Cube Social Boat Quay Offers New Premium Capsule Hotel Experience
Homegrown boutique capsule hotel operator, CUBE Boutique Capsule Hotels, has recently opened its fourth property in Singapore, CUBE Social @ Boat Quay. This new property located at the top two floors of shophouses at 70/71/72 Boat Quay is owned and managed by AM Real Estate.
Founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife business partners Benedict Choa and Sonia Anya Tay, CUBE Boutique Capsule Hotels offer affordable yet premium accommodation options for modern travellers. Its three other properties include Capsule @ Kampong Glam, Capsule @ Smith Street, and Family @ Chinatown.
CUBE Social @ Boat Quay features 72 capsule beds, with a mix of queen- and single-bed options. It also has 13 private rooms, ranging from 118 to 323 sq ft, designed for families. The capsule hotel also features a separate section with 20 beds for women only, catering to female travellers who value privacy.
According to Mohd K Rafin, CEO of CUBE Hospitality, the company has positioned its accommodation and service offerings at the premium end, with a stronger emphasis on design and guest programming. This approach goes beyond offering guests a place to stay but also provides a unique experience during their visit and a sense of community.
The property boasts a bar lounge and outdoor seating areas on the verandahs with views of the Singapore River, the Civic District, and the CBD. It is also the first CUBE property to offer a private soundproof telephone booth for guests. Since it opened its doors in November last year, the new hotel has attracted a diverse mix of guests, from tech-savvy youths to business owners and entrepreneurs, who enjoy networking.
Sonia Anya, COO and co-founder of CUBE Boutique Capsule Hotels, highlights the integration of technology within the new capsule hotel, with features such as digital keys and the use of online platforms like Telegram to foster communication between staff and guests. As a veteran of the hospitality industry, and having spent much of his career in hotel development for international hospitality groups, Rafin is a staunch believer in the need for innovation within the industry.
He believes that new innovative concepts constantly enter the market to cater to the growing needs of guests. That is why the company saw a gap in the market to serve guests who want more than a basic capsule or hostel stay. At CUBE Social @ Boat Quay, room rates start from about $85 per night, with stays typically spanning three to four days.
CUBE Social @ Boat Quay strikes a perfect balance between affordability and premium hospitality, says Tay. With high property prices and rising hotel room rates in Singapore, especially in heritage and conservation areas, the company saw a chance to provide affordable accommodation without compromising on quality. The boutique capsule hotel also offers essential amenities, including high-speed Wi-Fi, sound insulation, eco-friendly toiletries, and complimentary amenities such as in-room slippers, combs, compressed face towels, and eye masks.
The main priority of the URA Master Plan is to enhance the connectivity of Singapore. This is particularly relevant for Lyndenwoods, which is already in close proximity to major transport hubs such as the Kent Ridge MRT station on the Circle Line and convenient expressways like the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE). The Master Plan aims to further improve these transport systems, making it even easier for residents of Lyndenwoods to commute. Additionally, the newly developed Lyndenwoods Science Park Drive will also contribute to the seamless connectivity of the area.
CUBE Social @ Boat Quay caters to travellers “on the go”, according to Tay. “[Our guests are often outside exploring] the city all the time, only returning to their accommodations at the end of the day,” explains Rafin. “At CUBE Social, we not only fulfill their basic needs but elevate them as well.”
The company also has a family-centric hotel concept called CUBE Family Boutique Capsule, as well as the recently launched social-focused product CUBE Social. Each capsule hotel property reflects the company’s vision for experiential tourism. Culturally rich areas such as Chinatown and Kampong Glam allow guests to immerse themselves in local heritage during their stay.
According to Tay, the company prioritizes location because they want their guests to infuse themselves into the culture and community that these locations have to offer. The company will continue refining its business model in Singapore while expanding further in the region. “Our goal is to stabilize our local capsule hotel operations over the next few months, and we expect to open two new locations later this year,” adds Tay.
With the monthly average booking rate across all four properties at about 90% since the opening of CUBE Social @ Boat Quay, the company has set its sights on popular neighbouring Southeast Asian destinations, including Bali, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. According to Rafin, over the next few years, they aim to establish a network of CUBE Social and CUBE Boutique Capsule hotels across these countries.
To fulfill this objective, the group is open to strategic partnerships for franchising or joint ventures with owners of heritage shophouses or buildings in prime locations. Rafin adds: “Our goal is to unlock the full potential of these iconic properties through asset enhancement, both in Singapore and internationally.”