The place to Keep in Singapore Throughout Your Go to (Up to date 2023)

The Singapore city skyline, densely packed with skyscrapers on a sunny day
Posted: 2/16/2023 | February sixteenth, 2023

Singapore is likely one of the world’s smallest nations. However this tiny nation packs a punch.

Residence to some 5.7 million individuals, Singapore is a cosmopolitan city-state that separated from the British in 1963 and gained independence from Malaysia in 1965. Within the many years that adopted, it advanced from a low-income nation to one of many facilities of world finance.

It’s a foodie’s dream, bursting with tasty hawker-stall choices, scrumptious Indian delicacies, and contemporary seafood. In actual fact, a number of the most cost-effective Michelin-starred eateries on this planet may be discovered right here.

For extra lively guests, there are mountaineering trails on which you’ll be able to stretch your legs, quite a few biking paths, and loads of kayaking adventures available. And whenever you run out of vitality, there are seashores for chilling out and absorbing the solar.

Although a small city-state, every neighborhood in Singapore has its personal distinctive vibe. Right here’s my breakdown of all of them so you’ll be able to determine the place to remain in Singapore whenever you go to.

However, earlier than I get into specifics, listed here are some widespread questions I get requested about Singapore neighborhoods:

What’s one of the best neighborhood in Singapore for finances vacationers?
Kampong Glam is one in all Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods. It has a great deal of retailers promoting textiles, rugs, and Turkish homewares; some scrumptious Arabic eating places; the large golden-domed Sultan Mosque; and a ton of eye-catching avenue artwork.

What’s one of the best neighborhood in Singapore for households?
Whereas many households gravitate to Sentosa for the seashores and laid-back vibe, Orchard Road is a way more central place to remain. Identified extra for being the procuring middle of Singapore, it’s nicely related to the remainder of the island, is crammed with eating places within the malls and alongside the road, and has some nice family-friendly resorts.

What’s one of the best neighborhood in Singapore for first-time guests?
Not removed from the fashionable Central Enterprise District, Chinatown is one of the best place to get an actual sense of Chinese language tradition in Singapore. The streets are lined with temples, craft retailers, stalls, and eating places, so you’ll be able to choose up a discount right here after which get some tasty meals.

What’s one of the best neighborhood in Singapore for partying?
If it’s a buzzing nightlife scene that you simply’re after, any of the Quays (Clarke, Robertson, or Boat) are the place to go. They’ve a great deal of bars and eating places and many of the golf equipment are in or round this space too.

What’s the finest neighborhood in Singapore general?
Chinatown is centrally positioned and has (or is tremendous near) most of the island’s most important sights, together with its scrumptious hawker meals, stunning temples, vivid avenue artwork, and ample historical past.

So, with these questions answered, right here’s a breakdown of every neighborhood, with steered lodging for every, so you already know precisely the place to remain in Singapore:

 

The place to Keep for Sightseeing: Chinatown

A triangular shaped white building trimmed with red and decorated with Chinese characters, on a street with other colorful buildings in Chinatown, Singapore
Chinatown is my favourite space: it’s good for shopping retailers and tasting native dishes. It’s additionally tremendous central, so it’s straightforward to get to and from different common components of the island, together with Gardens by the Bay, Little India, Kampong Glam, and the Botanic Gardens.

For those who can, eat at Hong Kong Soya Sauce Hen Rice and Noodle (aka Hawker Chan), the world’s most reasonably priced Michelin-starred restaurant. Tian Tian Hainanese Hen Rice is one other Michelin-starred hawker stall price a go to. Like Hawker Chan’s, it’s positioned within the Maxwell Hawker Heart.

Finest Locations to Keep in Chinatown:

  • BUDGET: The Bohemian – This can be a tremendous enjoyable hostel that doesn’t take itself too severely. Proper in the midst of Chinatown, and aimed solely at backpackers, it affords dorms and capsules, free Wi-Fi, and a shared lounge for hanging out and assembly different vacationers.
  • MID-RANGE: The Scarlet – This lodge in a preserved prewar shophouse (a constructing sort serving each as a residence and a business enterprise) is in an outstanding location for exploring Chinatown. It has a rooftop restaurant, an outside sizzling tub, a gymnasium, and laundry and dry-cleaning providers.
  • LUXURY: The Park Royal at Pickering – On the excessive finish of your finances, this property has been featured in a load of worldwide publications because of its luxurious eco-paradise method, together with dwelling partitions on its exterior. It has a health ground with an outside pool and a gymnasium, in addition to a scenic backyard skywalk.

