Where to Stay in Singapore During Your Visit (Updated 2023)

Posted: 2/16/2023 | February sixteenth, 2023

Singapore is among the world’s smallest international locations. However this tiny nation packs a punch.

Residence to some 5.7 million folks, Singapore is a cosmopolitan city-state that separated from the British in 1963 and gained independence from Malaysia in 1965. Within the a long time that adopted, it advanced from a low-income nation to one of many facilities of world finance.

It’s a foodie’s dream, bursting with tasty hawker-stall choices, scrumptious Indian delicacies, and recent seafood. In reality, among the least expensive Michelin-starred eateries on the earth might be discovered right here.

For extra lively guests, there are climbing trails on which you’ll stretch your legs, quite a few biking paths, and loads of kayaking adventures available. And while you run out of vitality, there are seashores for chilling out and absorbing the solar.

Although a small city-state, every neighborhood in Singapore has its personal distinctive vibe. Right here’s my breakdown of all of them so you may work out the place to remain in Singapore while you go to.

However, earlier than I get into specifics, listed below are some widespread questions I get requested about Singapore neighborhoods:

What’s the most effective neighborhood in Singapore for finances vacationers?
Kampong Glam is certainly one of Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods. It has a great deal of retailers promoting textiles, rugs, and Turkish homewares; some scrumptious Arabic eating places; the big golden-domed Sultan Mosque; and a ton of eye-catching road artwork.

What’s the most effective neighborhood in Singapore for households?
Whereas many households gravitate to Sentosa for the seashores and laid-back vibe, Orchard Street is a way more central place to remain. Identified extra for being the purchasing middle of Singapore, it’s effectively related to the remainder of the island, is full of eating places within the malls and alongside the road, and has some nice family-friendly resorts.

What’s the most effective neighborhood in Singapore for first-time guests?
Not removed from the trendy Central Enterprise District, Chinatown is the most effective place to get an actual sense of Chinese language tradition in Singapore. The streets are lined with temples, craft retailers, stalls, and eating places, so you may decide up a discount right here after which get some tasty meals.

What’s the most effective neighborhood in Singapore for partying?
If it’s a buzzing nightlife scene that you simply’re after, any of the Quays (Clarke, Robertson, or Boat) are the place to go. They’ve a great deal of bars and eating places and a lot of the golf equipment are in or round this space too.

What’s the finest neighborhood in Singapore total?
Chinatown is centrally situated and has (or is tremendous near) lots of the island’s foremost points of interest, together with its scrumptious hawker meals, lovely temples, vivid road artwork, and plentiful historical past.

So, with these questions answered, right here’s a breakdown of every neighborhood, with recommended lodging for every, so precisely the place to remain in Singapore:

The place to Keep for Sightseeing: Chinatown

Chinatown is my favourite space: it’s excellent for searching retailers and tasting native dishes. It’s additionally tremendous central, so it’s simple to get to and from different common elements of the island, together with Gardens by the Bay, Little India, Kampong Glam, and the Botanic Gardens.

In the event you can, eat at Hong Kong Soya Sauce Hen Rice and Noodle (aka Hawker Chan), the world’s most reasonably priced Michelin-starred restaurant. Tian Tian Hainanese Hen Rice is one other Michelin-starred hawker stall price a go to. Like Hawker Chan’s, it’s situated within the Maxwell Hawker Middle.

Finest Locations to Keep in Chinatown:

• BUDGET: The Bohemian – This can be a tremendous enjoyable hostel that doesn’t take itself too critically. Proper in the course of Chinatown, and aimed solely at backpackers, it affords dorms and capsules, free Wi-Fi, and a shared lounge for hanging out and assembly different vacationers.
• MID-RANGE: The Scarlet – This resort in a preserved prewar shophouse (a constructing kind serving each as a residence and a industrial enterprise) is in an excellent location for exploring Chinatown. It has a rooftop restaurant, an outside sizzling tub, a fitness center, and laundry and dry-cleaning companies.
• LUXURY: The Park Royal at Pickering – On the excessive finish of your finances, this property has been featured in a load of worldwide publications because of its luxurious eco-paradise method, together with dwelling partitions on its exterior. It has a health ground with an outside pool and a fitness center, in addition to a scenic backyard skywalk.

