In this post, we’re exploring some fantastic accommodations, each under $49/night, that sit pretty close to the breathtaking beaches of Koh Samui, Thailand.
Whether you’re a sun worshipper, a beachcomber, or simply a lover of stunning sea views, these picks will surely bring your vacation dreams to life without breaking the bank.
Tucked away on the third floor, this cozy hideaway is an ideal escape for up to three guests seeking solace near the shores of Crystal Beach.
For just $39/night for 2 persons and $45/night for 3, you will enjoy a queen bed and sofa bed, access to two shared pools—including a rooftop oasis with panoramic views of the mountains—and use of an on-site gym and laundry room. The kitchen is open for your culinary adventures should you tire of the local fare.
Whether you’re in search of an affordable getaway, a secluded spot to recharge, or a home base for beachy adventures, this little gem has everything you need. Trade the bustle of everyday life for sea breezes, sunsets, and the simple pleasures of this community abode.
For those seeking an ocean escape without (too much) commute, Condo Replay has you covered. This cozy studio apartment on the 4th floor provides views of both the sea and pool, away from the main road below for maximum relaxation.
Everything you need is accounted for, with a small kitchenette and utensils for cooking your choice of the day. After a dip in the sparkling pool or sweat in the gym, do your laundry with the convenient washer provided and hangers for drying your clothes.
All the amenities of the condo are open to you, from tennis and basketball courts to the swimming pool. In under 2 minutes by car, you will be strolling the shops and restaurants of Fisherman’s Village.
Editor’s note: Utilities like electricity and water are billable separately so do check with the host in advance before booking.
Nestled in a lush tropical garden, this spacious one-bedroom bungalow offers a secluded island escape close to Koh Samui’s Maenam Beach, W Beach, and Bo Phut Beach.
Its open-concept layout flows seamlessly from the full kitchen to the living room and out onto the front porch, bringing a tiny bit of the outdoors in. The bedroom features a king bed and ample storage, while the stylish bathroom includes a glass-partitioned shower space.
You will share a pool with fellow guests, and have access to a shared washer and dryer. A 2-minute walk takes you to Maenam’s main road lined with shops and restaurants. The closest beach is less than a 5-minute drive or a 10-minute stroll away.
Whether you spend the day beachcombing, exploring the island, or simply lounging poolside amid the bungalow’s lush tropical greenery, this spacious one-bedroom oasis offers a relaxing taste of island life.
And that’s all from us, folks. At less than $49/night, these accommodations are a steal. So take your pick from our list, book in advance, and pack your bags because Koh Samui is waiting to welcome you to its sandy beaches. Have a lovely island escape to come! 😉
Imagine the sheer delight that washed over our office when we welcomed the arrival of our brand new De’Longhi Coffee Machine. It felt as if it could magically brew joy with every cup. We were a bunch of coffee enthusiasts, and the yearning for top-notch breakfast and artisanal coffee was about to be fulfilled by Singapore’s finest cafes.
From specialty brews and hearty breakfasts to delightful brunch spots tucked away in the city, we present to you a list of Singapore’s most beloved cafes, each brimming with its unique charm and flavors.
MR. HOLMES BAKEHOUSE
As we stepped into Mr. Holmes Bakehouse, it was like stepping into a sweet dream. Have you ever tasted a cruffin, a mouthwatering blend of croissant and muffin? If not, this is the place to try one. These delightful pastries are sugar-dusted and cream-filled to perfection, coming in flavors like lemon meringue and pistachio. And if you’re craving something savory, they’ve introduced new treats like the Tomato & Pesto Melt ($13++) and the Short Rib ($20++) sandwich.
Image Credits: facebook.com/mrholmesbakehousesg
Location: Multiple locations, including Pacific Plaza and MYP Centre
DOUGH
Dough, a Korean-style bakery-cafe nestled in CHJIMES, was a revelation brought to life by the talented creators behind Glyph Supply Co and Runes, two other beloved local cafes. Whether you come here to work, unwind, or brunch with friends, you’ll find an ambiance that suits your mood.
Every item on the menu, from bread and pastries to pastas, is crafted fresh in-house. One standout is the Adzuki Mochi Danish ($5.50++), a delightful blend of textures. Another must-try is their Pistachio Raspberry ($6.50++) croissant cube, filled with luscious pistachio cream.
