Guide to Hotel Accommodations in Singapore

For the leisure or business traveler on a short-term visit to Singapore, hotels still offer the easiest, quickest, and most convenient arrangements. Almost all international hotel chains have a branch in Singapore.

The grander 5-star international hotels such as Pan Pacific, The Oriental, and Marina Mandarin are found in the country’s Financial District or central business district. Orchard Road, said to be Asia’s most famous shopping boulevard, is the location of many 5-star hotels such as Le Meridien Singapore and Four Seasons Singapore. 4-star and 5-star hotels are also found on Sentosa Island and in the River District where value for money is emphasized.

Singapore’s Heritage District carries 3-star value hotels up to the most luxurious 5-star international hotel chains. There are budget places as well as 5-star hotels in Chinatown. Little India has locally-run 2-star and 3-star hotels. If you are looking for less expensive hotels, North Downtown and East Singapore/airport area are the more popular locations of good deals for the traveler on a budget. The Hotel 81 chain and Fragrance Hotels, with several branches in many parts of Singapore, are good examples of budget accommodations that are run smoothly and efficiently.

Hotels in Singapore may be categorized into three brackets: high-end, mid-range, and budget. Prestige and reputation, location, amenities, facilities, and service are some of the bases for differentiation in costs. However, there are two important factors that make all these hotels, regardless of price range, similar with one another. All are decent and presentable. Most of them are easily accessible through the efficient transport service in the country, especially the MRT and bus lines. And all charges are uniformly inclusive of 10% service charge, 5% GST, and 1% government tax (16.55%). There are no hidden charges.

Although there are many more hotels in Singapore that what's listed here, our objective is to present you with some of the more popular hotels in each price category.

High-End Singapore Hotels

In this category, we have listed the most luxurious and expensive hotels in Singapore. The standard daily room rates at these hotem range from S$500 to S$1000. Always check for discounts and promotions available before making a reservation.

Four Seasons Singapore

Just around the corner from Orchard Road and minutes away from the Financial District, the Four Seasons Singapore features the country's only air-conditioned tennis courts. The 5-star hotel is furnished with 1,500 original Asian art pieces that are mostly displayed in the hotel’s guest rooms. All 255 rooms in the 20-storey building have a refrigerated private bar, choice of wired or wireless Internet access, and multi-line telephone with voicemail. The daily room rates at Four Seasons Singapore Hotel start at S$560.

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

Voted as the Best Hotel in Asia in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2006, the 400-room luxury hotel is located in the Central Business District, fronting the Marina Bay. It is a 25-minute drive from Singapore’s Changi Airport and a short stroll from Singapore's financial district, Suntec City, and Esplanade Theaters . The world-famous The Straits Club is the hotel’s premier executive club. There is a 25-meter outdoor infinity pool overlooking the Singapore River. Bathrooms in the suites have Bvlgari bath amenities.  The daily room rates at Fullerton Hotel start at S$558.

Singapore Raffles Hotel

Probably the most famous hotel in Singapore, Raffles Hotel was declared a National Monument in 1987 and has welcomed innumerable celebrities, literary giants, and royalty. The hotel has won its place in several world best hotel lists. It has 103 suites, the famous state-of-the-art Raffles Amrita Spa, a 24-hour gym, swimming pool, theater playhouse, culinary academy, hotel museum, and a shopping arcade with 70 retail shops featuring brand names.  The daily room rates at Raffles Hotel start at S$1,000.

The Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore

The 32-storey 5-star hotel rests on a seven-acre garden oasis on Raffles Avenue, in the heart of Marina Centre. All 608 guest rooms are the largest in the vicinity, at average of 550-650 square feet each, and have high-speed Internet access, as well as unobstructed views of the Singapore skyline or Marina Bay. The hotel, designed by Pritzker prize-winning architect Kevin Roche, is the grand showcase of a 4,200-piece contemporary art collection that includes the works by Frank Stella, Andy Warhol, and Dale Chihuly. Cellular telephones are on standby. Translation services are readily available. There is even a Technology Butler.  The daily room rates at Ritz Carlton hotel starts at S$400.