The place to Keep for Nightlife: The Quays

The three foremost Quays (pronounced “keys”) are Clarke, Robertson, and Boat. Full of vibrant bars, tasty eating places, cute cafés, and energetic golf equipment, that is the most effective place to go for an evening out (or simply some enjoyable people-watching). Whereas the venues on the primary drag (by the riverfront) are the preferred for his or her location, the aspect streets are the place you could find some much less touristy venues.

Finest Locations to Keep in The Quays:

• BUDGET: hipstercity hostel – There aren’t many hostels in and across the Quays, however this one is clear, snug, and pleasant. It has a shared lounge and kitchen but in addition affords breakfast and free Wi-Fi.
• MID-RANGE: KINN Capsule Resort – One in all a handful of capsule resorts within the Quays space, KINN has air-conditioned cabins, a shared lounge, free Wi-Fi, a laundry facility, shared loos, and a solar terrace.
• LUXURY: Paradox Singapore Service provider Court docket at Clarke Quay – With an enormous out of doors pool, fitness center, sauna, and backyard, Paradox is a luxe possibility for individuals who need to splurge and keep close to the motion. It additionally has a restaurant and a terrace with scenic views overlooking town.

The place to Keep for Road Artwork: Kampong Glam

Graffiti in Singapore is against the law, however that doesn’t imply there’s not an abundance of road artwork throughout city: the artists simply want a license to color there.

Kampong Glam, also referred to as the Arab Quarter, has essentially the most road artwork on the island. Wander round Haji Lane, which is brightly embellished from high to backside, and stroll via Gelam Gallery, a backstreet devoted to this sort of artwork. Singapore’s most well-known road artist, Yip Yew Chong, has some murals right here too.

Little India and Chinatown, each road artwork sizzling spots, are simply strolling distance away as effectively.

Finest Locations to Keep in Kampong Glam:

• BUDGET: Beary Finest! – Within the coronary heart of Kampong Glam in a restored heritage constructing, Beary Finest! is a capsule resort with a laid-back vibe. It’s a self-check-in, self-service idea, with shared loos and free Wi-Fi. The AC solely comes on between 3pm and 9pm, however the payback is the roof terrace, which has nice views of Sultan Mosque and surrounding neighborhood.
• MID-RANGE: Dice – Boutique Capsule Resort – One other capsule resort, this one is a brief stroll from the middle of Kampong Glam. In addition to en suite rooms, it affords free Wi-Fi, complimentary self-service laundry, free breakfast, and work areas with enterprise companies must you want them.
• LUXURY: Village Resort Bugis by Far East Hospitality – Village Resort Bugis is on the intersection of Kampong Glam, Chinatown, and Little India, offering easy accessibility to among the finest sights on the town. It has a fitness center, an outside pool, and a few eating places the place you may feast on tasty native delicacies.

The place to Keep for Leisure: Sentosa

In the event you’re in want of some R&R, look no additional than Sentosa. One in all Singapore’s 64 islands, it’s linked to the primary one by a causeway. It is filled with good seashores, luxe resorts, and a load of points of interest, together with Common Studios, an aquarium, bungee leaping, and far more.

It was additionally a strategic navy level throughout World Warfare II and Siloso Fort is an attention-grabbing place to discover if you’d like a break from the resorts and costly actions.

Sentosa is just not the most affordable space of Singapore, as there are solely resorts to remain at, however in the event you’re within the temper to interrupt the finances, that is the most effective place to do it!