Location: 30 Victoria St, #01-30, Singapore 187996
FIFTYFIVE COFFEE BAR
Nestled on Neil Road, FiftyFive Coffee Bar is far from ordinary. The space exudes a calming zen vibe, anchored by a sensory garden installation that transports you to a forest retreat. With its stylish 40-seat layout, it offers an array of specialty coffee and tea drinks ($5.50++). Plus, you can savor freshly baked goods and light bites.
Their menu includes quirky blends like the highly acclaimed manuka miso honey latte ($7.50++), a refreshing dirty spiced lemonade ($7.50++), and the whimsical strawberry pipagao latte ($7.50++), which playfully incorporates nostalgic Chinese herbal cough syrup. For those feeling fancy, there’s filter coffee featuring a rotating single-origin selection.
Location: 55A Neil Rd, Singapore 088892
PS.CAFE PALAIS RENAISSANCE
PS.Cafe is synonymous with excellence. You can always count on impeccable food, chic aesthetics, and a fabulous dining experience. If you’re seeking sophistication, the Palais Renaissance outlet is perfect for brunch, boasting iconic high ceilings, classic decor, an outdoor dining area, and ample natural light for those Instagram-worthy shots.
And the food? It’s a feast for the senses, featuring pasta dishes, sandwiches, truffle fries, and decadent chocolate cakes. Gather your brunch companions and indulge in a memorable meal.
If you find yourself in the City Hall area searching for a cafe, The Glasshouse is a beloved choice. Located in CHJIMES, this cafe lives up to its name with its floor-to-ceiling windows and lush plant decor, evoking the ambiance of a botanical greenhouse. It’s the ideal spot for catching up with friends over coffee or grabbing a quick caffeine fix. The coffee here is not only delicious but also budget-friendly, crafted from beans sourced from the homegrown roastery, Apartment Coffee.
Location: 30 Victoria St, #01-03 CHIJMES, Singapore 187996
WILD HONEY
A local gem, Wild Honey is a go-to spot for comforting brunch cuisine. Step inside to escape the city’s hustle and bustle, where you’ll be surrounded by Instagram-worthy interiors and delectable dishes. Signature favorites include Corsican, a classic omelet folded with goat and feta cheese, and Delancey, featuring sliced beef pastrami with poached eggs. Sweet tooths will adore treats like apple crumble, Basque cheesecake, and artisanal ice cream. And don’t forget to explore their selection of coffees and teas. If you’re in the mood for a drink, stop by during happy hour from Sundays through Thursdays.
Image Credits: facebook.com/wildhoneysg
Location: Multiple locations, including Mandarin Gallery and Scotts Square
SIMPLE CAFE
Simple Cafe may appear unassuming at first glance, marked only by a plain sign and a chalkboard by the wall. But once you step inside, you’ll be transported to Taiwan, with its humble furniture and a Mandopop playlist setting the mood.
Swing by for their all-day Simple Breakfast ($17++), featuring toast, eggs, sausages, and a side salad. You can also enjoy sweet and savory bagels, all priced under $10.
Feeling the fatigue and want to try something different from your usual go-to massage therapy?
Why not give hot stone massage a try? We’ve searched the internet to bring you 3 reputable places with good reviews to get your hot stone massage fix on our sunny island.
In the heart of the city is an urban oasis dedicated to your relaxation and rejuvenation. Urban Spa offers treatments without pushy package deals, so you can enjoy the ultimate spa experience.
Their hot stone massage is a fan favorite, using heated rocks to melt away stress and strain. Choose between a 60 or 90-minute session of heated bliss for $130 or $190. The heat stimulates your lymphatic system, flushing metabolic waste and excess fluid from your body with gentle, fluid strokes. Add on a guasha, baguan, or scalp massage to round up your self-care session.
With a convenient location inside Excelsior Hotel Shopping Center and serving both men and women, Urban Spa is a judgment-free zone focused on your wellness. Escape the city stress and retreat to this hideaway for a spa treatment tailored to your needs.
Since 1998, L’Essenza has been a haven for those seeking escape from the stresses of life.
Their Hot Stone Relaxing Body Massage is priced at $115 and uses high-quality basalt stones heated to the right temperature to melt your troubles away. Massage therapists expertly effleurage key acupuncture points to release tension and pain as the heat encourages blood circulation to remove toxins while soothing sores. Regular hot stone therapy sessions at L’Essenza can lead to better sleep quality and an overall sense of well-being.
Located at Capitol Singapore near City Hall MRT station, L’Essenza is an oasis of calm in the city center. Let the warmth of the stones transport you to a place of peace. At L’Essenza, serenity is always in session.
