If the word “lyf” rings a bell, it’s probably because you’ve seen the sign on one of your many trips to Funan mall. And while many might mistake it for a hip and trendy hotel, it’s actually a co-living concept under the Ascott group for those looking for short-term rentals in Singapore.
lyf Farrer Park is the third instalment of lyf’s co-living properties across the island, with the first being at Funan and the second at one-north. We took a trip down to see if these rental options are well worth their nightly rates of $120.
What’s different about lyf Farrer park?
Image credit: Kimberly Wong
What’s distinct about each lyf property is the look and vibes it gives out, and lyf Farrer Park’s interior is a colourful amalgamation of Little India’s rich history and culture. The interior is vibrant, hip and inviting. Neon signs beckon me in and plush, low-lying seats scattered around the central bar invite me to settle down and make myself at home.
Image credit: Kimberly Wong
The lobby lounge exudes the stylish sophistication of a boutique hotel with the practicality of a co-working space. Ample hot-desking opportunities abound and power points are aplenty, there are even a generous number of privacy pods – armchairs with “walls” on either side – around to give residents the privacy they need to join that Zoom call.
Image credit: Kimberly Wong
My eyes are instantly drawn to the many murals splashed across the walls. Art is always a great way to inject life into a space, but what’s unique about the art pieces here is that each and every painting or decorative element tells a tale of the area’s history.
These colourful creations are the work of Lucida October Contemporary Art and local artists Kenneth Koh.
Image credit: lyf
It’s interesting to note that because lyf Farrer Park does open its doors to short-stay guests as well, you’ll find the lobby’s concierge desk manned by a lyfguard ready to dive into any request. They’re also well-equipped to tackle housekeeping or electrical emergencies should a resident require help at an ungodly hour.
What’s cool about lyf’s co-living space?
The outdoor social space outside the Bond kitchen on the fourth floor, and an outdoor gym that’s right around the corner.
Image credit: Kimberly Wong
For the uninitiated, the lyf brand is one that personifies community and “kampung living” in the coolest way. In each lyf property, one can expect to find 4 24-hour social zones: Connect, Wash and Hang, Burn and Bond.
One of the three coworking meeting rooms residents are allowed to book.
Image credit: lyf
Connect is an open-concept lobby lounge that doubles up as a co-working space that’s chock-full of power points, desks and private sofa pods.
Wash & Hang – as the name would imply – is the property’s communal laundry area.
Image credit: lyf
Burn is a small, swanky gym that’s filled with all the equipment you’ll need for a light to an intense workout.
Image credit: lyf
Image credit: lyf
Last but not least, Bond is a shared kitchen space that comes with an adjacent indoor and alfresco dining area so residents can whip up a meal and enjoy it in a cafe-like setting. You can even rent BBQ pits at the nearby cook-out zone on the same level.
The air-conditioned indoor dining area in Bond, and the outdoor garden with alfresco seating.
Image credit: Kimberly Wong
3 room configurations
Image credit: lyf
There are a total of 240 rooms up for rent at lyf Farrer Park, with their smallest room – the One of A Kind (Studio) – spanning a mere 15sqm. Another unique highlight of the Farrer Park property is the Side by Side (Studio Twin) configuration that can house up to two adults in one room.
Image credit: Kimberly Wong
Image credit: Kimberly Wong
Image credit: lyf
While 15sqm can seem like quite a tiny space, the property’s many cosy social spaces more than make up for it. Each floor is also equipped with a small pantry complete with a mini-fridge, water dispenser and sink should residents not want to make the journey down to the communal kitchen on the 4th floor.
The Two of A Kind (2 Bedroom) apartment.
Image credit: lyf
The largest apartment in the lyf inventory stands at 39sqm and is the Two of A Kind (2 Bedroom) apartment, which comprises two One of A Kind (Studio) and a shared kitchenette and a small dining space.
It’s also said to be the most popular configuration of its three rental room types and is usually easily snapped up by families, friends or coworkers.
Small touches like a chalkboard outside each room makes the residents feel more at home.
Image credit: Kimberly Wong
Other resident perks
lyf has partnered with F&B establishments like Daizu Cafe to give residents exclusive discounts.
Image credit: @daizu.cafe
Apart from the chill vibes and the madly aesthetic living spaces, a stay at lyf Farrer Park also grants you a couple of lyf perks in the form of discounts on dining and activities in the vicinity. Download the lyf app and you’ll also be able to ring up the lyf Guard or make some new friends on the Social Wall – a property-wide social feed that lets residents interact with each other.
Residents also get 10% admission at City Square Mall’s Airzone.
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
Other hotel-like perks include complimentary amenities from shaving kits and cotton buds to HDMI and phone charging wires that can be requested from the concierge on Level 1 as well.
Residents will also be privy to an exclusive lineup of curated events and workshops that match lyf’s motto and community-building ethos – think wine tasting and puzzle hunting. The best part is that some of these events are free of charge.
Is lyf Farrer Park worth $120/night?
From a rental perspective, $120/night does work out to be quite a hefty $3,600/month – this is quite a steep price to pay when you can easily rent entire 3-room flats from $2,000 and up. But one thing to note is that the minimum rental period for a tenancy agreement in Singapore is 3 months.
This is where lyf comes in as the housing solution for those who need temporary accommodation for anything under 3 months. These could be new expats to Singapore waiting on their rental homes, transitioning tourists, or even locals who are doing minor renovations at home.
Plus, if you’re not really in it for the unadulterated rental experience that requires you to get down and dirty cleaning up after yourself, then booking a room at lyf Farrer Park makes sense. It’ll feel like an extended staycation.
In addition, $120 a night is affordable by hotel room standards, and the amenities like the communal kitchen, multiple gyms and F&B discounts give lyf that extra edge above hotels and serviced apartments. So if you’re someone in need of a short-term place of refuge, you might want to pull the trigger on lyf Farrer Park as their current occupancy rate hovers at about 80%.
Read our other home-related articles here:
- Most affordable areas to rent in Singapore
- Most family-friendly neighbourhoods in Singapore
- Rent or resale – which is better while you wait for your BTO?
Cover image adapted from: lyf, lyf, Kimberly Wong
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