--- title: "Hmlet Essentials Novena vs The Initial Residence: which hotel is better?" description: "Hmlet Essentials Novena or The Initial Residence in Singapore? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side." url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hmlet-essentials-novena-singapore-vs-the-initial-residence-singapore/ language: en source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com) retrieved: 2026-10-24 --- # Hmlet Essentials Novena vs The Initial Residence Both are in Singapore, 410 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger. Apartment · Balestier ## [Hmlet Essentials Novena](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/hmlet-essentials-novena-singapore/) - **Guest rating:** 8.1 · Very good - **Location score:** 6.6 - **Score by category:** 1 of 3 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1523934/agoda/?lang=en) Apartment · Balestier ## [The Initial Residence](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/the-initial-residence-singapore/) - **Guest rating:** 8.8 · Excellent - **Location score:** 6.4 - **Score by category:** 1 of 3 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2202449/agoda/?lang=en) The short answer ## Too close to call Each hotel leads in 1 category. Your priorities decide. 410 m apart. ### Choose The Initial Residence if you want - the more consistently praised stay (8.8 / 8.1) ### Why is Hmlet Essentials Novena better than The Initial Residence? 1. 400 m closer to the area centre (−400 m) 2. 290 m closer to public transport (−290 m) ### Why is The Initial Residence better than Hmlet Essentials Novena? 1. Higher guest rating (8.8 vs 8.1) (+0.7) 2. 28 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+28) 3. Later check-out (12:00 vs 11:00) (+1h) ## All compared facts Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel. | | Hmlet Essentials Novena | The Initial Residence | | --- | --- | --- | | Score by category | | Guest rating | 8.1 | 8.8 (+0.7) | | Location | 6.6 | 6.4 | | Public transport | 7.2 (+1.5) | 5.7 | | Ratings & reviews | | StayVersus score | 8.1 | 8.8 (+0.7) | | Guest rating | 8.1 | 8.8 (+0.7) | | Number of reviews | 753 (+296) | 457 | | Rank in Singapore | bottom 38% | top 24% (+38%) | | Location | | Location score | 6.6 | 6.4 | | Distance to Balestier centre | 50 m (−400 m) | 450 m | | To public transport | 660 m (−290 m) | 950 m | | To the airport | 16 km | 16 km | | Restaurants within 500 m | 68 | 96 (+28) | | To the nearest food shop | 170 m | 70 m | | Shops within 500 m | 7 | 6 | | Sights within 1 km | 5 | 5 | | Rooms & building | | Rooms | 48 | 46 | | Floors | 4 | 5 | | Newest building or renovation | 2024 | – | | Listed amenities | 5 | 7 (+2) | | Policies | | Check-in from | 15:00 | 15:00 | | Check-out until | 11:00 | 12:00 (+1h) | | Amenities | | Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ | | Luggage storage | ✓ | – | | Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | | In-room safe | ✓ | ✓ | | Parking | – | ✓ | | Gym | – | ✓ | | Blackout curtains | – | ✓ | | Distance to the main sights | | Masjid Sultan | 3.0 km | 2.6 km | | Jalan Besar Stadium | 2.3 km | 1.9 km (−380 m) | | Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore | 4.9 km | 4.7 km | | Singapore Art Museum | 3.2 km | 3.0 km | ## Live prices around both hotels Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer. [Hmlet Essentials Novena prices by month](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/hmlet-essentials-novena-singapore/prices/) ## Location 410 m apart Hmlet Essentials Novena: city centre: 2.7 km, nearest station Toa Payoh MRT Station (NS19): 660 m, Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): 16 km, 68 places to eat within 500 m, 5 sights within 1 km. The Initial Residence: city centre: 2.5 km, nearest station Toa Payoh MRT Station (NS19): 950 m, Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): 16 km, 96 places to eat within 500 m, 5 sights within 1 km. ## Weather in Singapore [Singapore weather: 15-day forecast](https://atlasofseasons.com/en/singapore/other/singapore/weather) ## Hmlet Essentials Novena or The Initial Residence: common questions ### Which is better, Hmlet Essentials Novena or The Initial Residence? They are evenly matched. Hmlet Essentials Novena is stronger in public transport; The Initial Residence is stronger in guest rating. ### Which is cheaper, Hmlet Essentials Novena or The Initial Residence? Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side. ### Which hotel is closer to the centre? Hmlet Essentials Novena is closer: 50 m from the centre, against 450 m for The Initial Residence. ### How far apart are Hmlet Essentials Novena and The Initial Residence? The two hotels are 410 m apart in a straight line. ## Compare now Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/) --- Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hmlet-essentials-novena-singapore-vs-the-initial-residence-singapore/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/