My criteria for judging hotels are simple: cleanliness, courtesy, efficiency, availability of hot water showers and baths, clean sheets, brewed coffee for me and fresh fruits for my daughter, and security.

I seriously do not understand why some people would totally diss the place. My daughter and I had an okay time at the Metro Y in the week we stayed there.

First, the Metro Y's location is perfect. It's quiet like a typical suburban neighborhood yet just 15 minutes away on foot from Orchard Road (that's timed with a 5-year old in tow). There is a bus stop in front and free shuttle to Orchard Road in the mornings for those who'd rather ride than walk.

We went to Singapore as tourists so most of the time we were out of the hotel. As a place to rest however, the room we got at the Metropolitan YMCA had a clean bathroom with enough supplies (we brought most of our toiletries anyway), the beds were clean and the sheets freshly replaced everytime we returned at night, the swimming pool was clean and not crowded even though there was an entire Australian baseball team with their families staying that time), the laundrette supply was sufficient, the staff efficient and polite, the coffeeshop offered food that satisfies the tired traveller and the buffet breakfast offered enough choices for the oriental and the western palate - croissant, butter, jam, wheat bread, toast, coffee, fruit juice, milk, noodles, cold cuts, eggs, cheese, etc.

Phone worked fine, too. The desk also took messages accurately when we were out.

I didn't get a chance to use the gym so I can't say anything about it.

I wouldn't live in the hotel or any hotel for that matter as I prefer wide, open spaces ... but the Metropolitan YMCA staff was professional enough to get the bed-and-breakfast job done and nice enough to make a guest feel at home. Value for money? Absolutely!

The only thing I didn't like was the television programming, but is that the hotel's fault? It didn't matter much though, I wasn't awake long enough to get bored anyway.

If you can't live without five-star amenities like a busy lobby, a suite, a gameroom, whatever ... then this is not the place for you. But if all you need for your stay in Singapore are the basics, then I'd recommend you stay here.