Pronounced "life", lyf markets itself as a co-living concept where a community of like-minded people facilitates life, work and play. lyf Funan is the first property of its brand. Opened in September 2019, it occupies floors 4 to 12 at Funan Mall (which was revamped in a three-year makeover) in City Hall, with a total of 412 rooms.
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| lyf Funan on levels 4 to 12 of the mall |
The brand has further properties planned in one-north (324 units) and Farrer Park (240 units) that are expected to open in 2021. Globally, it will also expand to Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand over the next few years.
Check In
The lyf logo should be easy to spot for guests entering Funan Mall from the northwest entrance (along Hill St). Past the mall entrance, directional signs guide guests to a dedicated elevator that serves the fourth floor where the hotel reception is located. Alternatively, one can take the escalators up and find the hotel entrance at the corner of the fourth floor.
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| lyf signage by the mall entrance |
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| Hotel entrance on fourth floor |
For check-in, guests are asked to download the lyf by Ascott app to retrieve their booking (note that this is different from the Discover ASR app). After presenting their identification documents at the reception desk, guests can find their mobile key on the app, which would be needed for elevators and room doors.
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| Mobile key activated on the lyf by Ascott app |
Alternatively, physical key cards are available, which comes with a nudge to use the app. I had to request one when the mobile key no longer worked after the noon check-out time.
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| Plastic key card |
Room
As a co-living concept, lyf Funan offers both individual rooms and apartment-style units. The available types are, in their original names:
- one of a kind (studio) - max 2 pax, queen bed, 18sqm
- up and down (bunk studio) - max 2 pax, bunk beds, 18 sqm
- lyf style (studio) - max 2 pax, double-sized bed, Playstation included, 18 sqm
- one of a kind plus (studio), max 2 pax, queen bed, 27 sqm
- two of a kind (2 bedroom) - max 4pax , 2 queen beds, 43 sqm
- all together (2 bedroom) - max 4 pax, 2 queen beds, 41sqm
- all together (4 bedroom) - max 6 pax, 2 queen beds, 2 super-single beds, 70sqm
- all together (6 bedroom duplex) - max 9 pax, 3 queen beds, 3 super-single beds, 105sqm
Two elevators serve the 412 guest rooms. Each room has a decorated door and a chalkboard, the latter perhaps for long-staying guests to write their names or leave messages.
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| Chalkboard and decorated door |
The one of a kind (studio) is modestly sized at 18 square metres. Storage space is available under the bed but there is no TV nor fridge (unlike
YOTEL Singapore which seems to pack more functionality in less space). A bed desk is available which is helpful for placing your laptop on the bed for working or streaming movies.
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| One of a kind (studio) |
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| Desk area |
It was Christmas then and guests were given free popcorn, as indeed "what a year, we all need some holiday cheer".
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| Free popcorn |
The sink area is separated from the bathroom. Towels were clean and bath amenities were provided in bulk containers. Other amenities (such as toothbrush set) are available on request.
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| Room interior |
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| Bathroom (left) and entrance (right) |
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| Bath amenities by Ideology |
Bottled water is not provided; instead water and ice machines are installed on the lift lobbies of each floor. However, these are currently not available as a precaution against the coronavirus (lyf suggests drinking from the tap and reassures that it is safe in Singapore).
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| Water and ice dispensers at the lift lobby (currently unavailable) |
Communal Areas
The property's communal areas are colourful and fun to explore, which I thought was fitting for a youthful co-living concept and as a property at the vibrant Funan Mall. The social spaces exude an air of community while vending machines are a practical offering for guests.
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| Seating area near the reception desk |
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Christmas decor featuring beer cans
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| Flight of stairs connecting levels 4 and 5 |
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| Mini playground (closed due to coronavirus) |
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| Vending machine for snacks and drinks |
Some of its communal areas are also named distinctively. For instance, “Bond” is a social kitchen and pantry on level 5, where guests can prepare meals, attend cooking classes and hang out. Standard kitchen appliances and condiments are available there.
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| "Bond" social kitchen |
“Burn” is a mini-gym on level 6. It is equipped with dumbbells, a single bench, kettle balls, equipment for resistance training, and a human-size hamster wheel that guests can use as a treadmill.
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| "Burn" fitness area |
“Wash & Hang” is a self-service laundromat where residents can do laundry on a pay-per-use basis. A beer vending machine can be found inside, featuring Guinness, Strongbow, Tiger, Heineken (and the alcohol-free Heineken 0.0) for between 3 to 5 dollars a can.
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| "Wash & Hang" laundry room |
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| Beer vending machine in the laundry room |
Aside: Funan Mall
By the way, Funan Mall ranks among my favourite malls in Singapore. Following its half-a-billion dollar renovation completed in 2019, it has become an integrated development that houses the hotel, WeWork workspaces, open-air spaces, and of course F&B and retail outlets. What used to be a mall that primarily offers consumer electronics now still offers consumer electronics, but also a lot more.
Say for instance the noticeable addition of fitness-related offerings:
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| Cycling path from 7am to 10am |
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| Climb Central Funan |
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| Pool area (part of TFX Funan, not the hotel) |
The outdoor garden named Urban Farm is also a great addition, and offers a view of the Supreme Court opposite as well as the business district.
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| The Urban Farm outdoor garden |
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| View of the surrounding precinct |
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| The Supreme Court (viewed from Urban Farm) |
And of course, Funan houses the other things you might expect from a mall (that is to me shops, restaurants, a supermarket and cinema).
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Interior of Funan Mall
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Funan does feel like a safe mall to be in, with the Central Fire Station just across Hill Street; it is the oldest surviving fire station in Singapore, and houses the official museum of the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
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| Overhead bridge over Hill Street |
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| Central Fire Station opposite Funan mall |
Ascott Star Rewards
Managed by The Ascott Limited, lyf participates in the Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) loyalty programme, alongside other brands including Ascott The Residence, Citadines, and Somerset. For those new to ASR, a status match is possible for elite members of: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, IHG Rewards Club or Accor Live Limitless. Just send via email your proof of membership in the competitor's programme, and a stay from the last 18 months, to be upgraded upfront for 12 months.
ASR Gold did little for me in the context of this stay, apart from a frugal check out extension of one hour. But from the perspective of the hotel, there is arguably little loyalty to be derived from local guests on staycations, particularly from the many one-time guests who are merely staying to expend some SingapoRediscovers vouchers. So enjoy the stay but arrive without any expectations of loyalty benefits.
Tips
Some tips to conclude:
- Status match to ASR if desired (Platinum is said to enjoy room upgrades at some properties);
- If booking direct, sign up for Ascott Star Rewards and login to the app to get 2,000 bonus points, then use it to instantly take $5 off your booking;
- If utilising the $100 Singapore ReDiscover vouchers, it is not possible to book direct, but deals are available on approved third-party platforms (such as Klook and Trip.com) which also offer their own promotions;
- Download lyf by Ascott app before arriving to use mobile key
lyf Funan is staycation approved and located at 67 Hill Street, Singapore 179370.
Nice
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