BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SINGAPORE

The best places to stay in Singapore are primarily concentrated in a few well-known neighborhoods such as Orchard Road, Clark Quay, Sentosa. Riverside, Marina Bay, China Town, and so on. The majority of these locations are in the south of the island, and many tourists will prefer to stay here because this is where the majority of the activities take place.

When compared to the other Southeast Asian countries, Singapore’s accommodation is possibly the most expensive. Surprisingly, at major events such as the Formula One race or massive international meetings, demand outstrips supply. However, several lower-end hotels, budget hotels, and hostels, particularly in Geylang, Little India, and Kampong Glam, are still reasonable and available throughout the year.

10 Best Places To Stay in Singapore

Table of Contents

01 Orchard Road & Scott Road – Best Places to Stay in Singapore for Shopping

Orchard Road in the South is about 22 km from Singapore Changi Airport. This important 2.2-kilometer-long boulevard in Singapore’s Central Area is a popular tourist destination as well as a vast upmarket shopping area. Big trees give shade for shoppers along the road, and there is also a huge air-conditioned underground walkway connecting many of the shops, providing even more protection from the scorching tropical heat and, on sometimes, rain.

Orchard Road and its neighboring Scotts Road make up Singapore’s finest retail district, with shopping malls lining both sides of the road for several kilometres. This region is regarded as one of the best places to stay in Singapore due to its close proximity to four MRT stations: Orchard, Orchard Boulevard, Somerset, and Dhoby Ghaut. These stations serve as essential transportation hubs for commuters, locals, students, and visitors to Orchard’s shopping and business sector.

Because of its handy location and significant premium for the neighborhood, lodging near Orchard Road is always expensive. Budget hotels below USD 40.00 per night is nearly impossible to get. Orchard is definitely not the best place to stay if you’re on a tight budget.

Where To Stay in Orchard Road, Singapore

Luxury Hotels in Orchard Road, Singapore

Mid-Range Hotels in Orchard Road, Singapore

02 Balestier & Neighborhoods – Best Places to Stay in Singapore for Backpackers

Balestier, about 5 km North of Orchard Road offers one of the largest clusters of cheap hotels in Singapore, second only to Geylang. It is a quiet place in central Singapore, together with its neighborhoods Newton, Novena, and Toa Payoh, with essentially no attractions nearby (except a Burmese temples), yet it is popular with expats planning short and long-term stays.

On the North-South MRT Line, Newton, Novena, and Toa Payoh are all easily accessible. Balestier is not easily accessible by MRT, however it is possible to walk there from Toa Payoh or Novena stations (within 15 minutes). Balestier Road, on the other hand, has a plethora of bus routes.

In the recent year, Balestier has become very popular among the backpackers due to its cheap accommodation and furthermore it is not too far from Orchard Road.

Where To Stay in Balestier, Singapore

Luxury & Mid-Range Hotels in Balestier, Singapore

Budget Hotels in Balestier, Singapore

03 Little India & Farrer Park – Best Places to Stay in Singapore for Authentic Indian Cuisine

Little India is only within 3 kilometres from Orchard Road, which serves as the heart of Singapore’s sizable Indian community. It maintains its unique personality without becoming a tourist trap, and it is one of Singapore’s most appealing destinations.

Little India and Farrer Park stations on the North-East MRT line, located close Serangoon Road (the major street), provide ideal access points into the neighborhood. The activities are concentrated in a few blocks on either side of the road and may easily be covered on foot.

The town itself is the main attraction. Here you will find the vividly painted shop-houses, which are a hallmark of Singapore and one of the most colorful and enjoyable places to visit.

The majority of Indian tourists or Indian cuisine foodies used to stay in this area for the authentic Indian food, and it also offers some of the most economical hotels in town, as well as some cheap lodging (hostels) for backpackers.

Where To Stay in Little India & Farrer Park, Singapore

Luxury & Mid-Range Hotels in Little India & Farrer Park, Singapore

Budget Hotels in Little India & Farrer Park, Singapore

04 Geylang – Best Places to Stay in Singapore for Bachelor Groups

Geylang, about 6 km away from Little India, is one of Singapore’s oldest Malay settlements, located immediately east of the city’s central business district. The town is well connected to the rest of the country’s transportation system.

The town is well-known as Singapore’s red-light district, with numerous brothels lining Geylang Road and other nearby streets. Every evening, a large number of male tourists and locals visit the place and usually stay till the morning.

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind the local nightlife, Joo Chiat Road is a good option. The prices of lodging are among the lowest in town, and the late-night dining options are unrivalled; also, it is perfectly safe here.
Reminder: this is totally not the best places to stay in Singapore for solo female travellers or families.

