Singapore is a country where you can witness the unique blend of Southeast Asia's modern and cultural sides. As one of the most visited holiday destinations on the continent, you can expect to come across a huge tourist crowd in
this city-state throughout the year. So, it's always better to stay informed and choose accommodation for the Singapore trip in advance. Find all the vital details regarding this topic on this page.
Types of Accommodations in Singapore
Did you know?
• Similar to other Asian countries, capsule hotels are also available widely in Singapore. They feature small but comfortable pod-shaped rooms that come with charging ports, air-conditioning, a TV, a personal safe, a communal bathroom, storage space, etc. Capsule hotels in Singapore are very budget-friendly accommodation options but do note that they are not entirely soundproof. So, you may have to deal with other people snoring and talking while you try to sleep. Also, individuals who don't like confined spaces can skip this option entirely.
Even though Singapore is a small city-state, it features all the necessary facilities to promote and maintain tourism in the region. Here are the accommodation and stay options you can find in Singapore;
- Hotels: Most tourists visiting Singapore prefer staying at one of the numerous hotels available in the city-state. The city has various kinds of hotels that can serve different accommodation needs, such as family visits,
business tours, luxury stays, etc. Hotels in Singapore fit all budget criteria and can include tons of amenities, such as in-room hot tubs, in-house buffet, butler service, spa, etc.
A travel tip: Individuals
looking for elegant accommodation options in Singapore, highlighted by vintage building architecture and rich stories, can choose to stay at a Heritage Hotel in the city-state. One such popular name is the Fullerton Hotel,
near the mouth of the Singapore River, which used to house the General Post Office, the Singapore Club, WWII soldiers etc., at some point of time in history. - Hostels: Travellers looking for quality stay options within a reasonable budget in Singapore can choose to stay at hostels. It is a popular stay option among young backpackers who don't mind communal living in a dorm-style
environment. Hostels come with all the basic facilities like comfortable beds, private storage space, WiFi, AC, etc.
A travel tip: For general price reference, the cost of staying at a decent hotel within a
convenient location in Singapore can be around 200 to 250 SGD/night. While the accommodation cost of staying at a 5-star luxurious hotel in the city-state can be anywhere between 350 to 800 SGD/night or even more. - Guesthouses: Guesthouses are also widely available across Singapore, offering tourists a more private living space at a decent price point. Besides private rooms, they also present a handful of additional amenities,
such as free WiFi, on-site garage space, on-request airport shuttle service, in-room breakfast, etc.
A travel tip:Even though the cost of living in hostels in Singapore is quite high compared to other countries,
you will get high-quality service throughout your stay. Hostels farther from the city centre and prominent tourist areas are the cheapest, starting from as low as 40 to 48 SGD/night. - Service apartments: Service apartments in Singapore are a great choice of accommodation that tourists can consider during their trip. They are fully-furnished apartments equipped to facilitate both short-term and long-term
staying guests. They offer a few amenities like housekeeping, a fully-equipped kitchen, some basic utilities, etc.
- Beach resorts: For visitors interested in all-inclusive, luxury accommodation for their trip, beach resorts in Singapore can be a great option. These lavish stay choices offer not only some of the best scenic views but
also top-class amenities, including fine dining restaurants, workout spaces, private pools, saunas, etc.
Things to consider when choosing accommodations in Singapore
Did you know?
• Despite being within the off-season, travellers will notice a steep rise in hotel and other accommodation prices during mid to late September. It is because tons of tourists from around the world come to this city-state to attend one of the largest racing events of the year, the Singapore Grand Prix. So, consider booking months in advance if you are planning your trip during this time.
When choosing accommodations for your Singapore trip, make sure to consider the following pointers;
- Time of travel: Alongside choosing accommodations in Singapore as per your budget, don’t forget to consider the time of your visit. Even though the city-state remains filled with tourist crowds for the most part
of the year, there are still a few off-season months where you can get decent deals on accommodations. The off-season in Singapore stretches from August to October, and you can stay at premium hotels at cheaper rates during
this time.
A travel tip: The best area for transient travellers to stay in Singapore is near Changi Airport. You can find various types of accommodations under most budget ranges at this location. They also
offer all kinds of amenities and easy accessibility to local transport, such as taxis, MRT, buses, etc. There are also premium transit hotels within Changi Airport, found at T1, 2, and 3. - Accessibility: When picking accommodation in Singapore, do consider the aspect of accessibility. Due to its small size, it allows tourists to travel from one place to another via local transport without much of a hassle.
So, consider choosing a hotel in an area that offers quick access to both public and private local transport.
A travel tip: Even though the Marina Bay Sands area in Singapore is known for luxury stay options,
you can find affordable accommodations within a 10-minute drive distance from there. A few popular choices include the Hotel Boss and The Pod Boutique Capsule Hotel, offering rooms under 160 SGD/night. - Amenities: In Singapore, even a basic 50 SGD/night hostel comes with all the vital amenities. But if you are interested in spending a luxurious vacation, look into premium options that include various kinds of services
and amenities. However, do note that more amenities would mean a higher cost of stay, so choose wisely.