Mid-Range Singapore Hotels

Mid-range hotels are the choice hotels for majority of the business and leisure travelers in Singapore. The standard daily room rates at mid-range hotels in Singapore range from S$250 to S$450. Always check for discounts and promotions available before making a reservation. 

Meritus Mandarin Singapore

A 5-star 1,200-room business traveler’s hotel located in the most prestigious address in Singapore known as Orchard Road, the Mandarin Singapore was voted as one of the Gold List Hotels in Asia, Australia and Pacific Nations in the 2005 Readers’ Choice Gold List of Conde Nast Traveler.  The daily room  rates start at S$260.

Shangri-La Singapore

Set in fifteen acres of lush botanical gardens near the Orchard Road, the hotel has been ranked as one of the top luxury hotels in Asia and the world. The landscaped gardens showcase 133,000 ornamental flowering trees, aquatic plants, tropical flowers, and shady fruit trees. There are also waterfalls and ponds filled with hundreds of Japanese koi. A short leisurely walk from the main entertainment and shopping district of Orchard Road, the hotel has 750 luxury guestrooms and suites spread over three wings known as the contemporary Tower Wing, the tropical Garden Wing, and the exclusive Valley Wing. The daily room rates at Shangri-La hotel start at S$390.

Pan Pacific Singapore

The hotel has 778 rooms and suites with views of the city and harbor, as well as 26 meeting venues for events and occasions. It is located in Marina Bay and next to three shopping malls and the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The hotel has a no-smoking policy in its public areas, rooms, and suites. Smoking is permitted only in limited public areas and on balconies of guest rooms.  The daily room rates at Pan Pacific hotel start at S$260.

The Regent Singapore, A Four Seasons Hotel

Two blocks from Orchard Road and 10 minutes to the business district, The Regent offers a total of 439 rooms, including 46 elegant suites with private balconies. There is a gym with Cybex weight-training machines and full-time fitness instructors. Spa services include Shiatsu, Swedish, Indonesian and aromatherapy massage treatments, as well as a sauna, whirlpool, and steam bath. The award-winning Cantonese restaurant, Summer Palace, is found in the hotel. Regent Singapore also features the only drive-through gourmet take-out deli and bakery.  The daily room rates at Regent hotel start at S$370.

Fairmont Singapore

The hotel has garnered recent awards such as one of the 'Best Hotels in the World for Food', Condé Nast Traveler (UK) Gold List 2007, 'World's Best 700 Hotels, Resorts and Cruise Lines', Condé Nast Traveler (US) Gold List 2007, and 'Top 500 Hotels in the World', World's Best Awards Survey, Travel & Leisure 2007. The 769-room hotel has 17 restaurants and bars, 70,000 square feet of prime meeting space, and one of the largest spa facilities in Asia.  The daily room rates at Fairmont hotel start at S$320.

Royal Plaza on the Scotts

Located just one block off Orchard Road, this 5-star 511-room grand hotel is replete with chic restaurants, and is famous for being the first smoke-free business hotel in Singapore. A business travelers’ favorite, the rooms are furnished with complimentary minibars that are refreshed daily, as well as free unlimited broadband high-speed Internet access. Every corner of the hotel is a Wi-Fi zone. The daily room rates at Royal Plaza hotel start at S$330.

Grand Hyatt Singapore

The 663-room hotel, strategically is located in the center of Singapore's commercial and entertainment district. Each of the rooms is furnished with either a Bang & Olufsen television or a 37" LCD television, both with over 45 television channels. The hotel’s amenities include a free-form outdoor swimming pool with sun deck, tennis courts, indoor squash and badminton courts, table tennis and golf driving nets, whirlpool, sauna and steam rooms, private massage and body treatment rooms, and a fully-equipped gym that has personalized LCD screens. The daily room rates at Grand Hyatt Singapore start at S$380.