Where To Stay in Geylang, Singapore

Mid-Range Hotels in Geylang, Singapore

Budget Hotels in Geylang, Singapore

05 Bugis & Kampong Glam – Best Places to Stay in Singapore for Muslim

Bugis, about 9 km from Geylang and 6 km from Orchard Road, has an interesting history. From the 1950s until the 1980s, Bugis Street was known for its bars and transgender prostitutes. The neighborhood, however, was extensively restructured in 1985, transforming it into a family-friendly shopping district.

Today, it is one of Singapore’s largest street-shopping area. Bugis Junction, the most famous landmark, was the country’s first glass-enclosed commercial mall. In addition, Bugis offers a diverse range of hotels and restaurants to suit the needs of all tourists.

Kampong Glam, commonly known as Arab Street, was a hub for the Arab community in the area. In the previous decade, this region was designated for Malays and other Muslim immigrants to Singapore, the majority of whom were Arab traders.

Presently, it has been restored, hundreds of shops like cafes, bars, art galleries, crafts and a bazaar selling the cheapest T-shirts in town. It is also a fantastic dining destination, featuring everything from Malaysian coffee shops and bakeries to superb modern European cuisine.

Hotels are distributed across Bugis and Kampong Glam, and there are few budget hostels in the area. Although, while being slightly noisier at night, travellers may prefer to go to adjacent Little India for more options.

Where To Stay in Bugis & Kampong Glam, Singapore

Luxury Hotels in Bugis & Kampong Glam, Singapore

Mid-Range Hotels in Bugis & Kampong Glam, Singapore

06 Riverside (Clarke Quay & Boat Quay) – Best Places to Stay in Singapore for Nightlife

Riverside, Singapore’s old colonial centre, is where Raffles landed and founded his colony. The Central Business District is closely packed, with many Central Government buildings & skyscrapers in the area.

The entire area of the Singapore River is a delightful site for a promenade, with little green parks, old-style bridges and historic residences, and the nightlife-rich expanses of Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. These areas feature a large number of older mid-range hotels and are perhaps the best places to stay in Singapore for night owls.

Where To Stay in Riverside, Singapore

Luxury Hotels in Riverside, Singapore

Mid-Range & Budget Hotels in Riverside, Singapore

07 Tiong Bahru – Best Places to Stay in Singapore for Families

Tiong Bahru is 4 km west of Riverside and Chinatown. This is a peaceful neighborhood and one of Singapore’s oldest housing estates. This is a popular hangout for local artists and cultural enthusiasts, and many of the community’s unique wall murals are created by this group of artists.

Apart from the wall paintings, there’s not much else to see in this neighborhood. Nonetheless, most families with children who wish to get away from the hustle and bustle flock to it. It is also close to Chinatown & Orchard Road. The primary disadvantage in terms of lodging is the lack of hotel options in this area.

Where To Stay in Tiong Bahru, Singapore

08 Chinatown – Best Places to Stay in Singapore for Authentic Chinese Food

Chinatown, also known as Niu Che Shui by Singaporeans, is a traditional Chinese neighborhood in the city-state. The town itself is the main attraction, consisting of renovated shophouses filled with odd tiny shops offering everything from toy Buddhas to dried seahorses.

The area between Pagoda Street and Smith Street has always been crowded with tourists, with many stalls and shops selling all kinds of handicrafts, antiques, fashion goods, and home accessories. Apart from that, authentic Chinese cuisine is also a major tourist attraction.

Although there are a few typical hotels in Chinatown, the most interesting accommodation alternatives are undoubtedly those renovated shophouses from the wartime.

Where To Stay in Chinatown, Singapore

Luxury Hotels in Chinatown, Singapore

Mid-Range Hotels in Chinatown, Singapore

09 Marina Bay – Best Places to Stay in Singapore for Wealthy Travelers

Marina Bay, located just a few kilometres east of Riverside, is Singapore’s newest feature. Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and Merlion Park are among the well-known structures that give the bay a futuristic atmosphere and a stunning night vista.

The glitzy new waterfront Marina Bay Sands integrated resort (hotel, casino, shopping mall, convention centre, and museum) dominates the area, which is mostly built up of high-end hotels with broad city and water views. Mid-range or budget hotels only can be found in neighboring districts.

During the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, which has been held every year in September (since 2008), the bay is extremely busy, with many people reserving hotel rooms that right in the middle of the races.

Where To Stay in Marina Bay Singapore

10 Sentosa & Harbourfront – Best Places to Stay in Singapore for Couples

Sentosa is a small island off Singapore’s southern shore, around 8 km from Riverside. Harbourfront and a few smaller islands south of Sentosa are all part of this region. The island was once a run-down region that has been re-branded and re-sculpted into a significant tourist attraction that is popular among Singaporeans, expats, and foreign couples looking for a fast getaway.

Sentosa is primarily designed for visitors looking for a relaxing beach vacation, and it is not a particularly convenient place for seeing the rest of Singapore. However, a new monorail has made it easier to go to and from the mainland. The lodgings at Sentosa & Harbourfront, like those in Marina Bay, are not cheap. On Sentosa Island, there are almost no mid-range or budget hotels.