Hostel living goes upmarket

TNP PHOTO: Kelvin Chng
The term hostel might conjure images of backpackers, cramped and dingy quarters and few amenities.

But some hostels in Singapore are going upmarket and boutique catering to the rise of the flash-packer.

From mood lighting within pod-like bunk beds to personal key-cards like those used in hotels, these hostels are catering to a new group of guests who are looking for luxury on a modest budget.

But the frills come at a cost.

Guests pay between $40 and $50 per bed a night, about six times the amount charged by low-range hostels, which have beds starting from $8.