Singapore is a small, dense island city-state where the city centre is clean and modern, and large self-contained residential towns spread across the rest of the island. Greenery is never far away, with parks, nature reserves and tree-lined streets throughout, and hawker food is a way of life in the HDB heartlands as much as in the centre.
For a visitor, the practical split is between the CBD and the city centre in the south, and outer Singapore, from the HDB heartlands to the East Coast and Sentosa. Addresses in the centre read much like other English-speaking countries, while outlying housing blocks use a block-and-floor format with a six-digit postal code. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, what each is like, and what you can expect at each price level.
Best areas to stay in Singapore
1. Riverside
The Riverside is probably the best place to stay in Singapore unless you are a shopping maven intent on maximising time in Orchard Road's shopping malls. It sits within the city centre, close to the river and the sights of the CBD.
Note that hotels within certain parts of the Riverside area are much more expensive than others: those inside the boundary of the Electronic Road Pricing area carry ERP tolls as part of their business overhead, which is built into their nightly rates.
2. Orchard Road
Orchard Road is the area to choose if shopping is your priority, and it holds one of the largest hotel clusters in the city. It is also where top-of-the-line deluxe private housing is found, which tells you what kind of accommodation dominates the area.
If you are not intent on maximising time in Orchard Road's shopping malls, the Riverside is the better base for you.
3. Marina Bay
Marina Bay is one of the two largest hotel clusters in Singapore, alongside Orchard Road, and it is good for sightseeing. Expect the upper end of the market here.
4. Chinatown
Chinatown has seen a surge of boutique hotels in renovated shophouses, which can be pretty good value. It suits travellers who want a central location and character in the building itself rather than a large hotel complex.
5. Little India
Little India is one of the main areas for backpacker hostels, along with Bugis, Clarke Quay and the East Coast. It is also one of the clusters for cheap hotels, alongside Geylang and Balestier, where rooms are generally small and not fancy but still clean and provide basic facilities such as a bathroom and television.
6. Bugis and Clarke Quay
Both Bugis and Clarke Quay are established areas for backpacker hostels, making them a practical base for budget travellers who want to be in the centre. Hostels here are the affordable end of the market, though you should read reviews carefully before booking the very cheapest places.
7. Geylang and Balestier
Geylang and Balestier, together with Little India, are where cheap hotels are clustered. These hotels service mostly the type of customer who rents rooms by the hour, so set your expectations accordingly: rooms are small and not fancy, but clean and with basic facilities.
8. East Coast and Sentosa
The East Coast is one of the areas where backpacker hostels can be found, and it is also where you can chill out in the parks and beaches. Sentosa is the place to look if you want a tropical beach resort feel, and it sits at the upper end of the market.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Backpacker hostels, found primarily in Little India, Bugis, Clarke Quay and the East Coast, with dorm beds at the lower end of the market; read reviews carefully, as there seems to be a bedbug epidemic among many of the very cheapest hostels. Cheap hotels are clustered in Geylang, Balestier and Little India, with small, unfancy but clean rooms and basic facilities such as a bathroom and television.
- Mid-range: Much of Singapore's mid-range accommodation is in rather featureless but functional older hotels, with a notable cluster near the western end of the Singapore River. There has also been a surge of "boutique" hotels in renovated shophouses in this area and in Chinatown, which can be pretty good value.
- Splurge: An extensive selection of luxury accommodation, including the grand old Raffles Hotel and all the usual multinational brands. The largest hotel clusters are at Marina Bay (good for sightseeing) and around Orchard Road (good for shopping), with Sentosa for a tropical beach resort feel.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the Riverside. Unless you are a shopping maven intent on maximising time in Orchard Road's shopping malls, it is probably the best place to stay in Singapore, and it keeps you in the city centre near the river and the CBD. Do check where a given property sits relative to the Electronic Road Pricing boundary, since hotels inside it price the ERP tolls into their nightly rates.
Frequently asked questions
When is the hardest time to find a room in Singapore?
Particularly in the higher price brackets, demand outstrips supply, and during big events like the F1 race or some of the larger conventions it is not uncommon for pretty much everything to sell out. Lower-end hotels and hostels remain affordable and available throughout the year.
What extra costs should I add to an advertised room rate?
GST and service charge are generally not included in the advertised rates. When working out how much to allocate for accommodation, add 19% to the advertised price: 10% for the service charge, then 9% GST on the amount including the service charge.
Can I book a short-term apartment rental instead of a hotel?
Short-term home or room rentals of six months or less, such as those provided by platforms like Airbnb, are illegal in Singapore. Advertising rooms or houses on such platforms is not illegal, so you may find a handful of Singapore listings, but enforcement action can be taken if a neighbour complains, and you would have to find another place to stay at relatively short notice.
What do I need at check-in?
As it is a crime to harbour illegal immigrants, hotels need to check the passports and electronic visit passes of all guests at check-in. Make sure you have a working mobile data connection or have your visit pass saved offline, as you will not be able to check in without it.
Compare live prices for the areas that suit you using the booking tools on this page.