Located at Funan mall in Singapore, lyf Funan is a new co-living concept by The Ascott that's chic and unique, and very instagrammable at almost every corner.
Heard of lyf Funan yet, the new co-living property that's the largest in Asia? The recently opened Lyf Funan is a new co-living concept by The Ascott Limited designed for millennials and according to the company, redefines the apartment-living experience.
We were lucky to go on a trial stay at #lyfFunanSingapore prior to its official launch on September 1 and much as my family and I are not in the millennial age range, I must say it doesn’t take a millennial to appreciate how unique and chic this place. #Lyffunan is rightly very instagrammable at almost every corner!
The co-living concept is fresh to us given that we’re used to staying at hotels for staycations, likewise for hubby and I when we go on business trips. But we felt our stay at lyf is nothing below hotel standards given the property's chicness, good service by lyf staff and excellent location [it’s within Funan mall itself]. In fact, its concept made our staycation experience so much more fun and memorable.
Whether you're a millennial or not, here are five highlights we are sure you'll absolutely love at lyf.
1) Chic communal spaces
On arrival at lyf, you'll be struck by the refreshing vibe of its chic communal lounge which comes equipped with comfy sofas, desks with power points and charging stations to work on, and seesaws you can rock on when you need to take a break from work or get the creative juices flowing.
Well, if you have kids, you'll know seesaws and kids totally go together. Ours were automatically drawn to them whenever we passed by the lounge area.
There is also a space for eating in and a shared kitchen on the fourth floor. We totally made use of the former with our tabao breakfast on our second day at lyf.
And here's the view down from the dining area. All very nice!
Lyf also comes with a laundry area handy for those who are staying longer.
If you like to eat or work alfresco, there is a verandah which comes with a nice view of the Central Fire Station and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth at the Old Hill Street Police Station.
2) Minimalist and functional rooms
There are seven types of rooms/apartments at lyf. The one we stayed at is called the "one of a kind studio" which takes a maximum of two persons. The advertised rate on lyf's website is from $150 per night. We stayed in two of these which came with modern-minimalist looks and basic amenities. There are no TVs in these studios, which I thought was a good idea given that these day most people stream on their devices and free wifi is available for guests.
It also has rooms/apartments which can fit more, like the "two of a kind" two-bedroom apartments from $230 per night, which can take four persons and "all together 4-bedroom" apartment from $350 per night which can fit six.
This is the hallway by the way. Each door's design is one of those old-style type of doors. Very unique indeed!
3) Unexpected fun stuff
We found a few surprises which totally entertained us. At the communal lounge area is a huge Connect Four game...
a photo-booth which you can send the gif image it creates from your pics to your email address and a ball pit! Yes! A ball pit! A rather small one but our kids couldn't get enough of it...
Well, even hubby and I had to have a go! There's just something very therapeutic about wading in a pit full of balls.
One evening, there was also a movie screening at the lounge area with free snacks provided. A very nice touch indeed.
4) Cool exercising area
There is no pool here but on the sixth floor, is a really cool exercising area.
Its nothing like a run-of-the-mill gym you find at hotels. The exercising area called Burn comes with a resistant band, pull-up bars, yoga mats, a hamster wheel-like treadmill which our kids couldn't get enough of...
and seesaw-like seats which we had a lot of fun shifting our weight on between them to move it.
5) Great location
Located on the fourth floor of #FunanSg, the location itself is fantastic.
We love staycation venues where there are plenty to do in the vicinity, and this could not be a better location. There is a huge variety of dining choices at Funan with other malls like Capitol Piazza and Raffles City nearby, while museums like the National Gallery and National Museum are within walking distance. Right across lyf is Fort Canning Park which we visited for Jubilee Park and the Central Fire Station which is open to public for visits on Saturday mornings.
Much as lyf is targeted at millennials, I can't help but feel that it makes a great place for weekend staycations for local families given its location and that our kids couldn't get enough of the ball pit, seesaws and exercising area. But I would feel a bit conscious if my kids are making a lot of noise in these areas when people are working in the communal lounge.
Nonetheless, hubby and I both agreed that when on business trips, we really wouldn't mind living in and working at somewhere like this with such a refreshing concept and decor, coupled with the service and quality of a renowned service apartment. We both are still young at heart, y'know?
Find lyf Funan at 67 Hill St, Level 4 Funan Mall, Singapore 179370 or contact them at +65 6970 2288.
Disclaimer: We stayed at lyf Funan as trial guests, and my opinions and reviews here are strictly my and my family’s own.
©Vivian Teo. All content and photos are copyrighted to Vivian Teo unless otherwise specified.