Nestled among lush greenery in Bukit Timah, we have Ikeda Spa, a quaint sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of town. Think of Ikeda Spa as a ryokan with spa elements where you can experience rejuvenation through their Ganbanyoku Detox Massage.
For a price tag of $210+, this 60-minute session on heated volcanic rocks from Hakone, a town in Japan, provides far-infrared rays and negative ions to boost metabolism, complexion, immunity, and spirit.
Claims abound that one session burns 1,500 calories, equivalent to a 15km run—only this feels more like a soothing indulgence than exertion. For those seeking relaxing heat therapies in a tranquil setting, this massage could be a calming alternative to steamy saunas.
And that’s a wrap on our tour of the top 3 hot stone massage destinations in Singapore. Whether you’re a seasoned spa-goer, a busy bee needing a break, or a newbie venturing into massage therapies, these reputable establishments stand ready to melt your tension away. Trust us, once you’ve experienced the soothing heat of a hot stone massage, you will be yearning for more. Book your session(s) today!
Apple today announced iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, featuring an industry-first colour-infused back glass with a stunning, textured matte finish, and a new contoured edge on the aluminium enclosure. Both models feature the Dynamic Island, and an advanced camera system designed to help users take fantastic photos of everyday moments in their lives. A powerful 48MP Main camera enables super-high-resolution photos and a new 2x Telephoto option to give users a total of three optical zoom levels — like having a third camera. The iPhone 15 lineup also introduces the next generation of portraits, making it easier to capture portraits with great detail and low-light performance. Building on Apple’s innovative satellite infrastructure, Roadside Assistance via satellite can connect users to AAA if they have car trouble while off the grid. With A16 Bionic for powerful, proven performance; a USB‑C connector; Precision Finding for Find My friends; and industry-leading durability features, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus represent a huge leap forward.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be available in five stunning new colours: pink, yellow, green, blue, and black. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 15, with availability beginning Friday, September 23.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple today debuted iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, designed with aerospace-grade titanium that’s strong yet lightweight to deliver Apple’s lightest Pro models ever. The new design also features contoured edges and a customisable Action button, allowing users to personalise their iPhone experience. Powerful camera upgrades enable the equivalent of seven pro lenses with incredible image quality, including a more advanced 48MP Main camera system that now supports the new super-high-resolution 24MP default, the next generation of portraits with Focus and Depth Control, improvements to Night mode and Smart HDR, and an all-new 5x Telephoto camera exclusively on iPhone 15 Pro Max. A17 Pro unlocks next-level gaming experiences and pro performance. The new USB‑C connector is supercharged with USB 3 speeds — up to 20x faster than USB 2 — and together with new video formats, enables powerful pro workflows that were not possible before.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in four stunning new finishes, including black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 15, with availability beginning Friday, September 23.
I underwent a 2-hour session after Topp Care Hair Solutions invited me to try out their customised hair treatment back then. But life got in the way, I was frequently overseas, and just couldn’t find the time to travel down for regular treatment sessions.
And I guess that’s why my scalp has been suffering for the past few months. With hair that turns oily just after a few hours out of the shower, I knew it was about time I did something about it. That’s why when Topp Care contacted me again to check in on my current scalp condition, I jumped on the opportunity with a huge “yes please”!
Curious to see my scalp condition, I headed down for my second session.
It’s good to be back in a familiar place.
If you don’t already know, Topp Care is located in Eastpoint Mall on the 3rd floor and just a 5-minute walk from Simei MRT Station. A very convenient location and easy to get to.
So here I am! I was greeted by the Customer Service Officer at the front desk and ushered into the consultation room after he confirmed my appointment time slot.
While waiting for my hair & scalp specialist, I was asked to fill in my particulars and a short self-assessment of my hair condition. Nothing too difficult here since I’ve done it before on my first visit.
And yes, before I get into the nitty-gritty details of how my second session went, allow me to give you a quick introduction to Topp Care.
About Topp Care Hair Solutions
Topp Care is a certified member of the British Herbal Medicine Association and the US Trichology Institute. They can assist with age-related greying, hair-thinning issues, uncontrolled sebum build-up, and more because they provide hair solutions for people of all ages.
Only quality plant-derived western botanicals and hair-friendly herbs are used to promote hair growth and enhance scalp health, and they are all administered by US Trichology Institute Certified Specialists in addition to well-trained and experienced therapists.
The hair & scalp specialist who attended to me was none other than Helen, the same specialist that I was assigned to on my first session.
