Louis Kienne Serviced Residences - Havelock

The Louis Kienne Serviced Residences is a modern aparthotel that caters exclusively to longer-stay guests. In fact, a seven-day minimum stay is required at the hotel. The look throughout is contemporary, though the lobby seems to have more color than the rest of the property thanks to the splashes of red on the accent furniture and decor. Up on the rooftop, the pool, indoor dining space (which doubles as a meeting room), and barbecue pit serve as the only real common areas, and are well-used by previous guests. As straightforward as all this sounds, the staff here do make an effort to keep the property well-maintained and, most importantly, clean -- a point well noted by previous guests. Given its limited social scene and features, Louis Kienne is best for independent, self-catering travelers.

Condominiums and public housing estates surround this property at the northern fringes of Tiong Bahru, so the neighborhood is relatively quiet. Do note that during some local festivals, like Chinese New Year, the field opposite holds events and it can get loud in the evening. The Singapore River and its slew of bars, restaurants, and cafes are about eight minutes away on foot, while nightlife hot spot Clarke Quay is six minutes away by car. The nearest train station is Tiong Bahru MRT, but to get there in 10 minutes you'll have to take shortcuts and small roads that online maps may not recognize (it's 16 minutes on foot if you follow the main route). Otherwise, there are bus stops nearby that will take you to districts like Orchard Road in less than 30 minutes. Supermarkets, shopping malls, and movie theaters can be found in Tiong Bahru and across the river at Great World City (a 10-minute walk). Changi Airport is a 25-minute drive from Louis Kienne.

There are three types of suites to choose from here: One-Bedroom, Two-Bedroom, and Three-Bedroom. The decor in all follows a taupe-and-white color scheme, with simple dark wood furniture including desks. Overall, the vibe is light and fresh. The kitchenettes are right by the front door and are tiny, but come fully equipped with microwaves, electric burners, sinks, refrigerators, kettles, and other essentials like cookware, dishes, and silverware. Ventilation is an issue, though -- if you're making anything that sizzles, it may set off the smoke detector. The classy, earth-tone bathrooms are tiny as well, and towels and toiletries are provided. Note that in the majority of the apartments all bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, plus a main one in the living room. The only exception is the Three-Bedroom option, where one bedroom lacks its own bathroom.All apartments are fitted with convertible sofabeds and coffee tables in the living rooms. These are height-adjustable so you can use them as a dining surface. Other features include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, large built-in wardrobes, and ironing facilities. Every room (again, except the single-bed room in the Three-Bedroom Apartment) has a flat-screen TV with over 80 channels on cable. Additionally, smartphones come with each apartment and include free, unlimited data -- even allowing guests to make free local and select international calls. There's daily housekeeping service (except Sundays and public holidays) for guests staying less than a month, and twice a week for long-stay guests. 

Features are pretty slim here, and most are found up on the rooftop. These include a small pool that's excellent for laps and has a whirlpool on the side. However, with only six sun chairs and a small, shaded lounge area next to the pool shower, there may not be enough room to relax and laze around on the busy weekends. Using the barbecue pit here requires a small deposit and advanced booking, but there's a table for small gatherings with great views of the city. There's also indoor dining room, where a basic breakfast is served every morning (for a fee). The area seats about 35 and has high chairs and flat-screen TVs turned to the news. When breakfast is over, the same space is used as a meeting room. The property has its own token-operated laundry room that's open 24 hours. Some packages include tokens; otherwise you'll have to pay for them. Two standing computer stations are in the lobby for guests to use and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Parking is also free for guests.