Finest Locations to Keep in Sentosa:

• BUDGET: Siloso Seaside Resort – There’s no such factor as an inexpensive place to remain on Sentosa (finances vacationers are higher off visiting for the day), however in the event you actually need to discover lodging on the island, Siloso Seaside Resort might be your least expensive possibility. It’s an award-winning eco-resort with a spring-water pool (the longest landscaped pool within the nation), a fitness center, and spa.
• MID-RANGE: Oasia Resort Sentosa – An honest-sized resort, the Oasia has an in-house spa and leisure actions for friends, in addition to a pool if that you must beat the warmth. There are additionally yoga and wellness lessons, in addition to scrumptious eats on the bar and grill. It’s additionally in an amazing location, not removed from Siloso Seaside.
• LUXURY: Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa – The Shangri-La is among the solely resorts in Singapore to have its personal personal seashore. Add to that the out of doors pool (together with water slides), youngsters’ membership, spa, and several other eating places, and also you’ve bought just about all you want. It’s extra secluded than the remainder of the resorts, however all of the enjoyable issues to do are nonetheless inside strolling distance. Don’t confuse this resort with its sister close to Orchard Street (see under).

The place to Keep for Households: Orchard Street

Well-known for its many shops and purchasing malls that line the road nearly from starting to finish, Orchard Street is among the most central locations to remain in Singapore, making it an amazing alternative for households. A number of the resorts listed below are family-friendly (though they will additionally carry a little bit of a price ticket), and there are lots of eating choices round right here too.

Finest locations to remain on Orchard Street:

• BUDGET: YMCA @ One Orchard – This gained’t be the most affordable hostel you’ll ever keep in, and it solely has personal rooms, however you may’t argue with its location close to the Nationwide Museum and the Istana (the spectacular workplace constructing for Singapore’s president that’s used to obtain and entertain state friends and solely opens on choose days of the yr). (For extra budget-friendly choices, the Quays, Little India, and Kampong Glam are all shut by.)
• MID-RANGE: York Resort – Positioned simply off Orchard Street, this resort has a pool, a health middle, and a restaurant that serves breakfast on daily basis, in addition to free Wi-Fi.
• LUXURY: Shangri-La Orange Grove – Significantly cheaper than the Shangri-La on Sentosa, this resort has an enormous pool, a splash space with slides, a youngsters’ membership, and massive gardens to discover. There are a number of eating places, together with one providing all types of Western and Asian meals, in addition to an Italian restaurant and a bar with snacks proper by the pool.

The place to Keep Off the Overwhelmed Monitor: East Coast

In the event you’re seeking to get away from the primary vacationer path, head to the East Coast. Across the Joo Chiat space is the place a few of Singapore’s most well-known shophouses might be discovered; there may be all method of impartial shops, eating places, bars, and cafés to browse and hand around in. There are a number of strolling trails, some cool road artwork, a number of temples, and an honest seashore with an extended bike monitor that leads all the best way into Gardens by the Bay and past.

Finest Locations to Keep on East Coast:

• BUDGET: Resort Basic by Venue – That is budget-friendly resort is situated proper on Joo Chiat, conveniently situated very near a number of markets with nice hawker stalls. The clear and fashionable rooms all have AC and free Wi-Fi.
• MID-RANGE: Champion Resort – Additionally on Joo Chiat, this resort is in a Peranakan (Malay-Chinese language) shophouse, making it a brilliant cute place to spend the evening. The rooms all include complimentary drinks and toiletries, a TV, and free Wi-Fi, whereas the resort has 24-hour safety, web kiosks, and laundry.
• LUXURY: Santa Grand Resort – The Santa Grand is one other resort that’s in a historic shophouse. It’s not removed from Joo Chiat, on East Coast Street, and it has its personal restaurant and bar (though there are many locations close by to take a look at too) and a laundry service. There’s additionally a stupendous pool and rooftop terrace for taking within the views.

Singapore is small, however there actually is loads to do right here. The excellent news is that a lot of the points of interest are between the middle and the south of the island so that you’re unlikely to need to journey too far to get anyplace, which means you could find someplace to fit your finances and plan accordingly.