A travel tip: Though accommodations in major tourist-focused areas in Singapore are expensive, there are
a few exceptions. For instance, you can find affordable stay options in popular districts and areas like Changi, Geylang, Chinatown, Lavender, etc. - Group size: Not all accommodation and stay options in Singapore are appropriate for a large group of travellers. While solo tourists and small travel groups can consider staying at capsule hotels and hostels, options
like guesthouses, hotels and resorts are more appropriate to accommodate families and big tourist groups.
Tips for selecting the best accommodations
Did you know?
• Tons of hotels and other stay options in Singapore offer the facility of free cancellations. It comes in handy, especially if you are booking in advance, as it lets you switch hotels if necessary without the need to pay anything extra.
• If you are interested in booking hotels online for your Singapore trip, there are a few websites you can consider checking out, such as Booking, Agoda, Hostelworld, Hotels.com Singapore, etc.
Following are some essential tips that will help you choose the best accommodations in Singapore for your trip;
- For your Singapore trip, consider booking hotels online. This method enables you to find a lot of options and exclusive deals. If you like a hotel or accommodation option, make sure to refer to their official website (if available)
or call them directly to enquire about the price, availability, amenities, etc.
A travel tip: While mobile and laptop charging facilities are standard in Singapore hotels and other accommodation options, note
that the country uses a G-type socket like in the UK. So, Indians visiting Singapore will need an adapter that adapts C, D and M-type plugs to G Socket. Some hotels feature type A mobile charging sockets, while others may
offer an adapter for temporary use. - Singapore is a small city-state, and its main touristy areas remain filled with crowds throughout the year. So, if you are looking for a peaceful environment, book hotels on the outskirts of the main tourist-focused zones.
However, make sure to pick an option close to an MRT station, bus stop or taxi stand.
A travel tip: Though it varies depending on your choice of accommodation, the standard check-out time in Singapore is 11
AM, while the check-in time is between 2-3 PM. Make sure to set your trip according to this timeline. - Most accommodation and stay options in Singapore offer complimentary breakfast, meals, etc. In some cases, they can be a part of an exclusive deal or package for an additional few bucks. So, do enquire about this facility for
a chance to have a better stay experience in Singapore.
- Before booking accommodation in Singapore, always check the reviews and ratings of the place left by previous guests. It will give you a clear understanding of what kind of stay experience you can expect and get at that establishment.
Popular accommodation choices according to tourist destinations in Singapore
Did you know?
• Some of the best places where you can find affordable accommodation in Singapore include Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street (Kampong Glam), thanks to the availability of numerous hostels and capsule hotels.
To find area-specific information about accommodation choices in Singapore, go through the following pointers;
- Orchard Road: For a luxurious stay experience, individuals can look for accommodation near Orchard Road. There are numerous 5-star hotels at this location, but individuals can also find affordable yet elegant 3-star
choices starting at just 130 SGD/night.
A travel tip: You can enjoy a short stay in Sentosa Island, Singapore, without breaking the bank. A few affordable hotels and resorts on the island offer accommodation
for just 120 to 200 SGD/night. - Marina Bay: The accommodation choices available near the Marina Bay area are quite luxurious and expensive. The most popular accommodation option here is 5-star hotels, which have a starting price of 400 SGD/night during
the off-season.
- Sentosa: Sentosa Island is the ultimate luxury holiday spot where you can spend your holidays in Singapore. You can find all kinds of accommodations on this island, from all-inclusive luxury resorts to mid-range hotels.
Conclusion:
As you can see, Singapore offers a wide range of choices when it comes to accommodation for tourists. You can find all kinds of places to stay in this city-state per your budget, starting with budget-friendly hostels and boutique
hotels to luxury 5-star hotels and resorts. So, if you are planning on visiting Singapore for your next trip, research the available accommodation choices and book in advance for the best stay experience.
FAQs
1) What is the cheapest accommodation I can find in Singapore?
The cheapest accommodation you can find in Singapore is a dormitory-style hostel. A hostel in a decent touristy location can cost roughly 45 to 50 SGD/night.
2) Are there any disadvantages of staying away from the city centre in Singapore?
There's no such real disadvantage of staying away from the city centre in Singapore except for a bit of extra travelling. However, staying near an MRT station or bus stop can make this additional travel time feel negligible.
3) Are there any dormitories for female tourists in Singapore?
Yes, there are tons of dormitories in Singapore that are designed to accommodate just female travellers and come with all the basic amenities.
4) What is the cheapest month to book hotels in Singapore?
According to some sources, October is one of the cheapest months to book hotels in Singapore.