 

The place to Keep for Nightlife: The Quays

An evening scene with boats going by Clarke Quay in Singapore
The three most important Quays (pronounced “keys”) are Clarke, Robertson, and Boat. Full of vibrant bars, tasty eating places, cute cafés, and vigorous golf equipment, that is one of the best place to go for an evening out (or simply some enjoyable people-watching). Whereas the venues on the principle drag (by the riverfront) are the preferred for his or her location, the aspect streets are the place yow will discover some much less touristy venues.

Finest Locations to Keep in The Quays:

  • BUDGET: hipstercity hostel – There aren’t many hostels in and across the Quays, however this one is clear, snug, and pleasant. It has a shared lounge and kitchen but additionally affords breakfast and free Wi-Fi.
  • MID-RANGE: KINN Capsule Hotel – One among a handful of capsule resorts within the Quays space, KINN has air-conditioned cabins, a shared lounge, free Wi-Fi, a laundry facility, shared bogs, and a solar terrace.
  • LUXURY: Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay – With an enormous out of doors pool, gymnasium, sauna, and backyard, Paradox is a luxe possibility for many who wish to splurge and keep close to the motion. It additionally has a restaurant and a terrace with scenic views overlooking town.

 

The place to Keep for Avenue Artwork: Kampong Glam

People taking photos and walking down Haji Lane, a pedestrian alley lined with colorful shops and stalls in the neighborhood of Kampong Glam, Singapore
Graffiti in Singapore is unlawful, however that doesn’t imply there’s not an abundance of avenue artwork throughout city: the artists simply want a license to color there.

Kampong Glam, also called the Arab Quarter, has essentially the most avenue artwork on the island. Wander round Haji Lane, which is brightly adorned from prime to backside, and stroll by means of Gelam Gallery, a backstreet devoted to this type of artwork. Singapore’s most well-known avenue artist, Yip Yew Chong, has some murals right here too.

Little India and Chinatown, each avenue artwork sizzling spots, are simply strolling distance away as nicely.

Finest Locations to Keep in Kampong Glam:

  • BUDGET: Beary Best! – Within the coronary heart of Kampong Glam in a restored heritage constructing, Beary Finest! is a capsule lodge with a laid-back vibe. It’s a self-check-in, self-service idea, with shared bogs and free Wi-Fi. The AC solely comes on between 3pm and 9pm, however the payback is the roof terrace, which has nice views of Sultan Mosque and surrounding neighborhood.
  • MID-RANGE: Cube – Boutique Capsule Hotel – One other capsule lodge, this one is a brief stroll from the middle of Kampong Glam. In addition to en suite rooms, it affords free Wi-Fi, complimentary self-service laundry, free breakfast, and work areas with enterprise providers must you want them.
  • LUXURY: Village Hotel Bugis by Far East Hospitality – Village Resort Bugis is on the intersection of Kampong Glam, Chinatown, and Little India, offering easy accessibility to a number of the finest sights on the town. It has a gymnasium, an outside pool, and a few eating places the place you’ll be able to feast on tasty native delicacies.

 

The place to Keep for Leisure: Sentosa

A hanging pedestrian suspension bridge leading to a sandy beach lined with palm trees and small huts in Sentosa, Singapore
For those who’re in want of some R&R, look no additional than Sentosa. One among Singapore’s 64 islands, it’s linked to the principle one by a causeway. It is stuffed with good seashores, luxe resorts, and a load of sights, together with Common Studios, an aquarium, bungee leaping, and way more.

It was additionally a strategic army level throughout World Conflict II and Siloso Fort is an fascinating place to discover if you’d like a break from the resorts and costly actions.

Sentosa is just not the most affordable space of Singapore, as there are solely resorts to remain at, however for those who’re within the temper to interrupt the finances, that is one of the best place to do it!

Finest Locations to Keep in Sentosa:

  • BUDGET: Siloso Beach Resort – There’s no such factor as an affordable place to remain on Sentosa (finances vacationers are higher off visiting for the day), however for those who actually wish to discover lodging on the island, Siloso Seaside Resort might be your most cost-effective possibility. It’s an award-winning eco-resort with a spring-water pool (the longest landscaped pool within the nation), a gymnasium, and spa.
  • MID-RANGE: Oasia Resort Sentosa – An honest-sized resort, the Oasia has an in-house spa and leisure actions for company, in addition to a pool if it is advisable to beat the warmth. There are additionally yoga and wellness courses, in addition to scrumptious eats on the bar and grill. It’s additionally in a terrific location, not removed from Siloso Seaside.
  • LUXURY: Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa – The Shangri-La is likely one of the solely resorts in Singapore to have its personal non-public seashore. Add to that the out of doors pool (together with water slides), children’ membership, spa, and several other eating places, and also you’ve bought just about all you want. It’s extra secluded than the remainder of the resorts, however all of the enjoyable issues to do are nonetheless inside strolling distance. Don’t confuse this lodge with its sister close to Orchard Highway (see beneath).