Since it was my second session, we skipped the formalities and went straight into the scan. This scanning machine may be small but it sure is mighty—being able to zoom in up to 200x to spot all your scalp issues.
And lo and behold, here’s what it has found:
The reddish spots on my first scan done 6 months ago were still visible and the excessive sebum build-up on my scalp, as usual, was clogging up my hair follicles.
I wasn’t expecting my scalp condition to improve since I had made no extraordinary effort to deal with my hair issues, except for my daily hair wash and scalp tonic application routine. But I was in for a shock when Helen told me that I’d gotten some dandruff this time around.
Oh my, oh my. This is what months of neglect have gotten me into.
Having seen tremendous improvement from my previous session, I quickly asked Helen what she had in store for me this time since the last session I was treated to a Dead Sea Masque hair treatment.
Helen suggested that I take up the Detoxdren Treatment for this session since it’s the solution to scalps filled with oil and dandruff. Yeast is used in this thorough treatment to nourish hair and scalp, moisturise hair shafts, shield the scalp from damaging UV rays, and promote the creation of collagen.
Additionally, the horse chestnut extract included in this treatment stimulates blood flow, which is good for nourishing and thickening hair. I was told that after the session, my scalp’s sebum level would be more balanced and my hair follicles would be better strengthened.
Omg, give it to me, please.
The Actual Treatment Process
After the consultation session, I was whisked away to a private cubicle to begin my treatment.
My customised treatment started with a deep scalp cleanse spray followed by a mask application to my roots. Helen was very generous with the mask and you can see it for yourself in these shots I’ve taken:
If you’re wondering why my hair looks messy, that’s because Helen gave me a little massage to make sure that the mask was effectively coating every empty spot on my scalp and hair follicles before leaving me to rest for 20 minutes to let the mask do its work.
It was cooling on my scalp and I loved the minty fragrance that accompanied the product.
When my hair mask time was up, Helen guided me to the hair-washing area and told me that a therapist would be with me shortly to give me a thorough rinse.
The therapist who attended to me gave me a revitalising rinse using lukewarm water, which I was grateful for since I was feeling a little chilly. She also reminded me to use my fingertips and never my nails when washing my hair.
I was given a little massage during shampooing and while a conditioner was applied to the ends of my hair, the therapist shared with me that conditioners should only be applied to the hair and not the scalp. We don’t want any unnecessary build-up adding to my already oily scalp, don’t we?
Anyhow, I was wearing a surgical mask but the scent of the products used was so pleasant I asked the therapist if they sold it in-house. (P.S. Yes they do!)
Back at my cubicle, the therapist applied a moisturising hair spray before semi-blowdrying my hair. We’re approaching the second last step of the hair treatment but I was looking forward to the little massage that comes right after the ampoule application. Hehe.
Just in case you’re wondering, the ampoule helps to stimulate hair growth, boost the immunity of the scalp, and strengthen hair follicles to enhance the anchoring of hair.
To make sure that the ampoule worked its magic into my scalp, I was given the massage I was looking forward to. From my scalp down to my neck and shoulders, I was treated to a mini-kneading session to get my blood circulating.
Similar to the last session, I was then treated with the Hair Growth Laser that emits non-invasive lasers to awaken my hair follicles and speed up regeneration. It may look scary to some but there’s no pain involved; you will only feel a little comforting warmth.
And we’re done after about 20 minutes and it’s time for a post-treatment scan.
Post-Treatment Consultation
I reunited with Helen again in the consultation room after my hair treatment and she put the scalp scan machine to work again.
Having experienced the “before” and “after” shots of my scalp during the first session, I had high hopes for this second one. And guess what? It didn’t disappoint.
If you’re skeptical about how one treatment can solve your hair woes, I’m living proof that you shouldn’t be. But of course, as with most things, severe hair problems don’t get solved after one treatment session.
After this session, I’ve learned not to underestimate what months of neglect can do to my scalp, and will certainly step up my game with regular, proper hair and scalp care to prevent my condition from worsening again.
And if you’re dedicated to nipping the problem in the bud, I suggest you give Topp Care Hair Solutions a chance to impress you.
Claim Your Promo Today
You may have a different hair or scalp concern from mine but rest assured that the professionals at Topp Care will be with you every step of the way.
Address: 3 Simei Street 6, #03-24, Eastpoint Mall, Singapore 528833
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 11 am – 9 pm; Weekend & PH: 10 am – 7 pm
For the latest news and promotions, follow them on Facebook and Instagram. You can also call them via 6645 3020 for booking or WhatsApp 9150 8917 for more information.