Marina Mandarin Singapore

The hotel boasts of its St. Gregory Spa that offers an integrated range of spa and skincare services, with 7 well-furnished treatment rooms. The hotel also has its famed 25-meter mineral water pool overlooking the city. A fitness center is open round-the-clock. The rooms are all fitted with wireless or wired broadband Internet access and work desks.  The daily room rates at Marina Mandarin hotel start at S$300.

Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore

Known as the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia, Swissotel The Stamford is said to offer panoramic views of Singapore, Indonesia, and parts of Malaysia. The hotel is located right next to the City Hall MRT interchange the Raffles City Shopping Centre. It has two outdoor swimming pools, six tennis courts, and a state-of-the-art fitness club with yoga, Pilates, and high and low impact dance classes. It is also famous for its Willow Stream Spa. The hotel offers a 24-hour medical service and basement parking for up to 1,000 cars.  The daily room rates at Swissotel hotel start at S$310.

Novotel Clarke Quay

The 4-star hotel is located close to the shopping district of Orchard Road and the Suntec City convention center. It is a downtown high-rise hotel found in one of the twin towers of the Liang Court complex on the banks of the Singapore River. There are a total of 398 rooms and 19 suites. Hotel amenities include five meeting rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, three restaurants serving international cuisine, and public indoor parking.  The daily room rates at Novotel Clarke Quay hotel start at S$275.

Singapore Marriott

The grand hotel has 30 floors, 373 rooms, 20 suites, 11 meeting rooms, and 1,482 square meters of total meeting space. It is located right in the heart of Singapore's famous shopping and entertainment belt, Orchard Road. On the hotel’s Level 5 is a pool with mosaic finish done in marine colors. The Marriott Cafe, Crossroads Cafe, Lobby Lounge, Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, and Pool Grill are the hotel’s award-winning restaurants. The hotel boasts of its Marriott Revive® bedding, a 10-inch mattress with a soft feather topper and plump Euro pillows. Rooms have their own broadband high-speed internet access. The daily room rates at Marriott hotel start at S$420.

Singapore Hilton

The 423-room 24-storey hotel is located centrally on the Orchard Road. A popular hotel among business travelers, it offers its guests a landscaped rooftop pool area, massage treatments, and complimentary access to the hotel's health club where personal training programs are available. A gym, aerobics studio, sauna, and steam room give guests a relaxing stay. The daily room rates at Hilton hotel start at S$405.

The Scarlet Hotel Singapore

The red-themed hotel with hip and chic design is located on the edge of Chinatown, and within walking distance to the MRT. This boutique hotel has 84 rooms. It was adjudged one of the world’s best new hotels in the 2005 Luxury Travel Awards and one of the best new hotels worldwide in the Conde Nast Traveler 2005 Hot List.  The daily room rates at Scarlet hotel start at S$290.

Budget Hotels

In the budget hotel category, the daily room rates can range from S$80 to S$380 depending on the facilities and location of the hotel.

Hotel Miramar Singapore

Located in the River Valley District, this 4-star 342-room hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to favorite attractions in Singapore. The hotel has a fully-equipped business center with state-of-the-art technology that includes personal computers and printers. It also has a large outdoor swimming pool, pebbled walkways, and restaurants. The daily room rates at Miramar hotel start at S$380.

Bayview Hotel Singapore

The 3-star 131-room hotel is located right in the heart of Singapore’s Heritage District, along Bencoolen Street, just off Bras Basah Road. The airy hotel, part of the Bayview International Hotels and Resorts chain, has clean and well-appointed rooms that come at very reasonable rates. The hotel has Wi-Fi broadband services, restaurants, a rooftop swimming pool with hydro facility, sauna, and fitness room.  The daily room rates at Bayview hotel start at S$260.