 

The place to Keep for Households: Orchard Highway

A modernly designed luxury shopping mall with signs for Cartier, Tiffany's, and Louis Vuitton in Orchard Road, Singapore
Well-known for its many shops and procuring malls that line the road nearly from starting to finish, Orchard Highway is likely one of the most central locations to remain in Singapore, making it a terrific alternative for households. Plenty of the resorts listed here are family-friendly (though they’ll additionally carry a little bit of a price ticket), and there are various eating choices round right here too.

Finest locations to remain on Orchard Highway:

  • BUDGET: YMCA @ One Orchard – This received’t be the most affordable hostel you’ll ever keep in, and it solely has non-public rooms, however you’ll be able to’t argue with its location close to the Nationwide Museum and the Istana (the spectacular workplace constructing for Singapore’s president that’s used to obtain and entertain state company and solely opens on choose days of the 12 months). (For extra budget-friendly choices, the Quays, Little India, and Kampong Glam are all shut by.)
  • MID-RANGE: York Hotel – Situated simply off Orchard Highway, this lodge has a pool, a health middle, and a restaurant that serves breakfast on daily basis, in addition to free Wi-Fi.
  • LUXURY: Shangri-La Orange Grove – Significantly cheaper than the Shangri-La on Sentosa, this lodge has an enormous pool, a splash space with slides, a children’ membership, and large gardens to discover. There are a number of eating places, together with one providing all types of Western and Asian meals, in addition to an Italian restaurant and a bar with snacks proper by the pool.

 

The place to Keep Off the Crushed Observe: East Coast

The colorful buildings on Joo Chiat Road in East Coast, Singapore
For those who’re trying to get away from the principle vacationer path, head to the East Coast. Across the Joo Chiat space is the place a few of Singapore’s most well-known shophouses may be discovered; there’s all method of unbiased shops, eating places, bars, and cafés to browse and hand around in. There are a couple of strolling trails, some cool avenue artwork, a number of temples, and an honest seashore with a protracted bike observe that leads all the best way into Gardens by the Bay and past.

Finest Locations to Keep on East Coast:

  • BUDGET: Hotel Classic by Venue – That is budget-friendly lodge is positioned proper on Joo Chiat, conveniently positioned very near a number of markets with nice hawker stalls. The clear and trendy rooms all have AC and free Wi-Fi.
  • MID-RANGE: Champion Hotel – Additionally on Joo Chiat, this lodge is in a Peranakan (Malay-Chinese language) shophouse, making it an excellent cute place to spend the night time. The rooms all include complimentary drinks and toiletries, a TV, and free Wi-Fi, whereas the lodge has 24-hour safety, web kiosks, and laundry.
  • LUXURY: Santa Grand Hotel – The Santa Grand is one other lodge that’s in a historic shophouse. It’s not removed from Joo Chiat, on East Coast Highway, and it has its personal restaurant and bar (though there are many locations close by to take a look at too) and a laundry service. There’s additionally a wonderful pool and rooftop terrace for taking within the views.

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Singapore is small, however there actually is rather a lot to do right here. The excellent news is that many of the sights are between the middle and the south of the island so that you’re unlikely to must journey too far to get anyplace, which means yow will discover someplace to fit your finances and plan accordingly.

Guide Your Journey to Singapore: Logistical Ideas and Tips

Guide Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to discover a low-cost flight. They’re my favourite search engine as a result of they search web sites and airways across the globe so that you all the time know no stone is left unturned.

Guide Your Lodging
You possibly can e book your hostel with Hostelworld as they’ve the largest stock and finest offers. If you wish to keep someplace apart from a hostel, use Booking.com as they persistently return the most affordable charges for guesthouses and low-cost resorts.

Don’t Neglect Journey Insurance coverage
Journey insurance coverage will defend you in opposition to sickness, damage, theft, and cancellations. It’s complete safety in case something goes fallacious. I by no means go on a visit with out it as I’ve had to make use of it many instances up to now. My favourite corporations that provide one of the best service and worth are:

In search of the Finest Corporations to Save Cash With?
Take a look at my useful resource web page for one of the best corporations to make use of whenever you journey. I record all those I exploit to save cash after I’m on the street. They are going to prevent cash whenever you journey too.

Need Extra Info on Singapore?
Make sure to go to our strong vacation spot information on Singapore for much more planning ideas!