Hashtag Capsule Hostel was actually my very first capsule hotel experience. During my short trip to Johor Bahru, I was looking for a simple and affordable place to stay around the Mount Austin area. While browsing through accommodation options, Hashtag Capsule Hostel immediately caught my attention.
One of the biggest advantages of staying here is its location. The hostel sits right in the heart of Mount Austin, with countless eateries, cafes, and convenience stores just steps away. I was also meeting my friends the following afternoon for an escape room challenge, and the venue was an ideal choice for convenience.
After taking a Grab from JB Sentral, I headed straight to the hostel to check in. The entrance is located up a flight of stairs, which I nearly missed at first. After ringing the bell, an elderly uncle came to let me in. He initially came across as rather grumpy and naggy. But after interacting with him for a while, I found him to be quite friendly and helpful.
Hashtag Capsule Hostel Experience
He gave me a brief tour of the hostel, showing me the shared washrooms, the lobby area, and finally the sleeping quarters. Perhaps I could refer them as “space bunkers” as it gave me space vibes. Guests must change into slippers before entering the sleeping area. The first thing I noticed upon stepping inside was how cold the air-conditioning was. The uncle assigned me a lower capsule. After tapping the access card, the uncle explained how the lighting system worked and showed me how to lock the capsule from the inside.
One downside was that the phone charging ports inside my capsule were not functioning. As a result, I had to leave my phone charging in the lobby area instead. The mattress and pillow were also quite thin, which I find uncomfortable. Fortunately, the powerful air-conditioning made the sleeping environment pleasant enough for me to get a decent night’s rest. Inside the capsule, there was also a ventilation fan that emitted a bright blue light. Even after switching off all the lights, the blue glow remained visible. Thankfully, I managed to block it by placing a plastic bag over the light source.
My Thoughts
Overall, my stay at Hashtag Capsule Hostel was convenient and hassle-free. Before checking out, I took a shower and freshened up before heading off to meet my friends. During my stay, it appeared that only three capsules were occupied, although there were not many capsules available in the first place.
As someone who is slightly claustrophobic, I initially worried about sleeping inside a capsule. The idea felt somewhat intimidating before arrival. However, after spending a night there, I realized it was more spacious than I had imagined. There was enough room for me to turn around comfortably while sleeping. The experience turned out to be much more pleasant than expected.
For travellers looking for an affordable stay in Mount Austin and who are curious about trying a capsule hostel for the first time, Hashtag Capsule Hostel offers a simple, clean, and convenient option. While there are a few minor shortcomings, it served its purpose well and provided me with comfortable night of rest.
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