Baptized the “Garden City” because of the spectacular presence of planted areas on the facades of its buildings, in the atriums of its hotels and right in the heart of the city.
Singapore’s popularity is such that it attracts millions of visitors for a few days or more, leaving them with an unforgettable memory of their visit. Impressed by the presence of behemoth hotels such as the Marina Bay Sands, many are eager to take advantage of this astonishingly modern Southeast Asian city.
But would you like some guidance on where to stay in Singapore?
We’ve put together a list of different areas of the city-state, so you can get as close as possible to the major points and make the best choice for your budget and travel preferences. Whether you want to stay in Marina Bay in an iconic hotel, in the historic district or are attracted by the heady flavors of Chinatown, Little India or Kampong Glam, you’ll find all the information you need to find where to stay in Singapore.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Singapore, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Singapore:
- $ this backpackers hostel is well located, however.
- $$ this hotel, in the popular Marina Bay district.
- $$$ this iconic high-end establishment in the same area. With its rooftop pool, view of the Garden By the Bay, and range of facilities, it’s one of the best places to stay in Singapore. Budget permitting, of course.
Map of different areas to stay in Singapore
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Singapore
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Singapore, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view.
Areas where to stay in Singapore
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Singapore.
To stay in Marina Bay: the popular spot
In Singapore, you're bound to be familiar with the emblematic monuments that symbolize the cityscape, especially in Marina Bay, where the most striking of them all is located: the famous Marina Bay Sands, a 5-star hotel whose original architecture, reminiscent of a ship, is sure to leave you in awe. Nearby is Gardens by the Bay, an immense 100-hectare park featuring a variety of interactive and planted areas.
Choosing to stay at Marina Bay is the promise of a journey of the senses in a pleasant, forward-looking urban landscape - a rare combo in a megalopolis.
This area of the city is very central and is becoming increasingly popular with visitors. Being particularly modern and extremely clean, its pleasant, immaculate streets are appreciated, as the authorities severely punish any breach of its rules of behavior and hygiene.
As a result, the center and Marina Bay are very popular for their symbolism of a garden city and a clean city.
If you're looking for a place to stay in this very touristy area, there are plenty of hotels to choose from. You'll need a larger budget than elsewhere, as this is one of the most modernist and touristy areas of the capital-state.
Our tips for accommodation in the center and Marina Bay
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This spectacular hotel makes the most of natural materials, offering accommodation in airyrooms in harmony with the building's architecture and plant life. You can stay in modern rooms overlooking the Singapore skyline.
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This luxury hotel lets you stay in spacious, highly comfortable rooms with marble bathrooms and rain showers. The renowned restaurant serves top-quality Asian dishes, and there's a large outdoor swimming pool.
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This is Singapore's most emblematic hotel. Staying here will guarantee a memorable stay, as you'll enjoy the best viewsof the city from the rooftop pool, the largest in the world. 20 dining options are available in this building, which also boasts a grandiose casino.
Accommodation in the colonial district: the historic quarter
Just south of Little India, between Marina Bay and Fort Canning Park, are the splendid buildings of Singapore's period of modern civilization. It was in the early 19th century that the British crown agent Sir Stamford Raffles decided to reshape the city of Singapore to launch it on the path to prosperity that we still see today.
As a result, you'll find a host of turn-of-the-centurybuildings that have become landmarks in Singapore's historic landscape.
The former Parliament building, known as The Arts House, served as the residence of the former Governor of Singapore. Today, it is a venue for numerous exhibitions and cultural events. You'll also find the Asian Civilisations Museum, with its neo-classical façade and permanent exhibition on Asian civilisations.
If you decide to set down your suitcases in the area, you'll be able to enjoy the presence of Singapore's largest museum, the National Gallery Singapore. Housed in the former Magistrate's Court and City Hall, it has been restored and adapted to accommodate a collection of modern art from the city-state and Southeast Asia.
To stay in this historic area, you'll find a number of chic hotels with late-19th-century colonial architecture, such as the Raffles Singapore, a must-see even if you're not staying there.
On the whole, the area is more upmarket, but you'll also find some really affordable hostels and guesthouses.
Accommodation tips for staying in the Colonial Quarter
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Just north of the colonial quarter, you can stay at this very affordable guesthouse, which offers both single and dormitory rooms. You'll be well placed to reach most places of interest, and it's possible to secure your personal belongings in lockers.
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In the heart of City Hall, or Colonial Quarter, you'll be able to stay in this chic, modern hotel with spacious rooms overlooking Singapore. Two integrated restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool with tree-lined terrace and garden complete the services on offer.
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A magnificent historic hotel with a 19th-century facade, offering sumptuous accommodation in a chic, classical style using noble materials. The restaurant is housed in a sublime historic hall with a glass roof. Outdoor pool and spa.
To stay in the heart of chinatown: the multicultural city
Chinatown is first and foremost a very cosmopolitan district. Here, people and buildings from different cultures mix to create an interesting melting pot, reflecting Singapore's geographical position and role as a hub.
Here you'll find Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim temples, and several mosques. It's a lively place to enjoy markets, typical alleyways, Chinese restaurants and trendy bars.
Being located right next to the Marina, it's easy to visit this very touristycorner of Singapore, also known as a reference point fortypical local and Chinese cuisine. China Food Street, for example, is a reference in the area, with restaurants serving traditional dishes such as Hainanese rice, chicken and satay.
Here, boutiques and stalls selling handicrafts will keep shoppers busy for a while in this lively little area of Singapore.
In this part of the city-state, there are two temples not to be missed:
- Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: in Tang dynasty style, Singapore's benchmark temple of the Buddhist religion.
- Thian Hock Keng Temple: historic Taoist temple built in Chinese architectural style.
