Last Updated on 09/09/2024 by Arun jain
grew up in SingaporeI thought that I Saw most of my country — a city-state slightly smaller than the size of New York City.
But then a A 20-minute ferry ride to Lazarus Island, one of Singapore’s eight southern islands, I felt like I was in another country.
The island, which is only 47 hectares in size, has a convenience store, water sports center and two accommodations. That’s it.
During my three-day visit in August, I a small house by Small away for one night.
Launched in May last year by Singaporean tiny home startup, Big Tiny, Tiny Away features five tiny homes that measure Approximately 139 square feet each — or a slightly smaller than average parking space.
Adrian Chia, cofounder of Big Tiny, told me that Tiny Away aims to provide guests with the opportunity to stay in unique accommodations while still being close to nature.
“Being close to nature doesn’t mean you have to rough it. You can get hotel-like amenities and facilities during the stay,” he said.
The houses are also equipped with sustainable features. They are made of eco-friendly materials, powered mainly by solar panels, and include compost bins.
After cleaning fees and taxes, the stay costs 380 Singapore dollars, or about $290 per night — comparable to rates at some 5-star hotels on this one. SentosaAn island resort near Singapore.
The house felt spacious despite its small size.
When I arrived, I was impressed that so much could be done Fits a 139-square-foot home.
The house didn’t feel claustrophobic, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, which offered a view of the Singapore Strait. With air conditioning, guests can feel connected to nature while sheltered from Singapore’s humid climate. It was 89 degrees outside during my stay.
The room includes a queen-size bed, a sofa bed, a kitchenette equipped with a microwave, and a large bathroom.
Each house on Tiny Away has a theme based on the period and the room I chose was inspired by the 1980s. It featured mid-century furniture and retro decor, such as ’80s vinyl records as wall art. These decorations add a sense of innovation to an otherwise bare interior.
“We wanted to show guests that each tiny house can have its own unique character,” Chia said when I asked about the reasoning behind the theme in early August. Different eras of Singapore’s development are represented in each home, he added. In addition to the 1980s retro house, there is the 1900 house, which resembles a traditional black and white colonial house, and the 2017 house.
But as I settled into the space, I saw a mosquito buzzing around. As soon as I removed it, I saw another zipping around the room.
They were everywhere. When I stepped outside, my feet became an all-you-can-eat buffet for mosquitoes. As a result, I spent most of the afternoon indoors.
Fortunately, the interior was comfortable. It was also clear that the staff had tried to alleviate the mosquito situation by providing a canister of insecticide and a small portable bug zapper – which, unfortunately, was not entirely helpful.
However, I knew I was defeating the purpose of the investment by copping up. After dousing myself with disinfectant, I took a short stroll to Lazarus Beach, which was only three minutes away.
Despite it being a weekday, all the five houses were booked
Walking along the beach, I met other guests – a couple with their horse and their friend, who brought her cocker spaniel. The group had booked two houses to celebrate the horseman’s birthday.
The owner of the cocker spaniel, who is in his 30s and works in banking, said the accommodation was spacious enough for him and his dog.
“The concept of this place is to get away from the busy life and be close to nature. That is a good message. The way the unit is placed, you can constantly see nature,” she said.
And even though every room has a TV with a Netflix subscription, she tries not to watch it. Instead, he brought a book. “I’ll try to think about work,” she said.
Around my house, there was a family with two little boys. While swatting away mosquitoes, the father, a doctor in his late 30s, told me he had learned about housing through the local media. As the place was popular, he had to book it months in advance.
He enjoyed the tranquility of the island and said the beach was child-friendly, with gentle waves and fine sand. However, he felt that the small house was too small for his family of four.
“I will definitely come back again with my wife, hopefully when our parents can take care of the children,” he said.
Word to the wise: There are very limited food options on the island
There is a convenience store on the island, but it is closed on weekdays. Guests can pre-order a prepared microwave meal for $6 — which is what I chose — or bring their own.
But when night fell my food did not come. After contacting customer service, I learned that the staff forgot about my meal and headed back to the mainland at 6pm.
Luckily, every room was stocked with snacks and instant noodles. As I poured hot water into my chicken-flavored cup noodles, I felt a world away from living on the mainland, where you can find food options anytime and have them delivered in minutes.
I awoke to the chirping of a common house gecko and distant birds
I intended to spend my morning exploring more of the island.
But this time, it wasn’t the mosquitoes that kept me inside. Dark clouds loomed over the small houses, and soon, there was a torrential downpour.
By the time the sky cleared, it was 11 am, and almost time to checkout.
Living in a tiny house allowed me to recharge
Lives in small houses Sparked a movement promoting minimal living and sustainability called the tiny house movement. However, the trend has started Countries like the USNew to Singapore, Tiny Away is the only option for those who want to try a tiny home without going overseas.
Prudence Lai, a consultant at market research firm Euromonitor, said tourists have become more experienced since the pandemic and now seek authentic local experiences rather than just spending on tangible goods.
The desire to find unique accommodations is reflected in the demand for Tiny Away. Since its opening, Tiny Away has been running at an average of 90% occupancy, Chia said, with most guests being locals.
Chia said many guests didn’t realize how peaceful it was to stay at Lazarus. “They always enjoy the fact that it allows them to leave their phones and laptops behind and recharge themselves,” he said.
I felt the same way. Although WiFi was available in the room, the connection was unstable. I didn’t need it anyway, because instead of checking my phone for notifications like I usually do when I get home, I was enjoying the view of the ocean and forest in the distance.
Given its premium price tag and the range of similarly priced luxury hotel options in Singapore, I won’t go back. But a small getaway can be ideal for guests looking for solitude or opportunity To experience the city-state minus all the heights. Just be prepared to avoid mosquitoes at the door And pack some extra food.
Business Insider covered the author’s investment expenses.
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