SINGAPORE’S HERITAGE DISTRICTS aren’t known for cheap beds. CUBE Boutique Capsule Hotel is betting that they can be.
Two years after opening its first capsule hotel in Chinatown in 2016, CUBE has opened a second property in Kampong Glam, the historic Malay-Muslim quarter around the Sultan Mosque. The new hotel sits inside a handsomely restored shophouse, the narrow, multi-story row buildings that define old Singapore, and it’s built for a very specific traveler: young, digitally fluent, and more interested in the neighborhood outside than in the square footage inside.
CUBE is part of a growing portfolio of hospitality real estate across Asia run by RB Hospitality. Its formula is consistent: affordable accommodation in restored heritage buildings, placed squarely in the city’s conservation and cultural enclaves. The Kampong Glam address, right on the Kampong Glam Heritage Trail, is the clearest expression of that idea yet.
Why Kampong Glam
“Kampong Glam is chosen for its vibrancy, charm and rich heritage culture. In addition to the Sultan Mosque and the Malay Heritage Centre, there are a number of shops, cafes, restaurants and other bustling sites such as the hip Haji Lane. The Bugis MRT Station is only a 5-minute walk away,” said Sonia Anya Tay, CUBE’s chief operating officer and co-founder.
That’s the pitch in a sentence. The Malay Heritage Centre is a short walk away, Haji Lane’s murals and indie boutiques are around the corner, and the MRT (Singapore’s subway system) puts the rest of the city within easy reach.
Inside the Capsules
The property adds 56 beds, a mix of singles and queens, each in its own capsule. Singles measure 6 ft x 3 ft x 4 ft; queens measure 6 ft x 5 ft x 4 ft. Both come with plush mattresses and linen, individually controlled temperature and airflow, and solid insulation against ambient noise.
Each unit has a universal electrical outlet, a safe, a mirror and vanity area, a bedside light, a small space for hanging clothes, and a locker drawer with digital security. Rooms are named after the neighboring streets and hold anywhere from two to 18 capsules. Women traveling alone can book women-only rooms for extra security and privacy. The rooms are finished in soothing pine tones and soundproofed against the lively streets outside.
The bathrooms are spacious, with standing showers, hairdryers, and bath toiletries. Guests get a dental kit, slippers, and a towel at check-in, exchangeable daily. There’s a washing machine with complimentary detergent, and work desks for anyone who can’t fully switch off.
The restored shophouse facade of CUBE Kampong Glam.
Guests can use the washing machine, with free detergent, during their stay.
A Hotel Stay Without the Hotel Bill
The capsule format is only half the story. CUBE keeps the hotel essentials that most budget stays drop: daily housekeeping, a 24-hour concierge, airport pickups, free Wi-Fi, and a daily breakfast of local flavors served in a relaxed communal dining area. Guests can also order food through the Dining Butler, a smartphone app for orders and delivery.
The neighborhood does the rest. The hotel is flanked by Yasu Japanese Grill and a range of food and drink outlets, including halal options. Alfresco seats out front look onto Kampong Glam’s colorful streets, and the Singapore Visitor Centre, in the same lobby, books tours to the city’s major sights. Reception is staffed 24/7 by a team happy to share insider tips on local experiences.
That mix has drawn more than backpackers. Business travelers have taken to CUBE too, for the conveniences of a hotel at capsule prices. A night ranges between S$50 and S$120.
Eight Hotels in the Plan
“Our guests are typically 18-35 years old global explorers including founders of new generation businesses and special interest groups. The positive interest shown in our properties has inspired us to create a new CUBE Capsule concept which we aim to open before the end of this year. This is very much in line with our vision to grow the number of CUBE Boutique Capsule Hotels to eight in Singapore in the next few years,” Tay added.
Since launching the brand, the group has earned the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for its Chinatown property, as well as ISO 9001:2015 certification in Project Management of Hotel Construction & Renovation and Provision of Hospitality Services.