For accommodation in this part of Singapore, there are a number of hotels, smaller than elsewhere, and fairly affordable. Please note that noise is a major factor in your choice of accommodation, so keep this in mind and avoid this area altogether if you're looking for a quiet place to stay.
Our Chinatown accommodation recommendations
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On the outskirts of Chinatown, you can stay in simple, optimized rooms on a reasonable budget. The location is idealfor this small establishment in the center of Singapore, giving you easy access to the whole city.
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This hotel in the heart of Chinatown lets you stay in modern, original and comfortable rooms with a view of the city. There's also a large restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool overlooking the center.
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This spectacular hotel impresses from the outside, with its plant-covered facades. To stay here is a guarantee of an exceptional stay, thanks to thefuturistic architecture, the swimming pool overlooking the city center and the excellent service provided by the staff.
Staying in kampong glam: the malay quarter
As one of Singapore's earliest inhabited neighborhoods, Kampong Glam offers a rich history, with ancestral traditions blending with today's lifestyle to create a vibrant, colorful place to stay.
It is predominantly a Malay district, where Islam is well represented by the presence of religious buildings such as mosques and streets named Arab street, Muscat street and Baghdad street. It is one of the city's historic districts, recognized since 1989 and dating back to the colonial era when Stamford Raffles allocated the area to the Malay, Arab and Bugis communities.
That's why Kampong Glam (or Gelam in Malay) is a land of mixed cultures, offering a cultural and culinary change of scene not to be missed!
Located close to Bugis between Little India and bordered by the Kallang River, it's within easy reach of the center, which you can reach in 12 minutes by bus or 20 minutes on foot.
It's an ideal place to discover its many Malay and Middle Eastern restaurants. We have selected the most interesting places to visit in this area:
- Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan): Built in 1824 and restored in 1932, this is one of Singapore's most important mosques.
- Malay Heritage Centre: Dedicated to Malay culture, this is a must-see for those wishing to discover the city's past and its Malay heritage.
- Arab street: A famous shopping street packed with typical Malay restaurants, boutiques and street art, this is a must-see for those wishing to discover the city's past and its Malay heritage.
If you're looking for a place to stay, you'll find accommodation in a variety of price ranges. So it's an easy, less expensive place to stay than some of Singapore's more central, visitor-invested areas, and you'll be ideally located, being close to a metro station too, making it easy to get around.
Where to stay in Kampong Glam
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A futuristic hotel on Bugis street that lets you stay in neon-lit capsules. You'll have a flat-screen TV inside, so you can enjoy the peace and quiet. You'll be conveniently located close to Kampong Glam's places of interest.
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To stay at this hotel is your guarantee of a spacious room in a classic, chic setting. You'll love the swimming pool and indoor restaurant, ideal for a quality breakfast.
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In a modern establishment, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Singapore skyline from the rooftop terrace. To stay in these spacious, comfortable rooms will give you a pleasant stay close to all the cultural sights Kampong Glam has to offer.
Lodging in little india: a sensory experience
Little India is the promise of a sensory journey between powerful scents, vibrant colors and architecture typical of the Hindu community. As the epicenter of Indian culture in Singapore, it's a popular spot for travelers seeking a change of scenery and cultural discoveryof this ethnic group present in Singapore.
Here, you're immediately immersed in the frenzy of the reference country, and the atmosphere immediately transports you to India.
A small, concentrated area to the west of Kampong Glam and to the north of Colonial District, you'll be able to reach it on foot from the center in 15 minutes. If you take a bus or the metro down to the eponymous station, it will take you an average of 10 minutes.
So it's a very accessible and unmissable spot for anyone visiting Singapore for the first time. As with Kampong Glam, Little India also boasts a number of places dedicated to Hindu culture, which we have compiled into a short list:
- Indian Heritage Centre: This cultural center dedicated to the Indian community features numerous statues, costumes and artworks tracing the history of Indian migration to Singapore.
- Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple: Built in 1881, this is the most important temple for the Hindu community. Opportunity to attend traditional rites.
- Mustafa Centre: 24-hour shopping mall, Little India's indoor shopping reference.
- Tan Teng Niah: Chinese villa with colorful facade dating from the early 20th century.
For your accommodation in this part of town, you'll have a choice of hostels, hotels and friendly guesthouses, so you can easily find a place to stay on a budget. Remember, this is the place to go if you want to stay cheap in Singapore!
Our recommendations for staying in Little India
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This is one of the cheapest hostels to stay in Little India. Offering bunk beds in large, quality rooms, you'll be close to major places of interest and easy to get around thanks to nearby metro stations.
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Extremely well located close to metro and bus stations, this apartment hotel offers vast, modern and well-equippedspaces for a quality experience. The view over the city is incredible, and the green swimming pool and terrace are sure to enhance your stay.
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This chic hotel offers loft-style accommodation in a classic, elegant style using quality materials. Communal areas are plentiful and airy, and you can take advantage of the terraced swimming pool and fitness center.
Summary
You now have all the information you need to make your stay in Singapore a success! As you’ll have gathered, Singapore is an expensive destination, and you’ll need to set aside a substantial budget if you want to feel at home.
Hotels are plentiful, and the best are to be found in Marina Bay, Chinatown and the Colonial Quarter. You’ll be delighted and amazed if you stay in one of these emblematic hotels, which are symbols of modernity and futurism on an international scale.
If, on the other hand, you’re looking for more human-scale areas, with more modest and charming establishments, you’ll find plenty to choose from in Little India, Chinatown and Kampong Glam, which will also enable you to learn more about Singapore’s multicultural character.
Accommodation in these parts of the city is very affordable in some cases, and you’ll be well connected to all the must-see places by the megalopolis’ well-developed metro network.