the road and down a few hundred metres. Fast food outlets are there too. There is a fruit shop/stall next to the hotel, and next to that is Balestier Food Centre.

I emailed a few days before my stay to confirm my details and they replied promptly. I arrived at Fragrance Oasis at 12noon and got my twin bedded room immediately. I really appreciated that. No window in the room, but I like that as it’s darker so I sleep better. Room wasn’t as small as I thought it would be. Large wardrobe to store my clothes, shoes and suitcases. My room was very clean and tidy.

Two single beds. Very clean white bed linen and good pillows. Inbetween the beds was a desk area with kettle and lots of tea and coffee supplies, and two bottles of water. All this was replenished every day.

Very small TV high up on the wall, and it didn’t have many channels.

The small bathroom was very clean and modern. The shower was up above the toilet area and some people may not like that, but I found it ok and had enough space to move around and shower. The water was very hot and had good water pressure. Basic toiletries were provided and there was a body wash soap dispenser near the shower area.

Air conditioning initially took a little while to cool the room, but then worked very well.

Housekeeping staff came promptly every day and my room was done when I got back after lunch. I also often saw housekeeping staff vacuuming the hallways so the general atmosphere of the hotel was clean and well-maintained.

Wifi internet worked well in my room for the first 2 days, then was sporadic, then I couldn’t connect from my room. I ended up going down to Reception and sitting in a seat there to check emails one morning. Another guest was having the same issue too and was sitting there also.

Staff at the front Reception desk were well dressed, polite, and there was always someone at the desk when I came and went.

I found the hotel quiet, tidy and I was quite comfortable, even though this was a budget hotel.

I think I will stay again at Fragrance Oasis on one of my regular trips to Singapore if I see the the hotel at a good price similar to what I paid in...

UPDATE: Fragrance Oasis response my review.

TO ROLAND:

Thank you for your response. I’d like to clarify that my review was never intended to criticize the hotel for being a budget choice—I fully understood the room size and facilities would reflect that. My stay at Fragrance Oasis was a practical choice during our home renovation, not a matter of affordability, and I chose to highlight the commendable service of your staff—particularly Jeremy—for exactly that reason: they went above and beyond despite the modest setting.

What I did find disappointing, however, was the implication in your reply that I was unaware of Singapore's land constraints or that I had expectations beyond what a 2-star hotel could provide. This misses the point of my review entirely. I gave an honest account of my experience, which included both challenges and praise, and I think it's important for businesses to respond with grace and humility, especially when guests take the time to express appreciation for the people who make a difference.

Once again, I’d like to thank Jeremy and the rest of the team for their outstanding service.

A Surprisingly Pleasant Stay at Fragrance Oasis – Thanks to the Team!

We stayed at Fragrance Oasis Hotel in Singapore for 13 nights (22 May to 4 June) during our HIP (Home Improvement Programme) period.

As a 2-star budget hotel, we knew we were signing up for something basic—but what we didn’t expect was the exceptional service we received.

A special shout-out to Jeremy, who really stood out with his professionalism and efficiency. During our initial check-in, we encountered a few hiccups—namely a lift under maintenance that we weren’t informed about, and a malfunctioning telephone in our room. Jeremy handled both situations calmly and promptly, ensuring we were settled in as comfortably as possible. His helpfulness and responsiveness truly exceeded expectations. Honestly, his level of service could put some 5-star hotels to shame—we’d give him 6 stars if we could!

As for the room—it was definitely on the tiny side 😂. Let's just say "shower time" was a bit of a logistical challenge! That said, we were fortunate to have a very quiet room, which we really appreciated during our extended stay.

Kudos also to Aaron, Teddy, Marcus, Ida, Evan, Sharon, and the rest of the team. Everyone we encountered was courteous and helpful, making our long stay much more pleasant than we anticipated.

All in all, while Fragrance Oasis may be a no-frills budget hotel, the warmth and service from the staff—especially Jeremy—made it a memorable and comfortable stay.

Thank...