As someone who lives in Singapore, I’m probably not the best person to recommend hotels, especially since I’ve never actually stayed in one, apart from Marina Bay Sands (as you’ll read further down). Nevertheless, I’ve done my best to put together a few suggestions that I hope will help you decide where to stay in Singapore!
One thing I can say for certain is that all areas of Singapore are good for visitors, and most importantly, safe!
The only neighbourhood with a slightly negative reputation at night is Geylang, but this is more due to its association with drugs and prostitution than because it is genuinely dangerous.
So, when looking for a hotel, just pick one that fits your budget and is close to public transport and restaurants. Any location will make a great base for exploring Singapore.
Below you’ll find some recommendations based on reviews I’ve read. At the end, there’s also a selection of Singapore’s most iconic hotels. Yes, they’re expensive, but if you fancy treating yourself for one night, here are a few ideas.
Budget hotels
Nostalgia Hotel
This hotel is located in Tiong Bahru, one of the Singapore’s oldest neighbourhoods, which is renowned for its distinctive architecture.
The surrounding area boasts plenty of cafés and restaurants, including the famous Tiong Bahru Bakery, which opened its very first shop right here, and the Tiong Bahru Market (temporarily closed for renovation).
While the rooms are quite small, with so much to see and do in Singapore, you’ll only need a place to sleep, which is more than enough for a couple. The Nostalgia hotel also has a small swimming pool where you can cool off at the end of the day.
Photo 1: Tiong Bahru Market
Photo 2: Tiong Bahru Market mural
YWCA Fort Canning
This hotel is in one of my favourite locations in Singapore. It’s right next to Fort Canning Park, and just a 5-minute walk from the central Plaza Singapura shopping centre and Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.
They offer family rooms that are perfect for larger groups at a very reasonable price by Singaporean standards.
The hotel is run by the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Singapore, and all profits go towards supporting vulnerable women. Take a look here.
Hotels in Robertson Quay / Clarke Quay
M Social Singapore
This hotel is located by the river and surrounded by plenty of restaurants. It is just a 15-minute walk from Clarke Quay, one of the city’s liveliest nightlife areas.
Although the rooms are small, they’re very stylish as the hotel was designed by Philippe Starck.
Guests can also unwind in the swimming pool after a day of sightseeing. Find out more about this hotel here.
Park Regis by Prince Singapore
Located just next to Clarke Quay MRT station, this true 4-star hotel offers all the amenities you’d expect, including a gym, a swimming pool, and newly refurbished rooms. Find out more here.
Hotels in China Town
KēSa House, The Unlimited Collection managed by The Ascott Limited
The KēSa House is located right in the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown, close to several must-see attractions in Singapore, such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the Maxwell Hawker Centre.
Aside from its excellent location, the hotel is situated on Keong Saik Road, which is part of a historic conservation area. The hotel itself is housed in traditional Singaporean shophouses that have been carefully refurbished while preserving their original facades.
Capri by Fraser China Square
This well-located, four-star hotel is just a short walk from several MRT stations and many attractions are within easy reach on foot.
Some rooms have kitchenettes, making them ideal for longer stays or for guests travelling with young children. Click here for more details.
I haven’t listed every neighbourhood in Singapore here, but all of these would be good places to stay: Orchard, River Valley, Dhoby Ghaut, Bencoolen and Bugis.
Iconic Hotels to stay in Singapore
Marina Bay Sands
Ever since watching the finale of Race Across the World in Singapore, I’ve wanted to come here and even spend a night at the iconic Marina Bay Sands!
Photo 3: The three towers of the Marina bay Sands building
When we moved to Singapore in 2021, the country was still closed to tourists due to the pandemic, which meant that prices were much lower than usual, as the only visitors were local residents. I had to grab this chance!
We stayed in a room overlooking Gardens by the Bay, and watched the light show straight from our balcony! The views from the infinity pool towards the Central Business District (CBD) are simply unforgettable.
Photo 4: Room facing GBTB
Photo 5: Swimming pool view of the CBD
No trip to Singapore is complete without seeing the Marina Bay Sands, even if it’s just from Gardens by the Bay to admire the grandeur of the three iconic towers (which will become four in 2031!).
Photo 6: View from the balcony facing GBTB
Raffles Singapore
This is another hotel that you simply cannot miss, and you don’t need to stay overnight to visit.
If you’re looking for a unique Singapore souvenir, be sure to visit the hotel’s boutique.
Raffles hotel is also world-famous for its Long Bar, where the Singapore Sling cocktail was invented. It’s also traditional to scatter peanut shells on the floor, so don’t be surprised if you see them!
Find the hotel’s exact location here.
Parkroyal Collection Pickering
This is one of my favourite buildings in Singapore, make sure you see this hotel from the outside! This high-rise building is integrated with lush greenery, giving it the appearance of a tropical forest in the heart of the city.
The hotel also has a stunning infinity pool with views over the skyline. Find out more here.
Photo 7: Parkroyal Collection Pickering building
I’ll stop there, but there are quite a few more hotels that could easily be added to this list.
Are you going to stay in Singapore for longer?
Then it might be worth looking into a serviced apartment. This type of accommodation is often more cost-effective for long stays, and they usually have a small kitchen where you can prepare simple meals.
When we first moved to Singapore, we stayed at Thanksgiving Oxley, which is in an excellent location, just a few minutes’ walk from Orchard Road, and I really liked it!
Perhaps I’ll write a dedicated post on long-stay accommodation in Singapore in the future, but for now here’s one important thing to know.
Private apartments cannot legally be rented out for periods of fewer than three months, meanings Airbnb is only suitable for medium-term stays. For shorter visits, serviced apartments are the only legal option. As with everything in Singapore, be warned that fines are hefty for those caught breaking the rules.
For more tips on planning your trip, check out my post Before Travelling to Singapore, where you’ll find information on visas, transport and payment methods.
More posts about Singapore are coming soon, but for now, take a look at these:
I hope you find these tips on where to stay in Singapore useful!
