Clifden Hostel
by the TopOfHotel team
Clifden is a budget hostel near Rochor MRT whose best feature is its 24-hour front desk, which makes it easy for travelers arriving late at night.
Clifden is a budget hostel near Rochor MRT whose best feature is its 24-hour front desk, which makes it easy for travelers arriving late at night.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Clifden keeps it simple: shared dorms and private rooms, with bunk beds that come with a locker, a power outlet and a reading light. The shared bathrooms are clean and the air-con works well. Rooms run small, which is normal for a city hostel. Reviews say nothing here stands out, but everything does its job.
Food and amenities
There's no breakfast on site, but that barely matters given where you are — the streets around the hostel are full of Indian restaurants and food courts, cheap and varied, with plenty within a short walk. Inside, you get free Wi-Fi, lockers and a 24-hour front desk. The common area is small, so it's more a place to sleep and head out than to linger.
Location and getting there
The hostel sits in Rochor, between Bugis and Little India. Rochor MRT on the Downtown Line is a 5-minute walk, and Bugis MRT (East-West and Downtown lines) is another 5 to 7 minutes — between them you can get across the whole city. Bugis Street and Little India are right there for food and a wander.
Things to know before booking
The decor is plain and won't win anyone over — this is a functional bunk, not a boutique stay. The common area is small, so don't expect a social lounge to hang around in. And there's no breakfast, though that's easily solved a few steps from the door.
Our take
Book Clifden if you want a cheap bed from $18 with a front desk that never closes and a location wedged between Bugis and Little India. It scores 7.7/10 on Agoda. It's right for budget backpackers who value an easy late check-in and being central — and wrong for anyone after a hostel with atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The front desk is staffed 24 hours, which makes a late-night or early-morning check-in painless.
- Rooms start at $18 a night, which is cheap even for a Singapore hostel.
- Rochor MRT on the Downtown Line is a 5-minute walk, and Bugis MRT is another 5 to 7 minutes — easy connections across the city.
- You're between Bugis and Little India, with Bugis Street and several food courts within walking distance.
- Dorm and private rooms are clean, the shared bathrooms are tidy, and the air-con works well.
- The decor is plain and forgettable — this is a functional place to sleep, not a design hostel.
- The common area is small, so there isn't much room to hang out indoors.
- There's no breakfast on site, though plenty of cheap food is a short walk away.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Book this one specifically if your flight is at an odd hour — the 24-hour front desk means there's always someone to hand you a key.
- Walk 5 to 7 minutes to Bugis MRT instead of only using Rochor — it puts you on both the East-West and Downtown lines for more route options.
- Skip looking for breakfast at the hostel and head into Little India or a nearby food court instead, where the Indian restaurants and food stalls are cheap and varied.