Finding the best place to stay in Singapore is not always easy as it depends largely on the type of trip you are making or the type of hotel you want to stay in.
With this in mind, in this post we would like to break down the best places to stay in Singapore, evaluating the pros and cons of each one of them.
Based on our visit to the city, during which we wrote this 6-day travel guide to Singapore, here is a selection of places to stay in Singapore and the best neighborhoods and hotels. Let’s get started!
Neighborhoods where to stay in Singapore
The first and most important thing to know is that Singapore is one of the smallest countries in Asia. Despite that the city is not particularly small, so there are many areas in which to sleep in addition to many accommodation options, mostly at high prices.
Taking into account that the vast majority of travelers do it to stay a few days in the city, we will focus on the areas that are closer to the tourist attractions and we believe, are the best to sleep in Singapore, but we also want to show you what are the districts that can be found.
- West Region (South West): this is not one of the most visited regions of the city. Here we can find the Western Catchment Nature Park, the Singapore Science Center or the JCube shopping mall.
- Northern Region (North West): here you will find the Singapore Zoo, one of the most visited places in the city. Despite this, and following our commitment to responsible tourism, we advise you never to visit this type of facility, which keeps animals in captivity.
- Central Region (Central): this is the most touristic area and the one we are going to focus on in this post as it is the best place to stay in Singapore.
Within this area there are 3 main zones:- Chinatown and surroundings: here we can find one of the most important Chinatowns in the world where you can enjoy the temples and cuisine of the country. Also nearby we find Little India, another of the most important and touristic neighborhoods of the city.
- Marina: this could be said to be the financial area of the city, where the impressive Gardens by the Bay, the impressive Marina Bay Sands Hotel, with its incredible infinity pool, the Marina Square shopping center, the Museum of Art and Science as well as Fort Canning and also Merlion, one of the icons of the city, are located.
It is also here where the nightly OCBC Garden Rhapsody shows are held at Gardens by the Bay and Spectra, the light, water and sound show that the Marina Bay Sands Hotel performs for free several times a day. For us it is the best area to sleep in Singapore. - Sentosa: this island is known for being a leisure center in the city where you can spend a full day. Highlights include Universal Studios Singapore, Imbiah Lookout, Siloso Point and Siloso Beach.
- Northeast region (North East): here you will find the Senkang neighborhood, where you can see typical residential areas.
- South West: here we find the island of Pulau Ubin, famous for travelers who want to see some lesser-known places in Singapore. Here is located the Taoist temple Wei Tou Fa Gong, Changi Beach and Ketam Park.
1. Marina Bay, the best place to stay in Singapore
Known for locating some of the must-see places in Singapore, such as Gardens by the Bay or the impressive Marina Bay Sands, the best accommodation in Singapore, this area is for us the best place to sleep in Singapore.
In addition to these places here you will also find the Formula 1 street circuit and a wide range of accommodation and restaurants as well as entertainment at any time of day and one of the most famous shopping malls in the city and the world.
The price of accommodation in Marina Bay is usually 100-150 euros per night although you can find more adjusted options and more expensive options.
2. Downtown and Singapore River, other options to sleep in Singapore
Along with Marina Bay, the downtown area and the river area we believe are the best areas to stay in Singapore as they are very well connected and have a great offer of restaurants, accommodation and entertainment, especially in Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.
In addition to this, if you like walking, you can access most of the tourist attractions on foot as it is quite close to everything. Like the previous one, this area is not particularly economical either, although by looking and booking in advance you can find offers.
The price of accommodation in the Center and Singapore River is usually 100-150 euros per night although you can find more affordable options and more expensive options.
3. Chinatown, an option to look for cheap hotels in Singapore
Although for us it is not the most recommended area to stay in Singapore, if you are a lover of Chinese culture, this is undoubtedly the best option you can find to sleep in Singapore.
Besides having a wide range of restaurants and accommodation, Chinatown is very well connected to the rest of the city and you can even walk to many of the main attractions of Singapore.
The price of accommodation in Chinatown is usually 60 euros per night.
4. Kampong Glam, the Muslim quarter and one of Singapore’s backpacker areas
Kampong Glam is one of the places you can not miss on your trip but it is also a highly recommended area to stay in Singapore if your budget is tight because here you can find hotels at quite affordable prices compared to the rest of the city.
In addition the neighborhood is very well served by public transport and like the previous one, if you like to walk, you can reach the main tourist attractions by taking a stroll.
In this neighborhood life is concentrated in Arab Street, the main artery and the Sultan Mosque, one of the icons of the neighborhood. They are also famous for their nineteenth-century houses, which are now installed on the first floor many stores and restaurants where you can eat at much lower prices than in the city center.
The price of accommodation in Kampong Glam is usually 40 euros per night.
5. Little India, another economical area to stay in Singapore
Although there is not as much choice of accommodation and restaurants as in other areas of the city, if your budget is tight, Little India can be a good option where to sleep in Singapore.
With some streets in which the colorful and street art have become the protagonists, this neighborhood is beginning to open to tourism and today it seems that many travelers are opting for this area to stay.
The price of accommodation in Little India is usually 40 euros per night.
6. Orchard Road, the commercial area where to sleep in Singapore
Although for us it is not the best option to stay in Singapore, if you want to stay in a luxury hotel, in a modern area with plenty of stores, this may be a recommendable option.
Despite being away from the main tourist attractions, Orchard Road is very well connected to the rest of the city, so you will have no problem getting around.
The price of accommodation in Orchard Road is usually 100 euros per night.
7. Sentosa Island, a good option if you are traveling with children
Although it would not be our choice on a trip to the city, if you are traveling with children (or not) and want to enjoy an amusement park, Sentosa Island could be a good option where to sleep in Singapore.
Keep in mind that it is far from the rest of the tourist attractions of the city although it is well connected by public transport.
The price of accommodation in Sentosa Island is usually 150-200 euros per night.
Tips for finding cheap accommodation in Singapore
Although we hope we have helped you choose the best place to sleep in Singapore with the above recommendations of areas and hotels we leave you a selection of extra tips to stay in the city.
- You have already seen that Singapore does not have many budget hotels so if your budget allows it and you are going to stay in one of the expensive ones, we recommend you to opt for the Marina Bay area and especially the Marina Bay Sands. We assure you that you will not regret it.
- Although it is a city in which you can visit many of its attractions on foot, there are areas that must be reached by transport, so if you have to stay in a neighborhood far from the center, do not worry, the city is very well connected and cab fares are very cheap.
- As you have been able to see in Singapore there are accommodations for all budgets in most areas although the cheapest are usually in shared rooms or capsule hotels. Keep this in mind if your stay is for a few days as it can be a great alternative.
- Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate we recommend you to use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free of charge and will save you a lot of money.