Peninsula Excelsior Hotel Singapore

Found in Singapore’s Financial District, as well as located and sharing many of the same facilities with Peninsula Hotel, this 3-Star 271-room hotel offers spacious rooms for the value-conscious business travelers. The hotel is close to the National Museum and the party hubs of Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. The City Hall MRT Interchange is only a 5-minute walk away. It has a fully-equipped gym and two swimming pools. The daily room rates at Excelsior hotel start at S$212.

Hotel 81 Chain

All rooms in the Hotel 81 chain are fully-airconditioned. They also have an attached bathroom or shower with heater, an in-room IDD telephone, coffee and tea making facilities, in-room television, hair dryer, and complimentary beverages for the guests. Hotel 81 Bencoolen, located on Bencoolen Street, is within walking distance to Singapore's top museums, art galleries, historical sites, shopping centers, as well as a quick 5-minute walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. This budget hotel has 215 rooms. Hotel 81 Bugis, located on Middle Road in Singapore’s Heritage District, is a short walk away from the Bugis Junction and the Bugis MRT station. It is also a short walk to the shopping and cinema complex of Shaw Towers. Hotel 81 Elegance is a 5-storey budget hotel with 120 rooms on Foch Road, near the intersection of Jl. Besar and Lavender St. on the northeastern edge of downtown Singapore. The Lavender MRT station is a 10-minute walk away.  The daily room rates at any Hotel 81 start at S$129.

Fragrance Hotel Chain

All rooms in the Fragrance Hotel chain are full-airconditioned. They also have an attached shower room, a telephone with IDD/Direct Dial Line, coffee and tea making facilities, television, and hair dryer. The hotels have rooftop swimming pools, broadband Internet stations, safety deposit boxes, fax and laundry services, 24-hour CCTV cameras in their public areas, and restaurants. Fragrance Hotel-Rose is a 68-room budget hotel located on Balestier Road in North Downtown. It is minutes away from the Novena MRT station and the shopping belt of Orchard Road. The SBS (Singapore Bus) quickly takes visitors to the Financial District. Fragrance Hotel-Selegie is a 120-room budget hotel located along Selegie Road, midway between the Dhoby Ghaut MRT and Little India MRT stations. The hotel is near the Singapore Expo and the central business district of Singapore.  The daily room rates at any Frangrance hotel start at S$199.

Beach Hotel Singapore

This 33-room budget hotel is located at the corner of Beach Road and Liang Seah Street, in the city central of Singapore and within walking distance to Suntec City, Raffles City, and Bugis Junction. The Bugis MRT station is just a 10-minute walk away. In-room facilities include airconditioning, attached bathroom, color TV with cable connection, and IDD telephone. The hotel has Internet facilities.  The daily room rates at Beach hotel start at S$140.

Broadway Hotel Singapore

Located along Serangoon Road and well-accessed by public transport, the 65-room Broadway Hotel is one of the most popular budget hotels in Little India. Facilities include airconditioning, satellite television, direct dial telephone, coffee and tea making facilities, electronic safe, hair dryer, attached bathroom, and private parking. The hotel also has its own in-house restaurants.  The daily room rates at Bradway hotel start at S$128.

Classique Hotel

This 43-room budget hotel, on Jalan Besar road in Little India, is a 10-minute drive away from Orchard Road and 20-minute ride away from the airport. It is a 5-minute walking distance to Mustafa Center and 10 minutes from Farrer Park MRT station. Television and refrigerator are standard furnishings in every room, among others. Free high-speed wireless Internet access is available at the lobby.  The daily room rates at Classique hotel start at S$80.

Being a global business center, Singapore has tasked itself to take care of the needs, preferences, and budgets of international business travelers. There is always a place for you to stay in Singapore that fits your taste and resources. The choices are varied. All are clean, decent, and safe. The efficient people in Singapore’s hospitality industry will make sure that your short stay in the island is no less than a delight. In 2007, there were nearly 31,000 gazetted hotel rooms in Singapore. Gazetted hotels are hotels that have met the minimum criteria as laid down by the Singapore Tourism Board.

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